In today's fast-paced world, where parents often have busy schedules, finding new and exciting ways to entertain your child can be challenging. Luckily, there is an abundance of kids' apps to help struggling parents keep their little ones occupied as they run other errands. But for this to be beneficial, introducing technology and applications to kids must be handled with caution.
We want to help you achieve that! In this article, you will find our buying guide with some tips from Early Childhood Educator Och Gonzalez on how to choose an app for your kid, our top recommendations that you can easily download online, and other fun activities you could do with your child. Let's get started!
Quick List - Top Apps for Kids
Och Gonzalez has been an early childhood educator in Manila for over 20 years. As a preschool teacher and grade school academic coach, she has worked with young children and their families to achieve learning goals and address developmental concerns. She has created reading programs that aim to develop literacy skills and a love for reading in young children. She holds an MA in Education from the Ateneo de Manila University and is also the author of the children’s book, “Every Sunday.”
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
When approached correctly, kids' apps can be helpful to your child's development. As this study suggests, educational and interactive apps can support their cognitive development. Plus, they can work as additional learning tools. Using these applications can also help your little one develop their social skills and encourage them to think outside the box.
Fortunately, many of the kids' apps are developed in collaboration with experts and consultants in the educational field. This ensures that your little one is getting child-friendly content that's right for their age. There is also a wide selection of apps available for download, from entertainment apps such as YouTube Kids to educational ones like Khan Academy Kids.
It cannot be denied that today's generation is a digitally-savvy one, and they instinctively know how to navigate apps and handle smartphones or tablets better than earlier generations. Apps can get children interested in studying through fun and cool graphics. They may also offer a different learning path for children with disabilities who have difficulty in traditional modes of learning.
When choosing an app for your kid, consider factors like their age and interests. Evaluate the app's graphics, usability, and device compatibility, along with in-app purchases. You can also make informed decisions by checking app ratings and reviews. For detailed info, read through our buying guide below.
Before settling on an application, there are two main things to consider. First, you must check if it is compatible with your device and is easy to use. Fortunately, most kids' apps are compatible with both iOS and Android. You'll also find screenshots and previews on the App Store and Google Play which allow you to see the features of the app.
Knowing about the User Interface (UI) of the app is also an integral part of its usability. The better developed the UI, the more straightforward its features are, and the easier it is to understand and navigate. The experience should be fuss-free, with all the vital elements like the app's settings being easily accessible and always in view.
Any app should be user-friendly, but more so with apps for kids. The fonts should be clear and large, and the use of color should be efficient. A good app should be easily navigable by the child without having to go through complicated instructions. If an app is difficult to use, it pulls focus from the task at hand.
When choosing an application for your child, you must check whether it is appropriate for their age and maturity. Luckily, most apps come with an age recommendation. This is to avoid introducing ideas and themes that may be difficult to understand or are unsuitable for younger groups.
The maturity of your kid will also come into play. Some 8-year-olds may get bored if you let them play with an app with overly cute cartoons. On the other hand, there are apps for pre-teens with mature themes that may require parental guidance.
Apps offer a variety of learning approaches and formats that cater to different learning styles and paces. Teachers and parents can also take advantage of apps that allow customization of content based on a child's ability or developmental level. Unlike traditional pen-and-paper formats, apps also feature quizzes and exercises that provide immediate feedback to let children know if they are on the right track.
To get the most out of a kids' application, we recommend getting one in line with your child's interests. You want to make sure that your little one enjoys using it so that they wouldn't see it as a chore. Try to observe what they like to do so that you can choose an app that will hold their attention and develop their skills. Learn more by scrolling down below!
Aside from interests, look for apps that offer a wide range of activities so you can develop different kinds of skills, expose your child to different game mechanics or quiz formats, and expand their learning. That way, you get extra value from the app.
Whether your kid is interested in coding, literature, science, or math, there is surely an app for them! Educational apps help your child hone their skills in their field of interest. For instance, there are some applications that teach kids to solve math problems using colorful graphics.
