Best apps for keeping kids and their relatives connected

Ustyme was developed by two grandparents who wanted to use the Web to play games and read books with their grandchildren. When the two generations start an Ustyme video chat, each party sees the other at the corner of a screen that lets them page through a picture book or compete in chess or checkers. The app and two books are free. Most games have to be purchased, and additional books cost $1 to $2. (iPad only)

Kindoma Storytime offers a similar shared reading experience, but with a larger library. One special feature lets users see what their counterparts are pointing to on any page. The app is free for up to 10 books and offers unlimited access to its titles for $7 a month. (iOS)

Drawing Together! lets users draw or color in a picture that appears on their screens while they chat. ($2, iOS)

Source: USAToday.com