Parents today face a unique challenge: helping children benefit from amazing digital tools while protecting them from online risks. With thousands of apps marketed for kids, finding the right ones can feel overwhelming. This guide will help you discover truly valuable apps for your child while keeping safety at the forefront.
What Makes a Great Kids' App?
Not all apps are created equal. The best ones for children combine these essential qualities:
Quality matters more than quantity. A few excellent apps serve your child better than dozens of mediocre ones. Look for these features:
- Age-matched content that aligns with your child’s development stage
- Educational value that builds skills while entertaining
- Simple, intuitive design your child can navigate independently
- Minimal or no ads to prevent unwanted content exposure
- Privacy protection with clear policies about data collection
- Engagement without addiction – apps that don’t rely on excessive rewards
A parent from California shared: “I used to download whatever was trending, but now I take time to research each app. My kids actually play with these apps longer because they’re genuinely engaging, not just flashy.”
Best Apps for Toddlers & Preschoolers (Ages 2-5)
Young children learn through play, exploration, and repetition. Great apps for this age group support:
Khan Academy Kids
Free on iOS and Android
This comprehensive learning app covers early literacy, math, problem-solving, and social-emotional skills through colorful characters and engaging activities. Unlike many educational apps, Khan Academy Kids adapts to your child’s learning pace, introducing new concepts when they’re ready. The app includes books, games, videos, and drawing activities all designed by early childhood education experts. Parents appreciate the progress reports that show what concepts their child has mastered.
PBS Kids Games
Free on iOS and Android
Featuring beloved characters like Daniel Tiger, Wild Kratts, and Sesame Street friends, this app bundles educational games that teach science, math, and reading concepts. Each game connects to curriculum standards and focuses on specific learning goals. The app regularly updates with new games, keeping content fresh. Since it’s created by PBS, there are absolutely no ads or in-app purchases to worry about.
Endless Alphabet
$8.99 on iOS and Android
This playful vocabulary builder introduces words through interactive puzzles where letters transform into animated characters. After building each word, children watch a funny animation that demonstrates the word’s meaning. With over 100 words to explore, the app builds vocabulary far beyond typical preschool apps. The pronunciation is clear, and the monsters that demonstrate each word are memorable enough that children often use their new vocabulary words in conversation.
Peekaboo Barn
$3.99 on iOS and Android
Perfect for the youngest app users, this simple game reveals farm animals hiding in a barn. When children tap the barn doors, they open to show an animal with its corresponding sound and name. The app offers multiple language options and can be customized with a parent’s or child’s voice recording the animal names. The predictable pattern builds confidence in very young children while teaching animal recognition.
Sago Mini World
$4.99/month or $29.99/year on iOS and Android
This subscription gives access to over 40 open-ended play experiences featuring adorable characters in scenarios from space exploration to home building. There are no wrong answers or competitive elements—just opportunities for creative play and problem-solving. Each game encourages experimentation and often includes subtle learning elements like simple physics, emotional intelligence, or cause and effect. Parents love that children can play independently without getting stuck or frustrated.
A preschool teacher noted: “These apps support what we teach in the classroom. I love seeing kids recognize letters we practiced in Endless Alphabet or count confidently after playing Khan Academy Kids.”
Elementary School Favorites (Ages 6-9)
As reading skills develop, children can explore more complex apps that challenge their growing abilities:
Duolingo ABC
Free on iOS and Android
Created by the team behind the popular language learning app, Duolingo ABC focuses specifically on teaching reading through over 300 fun lessons. Children progress from letter sounds to word building to reading simple stories. The app tracks progress and adapts difficulty based on performance. The bite-sized lessons (about 5 minutes each) make it perfect for short attention spans, and the cheerful animations keep children motivated. Parents report significant reading improvement after regular use.
Prodigy Math Game
Free with optional premium subscription ($8.95/month) on iOS, Android, and web
This role-playing game cleverly disguises math practice as a magical adventure. Children create a wizard character who casts spells by solving math problems correctly. The questions automatically adjust to your child’s level based on performance, covering curriculum-aligned content from 1st to 8th grade. The free version provides access to all math content, while the premium version adds extra characters and rewards. Teachers often use this app as homework because children rarely realize they’re practicing math.
ScratchJr
Free on iOS and Android
Designed for children who aren’t yet reading fluently, ScratchJr introduces coding concepts through colorful programming blocks. Children can create interactive stories and games by connecting these blocks to make characters move, jump, dance, and talk. The app teaches logical thinking and problem-solving without requiring typing or reading skills. Many parents report being amazed at the complex projects their children create after just a few sessions with ScratchJr.
