I have mixed feelings about downloading apps for my little ones to my iPhone. After all, it's not a $300 plaything, it's my lifeline! But after reading about some of the cool apps out there for kids, I thought I'd download a few and use them in desperate situations (and when my kids have clean hands, have finished their homework, and are seated above something soft).

With over a thousand apps available for kids, it can be a little overwhelming to find an app your kids will enjoy. Here are a few to get you started:

1. Rush Hour (free or $.99 for ad-free). The goal is to slide game pieces around the board in order to clear a path for your car to move through. Builds strategic thinking skills and cause-and-effect. Perfect for kids 9 and up, though my five-year-old has fun “playing,” and I find it addictive as well.

2. Toy Story Mania ($4.99). Don't let the price tag fool you – this game will entertain your kids over and over again as they achieve five different levels, each tied in with the Toy Story movie (Hamm'n Eggs, Green Army Men Shoot-Out, etc.), and each accompanied by signature Toy Story music. Great for kids 6-plus.

3. Finger Physics ($.99). Your kids will move through 9 puzzles on each of 9 levels, all the while learning basic physics principals. Kids as young as 5 can enjoy moving elements and watching the result of their actions, while older kids will get a kick of the various levels (underwater mode, lunar mode, etc.).

4. Where's Waldo? The Fantastic Journey ($2.99). If you're familiar with the Where's Waldo books, the Where's Waldo app will be no stranger. You'll hunt for Waldo in a variety of locations, and with settings for kids and adults, you control the difficulty level. One drawback: Games are timed, which might frustrate younger players (or adults with low annoyance levels). Best for kids 6 and up.

5. Scoops ($1.99). Careful! You have to balance a huge stack of ice cream scoops. You're in control by tilting your phone right and left to catch the falling scoops. The haigher you go, the faster they fall. Fun for ages 4 and up.

6. Color Collector ($1.99). This app makes the most of the iPhone's other capabilities. In an advanced form of “I Spy,” Color Collector challenges players to locate and snap colors in the real world, awarding stars for each color “collected.” Littler players may have trouble with the motor control required for the camera function, but with Mom or Dad's help, this app is great for kids 5 and up.

7. Doodle Kids (free). Who better to know what kids want than a kid himself? Developed by a nine-year-old from Singapore, Doodle Kids is like an Etch-a-Sketch on steroids. Even parents will have a blast drawing with their finger in different colors and shapes, and then saving their creations as wallpaper or shaking to clear the screen. Great for anyone old enough to hold the phone.