Happy Kids Timer: Home Chores Reviews

by Outdoorsy Dots

This is the very first app I have ever bought. But this worked so well at keeping my daughter on task I was willing to pay. I felt the developers deserved it for helping remove our morning and evening challenges. But within a couple weeks of buying, it began crashing. I reinstalled. I restarted my phone. I cleared out phone memory. Still crashing. Now chore time is worse than ever as she sits there trying to get HappyKidsTimer to work instead of staying on task. I tried to submit a crash report but HappyKidsTimer won’t stay open long enough to submit it. If you help me fix this I’ll change my review to 5 star!

by B-is-for-bugbug

It would be great to be a have HappyKidsTimer accommodate more than one child. Also, in the paid version there are options to add several chores/tasks, but they have to be done sequentially - for example, you can't use HappyKidsTimer to separate morning routine activities from other routines that take place at night or after school. You cannot leave off at the last task of the morning routine and pick up later on, for example - HappyKidsTimer makes you start back at the very beginning. Nice little app, but pretty limited functionality.

by Grimlore Rocker

Only for one child. Seems like a negative but I feel like they work as a team to get through the daily rituals. I enjoy the fact that they help each other to complete the task. Still I wish I can customize the rewards. Be nice to keep there options exciting through HappyKidsTimer instead of our dry erase board. I wish that we can add an evening activities to HappyKidsTimer rather than purchasing another app (currently the evening app not available). I do enjoy their accomplishments. I love how and they feel independent and responsible. I’m sure there are better apps out there. But I do like this one. 3 stars because of limitations. I like it though.

by Steffilily

It does help my kids get ready in the mornings without having me to remind them to do every little thing. However, I was disappointed that the automatic go to next activity feature isn’t working well. For some reason, it keeps repeating activities that’s been done that morning. I had to turn off the automatic feature then my kids figured out that if they don’t click “next” right away, they have more time which we don’t really have. I would like to be able to use the automatic feature because i had it set for kids to be ready by the time we need to get out of the door.

by MisGoess

I have a high functioning 5 year old he is very competitive so he likes to “race” the character and he also enjoys earning the stars.

I would love to see more flexibility in the premium features:

1. Add custom pictures to any task not just “new” activities.

2. Be able to select from the complete list of preset activities for either morning or evening. Ex: go potty, bath, pick up toys, pack your bag (we do this before bed)

3. Be able to create one completely custom list for example having an afternoon routine saved for things to do when he gets off the bus.

4. Have changes to the individual list be saved like minutes or task name so I do not have to change them every time I use them. Just like the routines are setup. Also be able to change the order of the individual list.

5. Unlimited new activities in all routines and the individual list

6. Have account be accessible from all devices that share the same Apple ID. Save the routines in a profile and star earnings so he can see them on my phone and iPad.

by Uclajanpan

Update: we’ve now been using HappyKidsTimer daily for a couple months. Overall very effective for getting kids ready in the morning.

A couple improvements I would suggest is to make HappyKidsTimer more flexible. I’d like to be able to rewind if the kids miss hitting the NEXT button or if they hit the button but haven’t actually completed their task. I’d also like to have the option of skipping. For example, the kids have bonus tasks they can do if they finish early, such as practice the piano, read, clean up toys which they don’t always have time for.

by Ninasso

I found it very useful when it doesn’t crash. Loved it but when My kid can’t finish the routine because it crashes and the lost star (points) are gone I have to find another app. Please fix it! It runs in my older iPad but not the new version that has a night routine. Would be so nice cause it’s her iPad now and would love not having to hand over my phone. Thanks!

by Narwalsnarwalsdyingintheocean

It’s definitely helping. My son keeps on track in the morning for the most part. The only negative thing is because you have to click one time to stop the timer from the first activity and then another time to start the “next” activity, sometimes he just won’t click the “next” button until he’s ready to start it. That can be several minutes and lead to him being several minutes behind. It would be better if the next activity just automatically started.

by Hermioneg221

It’s a good timer. Works for younger kids but it isn’t consistently effective for kids with ADHD. They tune out the music after a couple of weeks.
However my biggest problem is the limitation of the animated avatars. The kids can only be represented by a blonde Caucasian girl or a brown haired Caucasian boy. HappyKidsTimer definitely needs some updates, and these updates should be available to parents who have already paid to enable customization.

by Mikey Joe2964

I have the paid version of HappyKidsTimer and it’s great. One major feature it’s missing is a child lock! Sometimes I catch the kids trying to change the settings on us. HappyKidsTimer just needs a simple passcode lock for the settings to prevent tampering. Also, they shouldn’t be able to hit the stop button and “back out” so that they can reset the whole routine without a passcode as well.

by Lissie Marie

For the most part, it’s a great app for encouraging the kids. Like so many have mentioned though, I would love to be able to set rewards and certificates for multiple kids. I have 3 that vary in age and gender, so while they can all work together to complete the tasks, they can’t always do them at the same time/ speed. I do appreciate all the updates and additions so far.

