Us mums know that screen time can be used wisely – and there are fantastic apps that keep kids entertained and help them learn while they’re having fun. Here are some of our faves!
On the lookout for the best apps for preschoolers and toddlers? We love an app with a bit of educational value – something stimulating and fun that little ones can master. And most importantly, something you won’t feel guilty about letting your child play with because we all know there are times when screen time, used wisely, can save the day (they certainly serve a purpose when it comes to surviving plane rides with kids). The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry recommends that children aged 18 to 24 months can start using digital media, but only with a caregiver present. Here are some of our favourite education apps for kids who are still in preschool…
Pro-tip: Mums, check out these great time-saving apps to help you juggle your busy lifestyles.
1. Khan Academy Kids
When it comes to educational apps for children, you can’t go wrong with Khan Academy Kids. This early learning app is made by Khan Academy and Duck Duck Moose, winner of numerous awards, including Parents’ Choice Awards and Children’s Technology Review Editor’s Choice Award, in partnership with the Stanford Graduate School of Education. It has everything from videos to activities, and even printables, that are suitable for kids aged two to eight. Parents also love that it has a good balance of structured and open-ended activities that not only educate, but allow kids space to express themselves creatively. Another bonus point: it’s a free app, but it’s ad-free!
Free app. Available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Pros: Ad-free means fewer distractions, and it won’t overwhelm your little one!
Cons: While structured content is great, kids who want to express their creativity may feel stifled since it doesn’t have a free-play mode.
2. Magic Valley
Every day is an adventure in Magic Valley. This interactive storytelling web app (yep, no downloading required) allows your child to be the hero of their own story, where they explore different places and learn new things together with their story buddy, aka their favourite animal. Designed together with early childhood pedagogical experts like Dr Jacqueline Chung, who holds a PhD in early childhood education, this app is perfect for kids aged four to seven. Its stories include interactive elements, where kids have to make choices or solve problems, to promote purposeful screen time rather than passive ones. That makes it a lot healthier and less overwhelming for the little ones. We love!
Paid web app. No download required.
Pros: The interactivity and customisation keep the little ones engaged and help build character.
Cons: It has a rather limited catalogue compared to other apps.
3. Monkey Preschool Lunchbox
Monkey Preschool Lunchbox has been entertaining kids with their app since 2009! The little ones can start their edu-gaming journey and learn their ABCs, numbers, shapes, colors, and more. They’ve got seven different games that aid independent play with voice direction and responsive sound. They make sure to keep it light-hearted when letting them know they made a mistake, but also give them room to learn from it. A parent shares how much their two-year-old girl loves the apps and how they helped develop her motor skills as well as memory skills while having fun!
Paid app. Available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Pros: The stickers it rewards the kids keep them motivated.
Cons: Doesn’t keep track of your progress or have learning metrics.
4. Endless Alphabet
Here’s a fun app that teaches kids some literacy skills. Endless Alphabet is a word-learning app that gets kids to form a word by dragging the alphabets into their respective place. The app produces the phonetic sound for each of the alphabet that’s being moved into its place. Our founder Chris Edwards, who’s also a mum of three, loves this app for the cute animation and great vocabulary selection (think words like ‘tangle’, ‘scrumptious’, and even ‘gargantuan’).
Paid app. Available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store (play the first seven words for free!).
Pros: Has free sample words so you can test it out.
Cons: Not well-rounded since it only focuses on the alphabet and vocabulary.
5. Bloom
Bloom is a fab music-making app that’s also a visual treat. Created by ambient music pioneer Brian Eno and fellow musician Peter Chilvers, this music-generating app is really simple and intuitive to use. But that’s not all – the app comes with mesmerising graphics in the form of colourful bubbles. Each tap ‘activates’ the bubbles, which are accompanied with lovely, soft sounds. Tapping around the screen will create more bubbles that play the sound at different pitches. Both you and your toddlers will enjoy this cause-and-effect ‘game’, especially since it plays such soothing music. What’s more, your little genius can create chilled-out tunes that you can relax to. Win-win!
Paid app. Available on Apple App Store.
Pros: The dreamy music and visuals are great for relaxing and encouraging creativity.
Cons: Has a limited scope and focuses more on sensory play rather than education.
6. My Very Hungry Caterpillar
Love the book? Your tot will love this app! Kids get to create their own version of The Very Hungry Caterpillar story in this open-ended activity app. From feeding the caterpillar (it’s very hungry, after all) to exploring the app’s universe with it, every day is a surprise as you get to unlock new activities. And yes, the caterpillar eventually goes into a cocoon and comes out as a butterfly – just like the book!
Free app. Available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Pros: The daily activities instill a sense of routine in the little ones.
Cons: It doesn’t have a lot of replayability since it’s limited to just the life cycle of the caterpillar.
7. Peekaboo Barn
As its name suggests, Peekaboo Barn is a peek-a-boo game in a farm setting. But don’t underestimate its simplicity – this app can entertain your tot for a good amount of time without being over-stimulating. In fact, your little one may even learn the names of farm animals as the app calls each out when the barn door opens. One of our HoneyKids mum, Kate, even recommends this for long plane rides!
Paid app. Available on Apple App Store.
Pros: The peak-a-boo mechanic is perfect for the kiddos.
Cons: Limited to just barn animals.
Tap into these apps that are fun and educational for the little ones!
