Zite, an application to help you discover the best content on the Web, has just dropped their Best Kids’-Apps For Age 5 category from their directory. We believe that Zite’s decision was an unfortunate one because many great apps for kids under 5 are out there that parents may not know about. To meet the growing demand of a diverse marketplace and provide a service that benefits all concerned, we at Connate Devices have decided to review and rank some of the best apps for kids under 5.
Table of Contents
Best Apps For Kids Under 5
PBS Kids
PBS Kids
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Price: Free
Ages: 2-8
iOS/Android: Both
Why We Chose It: Free, fun, and full of your kid’s favorite characters, the PBS Kids app offers games, videos, and other cool content for kids ages 2-8.
PROS
Familiar, toddler-favorite characters
Play within the worlds of your kid’s favorite shows
You can watch PBS Kids shows without a television
CONS
Games are only somewhat educational
Only select shows are available in full or for download
Who doesn’t love PBS? It’s been a staple in child entertainment for decades now, from Sesame Street to Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood—and it’s still going strong today. With the free PBS Kids Video and PBS Kids Games apps, your kids can play games and watch videos based on today’s most popular PBS shows like Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and Cat in the Hat. Suitable for kids as young as two years old, the PBS Kids apps have something for everyone, teaching early science and math skills in fun and full-color games.
BEST FOR AIRPLANE
Busy Shapes 2
Busy Shapes 2
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Price: $3
Ages: 4-8
iOS/Android: Both
Why We Chose It: Use your travel time wisely with these brain-boosting 3D puzzle games that teach kids critical thinking skills without them even knowing it.
PROS
More than 100 visually engaging levels
Designed to build visual skills like hand-eye coordination
3D puzzle animation
CONS
Some users complain about app crashes or loading problems
May be tricky for toddlers to use without supervision
Unfortunately, you can’t assume that your toddler’s favorite app will work the same way when you aren’t connected to WiFi. That’s why it’s a good idea to download some apps that work in airplane mode before hopping on a plane with your toddler. Our pick for the best airplane app for toddlers is Busy Shapes 2.
This updated offering from one of the most popular toddler apps is a fully functional app, even in airplane mode. Here, your toddler will learn shapes by dragging and dropping shapes into matching holes. The activity is brought to life by stunning visuals and beautiful, calming background music your kids will love. The shapes are made of real-life objects like fruit, helping your kids to associate shapes that are part of their daily lives.
BEST EDUCATIONAL
Monkey Preschool Lunchbox
Monkey Preschool Lunchbox
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Price: $2
Ages: 2-5
iOS/Android: Both
Why We Chose It: Preschoolers can build basic skills with seven easy-to-navigate games centered on letters, shapes, colors, and more.
PROS
Made for preschoolers to use without a parent
Reinforces toddler-friendly skills like matching and counting
Sticker rewards to track your child’s progress
CONS
May be too simplistic or repetitive for your child
Some users dislike the sound effects
Your toddler won’t even realize they’re learning when you download the fun toddler app, Monkey Preschool Lunchbox. They’ll learn colors, shapes, and counting in an effortlessly fun interface led by the adorably lovable monkey, Milo. Each activity that’s successfully completed comes with an immediate reward where your toddler will get to choose a sticker to add to their collection.
BEST ON IPAD
Toca Boca
Toca Boca
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Price: Free to $4
Ages: 4+
iOS/Android: Both
Why We Chose It: The Toca Boca suite of apps for kids is an interactive way to explore the world by cooking, cutting hair, building a neighborhood, and taking care of pets.
PROS
Dozens of games to choose, including some free
Some games can be purchased as a bundle for discounted pricing
Games for beginners, animal lovers, budding engineers, and more
CONS
Some games are not as interesting or appealing as others
Hard to know which game your child will like until you try it
The Toca Boca suite of apps has become one of the most popular brands out there. Through fun, engaging apps full of bright colors and great sounds, Toca brings to life a host of activities like cooking, taking care of pets and sick patients, hairstyling, and even chemistry. For the youngest set, try a role-playing app like Toca Doctor (more on this one below) or a simple app like hairstyling (kids can’t get enough of the hairdryer). And as they grow, your kids can design and build their own city with the Toca Life apps.