by Memefa0515

Although is for children, I use it for myself during the mornings, to get ready on time for work, I added two more activities that I can customize, like making breakfast and put dishes in the dishwasher, I would like to be able to change the name of the activities, maybe they can create some similar app for some distracted adults who are always late at work.

by Clickclicknick

Seriously this is awesome and works for the little ones... Now you guys gotta develop one for adults too. I mean come on, a customizable routine timer app this simplified with customizable rewards for incentive and cool little animated graphics, who the heck wouldn’t use it every morning and night! Especially when we have long and chaotic days which I’m sure most of us do often, this bad boy (but for adults) can be the little moment of serenity in the morning and evening, just taking some simple directions and feeling accomplished. Can’t wait to reward myself once I fill up my point bank. Let me know when you guys decide to develop and publish the adult version of HappyKidsTimer I will be first in line! Thanks! =]

by AVA. DES

I have been using HappyKidsTimer for some time now but I don’t believe or get why we have to pay for the extra features some of those would be super helpful with my kid example the add new activities and move the old ones around, be able to change the amount of stars and set a reward but overall it is a great app I would definitely recommend it

by Emikan48

Just wanted to thank you so much for making HappyKidsTimer! I know it’s for kids, but I am an adult who has trouble focusing which often leads to feeling overwhelmed and avoidant. I also never developed good morning or evening habits. I have tried a lot of productivity apps designed for adults. HappyKidsTimer is the only thing that has worked. I just press one button and it tells me what to do and how much time I have (with cute music and graphics!) when I find myself getting distracted, I remind myself that I won’t get three stars if I take too long. Seems a little silly but it works! I make my bed and do a skincare routine every day now. That felt impossible before HappyKidsTimer. I got my first certificate recently and made sure to get myself a gift. I would highly recommend HappyKidsTimer for anyone!

by Gia♥️

Well I like this because it is a great way to get your kids ready for school and when school starts so now they know what to do instead of saying mommy or daddy what do I do just go up to the room or downstairs and they do what they need to do like big kids not little babies now is this just for for parents to be always telling no children all you Gotta do this oh no you gonna do that they just listen to what does abscess.

by Mrs. C 2000

Been using HappyKidsTimer for a week and it's the first time I'm not having to follow my kids around to keep them on task in the morning. They are actually ready ahead of schedule and have free time before school. No more yelling, no stress! Love it! Definitely need a bedtime version. Only feedback is that it could use a pause option for when the morning routine gets interrupted (to clean up a mess or extended bathroom break, etc.). Currently the only option is to stop and start the routine over.

by Sweetbasil1999

HappyKidsTimer has saved our mornings. There’s no more frustration, raised voices, confusion—- it offers clear boundaries and expectations, a sweet little rewards and encouragement system, and makes my littlest feel like she can tackle the world!
I agree on a pause button being a nice option, as well as an evening module. Also, is it possible to offer characters of different skin tones, besides just Caucasian? Our brown-skinned daughter definitely notices when the characters look nothing like her. Please, oh please?!

Thank you for HappyKidsTimer. It makes me a better mom!

by Sweennec

Our 5 year-old son loves his morning and evening “game”. Before HappyKidsTimer, he would start a task, like getting dressed, and get distracted by other things he wants to do and end up taking forever. It would take so many gentle prods to get him to the end. With HappyKidsTimer he’s so proud of himself. He follows each step on his own and finishes super quickly because he’s excited to get stars. He loves watching the little character and the listening to the music. We are all so happy (and relieved)! Thank you for this great solution!

by SRKLP

Firstly, thank you for HappyKidsTimer! It’s helped my 5 year old with ADHD stay focused on his morning routines. It’s a lot more peaceful around here. My son doesn’t like to be told what to do so this bypasses all of that.

My only suggestion is to give the option of using HappyKidsTimer graphics already there for new categories if you don’t want to load your own picture. Going to the bathroom is part of my sons normal routine before school but it’s only available on nighttime routine. He likes seeing the little boy doing the activities but there is no option to use the bathroom graphic on the morning routine. Other than that it’s been great!

by MegD142

This is great for morning routines, but what would really make it shine would be the ability to add more routines. I mistakenly thought that was what the upgrade did, but unfortunately, the paid version just allows you to add more activities to the morning routine. I would really love to use this for after school and bedtime routines as well. Until more routines can be created, it’s just OK. I need help keeping my kids on task for other times during the day, not just mornings.

by Leslie9756

I really like the idea of HappyKidsTimer. It really helps my daughter get ready in the morning without me telling her every move to make. The only downside to HappyKidsTimer is that you can not change the chores. Some of these do not pertain to our routine. For example, my daughter eats breakfast at school, so we don't need that one, but it is her responsibility to feed the dog in the morning, so it would be nice if you could edit the chores.

by Shooting Staaar

It is the best app for kids to use and I already got my certificate it asks you what gender you are it let’s you have your own picture it has a timer to go with it but I thing kids should use it on school days because it says get your clothes ready in The morning it tells you to pack up your back pack but the short time you do some thing the more 3 stars you get it even tells you how many stars left to get your certificate. It is just so awesome.