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. Whether it’s reading, math, or science, here are the top free educational apps for kids that you need to check out in 2024.
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.
What Parents Say:
“It’s like having a personal tutor for my kid!”
2. Duolingo ABC
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.
What Parents Say:
“Great for learning to read before school even starts!”
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.
What Parents Say:
“The trial was so worth it—we signed up after a week!”
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.
What Parents Say:
“It’s like letting my kids watch TV, but better because they’re learning.”
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.
Why Kids Love It:
- Cute animal characters guide them through lessons.
- Songs and games make learning a new language exciting.
What Parents Say:
“It’s incredible how quickly my child started picking up Spanish!”
6. Sago Mini World
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.
What Parents Say:
“It keeps them entertained without any ads!”
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.
What Parents Say:
“Perfect for quiet time while still keeping them engaged.”
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.
What Parents Say:
“It’s amazing how much my child has learned in such a short time!”
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.
What Parents Say:
“A must-have app for introducing basics to little ones.”
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 Parents Say:
“It’s been a game-changer for my child’s reading skills!”
11. Study Cat
Perfect for: language learning
Study cat is an app full of education lessons that are fun and engaging for kids; it has various language models so you can learn English, Spanish or other languages with their custom friendly characters.
Why We Love It:
- A ton of useful lessons and vocab to learn English
- Games and videos that hold kids’ attentions
- Beautiful design and illustration
Conclusion
With so many free and affordable options, it’s easier than ever to help your kids learn while having fun. These apps are parent-approved and kid-tested, offering something for every age and interest. Try a few and see which ones your child loves the most—you might even enjoy learning alongside them!