There are also others that present scientific concepts in a fun and interesting way. If your little one likes reading and writing, most apps have interactive features and audiobooks to help them develop their skills. And if they're already interested in coding, some applications offer just that!
If your little one is interested in the arts, we suggest downloading art-related applications that can help them hone their craft at an early age. For younger children, there are coloring apps and drawing apps that allow them to unleash their creativity. On the other hand, some apps offer virtual museum tours that older children would probably like.
If your child loves to sing or dance, we suggest downloading entertainment apps for them. There are tons of karaoke and dance applications that you can download online. Apps like Karaoke for Kids and Just Dance Now encourage your little one to get up and move. You can even get the whole family involved to add to the fun!
Besides keeping your child active, entertainment apps can also enhance their social skills and teach them good sportsmanship. However, if your little one prefers to sit down and relax, you can download streaming apps such as YouTube Kids and GoNoodle to keep them entertained.
Kids' attention spans aren't as long as adults'. So, if you're hoping to download an app that can keep your little one entertained, we suggest getting one that is aesthetically pleasing. Select an application with colorful graphics and sounds to capture your child's attention and make them learn at the same time.
One example is Lingokids, which has fun activities that center on critical thinking and problem-solving. There are also apps like GoNoodle that encourage children to play and actively participate. If your child is a visual learner, they will definitely enjoy watching educational videos on YouTube Kids.
There are several kids' apps that you can download for free. But more often than not, they also come with optional in-app purchases and premium accounts. Paid accounts often come with additional features that offer more games and video content or even an ad-free experience.
If it is possible, we recommend downloading paid applications. Paying for an app can prevent advertisements from popping up and leading to accidental purchases. However, we know that this may not be possible for everyone. Instead, we suggest teaching your kid to be wary of in-app purchases and how to exit ads.
Another thing to watch out for in apps are sharing features. In some cases, app developers know how powerful the lure of social media is and include a sharing or messaging feature in their designs. Try to avoid apps like these if you'd rather not have your child exposed to social media yet. Take the time to teach them as well about internet safety and how to respond to ads that they might accidentally encounter.
When searching for kids' apps on the App Store or Google Play, the results can be biased since those at the top of the list are likely the ones with the most downloads. That is why we recommend considering the app's ratings and reading up on reviews.
Learning more about the app through the perspective of others can help you see if it is the right fit for your child and their needs. Thankfully, there are plenty of parenting forums and organizations like Common Sense Media, which are filled with TV shows, movies, and app reviews by parents, teachers, and guardians.
If you can, preview the app first before installing or purchasing, even if it's highly recommended and age-appropriate. It's also wise to take a look at the designer - apps designed by educational institutions would most likely offer the greatest value.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type | Compatibility | Age Recommendation | Key Features | In-App Purchases | App Store Rating | Google Play Rating | |||||
1 | Khan Academy Khan Academy Kids | ![]() | The Ultimate Educational App for Young Learners | Educational | iOS, Android | Ages 2 to 8 | Educational Lessons, Games and Videos, Library of Books, Kid-Friendly Curriculum, Offline Access, Songs From Super Simple | 4.8/5 With 895 Ratings | 4.8/5 With 42.8K Reviews | ||
