Sometimes it feels that my daughter is glued to the iPad, but I have to admit that there are some fantastic apps out there that have really helped her gain valuable skills. She thinks she is just playing fun games, but in reality, these “fun games” have improved her reading and math levels, as well as other skills too! A great place to find fun and educational apps is your local library. Most libraries now have tablets for patrons to use, and the ones in the kids section are usually loaded with awesome apps. We discovered a few gems the last time we were at the library, and later purchased the apps for our own tablet. Here is a list of some great apps to slow the “summer slide” for all age groups.
Apps for kids ages five and younger:
Raccoon Treehouse
FREE lite version and full version available available from iTunes.
This app keeps my daughter busy for long stretches with its many different learning games
Sago Mini
Available for iPhone and iPad, and Android.
These apps offer many different options for play, such as Sound Box, Ocean Swimmer, Road Trip, Pet Cafe, Forest Flyer, Babies Dress Up, Planes, Robot Party, Trucks and Diggers, Superhero, Boats, Toolbox, Puppy Preschool, Fairy Tales. These are well worth the purchase! We have every single one and these are hands down my daughters favorite apps and have been for the last couple years.
Originator Inc.
Available for iPhone and iPad.
Our favorites: Endless Wordplay, Endless Alphabet, Endless Reader and Endless Numbers. These apps are fun and interactive learning apps with cute colorful graphics
Toca Boca
Our favorites include Toca Cars, Toca Life, Toca Kitchen, Toca Nature, Toca Lab, Toca Train, Toca Hair Salon and Toca Birthday.
These apps are awesome! With no rules, levels to complete or time limits, these apps let kids be creative and go at their own pace and just play, and they are fun for the whole family, too. Full versions have no ads and no additional in app purchases.
ABCmouse
Available for iPhone and iPad, Android. First month is free, then $7.99 per month.
A fantastic app for children up to age seven. Over 5,000 different learning activities. My daughter begs to play this all the time.
Avokiddo
Thinkrolls
Available for iPhone and iPad, and Android.
This app offers awesome logic puzzles!
PBS Kids Videos
Available for iPhone and iPad, and Android.
Stream the PBS Kids Channel for free. Kid friendly for all ages.
Apps for kids ages 6 through 8:
Avokiddo
Thinkrolls, Thinkrolls 2 and DNAPlay
Available for iPhone and iPad, and Android.
These award-winning apps offer logic and creative play that kids will love.
Planet Factory Interactive
Kids World Cultures
Available for iPhone and iPad.
These apps contain fun games that teach kids about world culture.
Third Grade Learning Games
Available for iPhone and iPad, and Android.
This app offers fun games that teach real third grade curriculum.
Toy Talk
The Winston Show
Available for iPad.
This is a unique and fun app where kids can have a conversation with the character on screen. Really cool concept and fun to play!
Turbo Math Pirate Challenge Game
FREE version available for iPad, with in-app purchases; full version starts at $0.99.
This is a fun way to learn math with levels, challenges and rewards all in fun games. Suitable for kidsi in kindergarten through fourth grade.
Toca Boca
Available for iPhone and iPad, and Android.
These apps are awesome! No rules, levels to complete or time limits. Lets kids be creative and go at their own pace and just play! These apps are fun for the whole family too. Full versions have no ads and no additional in app purchases.
Apps for kids ages 9 through 12:
Atlas 3D for Kids
Available for iPhone and iPad, and Android.
Kids can learn all about our planet through pictures, videos, games and fun activities. I found this app to be really fun and interesting too!
Tynker
Learn to Code
Available for iPad and Android.
A fun way to learn the basics of computer programming.
SleepNinja Games
Monsters Ate my Birthday Cake
Avaialbe for iPhone and iPad, and Android.
A fun quirky game that will keep you busy for hours with Lots of adventures and puzzles.
Marshmallow Games
Street Music Academy
Available for iPhone and iPad, and Android.
This challenging and fun game is geared towards older kids, ages 10 to adult.
Duolingo
Available for iPhone and iPad, and Android.
This is a great little app to learn a new language, and allows users to set goals and get daily progress reports.
Clash of Clans
Available for iPhone and iPad, and Android.
A fun yet addicting game where (in a nutshell) you build a village, grow your own army and battle other players.
Apps for all ages:
Epic
Available for iPhone and iPad, and Android. Check website for special offers.
This is an amazing app for all ages that is filled with thousands of kids ebooks. I love how it sends me weekly emails showing how my daughter is progressing, which books she read that week, how many minutes were spent reading, etc. Many of the books have options where the app will read the book aloud for the child.
What apps are your family’s favorites?
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