Moose Math
Free on iOS and Android
This app turns math practice into a city-building adventure. Children earn pieces to build their own town by completing math activities covering counting, addition, subtraction, sorting, and geometry. The five different math activities are disguised as stores and locations within the town. As children progress, the math challenges become more difficult. The app includes a parent section with detailed progress reports showing which math concepts need more practice.
Toca Life World
Free with in-app purchases ($0.99-$3.99 per location) on iOS and Android
This digital dollhouse lets children create their own stories across various locations like hospitals, schools, and homes. With hundreds of characters and thousands of items to interact with, the open-ended play possibilities are nearly endless. There are no instructions or goals—just opportunities for creative storytelling and role-play. Many parents use this app to help children process real-life experiences or prepare for new situations like a doctor’s visit or first day of school.
A parent of three elementary students shared: “My kids fight over who gets to practice math first with Prodigy. I never thought I’d hear ‘Can I please do more math problems?’ in my house!”
Tween-Approved Apps (Ages 10-13)
Older children need apps that respect their growing independence while maintaining appropriate boundaries:
BrainPOP
$9.99/month or $99.99/year on iOS, Android, and web
This educational platform delivers short, engaging animated videos on hundreds of topics across science, social studies, English, math, engineering, arts, and health. Each video is followed by quizzes, concept maps, and related activities that reinforce learning. The content aligns with school curriculum standards, making it excellent for homework help or exploring interests. Many schools provide free access to students, so check before subscribing. The companion app BrainPOP Jr. offers similar content designed for younger children.
Duolingo
Free with optional premium version ($6.99/month) on iOS and Android
This language-learning app turns mastering a new language into a game with short, engaging lessons. Children can choose from over 30 languages, including Spanish, French, Japanese, and even High Valyrian for Game of Thrones fans. The app uses a combination of speaking, listening, translation, and multiple-choice challenges to build skills gradually. The gamified elements like streaks, points, and leagues keep tweens motivated. The free version contains all the learning content with occasional ads, while the premium version removes ads and adds features like progress quizzes.
Toca Builders
$3.99 on iOS and Android
This creative construction app introduces 3D building concepts through six unique robot characters, each with different abilities like stacking blocks, painting surfaces, or throwing balls. Unlike Minecraft, there are no threats or survival elements—just pure building and creativity. The app helps develop spatial reasoning and design thinking while allowing for open-ended play. Many children spend hours creating elaborate structures and environments, often planning their creations on paper before building them in the app.
Minecraft: Education Edition
$5.99 on iOS, Android, and computers
This special version of the wildly popular building game includes structured lessons covering subjects from history to coding to chemistry. Children can explore ancient civilizations, build working electrical circuits, or learn about ocean acidification through guided activities. The game encourages problem-solving, resource management, and creativity while connecting to academic content. Many parents prefer this version over the standard Minecraft because of the educational focus and absence of combat elements.
Roblox
Free with in-app purchases on iOS, Android, and computers
This platform hosts millions of user-created games ranging from obstacle courses to role-playing adventures. Children can play games or learn to create their own using Roblox Studio. The key to safe use is active parental involvement and proper privacy settings. Parents should enable account restrictions that limit chat functions, set a monthly spending allowance (if any), and regularly discuss which games their child is playing. Many families use Roblox as a way to play together, with parents joining their children in age-appropriate games.
A middle school teacher commented: “Apps like BrainPOP help bridge the gap between entertainment and education. My students often reference BrainPOP videos during class discussions.
Apps That Spark Creativity
Creative apps give children tools to express themselves and develop artistic skills:
GarageBand
Free on iOS devices
This powerful music creation studio puts professional-quality tools in children’s hands. Kids can play virtual instruments (piano, guitar, drums), record their voice, mix multiple tracks, and add effects to create original songs. The app includes lessons for learning piano and guitar, plus pre-made loops for easy music production. Children with no musical background can create impressive compositions, while those studying instruments can record and improve their practice. Many teachers use GarageBand for classroom music projects or podcast creation.
Stop Motion Studio
Free with premium features ($4.99) on iOS and Android
This user-friendly animation app lets children create their own movies frame by frame using toys, clay figures, paper cutouts, or drawings. The app includes features like onion-skinning (seeing the previous frame as a guide), time-lapse recording, and the ability to add sound effects or narration. The free version offers enough tools to create basic animations, while the premium version adds green screen effects, remote camera control, and more editing options. Creating stop-motion films teaches patience, planning, and storytelling skills.
