10 Best Educational Apps for Kids 2024
Here's a quick look at the top educational apps for kids this year:
| App | Ages | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khan Academy Kids | 2-7 | Free, many subjects | All-around learning |
| ABCmouse.com | 2-8 | Full curriculum | Early education |
| Duolingo Kids | 4-8 | Language games | Language learning |
| Prodigy | 6-12 | Math adventures | Math practice |
| BrainPOP Jr. | 5-9 | Animated lessons | Multiple subjects |
| Epic! | 2-12 | Digital library | Reading |
| ScratchJr | 5-7 | Coding for kids | Intro to coding |
| Busy Shapes | 2-5 | Problem-solving | Cognitive skills |
| Google Arts & Culture | 7+ | Virtual museum tours | Art and history |
| Quizlet | 10+ | Flashcards, quizzes | Study aid |
These apps offer:
- Age-appropriate content
- Interactive learning
- Progress tracking
- Safe environments
When choosing, consider your child's age, interests, and learning needs. Try free versions first to see what works best.
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1. Khan Academy Kids
Khan Academy Kids is a free educational app for young children. It offers many fun activities and lessons across different subjects.
Key features
- Learning paths that fit each child
- Fun characters and colorful design
- Works without internet
- Matches what kids learn in school
- Shows parents how their child is doing
Target age group
This app is for kids aged 2-7 years, from PreK to 2nd grade.
Subjects covered
The app teaches:
- Math
- Reading
- Writing
- Language
- Feelings and social skills
- Logic
- Art
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free with no ads | May have some small tech issues |
| Covers many subjects | Can be hard for some parents to use |
| Fits each child's needs | Not much for older kids |
| Fun characters | |
| Works offline |
Khan Academy Kids is a top pick for young learners. It offers many subjects and adapts to each child's level. The app is fun with its lively characters and games, which help keep kids interested while they learn.
Parents and teachers like that they can see how kids are doing and plan weekly lessons. This helps make learning more organized.
While there might be small tech problems sometimes, the app's quality and the fact that it's free make it a great choice. It's good for families and schools who want to add digital learning to their kids' education.
2. ABCmouse.com
ABCmouse.com is an app and website for young kids to learn. It has many games and lessons for different subjects.
Key features
- Over 10,000 learning activities
- Lessons for many subjects
- Games, puzzles, and videos
- Shows parents how kids are doing
- Safe for kids with no ads
Target age group
Kids aged 2-8 years old, from preschool to second grade.
Subjects covered
| Subject | Description |
|---|---|
| Reading | Learning letters and words |
| Math | Numbers and basic math |
| Science | Simple science ideas |
| Social studies | Learning about people and places |
| Art | Colors and drawing |
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Many subjects to learn | Costs money every month |
| Fun games and videos | Only for kids 2-8 years old |
| Safe for kids | Some kids focus on rewards, not learning |
| Parents can see progress | Only in English and Spanish |
| Can add more than one child |
ABCmouse.com costs $12.99 per month, with cheaper options if you pay for a year. It's not free, but many parents think it's worth it because it's safe and has lots to learn.
The app is good because it has many activities and can fit different skill levels. Parents like that they can see how their kids are doing. Some people say the reward system, where kids get tickets to buy fake items, can sometimes take focus away from learning.
Overall, ABCmouse.com is a good tool for young kids to learn. It covers many subjects and has fun content. Teachers and parents say it helps kids learn, making it a top choice for educational apps in 2024.
3. Duolingo Kids
Duolingo Kids is a popular app that helps children learn new languages. It makes learning fun with games and activities.
Key features
- Fun language learning games
- Lessons that fit each child's level
- Reading, listening, and speaking practice
- Shows how well kids are doing
- Works without internet
Target age group
Kids 5 years and older can use Duolingo Kids. For younger kids (3 and up), there's Duolingo ABC, which helps with reading.
Subjects covered
| Skill | What kids learn |
|---|---|
| Reading | New words and grammar |
| Listening | Hearing native speakers |
| Speaking | How to say words correctly |
| Writing | Basic writing (less than in adult version) |
Pros and cons
| Good things | Not so good things |
|---|---|
| Fun way to learn | Mostly focuses on reading |
| Fits each child's learning speed | Fewer languages than adult version |
| Free to use basic parts | Parents may need to help |
| Works on phones and tablets | Some extras cost money |
| Tells kids right away if they're right | Not as complete as full language classes |
Duolingo Kids uses smart technology to make lessons fit each child. This helps kids learn at their own speed. The app uses games, rewards, and stories with fun characters to keep kids interested.
