Toca Boca claims to make digital toys, and their Toca Tea Party app is a delightful example of what they mean by that. The app transforms your iPad into a wooden table top. Children should prepare for their guests by laying out a table cloth from the three options available (these will vary each time the app is loaded). Next, they can pick a plate for each guest. Now's a good time to light (tap) the three candles at the center of the table. Serve each guest a treat and a drink, and begin your tea party. Though a child can play the app alone with imaginary or stuffed friends, it's even more fun to play with parents or friends. Each guest can tap their food or drink to enjoy them, and the host can serve them more at any time. Spills happen, but there are digital tissues to clean them up. If your young tea party host doesn't like the default music, click the radio to change it to a swanky jazz. Excellent sound effects give the app a believable feel. Plates clink pleasantly when set upon the table, tea gurgles softly when poured in a cup, and guests slurp loudly while drinking their juice.

When all of the pastries are gone, the party's over. Clean up by tilting the screen, which will slide all of the table settings in to a big washtub. In this app, washing the dishes merits a round of applause sound effect.

Toca Tea Party is a fun digital version of classic tea sets, and it could even be used to teach manners and build friendships.