Review: Pok Pok - The Calm, Creative Kids Game Collection Every Parent Needs to Know About

Pok Pok is a collection of open-ended, creative games designed for young children. My 3-year-old plays it regularly on the iPad.

The games include: a simplified city builder (think a very basic version of SimCity), a radio, and a drawing app, among others. There seem to be around ten to twelve games available and the publisher says they’ll continuously rotate them. We bought it based on a recommendation from an early childhood educator we trust.

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What I like most about Pok Pok is that it’s all about exploration—there’s no score, no levels to complete, and no strict objectives. It’s just about playing, discovering, and using sound and movement to engage with the game world.

There are also very limited sounds, no ads, and no text of any kind. The company emphasizes “calm play” as a core design principle, which I think really sets it apart from other apps.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Pok Pok is the controls—what designers refer to as “affordances.” Unlike most apps where the controls are straightforward and obvious (click here, do this), Pok Pok encourages continuous discovery. The design feels intentionally unclear, which invites kids to explore and figure things out for themselves. Every time my daughter plays, she seems to discover something new, and I think that’s exactly the point.

I’m also really curious to see what new features or games they’ll add in the future. It feels like the app is designed to continuously evolve, which must be exciting for the developers as well—almost like working with a blank canvas.

My wife and I try to play with her, picking up and moving characters around a beach scene or in a city she’s building. We’ll also look over and see her exploring a new game, trying to learn the controls.

Sometimes, my daughter gets bored and wants to do something else, but I actually see that as a good thing. It’s nice that she isn’t completely glued to the screen and can transition easily to other activities. In fact, while she loves playing it’s also easy to ask her to stop playing. And, when she’s done she’s her usual self—no tantrums or overstimulation.

One downside: the cost for the app is high. $7/month or $46/year. In my mind I compared it to streaming video services at $15/month or ~$140/year and in person activities like ballet, soccer or swimming which are closer to ~$100-$125 a month. In my mind, this seemed like the right comparison to make as all of these activities build skills and support development. Yes, Pok Pok is more expensive than other games, but other games come with unwanted issues like ads or gameplay that just doesn’t fit my daughter’s development.

Overall, I'm thrilled with the purchase. Pok Pok feels like a refreshing approach to screen time—calm, exploratory, and adaptable. It encourages creativity and problem-solving, which are so important for a 3-year-old’s development. I look forward to seeing how the app continues to grow and evolve.

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