Comparison

Play n' Trace vs Number Formation

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Play n' Trace

This app enhances an electronic writing tablet for children aged 3-10, offering interactive games and lessons. It uses the tablet's translucent surface for tracing, writing, and learning activities, developed with child development experts.

Highlights
  • Interactive learning games
  • Tracing activities
  • Progressive lesson levels
  • Child development focus
  • Doodle and write functionality
  • Clear screen with button press
Read full description

Boogie Board® Play n’ Trace™ is an award-winning electronic writing tablet that lets kids doodle, write, and learn by tracing! The free Play n’ Trace app enhances the Play n’ Trace experience with fun games and learning activities. The Play n' Trace app allows kids 3+ to have fun while learning, using the writing tablet’s first of its kind translucent writing surface to write, play games, and even learn feelings. Simply select a lesson, choose a level, and place the Play n' Trace over the iPad to begin. Six key lessons, each with 3 levels of development, create a variety of fun areas for kids ages 3 to 10 to explore and grow. Simply write, draw, or create and start over with the press of a button. When kids write they learn! Lesson content was developed in conjunction with Excellent Play, a global leader in scientific research and knowledge about play, learning, and child development. FEEDBACK OR HELP? E-mail us anytime at support@kentdisplays.com Requires use of a Play n’ Trace writing tablet, sold separately in stores.

About

Number Formation

Features
Read full description

Our Number Formation App is available as a multi-platform resource, which means that you can enjoy this exciting software on your favourite device! Simply use your multi-platform licence to activate the Number Formation App on your iPads and computers. Following on from our successful Letter Formation App comes our number formation version. Ideal for practising written numerals, this app shows the process for numbers 1–20, and allows the child to draw over the marks in the sand to consolidate their own skills. Teacher options provide the facility to select what the user hears and what numbers they can access for more focused work. FEATURES - Select a number stone from the array to see it drawn in the sand - Trace over the pattern to develop fine motor skills - Learn and consolidate numeral patterns - Use settings to disable number stones to limit those on offer - Use settings to disable all number stones to provide a free-play space - A Read Me file with guidance on other ways to support the development of number formation - No third-party advertising - No in-app purchases. WHO IS YELLOW DOOR? We are a publisher offering a range of inspiring and innovative literacy and maths resources. From multisensory games to interactive software, we combine hands-on learning with open-ended technology to promote communication and language, collaborative play and creativity across the curriculum. Our aim is to produce resources that are appealing to small hands and curious minds, and that will help build an engaging, playful learning environment for all young children. OTHER APPS FROM YELLOW DOOR Pre-Writing App Letter Recognition App Letter Formation App I-Spy Initial Sounds App Initial Sounds Bubble App Find the Rhyme App Come Alive Traditional Tales (6 individual apps) Come Alive Nursery Rhymes Come Alive Sound and Letters Come Alive Listening. REVIEW THE APP We would love to know what you think of our new app, so please leave a review!

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Play n' Trace at every 18 months against Number Formation's every 36 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Play n' Trace ships an update every 18 months, Number Formation every 36 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Play n' Trace versus Number Formation: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlay n' TraceNumber Formation
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.4 (5 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 18 months — betterEvery 36 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS11.011.0
Further details — not scored
Size265 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBuffalo Games, LLCYellow Door Ltd

In-app purchases

None

Play n' Trace

No in-app purchases

None

Number Formation

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Play n' Trace free?
Play n' Trace is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Number Formation free?
Number Formation is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Play n' Trace or Number Formation have ads?
Neither Play n' Trace nor Number Formation shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Play n' Trace or Number Formation?
Play n' Trace ships an update every 18 months, and Number Formation every 36 months. Most recently, Play n' Trace was updated on October 24, 2026 and Number Formation on October 26, 2026.

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