One of the many things we love about being a parent is seeing your child’s mind grow and develop. Watching those first steps, first words, and first full sentences is something we can never get enough of.
While you might be thinking that an app is not good for your child’s development, there are actually tons of apps out there that can help your child learn new things and grow in their own unique way.
We’re here to share with you some of our favorite apps for early learners. These apps focus on learning through play, which means that your child will have so much fun playing them that they won’t even realize how much they’re learning!
Best Apps For Four Year Olds
Khan Academy Kids
Khan Academy Kids
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This junior version of the educational app par excellence (Khan Academy) targets young learners from 2 to 7 years old. It’s a mobile device app that covers math, English language arts, logic, and socio-emotional learning by using books, games, songs, and videos. Activities include multiple-choice questions, logic games, storytime, and free drawing. The program is aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes and Common Core State standards.
Not only does this app go way beyond the average preschooler app, but the fact that it’s free means that even competitors like ABCmouse (which also presents a comprehensive curriculum) can’t really measure up in terms of access to families of different income ranges. For this reason, Khan Academy Kids has won awards from Common Sense Media and Children’s Technology Review.
Looking for apps for your youngest kids? Check out these best educational apps for toddlers.
BEST FOR FINE MOTOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Busy Shapes
Busy Shapes
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Busy Shapes is an app aligned with the Montessori method of self-directed, hands-on learning. As such, it’s perfect for the youngest kids just starting to interact with technology because it’s not rote learning. The app is designed to impact young children’s motor skill development. Using their logic and reasoning skills, kids learning about how objects relate to each other and how they can manipulate them.
Busy Shapes is simple to play. Kids simply drag an object into a hole. They are challenged to match the shape of the object with the corresponding hole, and eventually, another object and hole will appear in a new setting. The challenge increases over time, with multiple objects and holes of different shapes. Most importantly, there are no instructions—it’s all child-directed. Busy Shapes costs $2.99.
BEST FOR MATH
Moose Math
Moose Math
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Made by Duck Duck Moose, which became part of educational technology juggernaut Khan Academy in 2016, this math app is designed to introduce basic math concepts to young kids. Kids help a moose and his friends do various tasks, such as counting, making “moose juice” smoothies, and finding hidden animals. The games teach concepts related to counting, shapes, addition, and subtraction.
There are five games at different levels, and kids have to progress through the levels to advance. The games are aligned to Common Core State Standards for kindergarten math, so it’s best for preschoolers who are preparing to enter elementary school. Parents also can follow their kids’ progress. Best of all, Moose Math is free with no hidden, in-app purchases.
BEST FOR CREATIVE EXPLORATION
Toca Nature
Toca Nature
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Toca Nature is one of the best apps on the market for older preschoolers to engage in open-ended creative exploration. It’s like Minecraft for young kids. Kids get to build natural elements like trees, lakes, and mountains and see what happens when animals populate the areas they’ve built. They construct their scenery by tapping and dragging, which means that the app is best for older preschoolers who have better hand-eye coordination.
Toca Nature has a calm aura about it, with soothing background music to accompany the scenery. Unlike what happens in real life, this version of nature is appropriate for young children—there are no bears devouring small animals. Kids can feed some animals, though not all of them. Toca Nature costs $3.99.
BEST FOR READING
Homer Reading Learn to Read
Homer Reading
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Homer Reading: Learn to Read is a research-based, comprehensive literacy curriculum that creates a personalized program for every child based on what they’re interested in. For example, there’s content about animals, music, poetry, folk tales, and many other subjects. Kids tap on the content they want to learn about and can record their own voices. There’s also a strong phonics component, and kids have the ability to practice tracing letters.
Homer Reading was designed with the Common Core in mind, and thus it provides context. For example, one reviewer explains, “Kids are not only learning what the letter ‘A’ sounds like and that ‘alligator’ starts with ‘A,’ but also taking virtual ‘field trips’ to the zoo, where they learn about alligators.” Homer Reading isn’t cheap: it’s $10/month, but you get a 30-day free trial and the yearly plan is $60 if you can commit to that.
MOST FUN APP
The Monster At the End of This Book
The Monster At the End of This Book
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This is an interactive version of the classic Sesame Street book from the 1970s in which Grover urges children not to turn the pages so they can stay away from the end of the book, where there is supposedly a monster. Grover reads the pages of the book, but kids tap the screen to turn the pages. Of course, the monster at the end of the book is Grover himself! This ebook version has interactive elements, allowing kids to untie ropes and knock down brick walls.
Besides being a hoot for little kids, The Monster at the End of this Book can present an opportunity for parents to talk to kids about when they feel afraid of something. The ebook costs $3.99.
BEST FOR TEACHING PRESCHOOLERS ABOUT ROUTINES
Daniel Tiger’s Day and Night
Daniel Tiger’s Day and Night
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One of many great apps offered by PBS Kids, Daniel Tiger’s Day and Night teaches kids about morning and evening routines. Kids are asked to do tasks like getting dressed, eating breakfast, brushing their teeth, and in the evening, taking a bath. The app includes eight games revolving around these routines, as well as sing-along songs to make these tasks more fun, and musical timers.
Daniel Tiger Day and Night is especially good for young kids who are particularly disorganized or seem to need more structure in their days. However, it’s great for all kids in terms of learning the importance of hygiene and self-care. The app costs $2.99.
