Crayola Create and Play

First Impression

I downloaded this app one rainy Tuesday afternoon because my six-year-old, Lily, was bouncing off the walls. I’d seen the name Crayola and figured it had to be better than another unboxing video. Opening it up, I was immediately hit with bright colors and cheerful music. It didn’t feel cheap or loaded with ads right away, which was a huge relief. I let Lily tap around, and within minutes she was coloring a cartoon cat without me having to explain anything. The whole setup felt intuitive, like it was actually made for small hands and short attention spans. My initial worry about it being another sneaky money grab started to fade.

What It Does Well

This app is fantastic at keeping kids engaged in something that feels like play, not just zoning out. Lily’s favorite part is the Art Universe, this little map with different islands for drawing, games, and stories. She can spend half an hour just on the “Doodle Detective” game, where she solves puzzles by coloring in the right spots. I love that it encourages her to follow instructions and think a bit. The coloring tools are great—they look and blend like real crayons and markers, which makes her digital art feel more special. The best moment was last week when she used the AR feature to make a butterfly she colored land on our kitchen table. She was so proud she ran to get her dad. It turns screen time into a creative project, which is exactly what I wanted.

Where It Falls Short

It’s not perfect. The main issue is the subscription wall. The free version gives you a nice taste, but Lily hit its limits pretty fast. She’d get excited about a new island on the map only for a lock icon to pop up, and then I’d hear, “Mom, it’s broken!” That’s a frustrating conversation to have with a disappointed kid. Also, some of the mini-games can be a little tricky for her age. There’s one where you have to tap moving stars quickly, and she often misses, which sometimes leads to her handing me the iPad in a huff. The touch controls aren’t always super precise for detailed coloring, either.

Is It Worth the Price?

Even with the drawbacks, we ended up subscribing. After seeing how much Lily used it and, more importantly, *how* she used it, the yearly fee felt justified. It’s less than a couple of trips to the craft store. Having full access means no more begging for new coloring books every week and no surprise in-app purchases—everything is covered. For us, the value is in having a reliable, ad-free activity that I don’t have to micromanage. I know she’s safe, and she’s being creative. That peace of mind makes the cost okay.

Developer & Support

I haven’t had to contact support myself, which is probably a good sign. The app just works on my iPhone 14. I did poke around the parent section in the app, and it’s straightforward for setting time limits and managing the account. Looking at other reviews in the App Store, it seems like most people who had problems got them fixed. I’ve also noticed new stuff popping up every so often, like a holiday-themed drawing pack around Easter. It feels like the Crayola team is still adding to it, which makes the subscription feel less static.

Privacy & Safety

This was my biggest concern, and I was pleasantly surprised. To even start, the app makes you verify you’re a parent through an email check. That extra step made me trust it more right off the bat. I couldn’t find any sketchy permission requests. There are no chat features or social media links, which is a massive plus. Everything is contained within the app. The parent gate for settings and purchases is solid—it asks a math question Lily definitely can’t answer yet. It feels like a walled garden, which is the only kind of digital space I’m comfortable letting my kid wander in alone.