At some point, your kid is going to want you to download an app for them. Maybe they’re just looking for a distraction. Maybe they want something that will actually teach them something. Either way, you’re going to want to make sure the apps you download are worthy of your child’s time and attention—and that they won’t drive you insane.
We’ve scoured the internet for the best apps for preschoolers so you don’t have to. We’ve taken into account educational value, ease of use, and overall quality (including how well it runs on different devices).
Here are our top picks:
Best Apps For Preschoolers 2017
Some of the best apps for toddlers keep in mind how they learn and focus on exploration and open-ended play. If you’ve decided to make digital media a part of your toddlers’ lives, you can extend their learning by helping them relate what they experience in an app to real life. Choosing high-quality programs and playing along with your kid are key components of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated guidelines on screen use for young children. Not sure how much screen time is OK for your little one? Check out our Early Childhood and Screen Time topic centers for research-grounded guidance and answers to critical early childhood issues.
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Baby’s Musical Hands Poster Image
APP
Baby’s Musical Hands
age 2+
Simple and engaging music app for toddlers encourages touch.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2012)
Bubl Ice Cream – a musical dessert for kids Poster Image
APP
Bubl Ice Cream – a musical dessert for kids
age 2+
Sweet fun for littlest app users brings ice cream to life.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2015)
Busy Shapes Poster Image
APP
Busy Shapes
age 2+
Super-smart playground designed for youngest app users.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2014)
Busy Shapes 2 Poster Image
APP
Busy Shapes 2
age 2+
Simply brilliant puzzler develops critical thinking.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2017)
Daily Vroom Poster Image
APP
Daily Vroom
age 2+
Parents get great brain-building tips for little kids.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2017)
Duckie Deck Homemade Orchestra Poster Image
APP
Duckie Deck Homemade Orchestra
age 2+
Have fun and make simple music with common objects.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2016)
Duckie Deck Collection Poster Image
APP
Duckie Deck Collection
age 2+
Sweet mini-games let toddlers “do it myself!”
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire (2014)
Eli Explorer Poster Image
APP
Eli Explorer
age 2+
Delightful, open-ended journey helps teach words.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2015)
Five Little Monkeys Poster Image
APP
Five Little Monkeys
age 2+
Musical counting game full of slapstick fun for toddlers.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire (2011)
Hungry Caterpillar Play School Poster Image
APP
Hungry Caterpillar Play School
age 2+
Engaging learning games, parent tips via subscription.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2018)
LEGO DUPLO WORLD Poster Image
APP
LEGO DUPLO WORLD
age 2+
Branded blocks build early skills with co-play, mini-games.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2019)
Little Chickies (Los Pollitos) by Canticos – Sing, Play & Learn with Latino Nursery Rhymes Poster Image
APP
Little Chickies (Los Pollitos) by Canticos – Sing, Play & Learn with Latino Nursery Rhymes
age 2+
Learn Spanish rhyme in other languages; limited content.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2016)
Moo, Baa, La La La! Poster Image
APP
Moo, Baa, La La La!
age 2+
Boynton does hilarious bit of creative whimsy for toddlers.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Kindle Fire (2011)
Music Sparkles – All In One Musical Instruments Collection HD Poster Image
APP
Music Sparkles – All In One Musical Instruments Collection HD
age 2+
Great play-along music app for little ones; upgrade is fab.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2012)
My Very Hungry Caterpillar Poster Image
APP
My Very Hungry Caterpillar
age 2+
Famous book inspires activities, encourages kids to nurture.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2015)
Nighty Night HD Poster Image
APP
Nighty Night HD
age 2+
Lovely app lets toddlers turn off the lights for bedtime.
