The kids' software directory
Early learning (ages 2-6)
All-in-one apps and sites for the youngest learners.
- 103 researched
- 3 to know about
Peabody's own: games for 5 year olds, and every age up. It is ours, so it is not in the list below and we do not rate it.
Researched by Peabody
Facts from each maker's own pages (terms, pricing, privacy), with our one-line take. A to Z; we rank nothing until we have tried it.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
ABCmouse
Age of Learning, Inc. ยท ages about 2-6 (preschool to kindergarten)
A full preschool program for families who want one paid app; cancel carefully and watch the reward loop.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Animated Drawings
Meta (FAIR research) ยท ages run by adults; drawings by kids about 3-10
A fun parent-run activity with a child's drawing if you read the consent screen and click Disagree unless you want the drawing in a dataset; skip if your child would use it alone.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Bedtime Math
Bedtime Math Foundation (nonprofit) ยท ages about 3-9
A good pick for parents of 3-9 year olds who want a five-minute math chat at bedtime; families looking for an app a child can use alone should skip it.
Desk researchPaid
Bedtimestory.ai
Bedtimestory AI ยท ages about 3-8 (bedtime stories read by a parent)
Fine for a parent who wants quick custom bedtime stories and reads them first; families who want clear child-privacy promises should look elsewhere.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Bee-Bot and Blue-Bot
TTS (RM Educational Resources) ยท ages about 3-7 (Blue-Bot also used into Key Stage 2)
A proven, privacy-light first robot for ages 3-7; older kids will outgrow it quickly.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Blipblox
Playtime Engineering ยท ages 3+ (safety-certified; built for all ages)
A lasting music-making toy for families who will use it across ages; parents wanting a cheap first instrument can start smaller.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Boogie Board Scribble Pals
Buffalo Games (Boogie Board brand) ยท ages 3+
A cheap, data-free doodle toy for preschoolers on the go; older kids will want a bigger board.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Book Dash
Book Dash (South African nonprofit) ยท ages about 0-6
A fine free source of diverse picture books, especially for families who speak South African languages; parents wanting an interactive reading app should look elsewhere.
Desk researchThrough schoolsNo ads
Boost Reading
Amplify Education, Inc. ยท ages grades K-5 (about 5-11)
Worth asking about if your child's school uses Amplify CKLA or mCLASS; families cannot buy it on their own.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Botley the Coding Robot
Learning Resources ยท ages about 5-9 (grades K-3)
A good first coding toy for kindergarten to second grade, especially for families avoiding screens; kids already coding on tablets may find it too simple.
Desk researchPaid
Brightwheel
Brightwheel ยท ages mostly 0-5, plus school-age kids in camps and afterschool programs
Useful if your child care uses it; check the photo and marketing settings, since the privacy policy reads like a general commercial app's.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Buddy.ai
Buddy.ai ยท ages about 3-8
Engaging speaking practice for preschoolers learning English; privacy-minded parents should skip the recording consent or delete data regularly.
Desk researchPaid
Childbook.ai
Childbook.ai (operated from Poland) ยท ages made by adults; books aimed at about 2-8
For parents or teachers making custom picture books; a child should not use it directly.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set
Learning Resources ยท ages about 4-8
A good first coding toy for ages 4-7 who learn best with their hands; older kids who already code on a screen can skip it.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
codeSpark (Begin Learning)
Begin (Conscious Content Media, Inc.) ยท ages 3-10
A well-made first coding game for ages 3-7; families should set a reminder before the free trial renews and compare with free ScratchJr.
Desk researchFree
CoolMath4Kids
Coolmath.com LLC ยท ages about 5-12
A safer, more math-focused choice than Coolmath Games for under-13s; families wanting ad-free or tracked progress should look elsewhere.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Crayola free coloring pages
Crayola, LLC (Hallmark) ยท ages about 2 and up
A quick, free source of printables for young kids; parents should do the photo uploads themselves.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Cubetto+
Primo Toys (MORAVIA) ยท ages about 3-6
A strong choice for parents of 3- to 6-year-olds who want coding play with no screens and no data; older kids will want something more open.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Curio plush (Grem, Grok, Gabbo)
Curio Interactive ยท ages about 3-12
One of the more careful AI plush toys on paper, but it is still an open chatbot for small children; suits parents who will read transcripts, while families who want no AI conversations should skip it.
Desk researchFree
DLTK's Crafts for Kids
DLTK's Inc. (family-run, Canada) ยท ages about 2-8
A handy free printables source for parents of preschoolers who don't mind ads; families wanting an ad-free site should look elsewhere.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
DragonBox
Kahoot! (Kahoot DragonBox AS) ยท ages about 4-14 (Numbers from 4; Algebra 12+ for older kids)
A good pick for families who want playful, self-paced math puzzles on a tablet and don't mind a subscription; skip it if you want free tools or a full curriculum.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
DREME Family Math
DREME Network (Stanford University) ยท ages about 0-8 (focus on preschool)
A useful free idea bank for parents of toddlers and preschoolers who want to weave math into daily life; families after a structured app or curriculum should look elsewhere.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Duck Duck Moose apps
Duck Duck Moose, LLC (part of Khan Academy) ยท ages about 2-10
Fine free picks for toddlers and preschoolers, but families wanting a maintained, all-in-one app may prefer Khan Academy Kids.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Duolingo ABC
Duolingo, Inc. ยท ages about 3-8 (preschool to grade 2)
One of the safest free phonics apps for preschool and kindergarten; kids reading chapter books are past it.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Ello
Ello Technology, Inc. ยท ages about 5-9 (grades K-5 per the app listing)
A strong fit for a beginning reader age 5-8 whose parent is comfortable with voice recording; families wanting no microphone use or several kids on one plan should look elsewhere.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Endless Alphabet (Originator)
Originator Inc. ยท ages about 2-6
A well-loved, low-stress first-letters app worth a one-time purchase; not a full reading program.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Epic
Epic Kids Inc. ยท ages about 2-12
Good for families who want lots of books on a tablet; a child who cannot yet decode will need a phonics program alongside it.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Foundations A-Z
Learning A-Z (LAZEL, Inc., a Cambium Learning Group company) ยท ages about 5-11 (grades K-5)
A solid choice for K-5 teachers or homeschool families who want a structured phonics plan; parents of a child who already reads well will get little from it.
