Edoki Academy's low-key app Zen Studio (November 2015; iOS only), a "geometric finger painting app designed to help children relax and focus," is probably best described as a hybrid of tangrams and coloring (colorgrams?).

In the first section, you're invited to create your own masterpiece. "Paint" with your finger with a wide array of colors on any of four different-sized canvases made up of triangular cells. There are no directions or suggestions in this section, but then, there are also no limits on your creativity.

In the second, more structured section, you select a simple geometric image from one of several loosely themed categories: the current spring/Easter theme, dragons, pets and farm animals, abstract shapes, fairy tales, vehicles and community helpers, wild animals, mirror images, letters, boats and sea life, and Christmas and Thanksgiving. Some of the images included are a bit odd, e.g., who the heck is the guy with the '70s mustache in the nautical category? Once you've chosen your pattern, you're led through a "tutorial" on how to create it: you're given a specific section of the image and a single color with which to fill it in. As you complete each chunk of triangular pieces, the next is unlocked. Complete the full tutorial to see the image in its full-color glory.





The free version gives you access to all of the spring/Easter tutorials (I assume this seasonal section changes as you update the app throughout the year) and one from each of the other categories; upgrade for $1.99 to access all of the images. Save up to eight pieces of artwork in the free version. From the locked parents' menu, you can create accounts for multiple users.



The vibe certainly is zen, with the type of soothing music you might hear in a yoga class or while getting a massage. A series of long, low chords play in the background, overlaid by tinkling notes in response to your actions to create a unique melody for each project you paint. This meditative app is a good choice for quiet, individual playtime.

Available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch (requires iOS 6.0 or later); free. Premium version: $1.99. Recommended for preschool and primary users.