Devices: iPad (2011)
OK Play – Learning Activities Poster Image
APP
OK Play – Learning Activities
age 2+
Quality activities for enriching parent-child interactions.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2020)
Pat the Bunny Poster Image
APP
Pat the Bunny
age 2+
Innovative update of the original tactile book.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2011)
Peek-a-Zoo – by Duck Duck Moose Poster Image
APP
Peek-a-Zoo – by Duck Duck Moose
age 2+
Tots learn to recognize emotions, behaviors with cute app.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2011)
Peekaboo Barn Poster Image
APP
Peekaboo Barn
age 2+
Cute toddler app teaches barnyard animal names.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire (2012)
Peekaboo Wild Poster Image
APP
Peekaboo Wild
age 2+
Fun way to learn 10 wild animal names and sounds.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2010)
Pok Pok Playroom Poster Image
APP
Pok Pok Playroom
age 2+
Explore and play with inviting virtual toys.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2021)
Potty Time with Elmo Poster Image
APP
Potty Time with Elmo
age 2+
Nice guide to childhood milestone, but needs more Elmo.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Kindle Fire (2012)
Sago Mini Friends Poster Image
APP
Sago Mini Friends
age 2+
Fascinating first app features familiar, friendly fun.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2014)
Sound Touch Poster Image
APP
Sound Touch
age 2+
Toddler-friendly app has more than 250 sights and sounds.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire (2012)
Tozzle – Toddler’s favorite puzzle Poster Image
APP
Tozzle – Toddler’s favorite puzzle
age 2+
Drag-and-drop shape puzzles made especially for toddlers.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2010)
The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Friends – First Words Poster Image
APP
The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Friends – First Words
age 2+
Eric Carle faves teach vocab in English and other languages.
Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2015)
best free apps for 4 year olds
It can be challenging to keep kids appropriately occupied sometimes, especially when school is out. Today’s kids are spending a good chunk of their days on tablets, phones and other electronic devices and finding apps that provide kid-friendly, developmental content in bite-sizes pieces can be difficult. Using screen time to help supplement their education can be beneficial and fun, especially since many educational apps include games to make learning more exciting.
Our experts work together with our consumer panel to test the best children’s apps out there based on ease of use, engagement, price point and tech pitfalls. We’ve reviewed dozens of apps to bring you our favorites. These are the best of the best for engaging, entertaining and educational content to help support and aid gaps while keeping your kids entertained, whether they’re in pre-school or high school. Grab your charger (or portable battery) and download the best apps for kids in 2022:
Our top picks
Best Overall Educational App for Kids: ABCmouse.com
Best Educational App for All Ages: Khan Academy
Best Educational App for Reading: Epic!
Best Educational App for Kids in Preschool: Nick Jr.
Best Educational App for Kids in Elementary School: Quick Math Jr.
Best Educational App for Kids in High School: Duolingo
Best Educational App for Kids Learning the Alphabet: Starfall ABCs
Best Educational App for Multiple Kids: Homer Learn & Grow
Best Educational Video App for Kids: Brainpop Jr. Movie of the Week
Best Educational App for Coding Kids: Swift Playgrounds
Best Educational App for Learning Piano: Simply Piano
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
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
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
Best App for Kids Learning the Alphabet: Starfall ABCs
Best Apps for Kids- Starfall ABCs
STARFALL ABC
This app gives kids a fun, animated introduction to learning letters, vowels, and words. It also includes the sign language alphabet. If you upgrade to the paid version of Starfall ABCs, you’ll get some extra perks like lessons on math and social skills — but the free version is still pretty impressive!
• Ages: 2-5
• Cost: Free, option to upgrade for $35/year
• Get it for: iOS or Android
Best App for Multiple Kids: Homer Learn & Grow
best app for multiple kids homer learn grow
HOMER
Homer Learn & Grow is great for families with lots of littles, since you can add up to four kid profiles on your account and not have to worry about messing up your customization. Testers love how personalized the learning experience is — while onboarding, you’ll fill out a series of questions about your child’s task performance skills. They also enjoy the cool features like the “record your voice” option in phonics. Kids get to learn thoughtfully about numbers, letters and social skills. Note, the free trial can be difficult to cancel if you’re not interested in paying for the subscription.
• Ages: 2-8
• Cost: $7.99/month
• Get it for: iOS or Android
Best Video App for Kids: Brainpop Jr. Movie of the Week
Best Apps for Kids- Brainpop Jr. Movie of the Week
BRAIN POP JR.
For 20 years, Brainpop has been providing kids all over the world with in-depth, yet easy to understand educational videos on everything ranging from Mozart to food allergies. Brainpop Jr. Movie of the Week is an app that gives younger kids access to these videos, plus short quizzes on them.
You’ll need a subscription to access to the full library of videos, but the free version still gets you the movie of the week, plus more free videos on internet safety, bullying and other subjects. Brainpop also has a version for older kids too!