2 | Google LLC YouTube Kids | ![]() | Child-Friendly Streaming App With Screen Time Controls | Entertainment | iOS, Android | Age 4+ | Filtered Videos, Parental Controls, Create Up to Eight Child Profiles | 4.7/5 With 76.2K Ratings | 4.5/5 With 2.58M Reviews | ||
3 | TinyTap TinyTap | ![]() | Showcases Educational Games Designed by Teachers for Preschoolers | Educational | iOS, Android | Ages 2 to 7 | Learning Games Made by Teachers, Ad-Free, Kid-Friendly Navigation, Gamified Learning Plan, Play Games Offline, Parent’s Dashboard | From ₱ 409 to ₱ 4,990 | 4.4/5 With 516 Ratings | 4.7 With 30.7K Reviews | |
4 | Epic Creations, Inc. Epic | ![]() | A Book Reader and Educational App for Kids 12 and Under | Educational | iOS, Android | Ages 3 to 12 | 40K+ Books, Audiobooks, and Learning Videos, Download Books to Read Offline, Multilingual, Fun Rewards and Learning Tools | From ₱ 249 to ₱ 4,490 | 4.4/5 With 1.8K Ratings | 4/5 With 88.5K Reviews | |
5 | RV AppStudios Coloring Games | ![]() | A Coloring App That Your Little Artist Will Love | Arts | iOS, Android | Ages 0 to 5 | Creative Drawing and Painting Tools, Multiple Modes, Easy to Understand Interface, Create Multiple Profiles, Customize Settings, No Ads, No In-App Purchases | None | 4.6/5 With 78 Ratings | 4.3/5 With 72.4K Reviews | |
6 | Toca Boca Toca Life World | ![]() | An App That Lets Kids Create Their Virtual Worlds | Entertainment | iOS, Android | Ages 6 to 8 | Explore Different Locations, Create Characters, Get Exclusive Gifts Weekly | From ₱ 49 to ₱ 299 | 4/5 With 15.9K Ratings | 4.3/5 With 5.48M Reviews | |
7 | Originator Inc. Endless Numbers | ![]() | A Fun Way to Introduce Numbers to Your Kids | Educational | iOS, Android | Ages 0 to 5 | Delightful Animations, Interactive Number Puzzles | From ₱ 399 to ₱ 799 | 4.5/5 With 51 Ratings | 4.3/5 With 5.3K Reviews | |
8 | Monkimun Inc Lingokids | ![]() | Helps Sharpen Your Child's Literacy Skills | Educational | iOS, Android | Ages 2 to 8 | 1.2K+ Educational Games and Videos, Subjects, Themes & Levels That Grow With Your Child, Track Progress & Achievements, Ad-Free, Teacher-Approved | From ₱ 419 to ₱ 4,690 | 4.3/5 With 14.9K Ratings | 4.3/5 With 169K Reviews | |
9 | Raising Children Network Baby Karaoke | ![]() | A Karaoke-Style App for Toddlers Who Love to Sing | Entertainment | iOS, Android | Ages 4+ | Animated Videos With the Words and Tunes of Popular Children’s Songs and Nursery Rhymes | None | 5/5 With 3 Ratings | 4.2/5 With 345 Reviews | |
10 | Ubisoft Just Dance Now | ![]() | Get Active With Your Kid Using This Fun Dance App | Entertainment | iOS, Android | Ages 4+ | 700+ Top Global Hits With Choreography and Gameplay, New Songs Added Every Month, Customize Playlist, Linked to Apple Healthkit, Play on Any Internet-Connected Screen | From ₱ 49 to ₱ 1,290 | 4.3/5 With 2.5K Ratings | 3.7/5 With 1.15M Reviews |
If you're searching for a fun and educational app for your little one, then Khan Academy Kids is the perfect choice! It is completely free, focusing on providing learning tools for children aged 2 to 8. It also includes features such as printable worksheets and Circle Time, which allows both kids and parents to access interactive videos.
Moreover, this app introduces children to subjects such as literacy, writing, language, and math. In addition, it still encourages them to think creatively and develop their social skills. As such, this app's adaptive learning makes it a top choice for parents supplementing their child's homeschooling.
Type | Educational |
---|---|
Compatibility | iOS, Android |
Age Recommendation | Ages 2 to 8 |
Key Features | Educational Lessons, Games and Videos, Library of Books, Kid-Friendly Curriculum, Offline Access, Songs From Super Simple |
In-App Purchases | |
App Store Rating | 4.8/5 With 895 Ratings |
Google Play Rating | 4.8/5 With 42.8K Reviews |
YouTube Kids is an app that enables children to watch age-appropriate videos. It's ideally suited for kids aged 4 and above, featuring child-friendly content such as educational videos and cartoons. Compared to its parent site, the app provides a more controlled experience with settings that allow parents to limit the type and amount of accessible content.
