Parents are well acquainted with the struggle to get the balance right when it comes to kids and screen time. While we know that too much screen time can have negative effects on child development, none at all may be impossible to manage when you need to keep them entertained. Beyond that, depriving your kids of technology could see them miss out on some of the educational benefits that online applications can provide. Mobile apps can also be selected specifically for your child’s age and learning needs as there is such a huge collection to choose from. Whether you’re looking to entertain bored high schoolers or hunt online for the best toys for 2 year old child, you’re bound to find something you like. From reading apps for kids to apps that help you with numbers, there are a whole host of options that kids will love! Here are our top contenders!
Khan Academy Kids
Khan Academy Kids is a brilliant app for both preschool kids and early learners, and older children. Split into two options (Khan Academy Kids is ideal for the 2 to 6’s, while Khan Academy is tailored towards older learners) you can select the right level for your kids. This educational app makes learning fun, with cute animal pals, a diverse range of subjects, games, and puzzles, and easy to navigate user interface. Your kids will be absorbed for hours! Khan Academy Kids even provides a dummy schedule for times when your child’s school is closed. This curates a full learning experience outside the classroom and allows you to join in and get involved with your kid’s education, while also providing some learning structure.
Starfall ABC
Starfall ABC is a learning app for kids that helps them rehearse their ABCs. Ideal for preschool kids or toddlers who are just learning their first words. This mobile app is compatible with both Android and Apple products and features colourful animation, letters, and maths puzzles, and an intuitive user interface that even young children will master. Perfect if you need to entertain your kids while you’re out and about and want to hand them your phone to play with.
Artie’s Magic Pencil
Kids love to be creative. Why not help them harness their natural creativity with drawing apps for kids. Artie’s Magic Pencil is a tablet and mobile app that helps younger children develop their sense of line and shape. Combining simple shapes to create artistic designs, animated character, Artie, will help your child artistically explore the world. This is a fun, relaxing way for your kids to spend time and is great for boosting mental development and helping them learn to express themselves.
Prodigy
Prodigy is one of the best educational apps for kids who want to practice their maths in a fun and creative way. Prodigy uses a storytelling learning style to help kids get comfortable with numbers. This app allows your child to play as a wizard and adapts its puzzles and number problems to their age and skill range. Kids will love the magical, whimsical world and gain numeracy skills at the same time with this fantastic app.
Science360
Science360 is the National Science Foundation’s official tablet app and has hours of video and interactive content for kids. From engineering topics to natural sciences, this is one of the best apps out there to help your child increase their knowledge of science. The app even features 3D imaging so that kids can look at objects from all different angles and get a great idea of their scientific makeup. This is one of many great learning apps for kids who are in high school and have a special interest in scientific subjects.
Duolingo
Duolingo is a language learning app that allows kids to try out word and memory puzzles in the language of their choice. Duolingo has an excellent progression tool, so that difficulty increases gradually and manageably over time, and has an enormous selection of languages to choose from. Handy hints, memory aids, and daily reminders to get your ten minutes of language practice to make Duolingo a fantastic resource for older kids who are interested in linguistics.
Remember, educational apps can be a wonderful, interactive tool for learning with your kids and for getting you through holidays, travel, and school closures. So why not give some of these a whirl and see what captures your child’s imagination!
Final Call: Do you have kids who love to learn online? Which apps do you use to keep them occupied? Let us know in the comments!
