Recently we had an opportunity to speak with Dobrian Dobrev, the Founder at DMD Twins about Toddlr

Please share with us the backstory of what motivated you to create this app.

After we became parents and our kid grew up to become a toddler, we started facing the issue every parent faces - having our children exposed to screen time. And that's inevitable - even if we decided to totally omit screen time - our kids will get exposed to screen time in kindergarten, when going to the grandparents, etc. But we can turn this into a meaningful experience. That's how Toddlr was born - an application designed to develop kids' skills while limiting daily screen time.

How is your app different than the rest of the market? Which unique need does it fill?

Toddlr is a collection of Montessori inspired games designed to develop cognitive, logical, and motor skills for kids aged between 2-7 years old. While there are other similar apps - we offer a unique model where you get the app with a number of games that are always free. Parents get to vote on what we build next. The app, of course, is 100% ads-free, games are available offline, and we provide the option for parents to allocate how much daily screen time their kids get.

What is the coolest or most innovative feature of your app?

Apart from the personalisation aspect where parents vote for what we build next and decide on how much screen time their kids get, we truly want to bridge physical and digital play. That happens through immersive experiences via Augmented Reality and interactions with physical printed products.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of the creation of this app?

The fact that the app is receiving an overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents and specialists alike is the fuel that drives our passion from creation to ongoing regular updates.

What surprised you most in your journey to create this app?

The intricacies of creating applications specifically tailored for kids and all the limitations and nuances coming alongside.

How did you decide which platforms to release your app on and do you plan on releasing your app to other platforms?

We always wanted to go for a cross-platform app. That being said - initial research proved that we shouldn't necessarily focus solely on mobile devices or tablet devices, but rather, provide for a truly flexible app. On the other hand - we are dipping our toes into the domain of physical printed products to enhance and augment the in-app experience.

Which other mobile apps or technology have inspired you?

Apart from some indie VC backed apps - our inspiration mainly comes from our daily interaction with kids in their respective physical environment and playtime.

What features do you hope to roll out to your app in the future?

We are now focused on the "phygital" aspect of the experience, where physical play time can be enhanced and enriched through Augmented Reality.

Do you have any recommendations or advice for others wanting to create a mobile app?

If you have a persisting challenge you face and you think it can be solved via a mobile application - go for it! Technology and frameworks are becoming ever so more accessible. The sky is the limit!