Review

This app is another in the same series as our previous app recommendation, Color by Numbers - Flowers. It has exactly the same functionality but with pictures of vehicles to colour instead of flowers. The review below is therefore the same as written previously.

Color by Numbers - Vehicles presents a colouring activity in the paint-by-numbers genre, allowing users to transform a picture from black and white to colour in a structured and ‘failure-free’ format. Multiple customisation options provide the choice of following the traditional paint-by-numbers ‘rules’ or adjusting the complexity to increase or decrease the challenge e.g. controlling the number of shapes that can be coloured, using colour markers instead of numbers, or choosing a ‘free colour’ mode (see below for our recommended settings). The design of the app is bright and clean with large interactive elements and a calm soundtrack (that can be muted if preferred). However, there are some design elements that have the potential to be problematic, for example, some pictures contain very small parts that require precise control to fill, the menu items aren't labelled and there are several on-screen buttons that could disrupt the user's experience by moving to a different screen ('Shop' and 'Settings'), changing the picture, or resetting the picture without warning. Also, the app is marketed as being designed for children, but it is our opinion that the app’s contents are not overly child-like or stigmatising, particularly when compared with many other examples in this genre. Given that the free version of the app provides full-functionality for three pictures, without adverts, we recommend downloading this version first and then buying the premium version later if the app is enjoyed.

Tip: In-App Purchases do require a password before completion, but they can be completely restricted on your device, if preferred. For information on how to do this for the Apple iPad, read our step-by-step guide. For information on how to do this for the Android tablet, click here.

Recommended Settings

Access the settings by tapping on the small 'wheel' icon in the upper left corner of the screen. These are our recommended settings when introducing the game:

• Game Mode 1 - of the three larger boxes, the left box is the normal mode, the middle box is of a higher difficulty with more intricate detail, and the right box is an easier, 'free-colour' mode. User preference and ability should dictate the selection, but if playing for the first time, we recommend the left box (normal).

• Game Mode 2 - of the eight smaller boxes (left to right), the first is colour by shape, the second is colour by colour, the third is colour by letters, the fourth is traditional colour by numbers, the fifth, sixth and seventh are colour by maths (addition, subtraction and both) and the eighth is a simplified colour by numbers that requires fewer interactions and less precise control. User preference and ability should dictate the selection again, but for the first play we recommend the the fourth box (traditional colour by numbers).

• Sounds/Music (user preference)

Tip: In any game mode, touch and hold any of the paints on the left to reveal a colour selection window, allowing you to customise the available colours for that particular painting.