Technology for Kids

12 Apps & Alerts Every Chicago Parent Should Have

Smartphones ready! There's an app to help you park, pay your dinner bill and even find a potty.

By Selena Kohng November 6, 2014

There are more and more Chicago-centric apps out there — which means family outings (like playground visits!) are more fun and everyday stuff (like finding parking!) is less hassle. We sifted through them to give you the 12 must-haves, including ones that help you park, pay your dinner bill and even find a potty. Flip through our photo album for the scoop.

Specimania by The Field Museum

Part card game, part solo matching game and part flash card trivia, this game is an impressive teaching tool for kids in primary and upper grades alike. Heck, you’re bound to get sucked into the fun too. With fascinating tidbits about artifacts and animals in the museum, many housed in hidden vaults, it’s easy to see why. Cards show “characters” (museum artifacts) on one side for play; the other side shows the its history and significance along with how it came into the Field Museum collection. Your budding archaeologist or anthropologist will love learning about familiar faces like Sue and exotic items like the Kwakwaka ’wakw Transformation Mask. Free. For iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Download the app here.