The Best Educational Apps for Young Learners

30 December 2025

Let’s face it — screens are a part of everyday life now. Whether we love it or not, our kids are growing up in a digital world. But here's the good news: not all screen time is created equal. When used right, some apps can actually become powerful learning tools. That’s where educational apps step in.

Think of them as digital playdough — fun, moldable, and packed with learning opportunities. Whether you're a parent trying to sneak in a little alphabet learning at snack time or a caregiver on the lookout for quiet-time activities that aren’t mindless YouTube videos, we’ve got you covered.

In this post, we’ll dive into the best educational apps for young learners that are not only engaging but also worth your child’s precious screen time.

Why Educational Apps Matter

Before we jump into the app list, let’s quickly talk about why educational apps are even worth your attention.

Young kids learn best through interactive play. Their brains are like little sponges — constantly soaking up everything around them. Well-designed educational apps take advantage of that curiosity. They mix vibrant visuals, sounds, and interactive elements to teach core skills like reading, math, critical thinking, and creativity.

And hey, let’s be real — sometimes you just need 20 minutes to make dinner without someone asking you for the 47th snack of the day. If a tablet can provide educational entertainment during that time, we call that a parenting win.

What Makes an App "Educational" and Worthwhile?

Not all "educational" apps are, well… actually educational. Some just slap on ABCs and call it a day. Here’s what REALLY makes an app worth downloading:

- Age-appropriate content: Tailored to the capabilities and interests of your child’s age
- Interactive design: Kids should tap, drag, speak, or move elements — not just watch passively
- Balanced learning: Supports various development areas — cognitive, social-emotional, motor skills
- Engagement factor: Keeps kiddos interested without turning them into screen zombies
- No sneaky ads or unnecessary in-app purchases: Because nothing is more annoying than your toddler tapping on a "buy now" button

Now that we’ve got our standards straight — let’s scroll through the best of the best.

1. Khan Academy Kids

Best for: Ages 2–8
Available on: iOS & Android
Cost: Free

Khan Academy Kids practically deserves its own parenting MVP award. It's one of the few truly free — and FREE of ads — educational apps that feels like it was actually built with kids in mind.

The app is packed with books, videos, songs, and games that cover math, reading, social-emotional learning, and even creative play. And it’s all led by adorable animal characters that your child will get attached to faster than you can say “Coco the bear.”

Parents can track progress, and the app adjusts to the learner’s level — no frustration, no boredom. Just good, wholesome, bite-sized lessons wrapped in fun.

2. ABCmouse

Best for: Ages 2–8
Available on: iOS, Android & Web
Cost: Monthly subscription (with free trial)

ABCmouse is like a full-blown online preschool in your pocket. With over 10,000 activities (yep, you read that right!), it covers reading, math, science, and art in a way that’s super interactive.

It uses a reward system (hello little tickets!) to motivate kids and keep them excited. Your child gets to “walk” through a learning path at their own pace, earning points as they go. It’s structured learning with fun surprises sprinkled in.

Think of ABCmouse as the chocolate-covered broccoli of learning apps — all the good stuff hidden under layers of fun.

3. Endless Alphabet

Best for: Ages 3–6
Available on: iOS & Android
Cost: Paid (worth every penny!)

If your kid loves silly, giggly monsters and you're hoping to sneak in some vocabulary lessons, Endless Alphabet is your go-to. This app teaches letters and new words in a totally non-boring way.

Kids drag and drop letters to spell out words while listening to adorably animated characters explain meanings. Plus, there are funny sound effects that hit just the right level of toddler humor.

And bonus — it doesn’t require Wi-Fi, so it’s perfect for road trips or airplane rides.

4. Toca Boca Series

Best for: Ages 3–7
Available on: iOS & Android
Cost: Paid (individual apps)

The Toca Boca apps aren't your traditional “sit down and learn” kind of apps. They're about open-ended play that builds imagination, creativity, and understanding of the world.

Toca Lab introduces basic science concepts, Toca Life lets kids explore different real-life settings (like hospitals or schools), and Toca Kitchen lets them “cook” up hilarious recipes and feed virtual characters.

