Preschoolers are in a funny place when it comes to technology. They’re too young to use most mobile devices unsupervised, but old enough to know what they are and be fascinated by them. Luckily, there’s an app for that—and, in fact, several apps for that!
Parents and teachers can use these apps to engage preschoolers in learning while letting them have some screen time. These apps can also help parents and teachers who aren’t technologically savvy become more familiar with the devices their young students are using at an increasingly early age.
To make sure you can find the app that will best meet your needs, we’ve put together this list of the best apps for preschoolers.
Best Apps For Preschoolers 2016
uch of parenting can be terrifying, but there’s a special horror in having to teach your son our daughter mathematics. Thankfully, modern tech is here to rescue you from an inscrutable Google with math apps for kids. Loaded onto your iPhone or Android, the best math apps for kids help your preschool or kindergarten-aged child better than you ever could, even if you were in your prime (and let’s be honest, you are far from SAT shape). Whether your kid needs a little extra help understanding long division or you’re just trying to add some STEM to their screen diet, these math apps for kids can help. And, hey, with the interactive nature and fun cartoon-themed games, he or she might even like it.
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The kid’s media experts at Common Sense Media know that math apps are a great tool in any parent’s arsenal, though they note that trusting someone’s review in the app store might not ensure your kid’s screen time is actually educational, or free. They vet thousands of math apps (and generally educational apps) for 12 different criteria, from learning methodology to how likely your kid is to accidentally make in-app purchases. These are the best math apps for toddlers and preschoolers that pass their smell test and will get your kid learning all those skills you forgot the second you were handed a high school diploma.
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Elmo Loves the 123s
Leave it to Sesame Workshop’s Elmo and Abby to make math fun. They teach kids number tracing, identification, and addition and subtraction, among other lessons, and kids trace numbers to unlock surprises. There are counting games, coloring pages, and games. Plus, parents can track to see what kids are learning.
$4.99 (iOS) (Android)
4+
Lola’s Math Train
Created for kids ages 3-8, this app features a cute panda that helps kids learn to read and count. Kids pick the smallest number out of three, or select the box with the most squares. It’s fun, accessible, and easy for youngster to manage on their own. There are in-app purchases.
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Free (iOS) (Android)
4+
Peg + Cat’s Tree Problem by PBS Kids
Peg + Cat’s Tree Problem is based on the delightful Emmy Award-wining PBS KIDS series PEG + CAT, created by Jennifer Oxley. And it reflects the show’s inclusive and accessible voice and tone. Kids learn to problem solve by helping Cat, who’s stuck in a tree. They solve logic puzzles, and learn early math skills. The game increases in difficulty as kids master more skills. Oh, and get this: No ads or in-app purchases.
$2.99 (iOS) (Android)
2+
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Park Math by Duck Duck Moose
Who doesn’t like cute ducks? No one, that’s who. This thoroughly engaging app teaches kids to count up to 50 while watching a rabbit swing, feed a hippo the right number of food items, learn addition by helping ducks climb a slide, and learn subtraction by counting the apples falling off a tree. That’s just a few of the activities on hand.
Free (iOS)
4+
Wild Kratts Creature Math by PBS Kids
Those kooky adventurers teach help kids practice addition and subtraction, in a virtual world full of animals. The app features eight different critters, and the game automatically adjusts its difficulty as a player’s math proficiency goes up. Kids earn reward banners as they progress, and actually have a great time learning animal facts and numbers, at the same time.
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$1.99 (iOS)
Ages: 4+
Bugs and Numbers
Kids love bugs. They may be a little less psyched about math. But when you have a parade of realistic-looking creepy crawlies showing them how to tell time, divide numbers into fractions, and use money (worker bee’s gotta eat!) they might actually want to participate. For parents, it will just remind you that bed bugs are probably hiding in your hotel room.
$2.99 (iOS) (Android)
Ages: 4+
Quick Math Jr.
From the makers of Shiny Kids comes an educational app that tailors itself to your mathlete’s aptitude. It handles all of the requisite addition, subtraction, and monster counting — but it also includes handwriting recognition. So beyond math skills like counting fingers and toes, kids will practice writing numbers.
