Technology has become an integral part of our lives, and it’s only wise that we harness its potential in a way that not only inspires growth and development but, in this case, contributes to the knowledge and creativity of our kids.
Fortunately, today we have more educational apps for kids than ever, thanks to technology. Still, given the many educational apps out there, it’s now a bit challenging to choose or even know where to begin.
And that’s where we come in…
We have taken time and effort to compile a list of 21 free educational apps for kids. This list cuts across different ages and interests and might be all you need to provide your kids with basic education.
The best part? The apps on our list are all FREE! So you can try them out with no risk involved.
So, whether your child is still starting, trying to get a knack for the fundamentals of education, or is ready for more advanced maths and science concepts, we’ve got you covered.
The Concept Of Digital Education
Gone are those days when education is limited to classrooms and textbooks; with the advancement of technology, the educational system has followed suit, evolving into something more flexible and accessible.
Today education can be accessed from the comfort of your bedroom with just your laptop and data subscription, and it’s only the beginning; the best is still coming.
In the realm of digital education, like educational apps for kids, the possibilities are endless. Nothing can stand to obstruct this innovation, and that’s precisely what makes it reliable–an educational system that will stand the test of time.
Nowadays, the brain of children develop far too quickly, and thanks to the development of numerous technology, learning can be both educational and enjoyable for them. Educational apps have revolutionized the way children’s IQ levels are raised.
Several studies have proven that children learn more quickly when they participate in a fun and engaging way, and numerous educational applications meet this demand.
Now, most touchscreen app games can promote learning in additional skill areas, such as executive functioning and scientific knowledge.
And since we know how much children enjoy screen time and the exciting characters they can see in cartoons, parents can use this knowledge to substitute fun and interactive educational apps for traditional screen time, such as watching cartoons, to help their children develop early skills.
This post will serve as crucial information for parents wishing to learn more about educational apps and how to utilize them to teach their children.
What Are Educational Apps For Kids
Educational apps are software programs that offer users, usually kids or students, a learning experience.
These apps can teach various topics and courses, including math, physics, and social studies, as well as language instruction.
Interactive elements like games, quizzes, and movies are frequently used in educational apps to keep users interested and aid in acquiring new knowledge.
They are frequently created to be intuitive and user-friendly and may be used on various platforms, including smartphones, tablets, and PCs.
Educational apps are designed to supplement traditional classroom instruction or give users another option for learning independently.
Advantages Of Educational Apps For Kids
Using technology was once optional, but now it’s necessary. As a result, adopting educational software development through mobile applications has helped businesses, notably in the education sector, scale new heights.
It became clear that the high demand for technology tools and systems allowed teachers to engage with their students, monitor their academic progress, and deliver their courses throughout the mandatory distance learning period.
Kids’ learning applications have the benefit of allowing you to monitor your children’s progress. For example, you may observe how each program gradually boosts your kids’ reading, math, and other skills.
Disadvantages Of Educational Apps For Kids
Everything that has a benefit also has a drawback, as we all know for a fact. So while educational applications are excellent and support kids’ learning, they also have some disadvantages.
One of the main drawbacks is overstimulation, which is brought on by excessive screen usage and can ruin sleep cycles and lead to emotional dysregulation.
Screen time must be limited to manage children’s stress and mood swings. Elevated stress levels and mood swings often indicate excessive screen use in young children.
Another drawback is that educational apps are typically for solitary rather than group activity. As a result, kids can become preoccupied with themselves and fail to interact with others in the classroom or school.
As a result, little kids may turn into introverts, which delays the development of social skills like talking to and engaging with people.
Free Educational Apps For Kids
Most educational apps for kids listed in this section can be found on the Google Play Store, while others can be found on their official website. So anyone you don’t find on Google Play Store, just check out their website using a simple Google search or Bing
1. Khan Academy Kids
One of the most well-known math applications is Khan Academy Kids, which offers a cost-free, enjoyable educational program for kids ages two to eight.
It aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Objectives Framework and Common Core Standards and was created in partnership with Stanford’s learning experts.
Additionally, it integrates social-emotional learning techniques and focuses on the child. It is available on Google Play, Amazon Appstore, and the Apple App Store.
