Put those laptops, smartphones, and tablets to good use with some of the best educational apps for kids that will keep the learning going in a fun way. Often I’ll incorporate screentime for my youngest when I’m under deadline with an article I’m writing for Mom.com. Sometimes you just need an extra thirty minutes to get things done. The following list of educational apps for kids are worth downloading.
Khan Academy Kids App
Cost: Free, Age: 4+ – available on the AppStore and Google Play
This app gives your kids a fun and creative venue to practice their math, writing, and reading skills. It also provides problem-solving, and memory learning activities that will keep their minds sharp by doing things like coloring, drawing, and storytelling. Khan Academy offers daily schedules and classes for children as young as two. There are also Khan Academy middle school and high school class offerings.
Habitat the Game
Cost: Free, Age: 4 and up – available on the AppStore and Google Play
This app is the educational equivalent of the Tamagotchi from the 1990s, except that your child will have to keep an endangered animal alive. It’s perfect for teaching kids about wildlife. In this game, they’ll adopt a polar bear that they’ll need to keep alive and healthy by completing certain events. As they complete each task, your kids will level up, which increases the health of the bear. This earns your kids badges of recognition. In the end, they’ll learn about animal preservation.
ABCmouse.com
Cost: It’s free for the first month, then it’s $10 a month subscription, Age: 2-8
This app has some incredibly entertaining storyline-based videos, and over 9,000 activities and quizzes to enhance your child’s reading, math, and science skills. With over 850 lessons in ten levels, your child will be motivated to keep learning at home. There’s also a virtual map called the Learning Path that keeps track of their progress. And best of all, you can download the app if you let them use your phone or simply login and use the website.
Little Chatterbox is at the Top of the List for Educational Language Apps
Cost: Free, with some in-app purchases, Age: 4 and up
available on the AppStore for iPhone and iPad
Little Chatterbox should be on your list of educational apps if your child loves learning new languages. It offers learning activities within four games that help children learn 300 conversational vocabulary words. The app includes Spanish, French, German, Russian, Hebrew, Japanese, Mandarin, and English all within the same game.
Through the help of a series of videos, older children that act as “virtual teachers,” will help your kid learn to properly pronounce words. You’ll love that the app uses human voices and shows a person speaking to them. This will allow the little chatterbox in your life to better grasp the language and how it’s spoken.
PBS Kids Games
Cost: Free, Age: 2-7
If your kids love watching PBS shows, then they’ll absolutely love the PBS Kids Games app. It comes with a collection of over 100 educational games. Games are based on well-loved PBS shows like Wild Kratts, Sesame Street, and Dinosaur Train. The app covers subjects like math and reading through mazes, puzzles, coloring activities, and even dress-up games.
Quick Match Jr. Puts the Fun Back in Math
Cost: Free, Age: 4-8 – available on the AppStore for iPhone and iPad
If your child struggles with numbers, this app offers 12 different math games full of cool graphics and buildable characters like the lovable bug-eyed monster in a bowler hat. Designed to get them excited about numbers, it’s the perfect way to introduce new concepts or revive a dull curriculum. All the answers are drawn or handwritten on the screen so your kiddos can practice their writing skills. Add this one to your list of educational apps to download and help your child have fun with numbers again!
Get Coding with Swift Playgrounds
Cost: Free, Age: 9 and up – available on the AppStore for iPhone and iPad
Is your kid into computers? If so you need to put this app on your list of educational apps for kids and download it as soon as possible. This app introduces them to Swift, one of the most powerful programming languages to date. Have your kid choose from one of three animated characters to carry out basic coding activities through puzzles, lessons, and various 3D visuals. In fact, it’s so educational, you might want to try it yourself while the kids are asleep, of course.
Epic! is Top on the List of Educational Reading Apps
Cost: The first month is free, then it’s $8 per month, Ages: 2-12
available on the AppStore and Google Play
Sometimes life can be all fun and games with the Epic app, one of the world’s greatest e-book libraries for children. Epic fuels curiosity and builds your child’s reading confidence through their 35,000 children’s books and learning videos. And if your kid is still learning to read, there’s also a “read to me” feature that will come in handy. It’s a great app to share some screen time together as a family too without it necessarily feeling like screen time if you catch my drift.
Kids World Atlas Teaches Kids About the World
Cost: Free, Age: 4+ – available on the AppStore for iPhone and iPad
Here’s a great app that’ll allow the little ones at home to explore the world from the safety of their home. The Kids World Atlas app explores the beauty of our planet through a series of games and fun activities. The lessons cover everything. From geography and volcanoes to rivers, animals, and ecosystems. It also covers oceans, mountains, different climates, and even world heritage sites. One of the best reasons to put this on your list of educational apps for your kids though is that there aren’t any annoying pop-up ads.
MarcoPolo Ocean is Perfect for Marine Life Fans
Cost: Free, Age: 4+ – available on the AppStore for iPhone and iPad
If your kids are interested in the ocean and marine life, they’ll love the MarcoPolo Ocean. Take a dive and explore the wonders of the ocean, marine life, and underwater vehicles. Through a series of animated puzzles, kids can explore the ocean, make dolphins swim, and build coral reefs. They will also interact with over 32 animal species through a series of build and play activities. This app is high on the list of education app for kids that love marine life. It helps reinforce their vocabulary and comprehend marine biology terminology in a fun way.