It's good to know that Duolingo Kids mostly helps with reading. Parents might want to use other tools too for full language learning. It's also a good idea for parents to watch how their kids use the app.
Overall, Duolingo Kids is a fun way for kids to start learning a new language. That's why it's one of the top learning apps for kids in 2024.
4. Prodigy
Prodigy is a math app that turns learning into a game. Kids can practice math while going on adventures, which helps them stay interested in learning.
Key features
- Math lessons that fit each child's level
- Game-like world with quests and characters
- Matches what kids learn in school
- Shows how well kids are doing
- Kids can play with friends
Target age group
Prodigy is for kids in grades 1-8, usually ages 7 and up. The app changes to fit how well each child does.
Subjects covered
| Math Skills | What Kids Learn |
|---|---|
| Basic math | Adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing |
| Shapes | Understanding angles and measurements |
| Early algebra | Simple equations and patterns |
| Charts and graphs | Reading data and chances |
| Word problems | Thinking through math questions |
Pros and cons
| Good Things | Not So Good Things |
|---|---|
| Makes math fun | Some parts cost money |
| Fits each child's skills | Not all kids like the fantasy theme |
| Matches school lessons | Asks to buy things in the app |
| Parents can see progress | Mostly for practice, not new learning |
| Works on phones and computers | Some kids might play too much |
Prodigy helps kids like math by making it feel like a game. It changes to match how well each kid is doing, so they don't get bored or stuck. By turning math practice into an adventure, kids want to keep learning.
Parents can use Prodigy to help their kids too. They can set goals, see how their child is doing, and find ways to help them learn. This lets parents be part of their child's learning.
The basic Prodigy app is free. If you want more, you can pay $10 each month or $75 for a year. Paying gives you extra tools and content for both kids and parents.
5. BrainPOP Jr.
BrainPOP Jr. is an app that helps young kids learn. It uses fun videos and games to teach different subjects to children in grades K-3.
Key features
- Short animated movies with Annie and Moby
- Games and quizzes for kids to test what they learned
- Lessons on many topics
- Things to print for parents and teachers
- Easy for kids to use on their own
Target age group
Kids aged 5-8 years old (grades K-3)
Subjects covered
| Subject | What Kids Learn |
|---|---|
| Science | Space, animals, plants |
| Social Studies | People from history, places, different cultures |
| Reading & Writing | How to use words, tell stories |
| Math | Adding, subtracting, shapes |
| Health | Eating well, staying clean, feelings |
| Arts & Tech | Music, drawing, basic computer skills |
Good and not-so-good points
| Good Points | Not-So-Good Points |
|---|---|
| Teaches many subjects | Costs money to use |
| Fun videos keep kids interested | Kids might just watch instead of doing |
| Made for young kids | Not much hard stuff for quick learners |
| Helps different ways of learning | Needs internet to work |
| Makes kids think | Might not match exactly what schools teach |
BrainPOP Jr. is good at making hard ideas easy for young kids to understand. It uses fun videos and games to help kids learn in different ways. This makes it useful for both school and home. While it does cost money, many people think it's worth it because it helps kids learn so much. It's a good choice for families who want to help their young kids learn more about many subjects.
6. Epic!
Epic! is a reading app for kids. It has many books, audiobooks, and videos for children to enjoy and learn from.
Key features
- Over 40,000 books, audiobooks, and read-to-me books
- Suggests books based on what the child likes
- Helps kids read by highlighting words
- Works without internet
- Has a kids' dictionary
- Shows how much kids read
- Has videos and quizzes about books
Target age group
Epic! is for kids aged 2-12 years old.
Subjects covered
| Subject | What's in it |
|---|---|
| Made-up stories | Adventures, Magic, Mysteries, Funny books |
| True stories | Science, History, Sports |
| Learning books | Picture books, Videos that teach |
| Fun stuff | Quizzes, Badges |
Good and not-so-good points
| Good points | Not-so-good points |
|---|---|
| Lots of books to choose from | You have to pay after trying it |
| Picks books kids might like | Might not count reading time right |
| Can read without internet | Some popular books might not be there |
| Works on different devices | Needs internet for most things |
| Parents can see what kids read |
Epic! is a good app for kids who like to read. It has many books and helps kids find stories they'll enjoy. The app can read to kids, which is great for those just starting to read. Parents like that they can see what their kids are reading. While you have to pay for it, many think it's worth it because it helps kids read more.
