Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

This is the real deal—a legitimate professional art tool that's free and accessible to kids. It's what digital artists actually use, not some dumbed-down kid version with cartoon stamps and limited options.

The imaginative and enriching scores are high because this is pure creative expression with professional-grade capabilities. Kids learn actual skills: digital painting, layer management, color blending, precision work. Teachers love it because students can create immediately without extensive tutorials.

The safety concern is real but contained: ads on Android that interrupt drawing sessions are annoying and disruptive to creative flow. Enable Kids Mode or consider the iOS version if this becomes a problem. Beyond that, there are zero social features, no chat, no content exposure—it's just you and a blank canvas.

If your kid shows any interest in drawing, this is a no-brainer download. It's free, it's powerful, and it teaches skills that matter. Just deal with the ad situation and you're golden.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6-17, though younger kids (4-5) can enjoy it with some guidance. The professional tools mean it grows with your child—a 7-year-old can doodle, while a 15-year-old can create portfolio-worthy digital art. Adults use this too, so it's not something kids will outgrow.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

92

Pure creative tool with no social features, no competitive elements, and no chaotic content. It's a calm, focused space for drawing that encourages self-expression without any toxic or inappropriate elements. The interface is deliberately clean and unobtrusive.

Imaginative

95

This is fundamentally a blank canvas with professional-grade tools. Full complement of customizable brushes, layers, blend modes, and precision tools means kids can explore everything from quick doodles to fully realized artwork. It's pure creative expression without guardrails.

Safe

72

The app itself is safe—no social features, no chat, no user-generated content exposure. However, the Android version has ads that pop up mid-drawing (per App Store reviews), which is disruptive and annoying. Kids Mode is available, which helps. No predatory monetization, but the ad interruptions during creative flow are a legitimate concern.

Enriching

88

Develops real artistic skills with professional-level tools. Kids learn digital art techniques, color theory through blend modes, and precision through guides and rulers. Common Sense Media notes students can start creating with minimal instruction. It's skill-building that translates to actual artistic development, not just entertainment.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Actual professional-grade tools that artists use, but accessible enough that kids can jump in and start creating immediately
Teaches real digital art skills: layers, blend modes, custom brushes, precision tools—stuff that translates to Adobe Photoshop and Procreate later
Clean, distraction-free interface means kids focus on creating, not navigating menus or getting bombarded with notifications
No social comparison, no likes, no followers—just pure artistic expression without the performance anxiety
Common Sense Media educators note students start drawing within minutes with minimal instruction

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What to Watch For

The Android version has ads that pop up mid-drawing, which is incredibly annoying when you're in creative flow—consider the iOS version or enabling Kids Mode
It's a blank canvas with powerful tools, which means some kids might feel overwhelmed without structure or prompts (though that's also the beauty of it)
Professional features mean there's a learning curve for advanced tools, but basic drawing is intuitive

Conversation Starters

"What are you working on? Can you show me your favorite drawing so far?"
"Have you tried using layers yet? What happens when you draw on different layers?"
"Which brush feels most like drawing with a real pencil to you?"
"If you could design anything—a character, a place, a creature—what would you make?"

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