Parents can manage their children's viewing experience by flagging inappropriate content and blocking specific videos. The app also includes a screen time feature, allowing parents to set time limits on their children's viewing. Reviewers highly appreciate this feature, as it encourages children to return the device once they've exceeded their screen time limit.
Type | Entertainment |
---|---|
Compatibility | iOS, Android |
Age Recommendation | Age 4+ |
Key Features | Filtered Videos, Parental Controls, Create Up to Eight Child Profiles |
In-App Purchases | |
App Store Rating | 4.7/5 With 76.2K Ratings |
Google Play Rating | 4.5/5 With 2.58M Reviews |
Type | Educational |
---|---|
Compatibility | iOS, Android |
Age Recommendation | Ages 2 to 7 |
Key Features | Learning Games Made by Teachers, Ad-Free, Kid-Friendly Navigation, Gamified Learning Plan, Play Games Offline, Parent’s Dashboard |
In-App Purchases | From ₱ 409 to ₱ 4,990 |
App Store Rating | 4.4/5 With 516 Ratings |
Google Play Rating | 4.7 With 30.7K Reviews |
Epic is an excellent app for kids under 12, providing access to over 40,000 high-quality books and videos. Your kid can also enjoy a wide selection of Read-To-Me books and audiobooks. There is even an option to download the books, so your child can read their favorite stories offline.
It is also free to download, but you can subscribe to its monthly or annual plans for full access. Subscribers can create multiple profiles, receiving personalized recommendations based on each child's habits and interests. This app is incredibly useful for homeschooling as it offers educational and non-fiction books in various languages like Spanish, French, and Chinese.
Type | Educational |
---|---|
Compatibility | iOS, Android |
Age Recommendation | Ages 3 to 12 |
Key Features | 40K+ Books, Audiobooks, and Learning Videos, Download Books to Read Offline, Multilingual, Fun Rewards and Learning Tools |
In-App Purchases | From ₱ 249 to ₱ 4,490 |
App Store Rating | 4.4/5 With 1.8K Ratings |
Google Play Rating | 4/5 With 88.5K Reviews |
Type | Arts |
---|---|
Compatibility | iOS, Android |
Age Recommendation | Ages 0 to 5 |
Key Features | Creative Drawing and Painting Tools, Multiple Modes, Easy to Understand Interface, Create Multiple Profiles, Customize Settings, No Ads, No In-App Purchases |
In-App Purchases | None |
App Store Rating | 4.6/5 With 78 Ratings |
Google Play Rating | 4.3/5 With 72.4K Reviews |
Type | Entertainment |
---|---|
Compatibility | iOS, Android |
Age Recommendation | Ages 6 to 8 |
Key Features | Explore Different Locations, Create Characters, Get Exclusive Gifts Weekly |
In-App Purchases | From ₱ 49 to ₱ 299 |
App Store Rating | 4/5 With 15.9K Ratings |
Google Play Rating | 4.3/5 With 5.48M Reviews |
Type | Educational |
---|---|
Compatibility | iOS, Android |
Age Recommendation | Ages 0 to 5 |
Key Features | Delightful Animations, Interactive Number Puzzles |
In-App Purchases | From ₱ 399 to ₱ 799 |
App Store Rating | 4.5/5 With 51 Ratings |
Google Play Rating | 4.3/5 With 5.3K Reviews |
Develop your child's basic literacy skills with Lingokids! This learning app boasts over 1200 games, videos, and audiobooks. You can opt for either the free or premium paid versions, both ad-free and kidSAFE certified. Lingokids also allows you to download their games on any mobile device for offline play.
The activities emphasize critical thinking and problem-solving skills while encouraging creativity and collaboration. Within the app, there's even a section for parents to set reminders and monitor their child's progress. According to reviews, Lingokids runs smoothly, with some parents reporting significant improvements in their children's school performance.