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7. ScratchJr
ScratchJr is an app that helps young kids learn basic coding. It lets children make their own stories, games, and moving pictures while learning how to solve problems.
Key features
- Easy-to-use app for phones and tablets
- Colorful blocks that snap together to make code
- Many characters to choose from
- Tools to make backgrounds and change characters
- Six colored blocks to send messages
- Sound recording (up to one minute)
- Grid to place characters (20 x 15 squares)
- Up to four pages for each project
Target age group
ScratchJr is for kids 5 to 7 years old. It's good for kindergarten and early grade school students.
Subjects covered
| Subject | What kids learn |
|---|---|
| Coding | Basic programming, step-by-step thinking |
| Making things | Telling stories, making games |
| Math | Understanding space, using grids |
| Problem-solving | Thinking logically, fixing mistakes |
Good and not-so-good points
| Good points | Not-so-good points |
|---|---|
| Free to use | Only teaches basic coding |
| Made for young kids | Only one built-in sound ("pop") |
| Helps kids think better | Can only make four pages per project |
| Lets kids be creative | Kids might need help to start |
| Works on many devices | Not as complex as Scratch for older kids |
ScratchJr helps young kids start coding. It's easy to use and looks nice, which makes kids want to learn. By making their own projects, kids learn about coding, math, and how to solve problems. They also get to be creative. While grown-ups might need to help kids get started, ScratchJr is a good way for young children to learn about computers and how to make things with them.
8. Busy Shapes
Busy Shapes is an app that helps young kids learn. It's based on Jean Piaget's ideas and uses puzzles to teach kids how to think and solve problems.
Key features
- Gets harder as kids learn
- Shows how kids are doing
- Works in over 20 languages
- Remembers where kids stopped
- Made to be easy for kids to use
- Has a special way for kids to swipe
- Changes to fit how fast each kid learns
Target age group
Busy Shapes is for kids 2-5 years old.
Subjects covered
| Subject | What Kids Learn |
|---|---|
| Problem-solving | How to think and figure things out |
| Shapes | Seeing and knowing different shapes |
| Colors | Telling colors apart |
| Using hands | Moving hands and eyes together |
Good and not-so-good points
| Good Points | Not-So-Good Points |
|---|---|
| Helps kids think | Doesn't say shape names |
| Fits each kid's speed | Some parts might not work well |
| Works in many languages | Kids can only play for 10 minutes at a time |
| Easy for young kids to use | Parents might need to help at first |
| Shows how kids are doing |
Busy Shapes is fun and helps kids learn. It's easy to use and gets harder as kids get better. This app is good for parents who want to teach their young kids about shapes and solving problems in a fun way.
9. Google Arts and Culture
Google Arts and Culture is a free app that lets kids learn about art, history, and culture from around the world. It shows museums and art in a fun way.
Key features
- See museums and places online
- Look at art and learn about it
- Compare your face to famous paintings
- See art in your room using your phone
- Look at clear pictures of art and old things
- Learn about many topics
Target age group
Kids 12 and older, teens, and grown-ups who like art and culture.
Subjects covered
| Subject | What you can learn |
|---|---|
| Art | Famous art, artists, and types of art |
| History | Past events, important people, and different cultures |
| Geography | Famous places around the world |
| Science | How science and art work together |
Good and not-so-good points
| Good points | Not-so-good points |
|---|---|
| Free to use | Can be hard to find things |
| Lots of art and culture to see | Some things might not work in all places |
| Fun features like face matching and online tours | Younger kids might need help from parents |
| Good for school projects and learning on your own | |
| New things added often |
Google Arts and Culture helps kids learn about art and culture in a fun way. It has many things to see and do, which makes it a good add-on to regular school learning. It helps kids want to learn more and be creative.
10. Quizlet
Quizlet is a learning app that helps students study different subjects. It has tools and games that make learning fun and easy.
Key features
- Make and share flashcards
- Use ready-made study sets
- Take quizzes that fit your level
- Play games to learn
- Use smart study tools
- Practice over time to remember better
Target age group
Quizlet works well for students from middle school to college. High school and college students find it very helpful for studying.