2. Fish School
Your kids will learn crucial ideas at Fish School, including letters, numbers, shapes, colors, matching, etc. Your youngster may use a simple touch and drag to make the schools of vibrantly colored fish swim and do amusing things, forming letters, shapes, and the numerals 1–20.
Fish School receives a Parents’ Choice Gold Award and an Editor’s Choice Award from Children’s Technology Review. This Android and iOS app is best suited for children ages two and up.
3. Pizza Fractions
Does your elementary-aged child require additional assistance with fractions? Then the Pizza is the ideal food to provide as an example of the idea. Except for sevenths and elevenths, Pizza Fractions gives your child a visual approach to fractions with denominators 1–12.
Its scalable difficulty levels allow novices to start with the fundamentals and advance as they learn. Never before has math been so delectable! This iOS app is best suited for users aged six and higher.
4. Science360
The Science360 app from the National Science Foundation (available only for tablets) puts the most recent news, pictures, and videos in science and engineering at your child’s fingertips.
You may be sure your child is receiving the highest quality information possible because all of the content is created by the NSF or collected from scientists and universities worldwide.
Also, fresh stuff is added every week. For example, the unique 360-degree view, which enables your child to view photos from all directions, will be a hit with him. This Android and iOS software best suits users aged 12 and older.
5. Smart Tales Learning Games
Introducing young children to the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is enjoyable and entertaining with Smart Stories.
It employs an interactive story-based format. Both work together to inspire kids to consider STEM subjects. More than 50 story-like adventures may be found in Smart Tales. Each offers several interactive tasks to do and enjoyable journeys.
6. Logic Like
Children may explore and learn using the free software LogicLike. This app contains a ton of content to keep kids interested, including interactive puzzles, logical challenges, and memory games.
Children may efficiently utilize this free software. However, in-app purchases, including the chance to purchase additional levels, are available.
7. Funbrain Jr
For youngsters, Funbrain Jr offers free educational materials like games, books, movies, and printable worksheets that help them improve their arithmetic, reading, and literacy skills.
The games on Funbrain assist kids in developing new reading, numeracy, and problem-solving abilities.
The app is divided into areas for arithmetic, reading, fun, and playground arcade, all of which provide games and activities to aid in the child’s development of pre-reading and pre-writing abilities.
8. CoolMath Games
Kids may learn math basics with the help of the free education app CoolMath Games, which features games and math activities. Kids learn fundamental math topics fun and excitingly with CoolMath games.
Kids can practice their math skills and enjoy educational games there. In addition, children can play simple activities on the app to practice their math abilities.
9. Playtime Island From CBeebies
While learning, kids may play with their favorite characters in the CBeebies Playtime Island app. This assortment of instructional mini-puzzles and games aids in the development of early reading and problem-solving abilities in children.
The app has over 25 free kid-friendly games; more are routinely added. There are no advertisements or in-app purchases in CBeebies Playtime Island, which can be downloaded for free and has a parental lock feature.
10. ABC Toddler Games
A selection of games called ABC Toddler Games is also offered as standalone applications. Although free, in-app purchases are available, including the choice to purchase additional levels.
Despite the name, this game’s activities are appropriate for a variety of age groups; some, like the alphabet games and nursery rhymes, are aimed at toddlers and preschoolers, while others, like the addition, subtraction, spelling, and other activities, are more suited to somewhat older kids.
Animal games, animated jigsaw puzzles, and educational movies for young children promote nurturing in addition to more formal education (letters, spelling, etc.).
11. Vocabulary Spelling City
Spelling tests can be nerve-wracking for students in any grade level, but Vocabulary Spelling City’s games, like Word Unscramble and HangMouse, make studying vocabulary and spelling enjoyable.
The free software offers nine games with 10 of the most well-liked word lists for students of all ages. In addition, for your youngster to use the app, you can upload a personalized word list to Vocabulary Spelling City’s website.
A premium edition of the program with five student accounts is offered to families seeking a more comprehensive annual subscription experience. This Android and iOS software best suits users aged 6 and older.
12. Todo Math
Todo Math takes your child on a daily math adventure and is intended for pre-K through second-grade children. Daily practice drills lasting 10 to 15 minutes, a mission mode for solving simple word problems, and free play are all included.
The app has received numerous honors, including a Parents’ Choice Gold Award and a Common Sense Media 5-star rating.
