Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

Trello is the rare productivity app that actually delivers on its promise without being manipulative garbage. It's not going to entertain your kid, but if they're struggling with organization, homework management, or just keeping track of their Minecraft build plans, this is a legitimately useful tool.

The ADHD community swears by it for good reason—the visual kanban layout externalizes mental clutter and makes abstract projects concrete. Watching a checklist progress bar hit 100% provides that satisfying completion dopamine without resorting to gamification tricks.

The free tier is genuinely functional (rare!), and the app doesn't bombard you with ads or aggressive upsells. It works offline, syncs across devices, and gets out of your way. That said, it requires setup and intention—you can't just hand it to a kid and expect magic. Think of it as teaching them a professional workflow system they'll use in college and beyond.

Not flashy, not fun, but deeply practical. If your kid needs organizational support, this is a solid choice.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10+ who are developing executive function skills and managing multi-step projects (school assignments, extracurriculars, creative work). Younger kids can use it with heavy parent scaffolding, but the real value kicks in when they can independently break down tasks and manage their own workflow.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

82

Trello promotes healthy organizational habits, collaboration, and responsibility without chaotic elements. It models teamwork and accountability through task assignment and progress tracking. The interface is calm and purposeful, though it's fundamentally a tool rather than content with emotional modeling.

Imaginative

71

While Trello itself isn't inherently creative, it's a blank canvas that enables project planning, brainstorming, and organizing creative work. Users can customize boards infinitely for any purpose—from planning a novel to designing a game. However, it's a productivity framework, not a creative medium itself, so imagination comes from what you build with it, not from the app.

Safe

88

No ads in the core experience, no aggressive monetization targeting kids, and a free tier that's genuinely functional. The app requests permissions (camera, contacts, photos) transparently. Collaboration features are controlled—you share boards intentionally rather than entering open social spaces. Main concern is that kids could theoretically share boards with strangers if not supervised, but the app doesn't push social discovery.

Enriching

79

Teaches genuine executive function skills: task breakdown, prioritization, time management, and collaborative workflow. Particularly valuable for ADHD users (noted in Reddit reviews). Builds real-world organizational competencies that transfer to school and work. The visual progress tracking (checklists, status bars) provides satisfying feedback loops that reinforce completion. Not entertaining per se, but deeply practical.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely teaches organizational skills that transfer to school, homework, and life—not just busy work
Visual progress tracking (checklists hitting 100%!) provides dopamine hits that reinforce task completion
Beloved by ADHD communities for externalizing mental load and breaking down overwhelming projects
Free tier is actually useful—not a bait-and-switch that locks core features behind paywalls
Works offline, so kids can update tasks even without internet (syncs when connected)

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What to Watch For

Requires adult guidance initially—kids won't intuitively know how to structure boards effectively
Not entertainment; this is a tool that requires motivation to use (won't compete with TikTok for attention)
Collaboration features mean kids could theoretically share boards with anyone—set ground rules about who they work with
Can become overwhelming if boards get cluttered; periodic cleanup sessions help

Conversation Starters

"What's one big project you're working on that feels overwhelming? Let's break it into smaller cards together."
"Show me your board—what feels good to check off? What's been sitting there forever?"
"How does seeing your tasks laid out visually change how you feel about getting them done?"
"Want to make a family board for our vacation planning? You can own the 'activities research' list."

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