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Ages: 4+
$2.99 (iOS)
Drive About: Number Neighborhood
You may find yourself driving around aimlessly in the real world (Waze, you’re the worst), but at least you can point your kid in the right direction on their iPad. Preschoolers can cruise to 9 familiar destinations (playground, marina, cake shop) while learning basic math skills and fine motor skills along the way through verbal instruction. (Perfect for toddlers who can’t read yet.) Because unlike stop and go traffic, math makes sense.
$2.99 (iOS)
Ages: 4+
Moose Math by Duck Duck Moose
From the studio that brought you the finest games about farm animals and construction equipment comes the best math app for teaching kids skills that they can actually use in preschool and beyond (assuming they don’t become a farmer or a truck driver). Moose Math contains 5 games that teach geometry, sorting, counting by multiples, and more. It also lets parents view a progress report, so you can see just what the hell you’re paying this moose for.
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$1.99 (iOS) (Android) (Amazon)
Ages: 4+
Endless Numbers
Monsters are already teaching your toddler everything from how to enjoy cookies to how to share. Why not let them teach your preschooler math? The Endless Numbers app uses animated ugly dolls to introduce math concepts like counting, sequences, and basic arithmetic in fun ways. Because the only thing more fun than riding a Ferris wheel is counting all its cars … right?
Ages: 4+
Free (iOS) (Android) (Windows)
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DragonBox Numbers
It’s the Grand Theft Auto of math apps — without the dead bodies, drugs, swearing, weapons, or prostitutes. What it does share is a “sandbox” mode, where your kid can play freely play with furry squiggles called “Nooms” that represent different numerals.
$7.99 (iOS) (Android) (Amazon)
Ages: 3+
Splash Learn
Splash math is basically real-life school at the touch of your finger. It includes a comprehensive curriculum based on our child’s skill level, and sends you weekly progress reports via email. Their kindergarten curriculum includes identifying, counting and comparing numbers up to 10, addition and subtraction, and basic geometry.
Free (iOs) (Android)
Kahn Academy Kids
Kahn Academy is an oldie, but goodie. Developed by education experts at Stanford, it follows the Head Start early learning outcomes framework and common core standards to create an award-winning program for kids aged 2-7. It creates a customized, intuitive curriculum for each user, so kids can learn at their own pace. It’s not only free to download but contains no ads or in-app purchases, so you won’t find surprise charges made by curious fingers.
best apps for 8 year olds 2021
At seven and eight, children can concentrate for longer periods of time and are developing strong interests. When it comes to finding great apps for 7-8 year olds, you must look for apps that they will actually spark their interest and keep them engaged.
In compiling our list of apps for 7 year olds, we have particularly aimed to support what children are learning in school through English, Maths, Geography, History, Science, etc, as well as supporting wider development such as creativity.
With a mix of STEM, puzzles, games, education and entertainment, these apps will keep your 7-8 year olds hooked while they learn.
Our panel of experts collaborated to find the best apps for 7- and 8-year-olds for making screen time worthwhile.
Best Apps for 7-8 Year Olds
Immerse AR
Immerse AR
Immerse AR – 5 Star Certified App
Immerse is a simple, fun and engaging AR app that develops science knowledge and interest by letting you interact with elements of the universe (animals, machines and landscapes) in the palm of your hands.
Immerse improves memory recall and learning comprehension by connecting with more senses, resulting in a more effective and enjoyable learning experience.
Age: 7+
Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad
OgStar Reading Explore
OgStar Reading Explore
OgStar Reading Explore – 5 Star Certified App
OgStar Reading takes students on a captivating reading adventure and includes built-in mini-games and rewards to keep students motivated and engaged. OgStar Reading provides students with an enjoyable and comprehensive literacy game, based on the well-respected Orton-Gillingham approach.
Age: 7+
Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad
OK Play
OK Play
OK Play – 5 Star Certified App
OK Play app is an interactive storytelling app containing many activities that build social and emotional skills in young kids. It works exceptionally well when parents and children play it together. Games, books and videos nearly always involve kids being outside looking in. OK Play places them right among the action.
Age: 7+
Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad
STEMWerkz
STEMWerkz
STEMWerkz – 5 Star Certified App
STEMWerkz is a fun environment for kids to learn about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEMWerkz includes over 800 learning stories, a city-building game where children help citizens problem-solve to earn coins, and a learning journey that involves specialized quests.