Subjects covered
| Subject | What you can learn |
|---|---|
| Languages | Words, grammar, how to say things |
| Science | Biology, chemistry, physics terms |
| Math | Formulas and ideas |
| Social Studies | History and places |
| Reading | Understanding stories and books |
Good and not-so-good points
| Good points | Not-so-good points |
|---|---|
| Many ways to study | Some parts cost money |
| Learns how you study best | Might be hard for younger kids |
| Helps different types of learners | Focuses on memorizing |
| Lots of study sets to choose from | User-made content can be mixed quality |
| Good for studying in groups | Doesn't teach full grammar or context |
Quizlet is good because it has many ways to study. It learns how you study and makes plans just for you. The app can read words out loud, which helps people learning English or those who have trouble learning. Teachers can use Quizlet to play learning games with their students in class.
App Comparison Table
Here's a simple table comparing the top 10 educational apps for kids in 2024. It shows what each app does, who it's for, what it teaches, and its good and not-so-good points.
| App Name | What it Does | For Ages | Teaches | Good Points | Not-So-Good Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khan Academy Kids | Lessons, videos | 2-7 | Math, Reading | Free, Good content | Needs internet |
| ABCmouse.com | Full learning plan | 2-8 | Math, Reading | Fun, Shows progress | Costs money |
| Duolingo Kids | Language games | 4-8 | Languages | Fun, Works well | Few languages |
| Prodigy | Math games | 6-12 | Math | Fun, Matches school | Asks to buy things |
| BrainPOP Jr. | Videos, Quizzes | 5-9 | Many subjects | Easy to use | Costs money |
| Epic! | Online books | 2-12 | Reading | Many books, Easy to use | Costs money |
| ScratchJr | Kid coding | 5-7 | Coding | Free, Makes kids think | Basic features |
| Busy Shapes | Puzzles | 2-5 | Problem-solving | Simple, Fun | Not much content |
| Google Arts & Culture | Museum tours | 7+ | Art, History | Free, Nice pictures | Needs internet |
| Quizlet | Flashcards, Games | 10+ | Many subjects | Free, Can make own | Ads in free version |
When picking an app for your child, think about:
-
Right for their age: Choose apps that fit your child's age and skills.
-
Fun and active: Look for apps with games and activities that make kids think and be creative.
-
Safe: Pick apps with parent controls, privacy settings, and no ads that go to other websites.
-
What others say: Read what other parents think about the app.
-
Try it first: Use free trials to see if your child likes the app before you buy it.
Wrap-up
Educational apps have changed how kids learn. They offer fun ways to learn that work well with regular school. Let's look at what we learned about the top 10 educational apps for kids in 2024:
| What Apps Do | Examples |
|---|---|
| Fit each kid's level | Khan Academy, ABCmouse.com |
| Teach many subjects | Math, reading, coding, art history |
| Free or low-cost options | Khan Academy, Google Arts and Culture |
| Make learning fun | Prodigy, Duolingo Kids |
| Help kids think better | ScratchJr, Busy Shapes |
When picking an app for your child, think about:
- Is it right for their age?
- Is it fun and does it make them think?
- Is it safe to use?
- What do other parents say about it?
- Can you try it for free first?
Remember:
- Apps are good tools, but they shouldn't replace other ways of learning.
- Mix app time with other activities.
- When you can, use the apps with your child to help them learn more.
FAQs
What is the number one learning app for kids?
There's no single "best" learning app for kids. The right choice depends on the child's age, what they need to learn, and what they like. Here's a quick look at some top apps:
| App | Good For | Cost | Works On |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khan Academy Kids | Many subjects | Free | Apple & Android |
| Busy Shapes | Very young kids | $2.99 | Apple & Android |
| ABCmouse.com | Young kids | $13/month | Apple & Android |
| Prodigy | Math for older kids | Free basic; $10/month or $75/year for extra stuff | Apple & Android |
Khan Academy Kids is often seen as a good all-around app. It's free and teaches many things. But the best app for your child might be different based on what they need to learn and what they enjoy.
When picking an app:
- Make sure it's right for your child's age
- Check if it teaches what your child needs to learn
- See if your child likes using it
- Look at the cost and if it fits your budget
- Read what other parents say about it