Type | Educational |
---|---|
Compatibility | iOS, Android |
Age Recommendation | Ages 2 to 8 |
Key Features | 1.2K+ Educational Games and Videos, Subjects, Themes & Levels That Grow With Your Child, Track Progress & Achievements, Ad-Free, Teacher-Approved |
In-App Purchases | From ₱ 419 to ₱ 4,690 |
App Store Rating | 4.3/5 With 14.9K Ratings |
Google Play Rating | 4.3/5 With 169K Reviews |
Type | Entertainment |
---|---|
Compatibility | iOS, Android |
Age Recommendation | Ages 4+ |
Key Features | Animated Videos With the Words and Tunes of Popular Children’s Songs and Nursery Rhymes |
In-App Purchases | None |
App Store Rating | 5/5 With 3 Ratings |
Google Play Rating | 4.2/5 With 345 Reviews |
Just Dance Now is an interactive and energetic game that will get you and your kids up on your feet in no time! The original game was first on Wii and game consoles. Now, parents and kids can access this rhythm-and-dance game on their phones and tablets!
The app has over 700 choreographed routines of top global hits, with fresh content added every month. Parents and kids can also collaborate to make customized playlists with their favorite songs. You can even link the app to any internet-connected screen for a more immersive experience.
Type | Entertainment |
---|---|
Compatibility | iOS, Android |
Age Recommendation | Ages 4+ |
Key Features | 700+ Top Global Hits With Choreography and Gameplay, New Songs Added Every Month, Customize Playlist, Linked to Apple Healthkit, Play on Any Internet-Connected Screen |
In-App Purchases | From ₱ 49 to ₱ 1,290 |
App Store Rating | 4.3/5 With 2.5K Ratings |
Google Play Rating | 3.7/5 With 1.15M Reviews |
If you're still a bit confused as to which app to download for your child, don't fret! Early Childhood Educator Och Gonzalez answers some of the most asked questions on the Internet below.
For children between 2 to 5 years old, an hour of screen time or less per day is enough. It's also recommended to impose a 20-20-20 rule: instead of staying online for a full hour, divide the time into 20-minute periods with breaks in between to rest their eyes.
For older kids, it's best to give them a maximum of 2 hours per day. More than that, and it can be detrimental to their health and cause disruptions in sleep patterns, behavior, and attention spans.
It's best to wait until your child is at least preschool age before exposing them to tablets or phones. Toddlers learn best with hands-on explorations and having them sit quietly in a corner with a device greatly limits their learning. And when the time comes for your child to use a tablet or phone, always make sure to supervise them, even if they are engaging with child-friendly apps.
Both methods have their own pros and cons, and the bottom line is, it all depends on how they are used. Apps offer individualized learning and immediate feedback with the tap of a finger, while workbooks and worksheets require more time and effort.
However, there's also something to be said about effort in terms of developing grit and perseverance. Traditional modes of learning still have value in terms of instilling work ethic and teaching patience.
With the wide range of educational apps today, screen time can be used as wisely as possible. However, take care not to give your child free rein over their device and be firm when imposing time limits.
And as with everything else when it comes to parenting, healthy role modeling is crucial. Make sure your child sees you unplugging as well and spending time doing real-life activities.
Is your kid's birthday coming up? Or are you looking to surprise them with a couple of gifts? Well, you're in luck! We've included links to products that we think your little one will enjoy and appreciate.
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Author: Mariah Hannah Beatrice G. Caga
Re-editors: Aprille Jarcia, Mic Florendo
Reviewed By: Early Childhood Educator, Och Gonzalez
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from the App Store, Google Play, and more.
No. 1: Khan Academy|Khan Academy Kids
No. 2: Google LLC|YouTube Kids
No. 3: TinyTap|TinyTap
No. 4: Epic Creations, Inc.|Epic
No. 5: RV AppStudios|Coloring Games
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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