Kids: Have an 'appy holiday

— -- While holiday-themed apps don't lend themselves to being wrapped up as gifts, they can deliver a warm dose of cheer. Here are several to check out with your kids.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

Loud Crow Interactive, for ages 4-up, $6.99, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android

If your family is a fan of the classic TV special of the same name, this app is a must. Delivered in a book format, it recreates the atmosphere of the show, including the sound effects and the voice of Peter Robbins, the actor who portrayed the original Charlie Brown. In addition, the app adds magic of its own, with paper cutout scenery and a presentation that makes things appear to be inside a pop-up book. It also offers tons of interactions for little fingers. And the story about the meaning of Christmas is precious.

PopOut! The Night Before Christmas

Loud Crow Interactive, for ages 4-up,$4.99, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android

Set to the music of "Oh Christmas Tree," this classic poem takes on a life of its own as children turn the pages, where objects appear to jump off of the virtual page. Kids will explore pull-tabs, spin wheels and pull back on things that bounce as they listen while words are read and highlighted. With its old-fashioned illustrations, this is a holiday gem.

Rush Hour Holiday

ThinkFun, for ages 5-up, $.99, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android

A variation of the award-winning physical puzzle called Rush Hour, this version has players sliding wrapped holiday packages around on a square grid to clear a path for Peppy the Penguin's toboggan. Breaking the bird free from the holiday crush of packages is a great way for kids to learn logic. With 400 puzzles divided into four levels, from Easy to Expert, and hints and even solutions available, this is holiday puzzling at its festive best.

Harold at the North Pole

Trilogy Studios, for ages 3-up, $6.99, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad

Based on a book from Crockett Johnson, famed author and illustrator of the "Harold and the Purple Crayon" series, this adorable book app tells the story of how Harold uses his purple crayon to draw his way to the North Pole in search of a Christmas Tree. While there, he ends up helping a snowed-in Santa. Kids become a part of this rescue-Christmas tale as they use their fingers to fill in lines on the screen. When they do, magical things happen, and the story continues. They can even blow into the microphone to make it snow. Since kids' fingers become Harold's crayon, they become the hero of this charming holiday story.

Picture Me Christmas Cutie

Oceanhouse Media, for ages 2-4, $.99, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad

By taking or loading your children's photos into the beginning of this dress-up book, they become the stars of an adorably sweet story about dressing up babies and toddlers in holiday costumes. They get to see themselves as an elf, a reindeer, and even a snowman. The app also offers moveable holiday objects on each page which encourage exploration.

Cut the Rope: Holiday Gift

Chillingo, for ages 7-up, Free for iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad