Top 5 Apple iPad Apps for Kids

NEW YORK (TheStreet) - Looking forward to a vacation? A warm beach, freshly powdered mountain, long romantic dinners, rounds of golf, wild nights of dancing or hours of reading by the fire...Getting away for the holidays can be the best gift of all.

But vacations around the winter holidays usually involve more family time than some are used to spending. And, as adorable as those little cherubs can be when all is merry and bright, there is bound to be a moment (or two) when mommy, daddy, auntie, or grandpa needs to unplug.

Fortunately, an Apple (AAPL) iPad is easier to pack and port than dolls, toys and board games. And chances are that your kids will enjoy the expensive device as much as you do. According to a Nielsen study earlier this year of tablet-owning households, 70% of children under 12 use the tablet.

To ensure everyone has a memorable holiday in the sand and sun or frost-chilled air, TheStreet recommends downloading these five, child-friendly apps:

Toca Hair Salon

With Toca Hair Salon, children 3 and above can play stylist for six charming characters.

Harry, Berry, Mary, Rita, Larry and Fuzz react with sounds and expressions as kids shampoo, towel, cut, dye, blow-dry and style their hair. Select the G.R.O. potion, and their hair grows back again. With this entertaining app, the risk of becoming a beauty school dropout is slim.

Available for $1.99, this app is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, but requires iOS 4.3 or later.

Scribble Press