The bright screens and touch interface of tablets are to children like lightbulbs are to moths. Sure, there are plenty of apps aimed at the preschool set, but which ones are truly visually engaging, educating, and inexpensive? We pick out a few we think will appeal to both you and your children's senses...

iPad
Numberlys
Created by Moonbot Studios this app tells the whimsical story of how the alphabet was created while paying homage to Fritz Lang's Metropolis. This interactive storybook is visually compelling and quite a bit of fun, so much fun in fact that you'll probably spend as much time with this app as your child will. $5.99

Numberland HD
This fun trek through the world of numbers with Tam and Tao (the animated boy and girl) is available in English, French, and Spanish. Developed by Les Trois Elles Interactive this game uses the Montessori teaching method to build number skills. There is a reason why we see this app on iPads in Apple Stores all over the world, it's cleanly designed and accomplishes its purpose of number play in a beautiful way. $4.99

Eric Carle's My Very First App
Having grown up with the works of Eric Carle we have a soft spot for this app. Filled with the beautiful illustrations you know and love from Carle's work this app from Night & Day Studios is available in 6 languages and is pretty much everything you would imagine an interactive Eric Carle book would be. $1.99

Peekaboo Forest
It's no secret that we're fans of mid-century-modern design here at Apartment Therapy therefore it should come as no surprise that we're kind of in love with an app that's filled with illustrations from the amazing Charley Harper. The sumptuous color palette and fantastic illustrations drive this app, which is also from Night & Day Studios, to make it an interactive storybook that really shouldn't be missed. $1.99

Android
Kids Preschool Memory Game
As the name of the app implies, this app from Fun4Kids is a memory game for preschool kids. We like the rounded quirky looking fruits and animals in this app and think that they add a fun flavor to what would otherwise be a fairly standard memory game app. Lite: Free, Full Version: $.99

Kids Colors
Created by Intellijoy to teach tots colors, this app claims to work equally well on Android tablets and phones. Happily the app forgoes garish colors while still keeping things bright, light, and entertaining for 2 year old eyes. $1.99

Kids ABC Letters
Also from Intellijoy this app focuses on teaching kids to recognize and form the letters of the alphabet. While we are not wowed by the graphics in this app, we are impressed by the glowing reviews left by parents who share that this app has helped their toddlers with their letters. Lite: Free, $3.99

Did we omit your toddler or preschoolers favorite tablet app?

(Lead Image: Flickr member Wayan Vota licensed for use under Creative Commons)