Are you looking for the best apps for three year olds?
If so, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best apps out there for toddlers, so that you can find something that’s appropriate for your little one’s needs.
Whether you’re looking for educational apps or just fun ones that will keep your three year old engaged and entertained, we have plenty of ideas for you to consider in this article!
Best Apps For Three Year Olds
Finding just the right app for your toddler is a tricky business: Toddlers are naturally curious and want to learn, but their attention spans are generally too short for education-only games, puzzles, and activities. They need a lot of play mixed in, too, especially since play is one of the primary ways that toddlers learn about the world around them.
In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics feels so strongly about the link between play and child development, that they recommend pediatricians write a “prescription for play” at well-visits for kids up to age two!1
As parents, we want to see our kids learn through play, and the best apps for toddlers seamlessly combine simple, interactive playtime with subtle opportunities for education. Because toddlers are fickle, the best apps are affordable (in case your little one gets bored quickly), and because toddlers are still working on mastering their fine motor skills, these apps should also be created with little hands in mind.
If you’re looking for a way to build up some of your toddler’s literacy and math skills without forcing them to sit down with an “educational” program, these apps are the perfect blend of learning and play.
The 7 Best Apps for Toddlers of 2022
Best Overall: ABC Mouse
Best Budget: PBS Kids
Best for Airplane: Busy Shapes 2
Best Educational: Monkey Preschool Lunchbox
Best on iPad: Toca Boca
Best on Android: Balloon Pop
Best Role-Playing: Toca Doctor
Best Apps for Toddlers
ABC Mouse
PBS Kids
Busy Shapes 2
Monkey Preschool Lunchbox
Toca Boca
Balloon Pop
Toca Doctor
Final Verdict
Compare Apps
FAQs
Methodology
BEST OVERALL
ABC Mouse
ABC Mouse
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Price: $13 per month
Ages: 2-8
iOS/Android: Both
Why We Chose It: As a comprehensive learning program, you can use ABCMouse to supplement your child’s preschool education or learn important skills from home.
PROS
Multiple learning tracks for math, reading, art, and more
Ticket reward system lets kids “buy” virtual prizes
Can be customized for your child’s age and skill level
CONS
A recurring monthly investment
Some kids may not be challenged enough by the content
ABCmouse, an educational app with a subscription-based service, gets our vote for the best overall app for toddlers. Although it isn’t free, it certainly goes the distance if you’re looking for a great educational app for kids. It begins in a virtual classroom where your kids can select from a number of different adventures. There are many lessons to choose from that teach reading, math, coloring, counting, and music skills. ABCmouse allows you to add your child’s age in the settings so it can create a customized experience for kids from as young as two all the way through age eight.
Do you have a gaggle of little ones? Add up to three siblings to your subscription for the same monthly fee. It’s easy to switch between users so all your kids can get in on the learning action. The content gets more difficult as your child enters school and progresses through the early elementary grades. ABCmouse has lots of fun rewards, too.
BEST BUDGET
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.
best educational apps for 3 year olds
Yes, we all know that, in an ideal world, toddlers wouldn’t need kid apps. They’d go straight from playing with handcrafted wooden toys to doing Montessori-inspired activities without batting an eye, their brains satiated with enrichment. But we live in the real world, and sometimes you need to make a phone call, take a shower, or eat out at a restaurant without a screaming 2-year-old demanding all of your attention. Hence, apps for toddlers.
That doesn’t mean that all the screen time has to be empty and devoid of any educational value. The best apps for toddlers do both: entertain the kiddos for a minute so you can have a break, and possibly, maybe teach them a little something about letters, colors, or numbers. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorites that do just that — many of them for free. Some feature your toddler’s favorite TV personalities, like Daniel Tiger or Elmo. Some come up with new, adorable characters of their own, so your kids feel like they’re making a new friend. Some will even get them up and moving, so their screen time isn’t also sedentary time. All of them should keep your kids’ attention long enough for you to get something — anything! — done.
PBS Kids Games
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PBS KIDS GAMES
Daniel Tiger, Arthur, and all the other PBS Kids characters come together for games so fun, kids won’t even realize they’re educational. The app is also constantly updated with new games, so they’ll never be bored.
