21 Free Educational Apps for Kids
Educational apps are a great and fun way to keep your kids learning outside of the classroom, but the cost of all those apps can add up fast. Luckily, there are plenty of free apps for kids that are both educational and fun but won't break the bank.
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 on 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!
Related: 40 Educational Shows for Kids You Can Stream Now
1. Thinkrolls Play & Code
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Thinkrolls Play & Code allows young kids to solve puzzles, work through complex challenges, and create their own adventures with a wealth of pre-coding concepts baked into every move! Young ones will build their critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills by playing their way through over 1,000 Arcade Logic Puzzles and maze courses. Kids will work out solutions to math and physics challenges as they roll and bounce their way through different mazes.
2. Fact Monster
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Fact Monster is an excellent option for educational games. Learning games and videos range in topics, from science to language arts to math and so much more! Fact Monster also combines essential reference materials, flashcards, fun facts, and homework help for kids. Kids 5 years old and up will love how Fact Monster makes learning fun. Check out Fact Monster to learn more.
3. Poptropica
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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
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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. PlayKids
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PlayKids is one of the most engaging and free educational apps for kids, offering a rich library of interactive games, videos, and books that aim to make learning fun and stimulating. It creates a safe, ad-free environment for kids to explore new concepts and skills at their own pace. The app covers a broad range of subjects, from math and science to language and creativity, catering to various interests and learning styles. Find it on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
6. Khan Academy Kids
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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 App Store.
7. Fish School
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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 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.
8. PBS Kids Games
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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.
9. Pizza Fractions 1
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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.
10. Science360
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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.
11. NASA Visualization Explorer
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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 Android.
12. Toca Kitchen Monsters
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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 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.
13. Vocabulary Spelling City
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Spelling tests can be stressful at any grade level, but Vocabulary Spelling City makes learning vocabulary and spelling fun with games like Word Unscramble and HangMouse. Students of all ages can use the free app to play nine games with 10 of the app's most popular word lists. You can even upload a customized word list to Vocabulary Spelling City's website for your child to use in the app. For families who want a more expansive experience, a premium version of the app with five student accounts is available for a yearly subscription. This app is best for ages 6 and up, and it is for Android and iOS.
14. Todo Math
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Designed for kids in pre-K through second grade, Todo Math takes your child on a daily math adventure. There is a 10–15 minute practice drill available each day, a Mission Mode for tackling early word problems, and a Free Play mode. The app has won multiple awards, including a Parents' Choice Gold Award and a five-star rating on Common Sense Media. The free app contains a basic version of every game, and the full version is available on a subscription basis. This app is best for ages 5 and up, and it is for Android and iOS.
15. Scratch Jr.
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Scratch Jr. teaches children as young as five the basics of coding. Designed by researchers at Tufts University and MIT, the app was inspired by the Scratch programming language and redesigned for a younger audience. Your child can make the app's adorable characters move, jump, and even dance and sing by snapping together different programming blocks. In addition to learning how to code, he'll also be learning problem-solving, design, and how to create his own story. This app is best for ages 5 and up, and it is for Android and iOS.
16. Endless Numbers
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A follow-up to the popular Endless Alphabet, Endless Numbers helps preschoolers learn number recognition, patterns, sequences, and more with the help of adorable monsters. Five numbers are included in the free app, and you can purchase additional number packs for numbers up to 100 ($6.99 for numbers 1–25 and $11.99 for 26–100, or $14.99 for all numbers 1–100). This app is best for ages 3 and up, and it is for Android and iOS.
17. Pet Bingo by Duck Duck Moose
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Pet Bingo is a fun and cute way for your kids to develop math skills through play. The problems slant toward an older audience, with bingo games designed to test math skills through primary school (e.g. 4-digit addition and subtraction). There is a free and premium version of this app. This app is best for ages 4 and up, and it is for Android and iOS.
18. Endless Reader
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Endless Reader, by the makers of Endless Numbers, uses nifty graphics and fun word puzzles to bring sight words and short sentences to life for early readers. The app offers a pack of six words for kids to learn, with additional "Reader Packs" available to buy within the app ($4.99 per pack; $11.99 for a bundle of packs). This app is best for ages 4 and up, and it is for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.
19. Duolingo
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Your youngster will be speaking Spanish (or French, German, Portuguese, Italian, and much more) in no time! PC Magazine awarded this app the Editors' Choice for Language Learning. It's full of bite-sized lessons geared toward visual learners. Kids (and adults) win badges for words learned and other achievements. Some languages even include conversation exercises with Duolingo's bots to help learn speaking skills. This app is best for ages 6 and up, and it is available as a website and for Android and iOS.
20. Epic
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Epic does have a cost, but many families can access it for free through their school systems. Educators can also access the app for free. Epic helps to personalize daily reading with age and level-appropriate recommendations fueled by kids’ interests. There are endless books, videos, and more to fuel their curiosity and love of reading. This app is for kids 12 and under. You can use it as a website or you can download it on the Apple App Store or Google Play.
21. The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Friends - Play and Explore
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The beloved characters of Eric Carle are now available in The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Friends - Play & Explore, a stunning 3D pop-up app featuring games and activities for tablets and mobile phones. Younger kids will love seeing all of their favorite characters from the Eric Carle books, and they will also learn counting, sorting, and memory skills. This app is for little ones and is available on iOS, Android, and Amazon App Store.
Parenting and learning can sometimes be tricky, but luckily there are all these free apps out there! Looking for more free parent-approved content? Check out 10 Podcasts for Kids that Parents Will Enjoy Too.
