Finding the right educational apps for kids can be tricky, but the best ones blend learning with fun, ensuring your child stays engaged while building essential skills. Here are ten educational apps for kids worth a look, with a table up front showing what each one teaches.
Educational apps for kids at a glance
App
What it teaches
Khan Academy Kids
Math, reading, social-emotional learning
Duolingo ABC
Phonics, letter recognition, early reading
ABCmouse
Lessons across multiple subjects (not completely free; it offers a trial period)
PBS Kids Games
Math, reading, science
Studycat Apps
English, Spanish, Chinese and other languages
Sago Mini World
Open-ended play, problem-solving
Toca Kitchen 2
Creativity, food and measurements
Math Kids
Counting, simple addition and subtraction
Fish School
Alphabet, numbers, shapes, colors
Starfall
Early literacy, math, music
Read on for what each one does and why kids like it, then pick one or two to try this week.
1. Khan Academy Kids
This app is a treasure trove of free learning resources designed for kids aged 2-8. It includes interactive lessons in math, reading, and social-emotional learning, all wrapped in colorful graphics and engaging characters.
Why Kids Love It:
Stories and games make lessons exciting.
Adaptive learning keeps activities at the right level for your child.
Perfect for younger kids, Duolingo ABC teaches foundational literacy skills like phonics, letter recognition, and early reading.
Why Kids Love It:
Short, interactive lessons feel like a game.
Cute animations and characters keep kids coming back.
3. ABCmouse (Free Trial)
While it’s not completely free, ABCmouse offers a robust trial period with lessons across multiple subjects. Ideal for kids aged 2-8, it combines videos, games, and books to make learning fun.
Why Kids Love It:
A wide variety of activities.
Rewards and prizes make it exciting.
4. PBS Kids Games
From the trusted PBS Kids brand, this app offers educational games featuring beloved characters like Daniel Tiger and Elmo. The focus is on math, reading, and science.
Why Kids Love It:
Familiar faces from their favorite shows.
Games are fun and easy to play.
5. Studycat Apps (English, Spanish, Chinese, and More!)
Studycat’s language learning apps are perfect for kids who want to learn English, Spanish, Chinese, or other languages in a playful, interactive way. The app is full of education lessons that are fun and engaging for kids, with various language models so you can learn English, Spanish or other languages with their custom friendly characters.
Why Kids Love It:
Cute animal characters guide them through lessons.
Songs and games make learning a new language exciting.
A ton of useful lessons and vocab to learn English.
This app is designed for preschoolers and offers open-ended play with educational value. Kids can explore virtual worlds while learning basic problem-solving skills.
Why Kids Love It:
Adorable characters and imaginative worlds.
No time limits—play at their own pace.
7. Toca Kitchen 2
Although it’s more play-focused, Toca Kitchen 2 encourages creativity and basic understanding of food and measurements. It’s a great intro to cooking!
Why Kids Love It:
Silly reactions from characters eating their “creations.”
Endless possibilities for experimenting.
8. Math Kids
This free app focuses on foundational math skills for toddlers and preschoolers, from counting to simple addition and subtraction.
Why Kids Love It:
Colorful games and challenges.
Cute rewards keep them motivated.
9. Fish School
Fish School helps preschoolers learn the alphabet, numbers, shapes, and colors through fun underwater activities.
Why Kids Love It:
The underwater theme is mesmerizing.
Easy-to-follow lessons with playful fish.
10. Starfall
Starfall has been a favorite for years, focusing on early literacy, math, and music through interactive lessons.
Why Kids Love It:
Bright, cheerful visuals.
Songs and interactive books.
What to check before you install
ABCmouse is the one app on this list that is not completely free: it offers a trial period. Before you hand over a tablet, check three things in the app store listing: whether the download is free or the subscription is, what the in-app purchases are, and whether any trial renews on its own.
Which one should you try first?
If your child is 2 to 8 and you want one app that covers a lot, start with Khan Academy Kids. If reading is the goal, Duolingo ABC or Starfall. If math is the weak spot, Math Kids for the youngest and Khan Academy Kids for the older end. If you want a language, Studycat is the playful starting point. For reading and speaking practice specifically, see the best English learning apps for kids. And for Spanish, the best Spanish learning apps for kids explains what each one actually teaches.
Conclusion
With so many free and affordable options, it’s easier than ever to help your kids learn while having fun. Compare the age guidance, costs and available activities before choosing one. Try a few and see which ones your child loves the most—you might even enjoy learning alongside them!
Which language apps for kids are actually free? A sorted guide: free for good, free to download, free trials and free with a library card, from each publisher's own pages.
English apps for kids compared from each publisher's own site, split by the real question: learning to read English, or learning English as a new language.
Spanish apps for kids compared from each publisher's own site: Gus on the Go, Studycat, Dinolingo, Little Pim, Rockalingua and Duolingo, with ages, formats and trial terms.
