First Impression
I saw this app mentioned in a mom’s group on Facebook and downloaded it mostly out of curiosity. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was hoping for something that wasn’t just another screen for my kid to stare at. Right away, the setup was easy. I put in my daughter Ellie’s name and her second birthday, and the app felt personal. The home screen was clean and not cluttered with ads or weird links, which was my first relief. It didn’t scream “sell me stuff.” It just showed her little avatar, her age, and a big button for today’s activity. My initial thought was, “Okay, this looks safe and simple.” That’s exactly what I want from anything I use for my family.
What It Does Well
The best part, hands down, is the daily activity. Every morning with my coffee, I open the app and get one single idea. It’s never complicated. Last Thursday, it was “Sing ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes’ but super slow, then super fast.” We did it while getting dressed and Ellie giggled the whole time. It’s these little prompts that I wouldn’t think of on my own that actually work. I also really like the milestone tracker. As a first-time parent, I worry if she’s on track. Being able to quickly tap that she’s started sorting shapes or using two-word sentences gives me a quiet peace of mind. The articles are short and useful, too. I read one about handling tantrums at the grocery store right before our weekly shop, and it actually helped me stay calm when the meltdown happened in the cereal aisle.
Where It Falls Short
The app isn’t perfect. My main issue is with getting around sometimes. If I dive into the library to find an activity for a rainy afternoon, it’s great. But when I’m done reading the instructions, hitting the back button often takes me all the way out to the main menu instead of back to my search results. It’s a small thing, but when you’re trying to quickly find something while a toddler is climbing the couch, it’s annoying. I also wish I could see more than just the one daily activity on the main screen. Sometimes I want to peek at tomorrow’s idea or quickly revisit one from earlier in the week, and that takes a few extra taps.
Is It Worth the Price?
It’s free, so absolutely. There are no pop-ups asking for a subscription, no “premium” features locked away, and I haven’t seen a single ad. For a tool that delivers genuinely helpful, personalized content every day, that’s pretty amazing. You’re not getting a trial version; you get the whole thing. I’ve downloaded plenty of parenting apps that give you three good ideas and then demand money. This one doesn’t do that. It feels like a real resource, not a sales pitch.
Developer & Support
The app is made by Proverbs 31 Ministries. I had a question about how the milestone ages were calculated, so I used the contact form in the app’s settings. I didn’t hear back right away—it took about three days—but when I did get a reply, it was a full, friendly paragraph from a real person. They explained their sources and thanked me for using the app. It showed me there are actual humans who care behind it, which is more than I can say for a lot of the tech we use today. The app has updated once since I downloaded it, just fixing some minor bugs.
Privacy & Safety
This was a big one for me. The app asks for your child’s name and birthday to work. I read their privacy policy (it’s linked right in the App Store) and it says they use that data only to personalize the app for you and they don’t sell it. I believe them because the app experience backs it up. There are no random ads for toys or snacks, which tells me they’re not using our info to target us. Everything feels contained and focused on parenting help. I got it from the regular Apple App Store on my iPhone, and it doesn’t ask for any weird permissions like my contacts or location. It feels secure, which lets me relax and actually use it.
How does the daily activity feature work in First 5?
Each morning, the app gives you one simple, play-based activity tailored to your child's age. For example, it might suggest singing a song at different speeds, and you can do it while getting dressed. It's designed to be easy and screen-free, giving you ideas you might not think of on your own.
Can I track my child's developmental milestones in the app?
Yes, First 5 includes a milestone tracker where you can quickly log things like when your child starts sorting shapes or using two-word sentences. This helps give you peace of mind as a parent, especially if you're wondering if your little one is on track.
Why does the back button take me to the main menu instead of my previous search?
This is a known navigation issue where hitting back after reading an activity's instructions often returns you to the home screen instead of your search results. To work around it, try using the app's library search again directly, as the developers haven't fixed this yet.
Can I see more than one activity at a time on the main screen?
Currently, the main screen only shows the current day's activity. If you want to preview tomorrow's idea or revisit one from earlier in the week, you'll need to tap through a few extra menus. It's a small inconvenience for an otherwise simple design.
How does First 5 compare to other paid parenting apps?
Unlike many parenting apps that lock premium features behind a subscription or show ads, First 5 is completely free with no hidden costs. It offers personalized daily activities, milestone tracking, and useful articles without ever asking for money, making it a genuine resource rather than a sales pitch.