Every game has a rudimentary version in the free app; the full version is accessible via a subscription. This Android and iOS software is best suited for children ages five and up.
13. Endless Numbers
Endless Numbers, a sequel to the well-liked Endless Alphabet, uses cute monsters to teach preschoolers about numbers, patterns, sequences, and other concepts.
The free software comes with five numbers, and you can get number packs for different numbers up to 100 for $6.99 for numbers 1–25, $11.99 for numbers 26–100, or $14.99 for all numbers 1–100. This Android and iOS app is best suited for children ages three and up.
14. Pet Bingo
Puppy Bingo is a beautiful and enjoyable game that helps kids practice numeracy. The issues target an older audience, and the bingo games test math abilities up to primary school (e.g., 4-digit addition and subtraction).
This program comes in both a free and a paid edition. This Android and iOS software is best suited for children ages four and up.
15. Endless Readers
For early readers, Endless Reader, created by the same team as Endless Numbers, offers stylish graphics and entertaining word puzzles to make sight words and brief phrases come to life.
The software provides a pack of six words for youngsters to learn, and you can purchase more “Reader Packs” ($4.99 per pack; $11.99 for a bundle of packs) within the app. This iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch software is best suited for users ages four and up.
16. BrainPoP
Every day, BrainPop provides a free instructional film and a corresponding quiz. These videos and quick tests on them are available to younger children through the Brainpop Jr. Movie of the Week app.
The BrainPOP program is intended for students in grades K–12, but BrainPOP Jr. is an excellent option for children ages 0–3. Science, reading and writing, math, social studies, and health offer lesson plans and exercises.
17. PicoToons
One of the top free coloring apps for kids, PicoToons, replicates the feel of real coloring books on Android and iOS devices while adding animations to set it apart from its paper counterparts.
All the supplies necessary for creation are available to children, including crayons, brushes, stickers, backdrops, patterns, stencils, and more. Here, your kid can engage in imaginative play for hours.
18. Duolingo
With Duolingo, In no time, your child will speak Spanish (or other languages like French, German, Portuguese, Italian, and many more). PC Magazine named this program the Editors’ Choice for Language Study.
It is jam-packed with brief lessons designed for visual learners. In addition, children (and adults) receive badges for accomplishments such as learning a new language.
To help learners improve their speaking abilities, several languages even contain conversation activities using Duolingo’s bots. This app is best suited for users aged six and up and is accessible via a website, Android, and iOS devices.
19. Narrator AR
One of the most excellent handwriting applications for children is Narrator AR. The Narrator AR app uses augmented reality to lift your child’s scribbled name off the page from pen and paper (AR).
Little ones can use the app without risk. Because it is offline, ad-free, and simple, it makes it easy and enjoyable for curious fingers to use. This augmented reality app is free to download on Android, iOS, and iPhone smartphones.
20. Friendly Math Monsters
Children may learn numbers, addition, subtraction, and sorting with the help of Friendly Math Monsters, a free math software. With this software based on a monster game, teach your youngster the fundamentals of maths.
In mathematics, this software advances kids through individual skills one step at a time, building on prior knowledge while maintaining a constant game-based environment.
21. Teach Your Monster To Read
An app that has won awards called Teach Your Monster to Read teaches kids how to read simply and enjoyably. The software covers the first two years of reading, from letter-sound correspondence to book enjoyment.
The Teach Your Monster app is extensively utilized in preschool, elementary school, kindergarten, and first grade as an interactive teaching tool. As a result, parents noticed a noticeable improvement in their children’s literacy within a few weeks.
Conclusion
As we wrap up this list of educational apps for kids, one thing to take away is that when it comes to digital education, the possibilities for learning and growth are limitless.
Through educational apps, technology has opened up new ways for children to expand their knowledge, nurture their curiosity, and develop essential skills in an engaging and interactive way.
As I mentioned earlier, these apps are not only accessible, but they are also free, providing educational opportunities to children of different ages and interests.
However, while educational apps are great, parents and guardians must ensure they are used in moderation to protect their kids from excessive screen time.
Balancing screen time with real-world experiences, physical activities, and social interactions is essential for child development, and the way I see it, it’s not worth it to educate your child at the expense of their development.
Lastly, education never ends. So encourage your kids to strive for improvement and not depend solely on educational apps, especially when they need to start learning the advanced aspects of certain subjects.