When you’re a parent choosing entertainment for your toddler, you face a constant challenge. It’s a balancing act between letting them use technology while keeping it educational and helping them learn from the experience. Virtual pets have been around since the 80s, but modern smartphone apps have raised this concept to a whole new level. For example, Peekaboo Barn is a favorite among children because it both entertains and teaches them about animal sounds. Children can guess what will happen next in the story it tells based on the animals that appear on screen. This shows that they are learning cause and effect, which is an important concept for toddlers to be introduced to early on in life.
It is clear that educational apps are good for toddlers. But are they really? Is the positive effect of using educational apps worth the cost? Will your child actually enjoy or even use these apps on a regular basis? Does it have any negative consequences, which some parents worry about?
I’ve given my opinion on whether or not educational apps are good for toddlers many times before. However, I still see parents at the playground asking the question, “What kind of apps do you recommend?” That’s why I want to tell you about four different types of toddler apps that I like and that may help you decide which educational apps are best for your kids.
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
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
RELATED: The Best Apps for Kids, According to Parents and Kids AlikeABCmouse
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
GET FOR IOS GET FOR ANDROIDAdvertisement – Continue Reading Belowhttps://f0ea565019e6a05b70ba5aa9a6f8dda1.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.htmlhttps://f0ea565019e6a05b70ba5aa9a6f8dda1.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.htmlElmo Loves 123s
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
GET FOR IOS GET FOR ANDROIDEpic!
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
RELATED: The Best Toys and Gifts for 2-Year-Olds, According to Parents and Parenting ExpertsHungry Caterpillar Play School
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
RELATED: The Best Toys for 1-Year-Olds Growing Out of Their Baby GiftsAdvertisement – Continue Reading Belowhttps://f0ea565019e6a05b70ba5aa9a6f8dda1.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.htmlhttps://f0ea565019e6a05b70ba5aa9a6f8dda1.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.htmlStarfall ABCs
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
ABC Mouse
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 eight!
Do you have lots 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 BUDGETPBS Kids
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 aged 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 AIRPLANEBusy Shapes 2
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
Sadly, 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 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 EDUCATIONALMonkey Preschool Lunchbox
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 IPADToca Boca
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, 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 hair dryer). And as they grow, your kids can design and build their own city with the Toca Life apps.
BEST ON ANDROIDBalloon Pop
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. 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.
Conclusion
As a parent, you want to give your kids the best education they can get. But when it comes to education in a digital world, it’s hard to tell what apps will actually help your child learn and which ones are a waste of time. Will educational apps for toddlers actually help them learn something useful or are they just another way for companies to get new information on your child?