# Playpen - Parental Control — Occupy Kids With Activities

> Parental control app for curated child entertainment and device safety. (iPhone/iPad app by Josh Holtz.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/playpen-parental-control/id1629800310 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Josh Holtz](https://appshunter.io/developer/1460622095)
- Category: Entertainment, Utilities
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 3 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 18 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2023-09-27
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: freemium
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/playpen-parental-control/id1629800310/reviews.md

## What is Playpen?

An app to help parents keep their kids entertained without allowing them to rifle through their devices.

Made by a parent for other parents.

By giving kids access to pre-approved activities, Playpen gives parents a well-earned break safe in the knowledge that their little ones are entertained.

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WHAT IS PLAYPEN

Playpen is an app created by a father who found that simply giving their kid an iPhone locked to an app with Guided Access* wasn't enough. Kids soon get bored of playing the same game or looking at the same photos, and sometimes giving them unfettered access to YouTube isn't something parents want to do. Playpen is the answer.

With Playpen, parents can configure which activities they want to allow their kids to access and then enter Guided Access mode. That way, they don't get bored and parents have peace of mind because they know exactly what their child is doing.

Activities available to kids via Playpen include being able to take photos, look at photo libraries, watch YouTube videos, and more:

- Access to the selfie camera, but not your entire Photo Library
- Preconfigured YouTube videos but without access to the wider YouTube library of content
- The ability to view specific photo albums without the ability to edit them
- Listen to multiple interactive and cute animal sounds

Playpen will automatically start an activity whenever Guided Access mode is enabled as well, making it super easy to get up and running when parents need it. Even better, Playpen supports parents' Apple Watches, so they can control the activities that kids are using without having to take the iPhone or iPad away.

*Guided Access is an iPhone and iPad feature that locks devices to a single app with a special sequence of button presses and a passcode required to unlock.

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WHO IS PLAYPEN FOR?

Playpen is for parents of kids who need to be entertained on long car drives, while waiting for a meal in a restaurant, or anywhere else. As parents, we've all been in situations where our kids are bored and need a little extra stimulation and Playpen is an app that offers that in a way that ensures not only are our kids safe, but so are our devices as well. Giving kids access to iPhones and iPads, often that are used for work, can be problematic. That's no longer a concern when using Playpen.

People who could benefit from using Playpen include:

- Parents stuck in line with a child who is becoming restless
- Anyone who's been on a long car journey with a child who keeps asking "are we there yet?"
- Parents who would normally give their iPhone to a child to entertain them but worry that they'll go snooping through their work emails
- Any parent, with any child, who just needs some peace!

https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

## Key features

- Curated child-friendly activities
- Restricted access to device features
- Pre-approved YouTube videos
- Access to specific photo albums
- Interactive animal sounds
- Apple Watch control

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Plus Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Plus Annually | $12.99 | per year |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Plus Lifetime | $39.99 | one-time |



## Frequently asked questions about Playpen

### What is Playpen?

Playpen is a parental control app designed to keep children entertained with pre-approved activities while restricting their access to the full device. It was created by a parent for other parents seeking peace of mind.

### What kind of activities can kids do with Playpen?

Children can access features like the selfie camera, pre-configured YouTube videos (not the full library), specific photo albums, and interactive animal sounds. This ensures they are engaged without accessing sensitive content.

### How does Playpen work with Guided Access?

Playpen integrates with iOS's Guided Access feature. When Guided Access is enabled, Playpen automatically starts a selected activity, making it easy for parents to set up and ensure their child is occupied.

### Can I control Playpen activities remotely?

Yes, Playpen supports parents' Apple Watches, allowing them to control the activities their children are using without needing to take the iPhone or iPad away.

### What are the subscription options for Playpen?

Playpen offers 'Plus Monthly' for $1.99/month and 'Plus Annually' for $12.99/year, both with a 3-day free trial. These plans likely unlock additional features or content.

### Is Playpen suitable for all ages?

Playpen has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for children aged four and older. It is designed to be safe and engaging for this age group.

### What devices does Playpen support?

Playpen is available on Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, and iPod. This broad compatibility allows parents to use it across their family's devices.

### How often is Playpen updated?

The latest version of Playpen is 1.0.3, and it was last updated on September 27, 2023. This indicates recent development and support for the application.

## Version history (last 4 releases)

### 1.0.3 — 2023-09-27

Baby bug fixes

### 1.0.2 — 2023-09-26

Small life improvements to welcome and settings screens and a few minor bug fixes

### 1.0.1 — 2023-09-20

Minor fixes and some polish

### 1.0.0 — 2023-09-14

No release notes.

## Apps similar to Playpen

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [PlaySafe Video](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/playsafe-video/id6723862745) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Entertainment |
| [Seedpace](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/seedpace/id6742648846) | 5.0 (3) | Free | Entertainment |
| [Cocopine - Safety for YouTube](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cocopine-safety-for-youtube/id6469459216) | 4.7 (23) | Free | Entertainment |
| [Kiddos TV: Safe Kids Videos](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kiddos-tv-safe-kids-videos/id6475088109) | 4.2 (94) | Free | Entertainment |
| [YouApprove: Safe Kids Videos](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/youapprove-safe-kids-videos/id6748365901) | 4.5 (11) | Free | Entertainment |
| [StreamNest](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/streamnest/id6739137420) | 3.7 (6) | Free | Entertainment |

## More apps by Josh Holtz

- [An Otter RSS Reader](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/an-otter-rss-reader/id1529696614)
- [ConnectKit](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/connectkit/id1534510889)
- [Oh Crop - Emoji But As Photos](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/oh-crop-emoji-but-as-photos/id1563845967)
- [What's My Age Again Widgets](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/whats-my-age-again-widgets/id1608719208)

All apps by Josh Holtz: https://appshunter.io/developer/1460622095

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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 2026-08-26.*