As of June 2010, there are 225,000 available iPhone apps, and 5,000,000,000 downloads to date. Picking the right ones for your kids and your family is a daunting task.

Three basic ways to choose are: friend and family recommendations; by studio developer; trial and error. And reading articles like this one.

In the words of J.K.Rowling whose Harry Potter books have sold more than 400 million copies worldwide, "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

Following are five family-friendly apps chosen for the three E’s: entertainment, educational, and economical value.

1. Elmo's Monster Maker

*2010 Parents' Choice Silver Honors Award Winner*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEMBzXKs1oA

Description: Beloved Elmo wants you to create a monster friend. Start by choosing a monster body, touch its face and give it eyes, nose – maybe even a hat. Make it uniquely yours – but ready for sharing and dancing with Elmo when you’re creation is finished!

Price: $3.99

Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/elmos-monster-maker/id350361202?mt=8#

2. White Noise

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp8lYEd5vm0

Description: Quiet the noise wherever you are. Ambient environment sounds that are soothing and help relaxation and sleep for the whole family. High quality looped sounds of crickets chirping, waves rolling, rain falling.

Price: $1.99

Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/white-noise/id289894882?mt=8#

3. Jirbo Match

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6vHFV-qd3k

Description: A memory game where matching pairs of animals is the goal.
Excellent fine motor skill for pre-schoolers; good for ages 1-10; entertaining and educational for restaurants, family trips, or a rainy afternoon.
The highest score in the least amount of time makes you a winner.

Price: FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME!

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/jirbo-match/id290666836?mt=8

4. Word Scramble (2)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldPRrCc1_BU

Description: This popular word game is back – new and improved. A snappier look, new Trophies and Unlockables. A simple word search combines with a race against the clock to find as many words as you can – based on three letters. The longer the word – the more the points. A “play and pass” mode lets kids share a single iPhone and play against each other.

Price: FREE

Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/word-scramble-2-by-zynga/id329756985?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D6#

5. Vocab U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5-HFE6G5J0&feature=player_embedded

Description: An intelligent word game that combines a Vocabulary Puzzle with Word Scramble and Find-A-Word gaming features. A true test of word knowledge and a great vocabulary enhancer.

Price: $0.99

Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/vocab-u/id351323508?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D6#

And then of course you can just buy a Kindle and take any book or magazine with you and the family wherever you are going. And the latest challenger, the rumored iPad killer app is Flipboard - a revolutionary personal digital newsstand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2vpvEDS00o

Whatever the choice – the virtual store is full and ready for your business.

Louise Baker is a freelance writer and journalist. She currently writes about online degrees for Zen College Life. Her most recent article was on the best online schools in the USA.