Age: 7+
Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad
Prof Bunsen Teaches Math
Prof Bunsen Teaches Math
Prof Bunsen Teaches Math – 5 Star Certified App
Professor Bunsen Teaches Math gives kids math practice at a level appropriate for eight or nine-year-old kids. It does this through artificial-intelligence supported gamified math activities. As kids play the gamified activities, the app adjusts the challenge and content to develop kids’ skills and ensure they are always working at a level that will help them progress.
Age: 7+
Devices: Windows, Mac
Times Tables Challenge
Times Tables Challenge
Times Tables Challenge – 5 Star Certified App
This app is great for any child ages 7 and up. A fun math app where kids will learn and memorise the times tables. Useful hints and tips help kids to spot patterns that will make remembering these important numbers easier.
Age: 7+
Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad
Night Zookeeper
Night Zookeeper
Night Zookeeper – 5 Star Certified App
The Night Zookeeper is an easy to use, child-friendly platform based around a series of magical storybooks. This online platform is designed to inspire and help children of age seven and above with their creative writing as well as teaching them about grammar, spelling, vocabulary, writing skills and drawing through a series of lessons and games.
Age: 7+
Devices: Web browsers
Crazy Gears
Crazy Gears
Crazy Gears – 5 Star Certified App
Crazy Gears is a problem-solving game that gets kids thinking critically and exploring STEM concepts. This engaging puzzle-like app asks children to construct gears, chains and rods to complete each level. Children will be introduced to important STEM skills that connect to tasks across disciplines.
Age: 7+
Devices: iPhone, iPad
Marble Math
Marble Math
Marble Math – 5 Star Certified App
Marble Math makes practicing math fun for kids. Marble Math is one of the most fun, customizable, and effective math games more appropriate for 7-8 year olds. Marble Math is an engaging, sticky way for kids to practice math skills. Marble Math gives kids who enjoy puzzle games an engaging and entertaining way to get the practice and repetition that they need to hone and sharpen their math skills.
Age: 7+
Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad
ABCMouse.com
ABCMouse.com
ABCMouse.com – 5 Star Certified App
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 engaged. Our parent testers said they loved ABCmouse.com even before we started testing the best apps for 7-year old kids! ABCMouse 30-day free trial gives you access to all of the educational site’s 9,000 activities in reading, science, math and art.
Age: 7+
Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad
Leo AR Education
Leo AR Education
Leo AR Education – 4 Star Certified App
Leo AR Education is one of the best app for 7 year olds. The app lets you add AR graphics, stickers, music, text and more to your videos from the comfort of home. Leo is easy to use, fun and one of the best augmented reality apps for kids on the market.
Age: 7+
Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad
Maths Whizz
Maths Whizz
Maths Whizz – 5 Star Certified App
Maths-Whizz is designed to tutor your child in maths and provide them with the frequent practice they need to progress. It is compatible with all devices, provides useful feedback to parents, and is educationally effective.
Age: 8+
Available: Web
Duolingo
Duolingo
Duolingo – 5 Star Certified App
Duolingo only has minimal gameplay elements but still makes learning new languages an engaging experience. Each lesson includes a variety of speaking, listening, translation, and multiple choice challenges. To keep kids hooked, there are game aspects like XP and a health bar included.
Age: 7+
Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad
MentalUP Educational Games
MentalUP Educational Games
MentalUP Educational Games – 5 Star Certified App
MentalUP Educational Games is a great brain teaser resource for children of all ages. It offers dozens of free games and different difficulty levels for educational games for 7-years-old, educational games for 8-years-old, 7-year-old cognitive development games, math games for 8-years-olds and many more options. You can support your child to develop perfectly in many areas from mathematics to visual intelligence, from focus to attention, from motor skills to verbal intelligence.
Age: 7+
Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad
FunEasyLearn – Learn Languages
FunEasyLearn – Learn Languages
FunEasyLearn – Learn Languages – 5 Star Certified App
FunEasyLearn app was an interactive, language-learning app gradually guides the user through the study of a language – be it new or limited to a specific topic for focus. The variety of languages on offer is hugely impressive, ranging from Spanish, French, Italian, German, English, Chinese, up to 34 languages in total.
