What are the best kids learning apps free? As a parent, teacher or app developer you are always looking for new apps for kids technology. That’s why I have done the hard work to put this list together for you.
The learning apps for kids on our list are engaging with options for kids of all ages. Kids can learn at their own pace, and better yet, they do so efficiently in ways that prevent the need for too much screen time. The best learning apps inspire curiosity, educate, and bring the fun with many of them being used in the classroom by elementary school educators.
Check out our choices for the best educational apps for kids below!
1. HOMER Learning
HOMER is an early learning app that helps kids build confidence for school and life. Over 1.6 million families trust HOMER’s activities to help their kids build skills in reading, math, creativity, critical thinking, social-emotional learning, and more. The best part is that just 15 minutes a day is proven to increase early reading scores by 74%, keeping screen time limited.
HOMER’s kid-friendly design makes it easy for kids to learn and play on their own, which is great for busy families. HOMER is ad-free and has no in-app purchases, an ideal and safe option for kids to play on their own.
All of HOMER’s activities are research-based, kid-tested, and expert-designed to create playful experiences that make learning fun. With thousands of playful lessons to choose from your kids will be entertained without repeating the same lessons over and over again. Choose from free activities and printables for easy DIY fun all year long.
After a quick quiz, HOMER personalizes your child’s learning journey to their age and learning level, making it ideal for what your child’s specific needs are. The engaging and playful lessons will not even feel like work, which makes learning that much more fun. Families can create up to 4 child profiles which leaves plenty of room for individualization.
So, why not explore and test out HOMER for yourself with a free 30-day trial? Check out HOMER Learning for additional free trial information.https://cdn.playwire.com/bolt4/js/zeus/releases/4.3.65/frame/frame.html#id=zeus-player-9___pv=2___eu=false___eis=1637466274626
2. Fact Monster
Fact Monster is an excellent option for educational games. Learning games and videos range in topics, from the world, to science, to language arts, to math, and so much more. Fact Monster also combines essential reference materials, flashcards, fun facts and features, and homework help for kids. Kids five years old and up will love how fun Fact Monster makes learning. Check out Fact Monster to learn more.
3. Poptropica
This free story-based game allows kids to customize their own characters, complete quests and play with friends in a safe environment. Kids love creating their avatars and finishing quests for prizes. This app is best for ages 6 to 12, and it is for Android and iOS.
4. Coolmath Games
Coolmath Games features math activities and games for anyone ages 13 to 100. Coolmath Games is a brain-training app, where logic & thinking meet fun and games. These games have no violence, no empty action, just a lot of challenges that will make you forget you’re getting a mental workout! Escaping pigs, flying zombies, a bear who loves riding scooters, and much more! This app is for iOS and Android.
5. Khan Academy Kids
Khan Academy Kids is one of the most popular math apps providing a free, fun educational program for children ages two to eight. It was developed in collaboration with learning experts at Stanford and aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and Common Core Standards. It also focuses on the whole child and incorporates social emotional learning skills. Learn more about Khan Academy Kids here. You can find it in the Apple App Store, on Google Play, and in the Amazon Appstore.
6. Fish School
Fish School exposes your preschooler to important concepts like letters, numbers, shapes, colors, matching, and more. Brightly colored schools of fish form letters, shapes, and the numbers 1–20, and your child can make the fish swim and do funny things with a simple touch and drag. Fish School is the winner of a Parents’ Choice Gold Award and a Children’s Technology Review Editor’s Choice Award. This app is best for ages 2 and up, and it is for Android and iOS.
7. PBS Kids Games
PBS has created hundreds of games based on their popular children’s shows. The games for each show fit in with their learning theme. Learn math with Peg + Cat. Explore creature powers with the Kratt Brothers. Or go on a space adventure with the kids from Ready, Jet Go! If your child loves PBS shows, they’re going to love learning with their favorite characters. This app is best for ages 2 and up, and it is for Android and iOS.
8. Pizza Fractions 1
Does your elementary-aged kid need some extra help with fractions? What more delicious way to illustrate the concept than with pizza? Pizza Fractions 1 gives your child a visual approach to fractions with denominators 1–12 (excluding sevenths and elevenths), and adjustable difficulty levels let beginners start with the basics and progress as they learn. Math has never been so tasty! This app is best for ages 6 and up, and it is for iOS.
