It's a well-known fact that as adults, we tend to separate work and play. With the advent of technology, that line has become increasingly difficult to keep separate, however, and we're often working while on vacation, or fitting in a little fun at the office through organized outings, game room atmospheres and other perks. It's no wonder – keeping work fun can help foster stronger employee interest, increased loyalty and commitment – not to mention that happy workers yield better results.

It's no wonder then, that learning through play has long been a classroom strategy by teachers. Now, with the advent of technologies geared toward children, we as parents can also adapt this mentality – even when we're short on time to play ourselves. I'm sure if you're anything like me, you've handed over your smart phone or iPad more than once while dining out as a family, in order to keep the kids entertained. Of course, some parents worry about this practice, as one Wall Street Journal reporter recently lamented in his article," Baby's First App Store Download," where he asks if an iPhone can be the ultimate parenting tool, or if it's just a new-age pacifier.

Admittedly, I think it can be both - like any technology, the experience and the value derived is greatly up to the the user. I think the positive thing about giving my kids access to my iPad and DroidX vs say, a handheld video game console, is that I can download apps that my kids will find fun, but that I as a parent can feel great about as well. I know that my children enjoy the mindless games like Angry Birds or the classic Pac–man, but I have also had success getting them to play with learning apps such as Bus HD, Cars Match and GoodieWords (a client of mine in my day job).

GoodieWords is from GoodieWorld and actually became fully available just today. It's an app focused on vocabulary development for young children, but my kids love the gaming aspect of it and don't necessarily realize that they are learning new words. They enjoy learning about words such as "balance" by listening to a poem and then tilting the iPad in order to keep a very tall ice cream cone from toppling over, or learning about what a rainbow is by tapping a cloud to make it rain, wiping the rain away with their finger in order to make a rainbow appear – and then getting to play the different colors like a piano. The fun of the app makes remembering the words easy. The whole point is to help young children understand difficult-to-explain words and concepts. You can read more about the app and its official launch, here (there's a chance to get it for free) or download it in iTunes.

Another recent interesting app comes from that stalwart of child education through a screen, Sesame Street. They just launched an iPad eBook reader. Kids can read, listen, and watch all their favorite Sesame Street eBooks on the iPad. I'm not as crazy about apps that aren't truly interactive, but if you've tried this one and think it's a good download, please let me, and others reading, know by leaving a comment.

One other app that I've enjoyed playing with my older son is Scrabble. Granted, this isn't necessarily a kid's app, but there's just something about it being on the iPad that intrigues my son more than the actual board game. So if it gets him to play with me, spend quality time with me, and learn at the same time – I'm a big fan.

We all learn better when we're having fun. What fun yet educational technologies or applications have you discovered for your children? Technology is a huge part of our children's lives from day one, but as parents we can take control from the start to help them use and enjoy it responsibly. Share your tips, tricks and faves?