Think of it like pretend play meets digital sandbox — no rules, just exploration.

5. Moose Math

Best for: Ages 3–7
Available on: iOS & Android
Cost: Free

Created by Duck Duck Moose and backed by Khan Academy, Moose Math is a great app to build early math skills.

Kids help “build” a city by solving counting, addition, subtraction, and sorting problems. It’s got color, it’s got action, and most importantly — it's got learning that feels more like play.

This one’s a sneaky little math ninja. Your child will be doing equations before they even realize it's math class.

6. Starfall ABCs

Best for: Ages 2–6
Available on: iOS, Android & Web
Cost: Free (with optional membership)

Starfall is practically a rite of passage for digital learning. It's been around for ages — and for good reason. Starfall ABCs is perfect for early letter recognition and phonics development.

The animations are cheerful without being overstimulating, and kids get to interact with every letter in a meaningful way. Whether they’re just learning the alphabet or beginning to read, this app meets them where they’re at.

It’s like the digital version of a beloved library book — familiar, simple, and always there for a quick review.

7. PBS Kids Games

Best for: Ages 2–8
Available on: iOS & Android
Cost: Free

If your child is a fan of characters like Daniel Tiger or Curious George, PBS Kids Games is a treasure trove. The app features hundreds of educational games starring PBS’s beloved lineup.

What’s great is that each game is created with educational consultants. So while your child thinks they’re helping Elinor Wonder Why make a snack… they’re also learning problem-solving and sequencing.

It’s screen time that feels like Saturday morning cartoons — but with 10x more brain benefits.

8. Sago Mini World

Best for: Ages 2–5
Available on: iOS & Android
Cost: Subscription-based with free trial

Sago Mini World is like a giant playground for little learners. From building robots to flying in space, the app is loaded with mini-games that encourage exploration and creativity.

It’s safe, sweet, and specifically geared toward preschool-aged kiddos. No ads, no text-heavy screens, just gentle play that promotes problem-solving and storytelling.

Parents love how intuitive it is — and we’re not gonna lie, it’s kind of relaxing watching your child feed a pet dog a sandwich made of clouds.

9. HOMER Learn & Grow

Best for: Ages 2–8
Available on: iOS & Android
Cost: Subscription-based with free trial

HOMER is one of the most personalized learning apps out there. It tailors everything — stories, games, activities — to your child's interests and learning level.

It puts a strong emphasis on reading and phonics, but it also weaves in early math, creativity, and critical thinking. The lessons are short and sweet, so it’s perfect for short attention spans.

HOMER makes your kid feel like the star of their own learning journey — which means more engagement and better results.

10. Montessori Crosswords

Best for: Ages 3–7
Available on: iOS & Android
Cost: Paid

Based on the Montessori method, this app helps kids learn how to read and spell by using movable alphabet tiles.

Montessori Crosswords is great for hands-on learners who need to touch, drag, and experiment to grasp new concepts. It promotes phonemic awareness through word puzzles that challenge little minds in just the right way.

Think of it like a digital spelling bee — minus the pressure and with a lot more dragging letters around.

Tips to Balance Screen Time with Real-World Play

Even though these apps are gold, screen balance is still key. Here are a few gentle reminders:

- Rotate apps weekly: This keeps things fresh and ensures your child doesn’t get stuck in a digital rut.
- Co-play when you can: Sit down with them occasionally and talk through the game — it boosts comprehension and bonding.
- Mix in offline learning: Repeat the concepts from an app in real life — counting snacks, drawing letters in the sandbox, or playing pretend.
- Use a timer: Not just for limits, but to help kids transition without a meltdown when it’s time to put the tablet down.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right educational apps for your child doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With just a bit of guidance and observation, you’ll find ones that your little learner will love — and that you can feel good about.

Remember, apps shouldn’t replace real-world learning or human interaction, but they sure can support and enhance it. When used intentionally, they can turn screen time into gold-star-worthy learning time.

So, the next time your little one asks for the tablet, you can smile and say “Sure!” — knowing that hidden right behind those cartoon characters are lessons that actually stick.