DragonBox Algebra 5 Plus is essentially a magic trick. It takes one of the most feared subjects in school—algebra—and turns it into a game so intuitive that a kindergartner can understand it. By removing the scary notation (the X's and Y's) and replacing them with colorful icons, it lets kids focus on the logic of the system first.

If your kid's school uses this version, it's a home run. If you're looking for something to do at home, just make sure you're getting the right version for your login situation. It's the rare educational app that actually lives up to the hype and delivers a 'lightbulb moment' within the first twenty minutes of play.