Picture Packets vs KidsScript
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Picture Packets
This app is part of a comprehensive reading and writing curriculum designed for beginning readers or those who have struggled with literacy. It focuses on transitioning from phonetic sounds to reading words in letters, helping children become independent readers and writers.
- Part of a 14-app reading curriculum
- Aids transition from sounds to letters
- Develops independent reading skills
- Encourages creative writing
- No ads or in-app purchases
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Center for Innovation in Education Picture Packets - Transition Dekodiphukan Description The twelfth of the fourteen apps that comprise the Baratta-Lorton Reading Program. The Reading Program is a reading and writing curriculum for beginning readers and any child who has already experienced difficulty in learning to read. 99% unique – 100% effective - 100% free Background for the fourteen apps The Baratta-Lorton Reading Program also known as Dekodiphukan (pronounced decode if you can) was developed by the Center for Innovation in Education whose many other offerings include Mathematics Their Way, the first non-traditional math curriculum adopted in by the State of California. Dekodiphukan has been in use in classrooms across the United States and Canada since 1985. The Program has been used to teach thousands of children to read and to write regardless of background or supposed lack of reading readiness. To date, no child using the program in a classroom setting has ever failed to learn to read or to write. This Dekodiphukan reading and writing curriculum is now a series of fourteen apps plus a parent-guide for the iPad that, within a period of six months to a year (or occasionally a bit longer for some special needs children), will enable every child using it to read and to write. Reading with enjoyment. Writing creatively. Dekodiphukan is a full fledged curriculum. It is a set of specific learning activities, not a set of games. The curriculum’s fourteen apps are all free with no ads - popup or otherwise - included. While the apps may be downloaded all at once and stored in a folder on the iPad, no more than two or three of the apps are used at any one time by the child. Picture Packets - Transition The twelfth of the Fourteen Apps The child begins Picture Packets-Transition at the same time as he or she begins the Writing Worksheets. Despite the lack of specific letter instruction accompanying the Picture Packets, the parent will observe that when his or her child reads the Picture Packets-Transition phrases, the child often attempts to read the words in letters, as opposed to the words in sounds. The sounds above the letters are used when the word they represent is not known. Children use the sounds to check the accuracy of their reading without having to ask a parent or anyone else a word they do not know. It may seem like more should be said about teaching children how to read the letters in the transition phrases, because it is the transition level of the program that produces the most parental anxiety. The concern is that a child may not be able to make the switch from sounds to letters to become what the parent feels is a real reader. But the most difficult learning level has already past. It passed for each child when that child mastered the art of blending two and three sounds into words. The child who can read phrases comfortably and who is at the transition level has already cleared all the hurdles. The child now is merely finishing out the run. Picture Packets - Transition Introduced in tandem with the Writing Worksheets No specific lesson with the letters is given to the child Letter association take place in the Writing Worksheets and Sightword apps
KidsScript
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KidsScript is a full-fledged programming language app for kids and teens. Through visual block programming that is compatible with JavaScript, we have made it possible for even young children to use JavaScript. You can get used to programming while having fun creating various shapes and games. And from version 2.0, it supports hobby electronic work! You can program the currently popular microcontroller called ESP32 using KidsScript's code. And you can learn how to use various electronic parts, drive your own robot car, and do anything with your creativity! The app has a wide variety of samples and detailed tutorials, so please give it a try! [App's main specifications] ●Simple app No login or account creation is required. And this app doesn't contain ads. And it doesn't collect any personal information, so you can enjoy it casually. ●JavaScript compatible language The language of this app "KidsScript" is compatible with JavaScript 1.5 and allows JavaScript to be manipulated as visual blocks. Therefore, you can naturally get used to JavaScript through coding with this app. ●Appropriate age This app is mainly intended for children aged 13 and over. But even children as young as 9 years old can touch and play with the samples together with an adult. [ 9 - 12 years old ] - can play samples with adults - can create elementary programs with adults [ 13 - 15 years old ] - can do tutorials by oneself - can create elementary programs by oneself [ 16 - 17 years old ] - can understand all samples and tutorials - can create programs freely by oneself ●Supports Bluetooth communication By connecting two KidsScript apps via Bluetooth, you can create codes that communicate in real time. Therefore, you can also create online battle games! ●Supports ESP32 Targets ESP32-DevKitC-32E. By installing "KidsScript firmware" on the ESP32 side, KidsScript and ESP32 will be able to communicate via Bluetooth in real time, making it possible to code ESP32 with KidsScript. KidsScript firmware for ESP32 is distributed on the KidsScript official website. [URL] https://www.kidsscript.net/ ●More than 150 code samples included with this app It's fun just to look at various samples and play! ●More than 30 tutorials included with this app The app comes with an "interactive tutorial" that will teach you how to do it, so anyone can get started easily. Even if you have no programming experience, it's okay!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: KidsScript at every 5 weeks against Picture Packets's every 69 months. KidsScript also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). On ads and in-app purchases 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
Picture Packets ships an update every 69 months, KidsScript every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Picture Packets | KidsScript |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 69 months | Every 5 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 28 MB | 38 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Bob Baratta-Lorton | NextObject, Ltd |
In-app purchases
Picture Packets
No in-app purchases
KidsScript
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Picture Packets free?
Is KidsScript free?
Do Picture Packets or KidsScript have ads?
Which is updated more often, Picture Packets or KidsScript?
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