# Backhoe!

> Interactive backhoe game for young children with simple touch controls and no ads. (iPhone/iPad app by Austin Ivansmith.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backhoe/id1087279396 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Austin Ivansmith](https://appshunter.io/developer/806084714)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Action, Family
- Price: $1.99
- Rating: 4.50/5 from 2 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 10.0 · 64 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2017-01-19
- Data updated: 2026-08-21
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backhoe/id1087279396/reviews.md

## What is Backhoe!?

Backhoe! is a game built specifically for the youngest gamers in our lives. I built this game for my son and daughter who are 4 and 3, respectively. They have a lot of fun playing it and helped shape the game with their extensive playtesting and feedback, and I hope that a young truck lover in your life gets as much enjoyment out of it as they do.

The game is fashioned as a sort of "interactive illustration", emulating a look of detailed watercolor truck illustrations in books of the 80s. The idea is to let kids play, touch anywhere on the screen, and not be accidentally booted out away from the fun. It's as easy and fun to use as a playground digger toy (you know, the ones with the two levers kids are always arguing over.)

How to play: 
Touch anywhere on the screen to affect the game; touch the body of the backhoe to change the color of it, or tap the wheels to start and stop driving. Tap the back arm of the backhoe to work the digger scoop; press and hold anywhere on the screen and the bucket will follow your finger. Tap the front of the backhoe to work the loader bucket; press and hold anywhere on the screen and the bucket will follow your finger. Raise it high enough and dump out dirt, and collect more dirt by driving and scooping up dirt piles. Dig and make piles to their maximum size to score points.

There is no wrong way to play the game, no way to fail, or convoluted steps too hard for the youngest players to understand. Scores are saved automatically and frequently, so you'll always have a running tally of all the fires you've extinguished. And best of all there are not, and will never be, any ads, in-app purchases, links to other apps, data collected by me, or links to take the player outside of the game.

Have fun playing Backhoe! and feel free to contact me with feedback!

## Key features

- Interactive backhoe controls
- Simple touch-to-play mechanics
- Watercolor illustration style
- No ads or in-app purchases
- Score tracking
- Kid-friendly design


## Frequently asked questions about Backhoe!

### What is Backhoe!?

Backhoe! is an interactive game designed for young children, featuring a backhoe with simple touch controls. It aims to provide an engaging and pressure-free play experience for toddlers and preschoolers.

### How do you play Backhoe!?

Players can touch anywhere on the screen to interact with the backhoe. Tapping the body changes its color, tapping the wheels starts and stops driving, and pressing and holding the screen controls the digger and loader buckets.

### Is Backhoe! suitable for very young children?

Yes, Backhoe! was built specifically for children as young as 3 and 4 years old. It features no wrong ways to play, no failures, and simple mechanics that are easy for young players to understand.

### Does Backhoe! have ads?

No, Backhoe! is completely ad-free. The developer has stated there will never be any advertisements in the game.

### Are there any in-app purchases in Backhoe!?

No, Backhoe! does not feature any in-app purchases. The game is a one-time purchase with no additional costs.

### What devices is Backhoe! available on?

Backhoe! is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It is designed to be played on iOS devices.

### How often is Backhoe! updated?

The latest version of Backhoe! is 2.0.0, which was last updated on September 5, 2025. This indicates a recent update, suggesting ongoing support.

### What is the age rating for Backhoe!?

Backhoe! has an age rating of 4+. This means it is considered appropriate for children aged 4 and above.

## Version history (last 3 releases)

### 2.0.0 — 2025-09-05

Quality of life updates for newer generation devices.

### 1.0.1 — 2017-05-17

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Fixed bug with scores not saving correctly, plus other optimizations.

### 1.0 — 2017-01-19

No release notes.

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## More apps by Austin Ivansmith

- [Garbage Truck!](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/garbage-truck/id806084711)
- [Super Secret Service](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/super-secret-service/id860478888)
- [Fire Truck!](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fire-truck/id1076437780)
- [Notebook Artillery](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/notebook-artillery/id6497486112)

All apps by Austin Ivansmith: https://appshunter.io/developer/806084714

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-21.*