BEST ON ANDROID
Balloon Pop
Balloon Pop
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Price: Free
Ages: Not indicated
iOS/Android: Both (works better on Android)
Why We Chose It: The concept is simple but addictive, offering gameplay that’s educational or just for fun.
PROS
Different game modes for education, like letters and numbers
Can be played just for fun to keep your child busy
Easy for even little hands to play
CONS
Can get boring or repetitive after a while
Free for basic, but more levels requires in-app purchases
This free app is part of a group of apps from App Family. Available on the Android platform, they’re fun for a variety of ages. The puzzles make a great choice for older kids, while toddlers will be instantly drawn to the game that allows them to pop balloons as they rise from the bottom of the screen to the top. It’s simple enough for even the youngest of players to grasp, and it’s fully customizable too. Change the size of the balloons and the speed at which they move, making it easier for beginners and more challenging as your child masters the game.
BEST ROLE-PLAYING
Toca Doctor
Toca Doctor
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Price: $4
Ages: 3+
iOS/Android: iOS
Why We Chose It: Kids love to play doctor, but you don’t have to be their volunteer patient anymore; puzzles and silly animations encourage them to test out their medical skills on the app instead of you.
PROS
Includes interesting graphics of the human body for anatomy learning
Physics-focused “mini games”
Teaches basic skills but also encourages empathy and critical thinking
CONS
Best for 3-year olds; may not hold an older child’s attention
Once you’ve played the levels, there’s no way to advance or do more
Spark your toddler’s empathy or pave the way for a future in medicine with the Toca Doctor app. Part of the ever-popular suite of Toca Boca apps, this full-color app boasts a number of educational games for toddlers, set against a medical theme. This is one of the most simple Toca apps, suitable for kids as young as three. Kids can cover boo-boos of different sizes with bandages, “erase” scratches with cotton balls, brush teeth to chase away germs, or squirt eye drops into eyes. This game is sure to keep your little ones occupied for more than just a few minutes!
Final Verdict
If you’re hoping to use an app to teach your child key literacy and math skills on a regular basis, ABCMouse is worth the monthly investment, but if you want something with less commitment, Monkey Preschool Lunchbox is a low-key learning app for even the littlest kiddos. PBS Kids is a free and fun way for your toddler to play alongside their favorite TV show characters, but you can’t go wrong with any of the role-playing apps from Toca Boca.
Compare Apps
Apps for Toddlers Price Ages iOS/Android
ABC Mouse Best Overall $13 per month 2-8 Both
PBS Kids Best Budget Free 2-8 Both
Busy Shapes 2 Best for Airplane $3 4-8 Both
Monkey Preschool Lunchbox Best Educational $2 2-5 Both
Toca Boca Best on iPad Varies from free to $4 4+ Both
Balloon Pop Best on Android Free Not Indicated Both (works better on Android)
Toca Doctor Best Role-Playing $4 3+ iOS
Best free apps for 4 year olds
- Thinkrolls Play & Code
kid playing the educational app Thinkrolls Play & Code
In today’s digital world, teaching your kids pre-coding and problem-solving skills will set them up for success early! Created by the educational app experts at Avokiddo, Thinkrolls Play & Code is an award-winning educational entertainment app for kids ages 3-8.
Thinkrolls Play & Code allows young kids to solve puzzles, work through complex challenges, and create their own adventures with a wealth of pre-coding concepts baked into every move! Young ones will build their critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills by playing their way through over 1000 Arcade Logic Puzzles and maze courses. Kids will work out solutions to math and physics challenges as they roll and bounce their way through different mazes.
The app also offers a collection of Brain Games that will entertain your child while building their reasoning skills, memory, and fine motor skills. Brain Games include options like “Find the Odd One Out,” “Sort A Lot,” and many more games designed to help kids recognize patterns and shapes.
Thinkrolls Play & Code encourages kids to never give up and think a few steps ahead as they guide different creatures through obstacles and challenges. If at first, your kiddo doesn’t succeed at a puzzle, Thinkrolls lets them experiment with multiple opportunities to try out different solutions until one fits!