Draw and Tell
$4.99 on iOS
This art app combines drawing tools with recording features so children can illustrate and narrate their own stories. Kids can draw from scratch or color provided templates, then record their voice explaining their artwork or telling a story about it. The drawing tools are intuitive enough for preschoolers but versatile enough for older children. Parents love that they can save their child’s creations as videos, complete with narration, creating lasting digital mementos of their child’s imagination and voice.
Book Creator
Free for one book, $4.99 for unlimited books on iOS and Android
This digital publishing tool enables children to design their own interactive books with text, images, drawings, audio recordings, and even video. The simple interface makes it easy to add content and arrange pages, while the finished products look professional and can be shared as ebooks. Many teachers use Book Creator for classroom projects, having students create everything from science reports to poetry collections. The app helps children see themselves as authors and take pride in creating polished work.
A parent shared: “My daughter made a stop-motion movie about recycling for her science project. The app made it easy enough for her to do independently, and she was so proud of the result.”
Screen Time: Finding the Right Balance
Quality matters more than quantity when it comes to screen time. Consider these guidelines:
For children under 2: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding screen time except for video chatting with family.
For ages 2-5: Limit to 1 hour daily of high-quality content, preferably with a parent watching alongside.
For ages 6 and up: Set consistent limits that ensure screens don’t replace sleep, physical activity, or face-to-face interaction.
Try these practical approaches:
- Create tech-free zones like the dinner table and bedrooms
- Use built-in screen time tools on devices to set daily limits
- Model healthy tech habits yourself
- Discuss what your child is experiencing in their apps
A family therapist noted: “The most important factor isn’t exactly how many minutes a child spends on screens, but whether that time is balanced with other activities and whether the content supports their development.”
Keeping Kids Safe While Using Apps
Safety concerns shouldn’t prevent children from benefiting from quality digital experiences. Take these steps to create a secure environment:
Review privacy policies before downloading apps. Look specifically for:
- What data is collected from your child
- Whether that information is shared with third parties
- If the app complies with children’s privacy laws like COPPA
Check app permissions to ensure they’re not accessing more information than necessary. Does a simple game really need access to your child’s location or contacts?
Beware of “free” apps that make money through ads or in-app purchases. These often expose children to inappropriate content or pressure to spend money.
Disable in-app purchases through your device settings to prevent unexpected charges.
Monitor social features in any app that allows interaction with other users. Many parents don’t realize that games and social platforms often include chat functions that can connect children with strangers. Parental control apps like MMGuardian can help you stay informed by monitoring messages and promoting safer online experiences. It’s also important to regularly review app settings and talk with your child about online safety.
Use parental controls to create a safer digital environment. Options include:
- Google Family Link for Android devices
- Apple Screen Time for iOS devices
- MMGuardian offers two powerful solutions: the MMGuardian Kids Phone, a device designed for comprehensive monitoring and protection, and the MMGuardian Parental Control App, which provides flexible control over apps, screen time, and messaging on your child’s existing device. Both options help parents stay connected and ensure safer online experiences
A cybersecurity expert advised: “The best protection combines technical tools with open conversations. Use parental controls, but also talk regularly with your child about their online experiences.”
Smart App Selection Strategies
Finding the right apps takes a bit of research, but these shortcuts can help:
Common Sense Media provides detailed reviews that cover educational value, ease of use, and potential concerns for thousands of apps.
Try before your child does. Spend a few minutes exploring any app before sharing it with your child to check for appropriate content and usability.
Look beyond app store ratings. The age recommendations in app stores often focus on technical complexity rather than content appropriateness.
Choose apps that grow with your child. Many quality apps offer multiple difficulty levels or expand content as skills develop.
A librarian who runs digital literacy programs shared: “I always tell parents to trust their instincts. If something about an app feels off or too commercial, there are plenty of alternatives out there.”
Creating a Healthy Digital Childhood
The apps your child uses form just one part of their relationship with technology. Keep these bigger principles in mind:
Balance is key. Digital experiences should complement, not replace, physical play, reading physical books, and face-to-face interaction.
Co-play when possible. Sharing app experiences with your child turns screen time into connection time and lets you guide their learning.
Stay curious about your child’s digital world. Ask questions about what they enjoy in their favorite apps and what they’re learning.
Adjust as they grow. What works for a 5-year-old won’t satisfy a 10-year-old. Be ready to evolve your approach as your child develops.
A child development specialist noted: “The goal isn’t to raise children who never use technology—that’s unrealistic in today’s world. The goal is raising children who use technology thoughtfully, creatively, and in balance with other important activities.”
With the right apps and appropriate guidance, today’s digital tools can support your child’s learning, creativity, and growth while keeping them safe. The time you invest in finding quality digital experiences pays off in your child’s healthy relationship with technology for years to come.