BEST FOR IMAGINARY PLAY
My PlayHome
My PlayHome
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My PlayHome is a completely open-ended virtual dollhouse that encourages young kids to use their imagination to build a family. Kids can choose up to 15 characters with different outfits and hairstyles. The app is also highly interactive – the characters can jump, blow bubbles, build blocks, swing in the backyard, work in the garden, or cook in the kitchen. There are sound effects that make the activities the kids create particularly realistic, such as characters chomping on apples or frying an egg.
One of the best things about My PlayHome is that kids can choose from diverse skin tones to create their family, and decide whether their family is multi-racial or has two moms or dads. While the app is designed to appeal to young kids, even elementary school children seem to love playing it. My PlayHome is $3.99 on iTunes and $2.99 on Amazon.
FAQs
Are Educational Apps Good For Preschoolers?
There is limited research in this area, but some evidence suggests that educational apps can be helpful in supporting learning in children. A review published in Pediatrics found that apps could be particularly useful for teaching early math (number recognition, number naming, addition) and language (alphabet, letter sounds, vocabulary) skills in children under 6 years of age.1
However, although apps can be a fun way to keep your preschooler learning outside of the classroom, even the best of them cannot compete with face-to-face learning and social interaction.
The AAP recommends no screens for children younger than 18 months with one exception: video chatting. Toddlers 18 months to 24 months can start to enjoy some screen time with a parent or caregivers, and by ages 2 and 3, kids should watch no more than one hour a day.
Ideally, you should engage with media alongside your child to help them understand what they are seeing and apply what they learn to the real world.2
Apps may even do more harm than good when they take children away from interacting with their caregivers and other children. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the majority of apps advertised as educational “show low educational potential, target only rote academic skills (eg, ABCs, colors), are not based on established curricula, and include almost no input from developmental specialists or educators.”3
How Much Should Educational Apps Cost?
Some educational apps for preschoolers are free to download, but those versions sometimes offer limited features. If you want to use the premium version and get full access, you can make in-app purchases. Other apps don’t have a free version and can be downloaded for a one-time cost, usually in the range of $1 to $4.
Some apps are available for a monthly or yearly subscription fee, which can range from approximately $5 to $10 per month.
best free apps for 4 year olds
Best Overall App for Kids: ABCmouse.com
best apps for kids abcmousecom
ABC MOUSE
This pick is an overwhelming favorite among all of our testers. ABCmouse.com is available both as an app and a website. It uses fun storyline-based videos, quizzes, and activities — there’s even a virtual map outlining your child’s learning path to keep kids and toddlers engaged. Our parent testers said they loved ABCmouse.com even before we started testing the best apps for kids!
• Ages: 2-8
• Cost: One-month free trial, then $10/month subscription
• Get it for: iOS, Android, or on the Amazon App Store
RELATED: The Best Toddler Apps That Teach Letters, Colors, Shapes, and Numbers
Best for All Ages: Khan Academy
best apps for kids
KHAN ACADEMY
Teachers, parents, and kids are all a fan of the Khan Academy app that features thousands of free resources on everything from early math to art history. From preschool to high school, children of all ages can enjoy and learn on this non-profit’s platform. All of its programming is entirely free, so you don’t have to worry about subscription fees. Parents of our testers say that the videos helped each kid learn at their own pace. For those with kids under 4, check out their child-friendly counterpart, Khan Academy Kids on iOS or Android, which features a lot of the great elements of the older app at an age appropriate level.
• Ages: 4+
• Cost: Free
• Get it for: iOS or Android
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Best Reading App for Kids: Epic!
Best Apps for Kids- Epic!
EPIC!
Epic! is an app for kids with an e-book library that contains over 35,000 children’s books (and it includes a read-to-me feature for little ones who are still learning to read). One of our parent testers says it’s “a great app to have when the kids want screen time, but you don’t!” This app is a perfect way to take reading wherever your device goes, and it’s great for families with kids of various ages.
• Ages: 2-12
• Cost: one-month free trial, then $8/month
• Get it for: iOS or Android
Best App for Kids in Preschool: Nick Jr.
Best Apps for Kids- Nick Jr.
NICK JR.
Nick Jr.’s app offers parents the chance to let their kids enjoy their favorite shows on the go — no TV required! The app has videos from all of Nick Jr.’s shows and a collection of games (both educational and not-so educational) based on Nick Jr. shows that feature your kids’ favorite characters.
To unlock some parts of the app, you’ll need to enter your cable provider’s information. Even without it, your kid will still be able to use the features they’ll be most excited about: full episodes and lots of games!
• Ages: 2-7
• Cost: free, some content requires cable provider information
• Get it for: iOS, Android, or on the Amazon App Store
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Best App for Kids in Elementary School: Quick Math Jr.
Best Apps for Kids- Quick Math Jr.
QUICK MATH
Kids know that math can be boring, but this app transforms numbers into something more creative and interactive. Quick Math Jr. is an app for kids with 12 different math games that feature fundamental math skills and concepts. It has unique graphics and buildable characters to keep kids engaged, and all answers are handwritten or drawn on the screen so kids can also practice handwriting.
• Ages: 4-8
• Cost: Free
• Get it for: iOS
Best App for Kids in High School: Duolingo
Best Apps for Kids- Duolingo
DUOLINGO
The Duolingo Owl (the app’s mascot and icon) has been popping up as a meme all over social media in recent months, so chances are your high schooler knows what Duolingo is. Encourage them to take it one step further and download the app so they can learn a different language.
They can practice through audio, word identification, and oral exercises for over 30 languages — it’s a great way for your child to keep their language-learning skills sharp over the summer. P.S.: Parents can use this app, too!
• Ages: 10+
• Cost: Free, optional ad-free Duolingo Plus is $6.99/month
• Get it for: iOS or Android
Conclusion
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