Doodle Buddy is an app that’s been around for a while – the holiday theme is a nice way to bring it front of mind. Like many drawing apps, Doodle Buddy has a nice group of crafty implements available:

- Backgrounds: Festive wallpapers with snowglobes and frosty scenery dotted about with be-chimneyed cottages

- Stamps (like ink stamps): Allow you to insert snowmen, wrapped presents, holly and a cheeky gingerbread man (nice touch – the stamps have associated noises)

- Chalk/markers: All the basic colours, plus a “smudging” option, eraser and you can choose the size of the pen nib.

The difference that Doodle Buddy brings is connectivity. When you first log in, you are presented with two options: Start Drawing Alone, or Invite a Friend to Draw. And meanwhile, the Doodle Buddy (after receiving your permission) looks into the network for any other potential co-creator. Now it’s probably fairly unlikely that you’ll use this option every time; but even if you use it only once, and your child makes a piece of art with his friend, who is in another house, on another street – well, that’s still pretty cool.

You’ll like it because: The “sharing” element makes this app stand out.

Too bad: The Holiday element is pretty superficial.

Cost: $0.99

Ages: 4-5

Developer: Pinger