Age: 8+
Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad
Stack the States
Stack the States
Stack the States – 5 Star Certified App
Stack The States and its more global companion Stack The Countries utilize a series of mini-games to teach geographical facts in a way that’s actually fun. From a sort of anti-Tetris where states / countries are stacked ever higher, to the brain-teasing jigsaw puzzle, to the more fast-paced Capital Drop mode, there’s plenty for kids to do here while memorizing facts. Each puzzle includes questions about specific states, so over time your kids will become pros at learning where states/countries are located and recognizing their capitols, languages, and major landmarks.
Age: 7+
Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad
Words Master
Words Master
Words Master – 4 Star Certified App
Words Master is a fun learning game for 7-year-olds that encourages them to compete against themselves to get as high a score as is possible. Technically there is not limit to high a score that a user could get meaning that someone using the app could continually use it and keep improving on their best score. This word game helps children focus on sounds and letters, and develop skills they need for reading, writing, and spelling.
Age: 7+
Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad
Sight Words – Learning Games
Sight Words – Learning Games
Sight Words – 5 Star Certified App
Sight Words: Reading Games is a child-friendly learning platform that helps students get familiar with sight words. Sight words are common words that don’t follow basic phonics and are designed to help kids read faster. Dolch Sight words are many of the most common written words. The application is US based but could also support students within the UK.
Age: 7+
Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad
Dr. Seuss Treasury
Dr. Seuss Treasury
Dr. Seuss Treasury – 5 Star Certified App
Learning to read can be a pleasure with the right selection of books and for many children, this was the Dr. Seuss books. Today’s children can improve their reading fluency and develop a joy in reading by engaging with all of these books, in an enhanced form, in the official app.
Age: 7+
Devices: iPhone, Pad
The 38 Times Tables Challenge
The 38 Times Tables Challenge
The 38 Times Tables Challenge – 5 Star Certified App
The 38 Times Tables Challenge app turns a laser-sharp focus on to the 38 times tables that need to be actually learned. These are the ones for which there are no easy methods to remember them. By concentrating only on these 38, children spend more of their time learning the most difficult to remember and less time repeating what they already know.
Age: 7+
Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad
Moji Multi
Moji Multi
Moji Multi – 4 Star Certified App
Children are frequently encouraged to learn their multiplication tables. Daily practise using different approaches is the best way to do this and Moji Multi is a free app that provides a good learning experience ideal for this little-and-often approach.
Age: 7+
Devices: iPhone, iPad
Time Duration
Time Duration
Time Duration – 5 Star Certified App
Time Duration is an easy to use, child-friendly app that teaches children the topic of elapsed time. The app includes progressive multiple levels, excellent graphics and in-app support. This application is free from in-app adverts and free from in-app purchases. The application is available on the iOS/Windows platforms and suitable for ages 6 to 9.
Age: 6+
Devices: iPhone, iPad, Windows
Dyslexia Gold
Dyslexia Gold
Dyslexia Gold – 5 Star Certified App
Dyslexia Gold improves reading fluency, speed and comprehension. It increases reading age by over 12 months. Their fun, effective & unique programs help children learn to improve: Reading with Engaging Eyes and Fluency Builder, master Spelling and Times Tables. Dyslexia Gold addresses underlying problems that cause reading difficulties. You can choose US or UK spelling and works on any PC or laptop with sound – Windows or Mac. Dyslexia Gold is used in over 250 schools and by thousands of parents.
Age: 7+
Available on:: Web
SumW0rdZ
SumW0rdZ
SumW0rdZ – 5 Star Certified App
SumW0rdZ is an interactive educational app for children age 8 and above and improves your general knowledge, word and maths skills all in a single game format. This fun, interactive game has three supporting levels; easy, medium and hard and combines wordplay, mathematical skills such as addition, subtraction, division, multiplication and powers.
Age: 8+
Devices: iPhone, iPad
StudyGe – World map geography
StudyGe – World map geography
StudyGe – World map geography – 5 Star Certified App
Become a master at identifying countries on a map, matching capitals to countries, and identifying flags with StudyGE. With crystal-clear maps, excellent reporting features, and some reference content, Study GE is a superb tool to have in a Geography teacher’s app collection. Future expansions are expected too.
Age: 9+
Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad
Dig into this curated list of highly rated apps for 7 and 8 year olds. There’s a spread of content areas from maths to science to social studies to social-emotional learning.
Conclusion
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