Beyond the countless games and logic puzzles to experiment with, Thinkrolls Play & Code also lets kids bring their own puzzle ideas to life. Players can build their own Thinkrolls with an easy-to-use drag and drop interface, and customize their creations with accessories they earn during gameplay.
Kids will learn spatial awareness, discover the importance of planning multiple steps ahead, and be well on their way to becoming coders all while immersed in a bright, captivating cartoon world. Unlike other basic educational apps, Thinkrolls Play & Code includes collaborative play options that let them safely share the puzzles they make with others in the community. Your child will gain confidence and feel like a real-life inventor by challenging others to try out their puzzle!
Unleash your child’s coding and creative potential today with Thinkrolls Play & Code!
- Fact Monster
Fact Monster App
Fact Monster is an excellent option for educational games. Learning games and videos range in topics, from science to language arts to math and so much more! Fact Monster also combines essential reference materials, flashcards, fun facts, and homework help for kids. Kids 5 years old and up will love how Fact Monster makes learning fun. Check out Fact Monster to learn more.
- Poptropica
Poptropica App
This free story-based game allows kids to customize their own characters, complete quests and play with friends in a safe environment. Kids love creating their avatars and finishing quests for prizes. This app is best for ages 6 to 12, and it is for Android and iOS.
- Coolmath Games
Coolmath Games
Coolmath Games features math activities and games for anyone ages 13 to 100. Coolmath Games is a brain-training app, where logic & thinking meet fun and games. These games have no violence, no empty action, just a lot of challenges that will make you forget you’re getting a mental workout! Escaping pigs, flying zombies, a bear who loves riding scooters, and much more! This app is for iOS and Android.
- Khan Academy Kids
Khan Academy Kids
Khan Academy Kids is one of the most popular math apps providing a free, fun educational program for children ages two to eight. It was developed in collaboration with learning experts at Stanford and aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and Common Core Standards. It also focuses on the whole child and incorporates social emotional learning skills. Learn more about Khan Academy Kids here. You can find it in the Apple App Store, on Google Play, and in the Amazon Appstore.
- Fish School
Fish School App
Fish School exposes your preschooler to important concepts like letters, numbers, shapes, colors, matching, and more. Brightly colored schools of fish form letters, shapes, and the numbers 1–20, and your child can make the fish swim and do funny things with a simple touch and drag. Fish School is the winner of a Parents’ Choice Gold Award and a Children’s Technology Review Editor’s Choice Award. This app is best for ages 2 and up, and it is for Android and iOS.
- PBS Kids Games
PBS Kids Game App
PBS has created hundreds of games based on their popular children’s shows. The games for each show fit in with their learning theme. Learn math with Peg + Cat. Explore creature powers with the Kratt Brothers. Or go on a space adventure with the kids from Ready, Jet Go! If your child loves PBS shows, they’re going to love learning with their favorite characters. This app is best for ages 2 and up, and it is for Android and iOS.
- Pizza Fractions 1
Pizza Fractions
Does your elementary-aged kid need some extra help with fractions? What more delicious way to illustrate the concept than with pizza? Pizza Fractions 1 gives your child a visual approach to fractions with denominators 1–12 (excluding sevenths and elevenths), and adjustable difficulty levels let beginners start with the basics and progress as they learn. Math has never been so tasty! This app is best for ages 6 and up, and it is for iOS.
- Science360
Science360
The National Science Foundation’s Science360 app (for tablets only) brings cutting-edge science and engineering news, images, and video right to your child’s fingertips. All content is either produced by the NSF or gathered from scientists and universities around the world, so you can be assured that your child is receiving the best quality information out there, and new content is added every week. Your kid will love the cool 360-degree view that lets him explore images from every angle. This app is best for ages 12 and up, and it is for Android and iOS.
- NASA Visualization Explorer
NASA Viz
NASA Visualization Explorer, or NASA Viz, is the coolest way to explore the latest news and stories about the Earth, the sun, and the universe. The app features stunning images and video from space and animations that can make challenging concepts easier to understand. Older kids will love diving into everything this app has to offer on their own, and your younger ones can begin learning about the planets and stars with your help. This app is best for ages 7 and up, and it is for iOS.
Conclusion
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