9. Science360
The National Science Foundation’s Science360 app (for tablets only) brings cutting-edge science and engineering news, images, and video right to your child’s fingertips. All content is either produced by the NSF or gathered from scientists and universities around the world, so you can be assured that your child is receiving the best quality information out there, and new content is added every week. Your kid will love the cool 360-degree view that lets him explore images from every angle. This app is best for ages 12 and up, and it is for Android and iOS.
10. NASA Visualization Explorer
NASA Visualization Explorer, or NASA Viz, is the coolest way to explore the latest news and stories about the Earth, the sun, and the universe. The app features stunning images and video from space and animations that can make challenging concepts easier to understand. Older kids will love diving into everything this app has to offer on their own, and your younger ones can begin learning about the planets and stars with your help. This app is best for ages 7 and up, and it is for iOS.
11. Toca Kitchen Monsters
Toca Kitchen Monsters is the free version of the popular Toca Kitchen app. Cook up food for two hungry monsters using eight different ingredients combined in various ways. But be careful not to season the food too much, or the monsters just might spit it back at you! Like other Toca Boca games, the emphasis is on free, open play, where your child’s imagination can run wild. Note that while Toca Kitchen Monsters is available on iOS only. Toca Kitchen 1 and 2 are available for free on Android devices. This app is best for ages 3 and up.
12. Accessibyte
Also free during COVID-19 isolation, Accessibyte is making its apps free for 45 days. Accessibyte has several different apps: Typio, Arcade, Quick Cards, Pro Pack, and Teacher Dashboard, all of which have various capabilities. On each of the apps, students learn remotely with the help of typing tutors, educational arcade games, flash-cards, and tests that challenge what they’ve learned in the app.
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13. Belouga
Made for students from kindergarten to 12th grade, Belouga gives kids access to a collection of educational resources. You’ll find everything from social sience videos to math problems to real-time communication with peers around the world.
14. BrainPOP
Access for schools and students is free during coronavirus shut-downs. BrainPOP curriculums are designed for students K-12, but there’s also BrainPOP Jr., which is ideal for kids 0-3. Both feature lesson plans and activities for science, reading and writing, math, social studies, and health.https://www.instagram.com/p/B99GemPh6ud/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=13&wp=500&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fparade.com&rp=%2F1012065%2Fstephanieosmanski%2Ffree-learning-apps%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A3%2C%22os%22%3A25727.79999999702%7D
15. ScratchJr
Is your kid interested in coding? ScratchJr offers free online courses for kids ages 5-7. ScratchJr available on iOS, Amazon, Google Play, and the Chrome Web Store.
16. Classroom Cereal
Need help teaching your child grammar? Classroom Cereal helps your young learner with grammatical exercises through free downloadable stories that you can print, then go through together.
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17. DuckDuckMoose
Designed for preschoolers and kindergarteners, DuckDuckMoose is an app featuring puzzles, maps, and interactive music games.
18. Bedtime Math
Bedtime Math is a free app made for kids 2 and up; the app, which features engaging math activities, is available in both English and Spanish.
19. Poptropica
Poptropica is a story-based game that has kids create their own characters and complete educational quests. When a quest is accomplished, kids get a prize!https://www.instagram.com/p/B8ewrvInEfp/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=13&wp=500&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fparade.com&rp=%2F1012065%2Fstephanieosmanski%2Ffree-learning-apps%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A25987.60000000894%7D
20. Fish School
From the creators of DuckDuckMoose, Fish School is made with kids 2 and up in mind. It teaches young learners about colors, letters, numbers, and shapes through matching games. Your little one’s finger controls the schools of fish, which can form into letters, shapes, and the numbers 1 through 20.
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21. Phonics Ninja
Think FruitNinja, but with some educational value! Phonics Ninja lets kids karate-chop their way through digraphs, letter sounds, and blends, teaching your child important phonics skills. There are three different levels of difficulty, and parents can even get involved by recording their own audio clues to help.
22. Science360
It may be only compatible with tablets, but Science360 from the National Science Foundation exposes your child to the latest science and engineering news, photos, and videos. Content comes straight from the National Science Foundation, so you know you’re getting the best-vetted information. The app’s main feature is a 360-degree view that offers exploration of every angle.
Conclusion
Recently, a new trend of kids learning apps free is gaining more and more momentum. Has this been done before? Of course, but currently more than ever it seems this is a hot topic. We all know that some companies simply spray hundreds of similar apps into the market.