• Ages: 6-9
• Cost: Free, optional subscription is $6.99/month
• Get it for: iOS, Android, or on the Amazon App Store
Best Kids’ App for Coding: Swift Playgrounds
best apps for kids swift playgrounds
SWIFT PLAYGROUND
Swift Playgrounds is an app for older kids (and adults!) that was created by Apple to introduce people to the coding language that app developers across the globe use. In the app, you can learn the basics of coding language through puzzles, targeted lessons and dynamic visuals. The app is gorgeous to look at and fun to play, but it works best on iPads.
• Ages: 9+
• Cost: Free
• Get it for: iOS
Best App for Learning Piano: Simply Piano
best learning apps simply piano
SIMPLY PIANO
Whether you’re a novice pianist or someone who wants to brush up on lost skills, Simply Piano is a fun, interactive way to learn the piano. All of our testers found that the app helped them learn piano and found it to be a motivating, enjoyable way to learn to play. One tester lauded the program saying she “loved its accessibility and simplistic nature of the lessons.” Another noted her appreciation for the highly guided program, providing the discipline and accountability she needed.
• Ages: 4+
• Cost: Free week trial, $120/year
• Get it for: iOS or Android
How we test educational apps
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The technology and parenting experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute know very well just how dizzying it can be to figure out which kids’ apps are worth downloading and buying (and which are safe and truly kid-friendly) — which is why we tested to find the best ones on the market.
We consulted our consumer panel made up of real parents and their children to whittle down the field to the apps that are age-appropriate, easy to use, informative and fun. Our experts evaluate each app to see how easy it is for children to use independently, how engaging the content is, whether or not it’s worth its price, how long and effectively it can keep children interested, any tech pitfalls and whether it aids children’s development in the ways it indicates.
What to look for in the best educational apps for your kids
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✔️ Safety: It’s important to protect your personal information and avoid getting scammed.Consider how much information the is app requesting from you and if the app requests additional verification when you log in. Aside from personal safety, is the app even safe to download? Check out the number of times the app has been downloaded, the rating, reviews and look over the permissions list as well as the app description before hitting download. We evaluated each of the apps we’ve recommended for safety to help alleviate concerns for you, your family and your devices.
✔️ Features: Consider what you are hoping to get out of this app: Are you just looking for something that will play fun videos or do you want your little one to be able to engage in educational learning games? Some apps offer personalized learning plans that let you check your progress as you move forward, while others are just for one-off entertainment. Depending on what subject you’re hoping for your child to master and how your child learns best, keep an eye out for the extra features of each app to ensure that they’re the right fit for your family.
✔️ Ease of use: One of the best parts about learning apps is the ability for your child to navigate them on their own. Not only will this help them develop their independence and strengthen their problem-solving skills, but will give you a much needed break while they’re entertained. Make sure the app is intuitive enough for them to handle on their own.
✔️ Age: Make sure your picks are age appropriate for your little one. They are sure to be frustrated and upset if you accidentally put them in 7th grade math while they’re only 8! To get the most benefit out of each app experience, make sure that they’re not learning at too low or too high of a level.
✔️ Price: Many of our favorite picks are free, but a few of the more specialized apps feature paid upgrades or monthly subscriptions with access to all of their unlimited games and videos. Consider how much you’re willing to shell out on apps on a regular basis — if your kids are learning and entertained, it may be worth the splurge!
✔️ Engagement: Keeping your child entertained and engaged is one of the most important aspects of a good app. If your kid isn’t excited to hop on and spend time learning new things, watching videos or playing the app’s games, then it doesn’t matter how helpful the app is if they can’t even be bothered to log in.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
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The Good Housekeeping Institute provides expert reviews and advice on everything a parent and their kids needs, including educational apps. The testing for this article was overseen by Rachel Rothman, the GH Institute’s Chief Technologist & Director of Engineering. For more than 15 years, Rachel has put her training in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics to work by researching, testing and writing about parenting products. Plus, as a mom to three kids under 5, she has plenty of first-hand experience.
In her role as Parenting & Pets Reviews Analyst, Jamie Spain brings years of experience to the Institute, having reviewed products for Good Housekeeping, as well as BuzzFeed; she has also covered parenting at People.
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