Price: Free
GET FOR iOS
GET FOR ANDROID
RELATED: The Best Apps for Kids, According to Parents and Kids Alike
ABCmouse
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ABCMOUSE
This app uses stories, quizzes, games, and videos to get kids started on a path to learning about reading, math, science, and art. It keeps tack of their progress, too, so you can see how far they’ve come.
Price: Free for 30 days, then subscriptions start at $10/month
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GET FOR ANDROID
Elmo Loves 123s
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ELMO LOVES 123S
All of the iOS apps and Android apps by the Sesame Workshop are great, putting all the Sesame Street friends to good use helping kids do everything from learning their letters to using the potty. But Elmo Loves 123s is our favorite because Elmo is perennial kid fave, and it offers cute ways for kids to learn numbers.
Price: Free, but offers in-app purchases
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Epic!
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EPIC!
It’s easier than a trip to the local library — there are more than 40,000 books on this site that are ready to read, and you can search them by age or interest. You get a free 30-day trial, and then it costs $8/month; check with your school, though, because sometimes they can set up free subscriptions for their classrooms.
Price: Free for 30 days, then $8/month
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GET FOR ANDROID
RELATED: The Best Toys and Gifts for 2-Year-Olds, According to Parents and Parenting Experts
Hungry Caterpillar Play School
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HUNGRY CATERPILLAR PLAY SCHOOL
Kids naturally love the Very Hungry Caterpillar from Eric Carle’s beloved books. This app lets kids take the Caterpillar through games that tackle very basic math, problem-solving, and science.
Price: Free, but offers in-app purchases
GET FOR iOS
GET FOR ANDROID
RELATED: The Best Toys for 1-Year-Olds Growing Out of Their Baby Gifts
Starfall ABCs
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STARFALL ABCS
There are a million apps that claim to help kids learn the ABCs, but this one is backed by a nonprofit education company. Kids interact with letters and learn how to make sounds and words.
Price: Free
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GET FOR ANDROID
Goodness Shapes
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GOODNESS SHAPES
Friendly-looking shapes help kids learn colors, matching, and sorting in this preschool-friendly app. You might want to use it as a de-stressing tool, too.
Price: $2
GET FOR iOS
GoNoodle
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GONOODLE
When it’s time for a movement break, this app has videos that gets kids up and exercising. The simple, follow-me videos even have an educational bent sometimes (one of our favorites teaches kids about making patterns). That might go over your toddler’s head, but they can still try the moves.
Price: Free
GET FOR iOS
GET FOR ANDROID
Baby Games
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BABY GAMES
This app has easy mini games for the littlest kids, including balloon-popping games, virtual instruments to play, and even fireworks. It was created by a dad who, after having his first kid, felt the need to give back and create parent- and child-friendly games.
Price: Free
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Cosmic Kids
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COSMIC KIDS
For little ones looking to get into yoga, this app offers videos of workout geared for kids. (Your toddler may have to do modified versions of the moves.) The host, Jaime, puts routines together that are themed to Frozen, Star Wars, Minecraft and other kid faves.
Price: Free, but offers in-app purchases
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GET FOR ANDROID
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SAGO MINI FRIENDS
This adorable app lets kids go on virtual playdates with cute animal characters, doing things like playing dress-up or having a snack together. There are no ads, no in-app purchases, and you can even play it without wi-fi.
Price: $4
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GET FOR ANDROID
Peek-a-Zoo
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PEEK-A-ZOO
It’s a little bit like the game Guess Who, where kids have to identify animals who are dancing, wagging their tails, or crying. There’s a social/emotional learning component to it, since sometimes they have to identify animals by what they’re feeling.
Price: Free
GET FOR iOS
Beck and Bo
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BECK AND BO
This beautifully animated app lets kids put characters in different scenes, from everyday locations like the grocery store to exotic locales like the jungle. They can place characters and objects in the scene, or tap on items to find out what things are called and learn new words.
Price: $3
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Lego Duplo World
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LEGO DUPLO WORLD
Winner of the KAPI Best App award in 2020, this open-ended app lets kids explore the in-app world and build 3D structures. When they get older, they can connect and play with friends.
Price: Free, but offers in-app purchases
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GET FOR ANDROID
Moo, Baa, La La La!
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MOO, BAA, LA LA LA!
Sandra Boynton is known for her dozens of board books for little one. With this app, her Moo, Baa, La La La! book becomes interactive, and little one can hear animal sounds and do things like tap the screen to turn day to night.
Price: $3
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