Baby and Kids
The Best Apps for Toddlers and Little Kids (Ages 2-7)
Whether you love it or hate it, screen time is sort of inevitable when you have children. If you want to help your child learn and give yourself a break (because what parent doesn’t need that), there are lots of high-quality apps that will keep kids engaged. I’m going to share the best educational apps for young children. Most are free and a few might seem pricey, but I promise you that they’re worth it. Here are the best apps for toddlers and preschoolers.
The Best Apps for Toddlers and Preschoolers
When I first became a mom, I was very anti-screen time. I kept screens away from my daughter until she was one year old. Then we traveled across the world with her when she was 13 months old, and I brought an iPad along. it saved us on that flight. My views started to change, and after having two more children, I’ve learned that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Screen time can be fun and the right apps can be a great learning tool for little kids. They also keep kids quiet and busy on flights and road trips.
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Is Screen Time Ok?
The American Academy of Pediatrics says to avoid giving young children too much screen time, and to limit to an hour a day.
My Screen Time “Rules”
I aim to keep things screen-free on school nights, but my kids watch cartoons and movies every weekend — just not on an iPad. Screen time is screen time, but I prefer that they not have screen time outside of our home unless we’re traveling. And sometimes, they’ll earn a little screen time, and I try to choose games that make learning fun.
Where to Get Apps and What Types of Apps to Look For
The Apple app store is full of options, but finding quality preschool games that offer a fun way to learn can make all the difference. Most of our favorite iPad apps combine both learning and play – some more than others – but it’s all about balance.
How to prevent a young child from accidentally leaving an app
I use guided access to “lock” the iPad in a game, so my girls can’t (and won’t) exit out of a game. These parental controls are ideal for younger toddlers who can’t help themselves from pushing the home button while playing a game. It ensures they won’t exit the game, and for older kids, will give them access to the app you’ve given them permission to use. And it’s pretty easy to set up. I never have to turn this on for my girls, but always turn it on for my 2 year old son. So let’s get into the best apps for little kids! Here are all our current favorites.
How to Set up Guided Access
Tap “Set Guided Access Passcode”, then enter a passcode. The only way to leave the app is to then enter the passcode.
The Best Apps for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Pok Pok
Pok Pok is newer to us and has been such a huge hit with my girls the last few months, and was designed for kids ages 2-7. It’s Montessori-inspired and low-stimulation, so it’s really simple and calm. The games are open-ended – my kids love building cities. It’s the one game I feel really good about them playing for longer periods of time. I’m partnering with Pok Pok in the coming months (on IG) and if you use my link, you’ll get 50% off Pok Pok’s annual subscription! I can’t say enough good things about this app. You can try the app free for 7 days and cancel if your child doesn’t love it, but I can’t imagine that happening.
Lingokids
Lingokids is one of the best learning apps for kids and was voted the #1 children’s learning app for a reason. It’s an educational app designed to make early learning both fun and engaging for little kids. With a wide range of interactive games, songs, and activities, it helps kids develop their language and math skills, and problem-solving skills, too. The app’s colorful, child-friendly interface keeps little ones engaged while offering age-appropriate lessons tailored to their developmental stages.
I love that it’s both a fun learning experience, and truly educational, encouraging kids to learn through playing fun games. And with over 1600 activities, kids can create and discover new educational games, quizzes, books, and songs each time they play and learn. Lingokids is a great tool for parents who want to learn more about early childhood education at home. Discover crafts, math games, yoga, recipes, and so much more with Lingokids.
Piknik Apps: Sago Mini School
Piknik is a preschool app bundle that includes several award-winning apps, including my kids’ all-time favorite, Sago Mini World and Sago Mini School. The interactive activities and educational content make it the perfect learning app for little kids. Kids can work on letter formation, phonics lessons, numbers, sight words, and more! Give your kids a head start on early literacy as they read along with Sago short stories. There are lots of different characters and worlds, so there’s something for everyone. Those two apps alone would be worth paying $11.99 per month. Use my link and DM25 for 25% off. And if you sign in, you can get all of Piknik’s apps on all of your devices!
Piknik Apps: Sago Mini World (my favorite toddler app!)
Sago Mini World is a must-have, and is my pick for the best app for young kids. This amazing app was the first thing that made my toddler smile when she was sick in the hospital, and at almost seven years old, she still loves it. Sago Mini World has over 35 fun mini games (or worlds) – so there’s something for everyone, and you can truly get lost in it, which, when you’re stuck inside or on a long trip, is key. Play with babies, travel to outer space, work at an an ice cream shop, or go camping. go to the zoo, the city, camping, and race cars. The game teaches your child through open-ended play, promotes fine motor skills, and allows each child to play in their own way. It’s a game, but it’s also a world, and both my girls have so much fun with it and even enjoy playing it together. I would recommend this app for ages 2-6. It’s our favorite of the fun and interactive apps for little kids.
Price: Get all 8 Piknik apps for $11.99 / Monthly
Peekaboo Barn and Peekaboo Wild
If you’re in a pinch and need to keep your baby toddler occupied, this is a great app 1-2 year olds. Both my girls liked these simple apps that teach toddlers animal sounds and animal names. Peekaboo Barn has been their favorite – tap on a barn to see and hear different farm animals. Kids interact by tapping on the screen, and a new animal appears. It’s a simple app, but I like the no crazy bells and whistles approach to this one. This app is great on mobile devices – I have it on my iPhone because small children have meltdowns, and you never know when you might need it.
Price: $1.99/each
Daniel Tiger’s Day and Night
This gem from PBS Kids is one of the best free toddler apps out there. Learn about morning and evening routines with Daniel tiger, who happens to be one of our favorite PBS characters. Decorate pancakes, brush teeth, get Daniel dressed, and get him ready for bed. This app is really simple and easy for toddlers and preschoolers to use. Play simple games with this interactive app.
Price: This is a free iPad app
Daniel Tiger Play at Home
Another free app from PBS that both my girls love. Play doctor, music, stickers, and wash, brush, and flush the potty in Daniel’s bathroom. Explore Daniel Tiger’s home with this fun and free app. Each activity helps little ones learn about routines, feelings, and taking care of themselves. The familiar characters and gentle music make it a comforting and engaging experience for preschoolers. It’s a really nice and calm app, so I feel like it sets the tone for a calm travel day.
Price: Free
Duplo World
The FREE version includes access to the Lego Duplo train, or make in-app purchases for $3.99. You can also gain access to everything for an annual fee. This is another open-ended game that features Duplo pieces, so if your kids love Duplo, they’ll recognize some of their sets. It’s great for preschoolers and kindergarteners, and supports multitouch, so two kids can play at the same time, or you can play with them. It’s definitely worth buying the full version because my kids were always trying to unlock more worlds within the app.
Price: Get unlimited access for $29.99 a year
World of Peppa Pig
Ok, so I think Peppa is kind of the worst. She’s a little rude and body shames her dad, and the show is kind of terrible. But – my kids love her. And while I do not personally care for Peppa, this app is actually pretty cute. It’s full of puzzles, activities, and games, and keeps the girls entertained. I do keep an eye on my older daughter when she plays it to make sure she’s actively playing and not just watching clips from the show.
Price: The app is free and contains a good amount of free content, but a subscription ($21.99 annually) will give you access to everything.
Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Pets
This is my favorite free app, and is great for preschool kids. It isn’t the most educational of the apps on this list, but it’s fun. Discover a world of Scribble Scrubbie Pets. Decorate them, care for and earn new pets, and play games. Kids will love washing off their pets and starting all over again with new colors and designs. It’s simple, creative, and mess-free.
Price: Free
