Technology is moving faster than most people can keep up with, but kids seem to get it. At home and in class, kids learn about their world via computers, tech toys, and creative kids learning apps that can keep kids entertained and engaged.
Here we’ve picked nine great kids learning apps for your smartphone — or theirs. Though some of these are paid apps, most of these kids apps offer free trials.
Creative kids learning apps for preschool
Endless Alphabet
Get your child ready to head to school with an understanding of how words are made and similar sounds. Adorable animations help guide your child through the alphabet. The Endless Alphabet app from Originator is a bit high at $8.99 for iOS, or free plus in-app purchases on Android, but it also has very high reviews.
Mini Friends
In this interactive game, your child will visit game neighbors and help them to complete tasks like cutting grass or making beds. Your child can learn about caring, sharing and empathy using this fun app. Sago’s Mini Friends game is $3.99 and available for iOS, for Android, and for Windows devices.
Little Digits
Learning to count is a basic skill that all kids should learn before they head to school. Cowly Owl’s Little Digits app is a multi-touch game that helps kids understand values, counting and basic sums. Little Digits app is $3.99 and currently only available for iPad.
Primary school learning apps
Toca Blocks
Toca Blocks is an alternative to Minecraft, but with more basic levels and goals. Use your imagination to create a world of your dreams from blocks and shapes. The 2D imagery is much easier to handle and navigate for younger children. Toca Boca’s Toca Blocks app is $3.99 and has strong reviews both for iOS and for Android.
Weather by Tinybop
Learn the basics of all the elements that make up our weather. The sun, rain, snow and wind are all areas to explore. This interactive app allows your child to predict weather conditions and create tasks that can save other game players. Weather by Tinybop is $2.99 and has good reviews for iOS and for Android.
Foldify
Loaded with item templates, Pixle’s Foldify app lets you add your own pictures and stickers to create foldable paper designs. When finished, creations can be printed off and cut folded and brought to life. The Foldify app is $3.99 and available only for iOS devices.
Creative learning apps for tweens
The Room Three
In the Room Three game, kids (or you) solve puzzles and navigate clever twists to escape from different levels of locked rooms. Investigate the mysteries in this entertaining game that will keep kids engaged for hours. The Room Three by Fireproof Games is $3.99 and has very high reviews both for iOS and for Android.
Journeys of Invention
For kids that have an endless curiosity about how things are made, this app gives them a detailed look at the inventions of the past centuries. Spark the curiosity and ingenuity of your child and inspire them to tinker with their own inventions. Journeys of Invention by Touch Press is a bit of an investment at $9.99, and available only for iPad.
Samplebot
Samplebot is for the music loving tween in your family — the app introduces audio sampling and music creation. The Samplebot app comes with a variety of audio clips and allows recording of any kind of sounds to add to your soundboard. Kids can explore music creativity with simple drum patterns, musical beats, and more. Samplebot by A Tasty Pixel is $3.99 and you can get it only for iPad.
All about balance
Although you want to make sure that your child has a good balance in life, you can still take advantage of technology to educate and inspire. Kids’ short attention spans — combined with their quick learning of technology — make kids tech toys like kids RC boats by Dronethusiast and mobile kids apps perfect ways to both entertain and teach.
Now you can see that if your kids are going to use your smartphone or tablet — with time limits of course — there’s no reason that they can’t be both educated and entertained. With the creative kids learning apps listed here, kids can enjoy hours of play while they take advantage of developmental games and interactive fun.
What are your favorite kids apps?
Have your own favorite mobile kids apps to recommend? Take a minute or two to nominate your favorite apps in this year’s Mobile Star Awards. If you like, you can also vote for current nominees.