Desk researchThrough schools
Fundations
Wilson Language Training ยท ages grades K-5
A solid school phonics core for early grades; parents mostly meet it through their child's school.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Global Digital Library
Norad (Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation) ยท ages about 3-10 (emergent readers to grade 4 math)
A decent free leveled-reading and early-math source, especially for multilingual families; decline marketing cookies when the banner appears.
Desk researchFree
GoNoodle
GoNoodle, Inc. ยท ages about 4-10 (pre-K to grade 5)
A fun free way to add movement breaks; parents should expect branded, sponsored content.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Gus on the Go
toojuice, LLC ยท ages about 2-8
A cheap, gentle first taste of a new or heritage language for little kids; not enough on its own to build real fluency.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
HOMER
Begin (Conscious Content Media, Inc.) ยท ages about 2-8
A gentle, well-made start for toddlers and preschoolers; parents of confident readers will get more from a library app.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Hooked on Phonics
Hooked & Company, Inc. ยท ages about 3-8 (Pre-K to grade 2)
Good for parents who want a ready-made phonics plan with physical books; families on a budget can get similar phonics free elsewhere.
Desk researchThrough schoolsNo ads
Ignite by Hatch
Hatch Early Learning (Hatch, Inc.) ยท ages about 3-5 (pre-K)
A purpose-built pre-K classroom app; ask your program how much screen time it uses and what child data it shares with Hatch.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Kanopy (Kanopy Kids)
Kanopy, Inc. (policies published by OverDrive) ยท ages Kanopy Kids: about 2-8; main catalog: teens and adults
A good free, ad-free video shelf for young children when a parent sets up Kanopy Kids; check whether your library subscribes.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Khan Academy Kids
Khan Academy (nonprofit) ยท ages 2-8 (preschool to grade 2)
An easy first learning app for preschool and early grades; families who want a structured phonics program may want to pair it with one.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
KIBO
KinderLab Robotics ยท ages about 4-11 (pre-K to grade 5)
A well-researched, data-free coding kit for ages 4-11 that suits schools and committed families; the price is the main barrier.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Kiddopia
Paper Boat Apps Pvt Ltd (Kiddopia, Inc.) ยท ages about 2-7
Suits families who want one big, ad-free preschool app with lots of variety; skip it if you prefer fewer, deeper activities or no subscription.
Desk researchPaid
Kids Eat in Color
Kids Eat in Color, LLC ยท ages for parents of kids 0-18; BetterBites targets ages 1-5
Worth a look for parents worried about a young picky eater who want daily coaching; a child with weight loss or severe food refusal needs a doctor first.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Kinedu
Kinedu, Inc. (Kinedu SAPI de CV) ยท ages parents of children from pregnancy to 4 years
Helpful for new parents who want daily play ideas; skip it if you dislike subscriptions or comparing your baby with charts, and talk to a pediatrician about real concerns.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
KiwiCo
KiwiCo, Inc. ยท ages 0-100 (crate lines by age)
A convenient way to bring regular hands-on building into the home; families on a budget can find free project guides instead.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Kodable
SurfScore, Inc. (Kodable Education) ยท ages about 5-11 (grades K-5)
A solid first coding path for K-5 at school or home; families after free tools may prefer Scratch or Code.org.
Desk researchThrough schoolsNo ads
Lalilo
Renaissance ยท ages grades K-2 (about 5-8)
Fine as classroom phonics practice if your school uses it; families cannot buy it directly.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
LeapFrog Academy
LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (owned by VTech) ยท ages about 3-6
A gentle, ad-free practice app for preschoolers and kindergartners; families who want free options or fewer rewards may prefer other apps.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Lingokids
Lingokids ยท ages about 2-8
A safe, ad-free screen-time app for preschoolers; parents who want focused reading instruction should pick a phonics app instead.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Little Bins for Little Hands
Little Bins for Little Hands ยท ages about 3-13 (preschool to middle school)
A go-to free idea bank for parents and teachers of young kids; expect lots of ads and supervise the messier experiments.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Little Passports
Little Passports, Inc., a Begin brand (Conscious Content Media, Inc.) ยท ages about 3-12
A good gift or monthly ritual for curious kids who like making things; families on a tight budget can find similar projects for free.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Lovevery Play Kits
Lovevery ยท ages 0-4
Suits parents who want curated, screen-free toys and like a subscription; budget-minded families can find similar toys one at a time.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Luka AI Reading Robot
Luka AI (Ling Technology; Lingverse Technology Pte. Ltd. and Luka (Beijing) Intelligent Technology Co.) ยท ages about 2-8
May suit families wanting a picture-book reader for preschoolers, but read the privacy terms carefully first; families wary of cameras and overseas data handling should skip it.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
MatataStudio Coding Set Pro
MatataStudio (Matatalab) ยท ages about 4-9 (maker recommends 5 and up)
A rich, offline coding kit for ages 5-8; families who already have a button robot may not need it.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
MatataStudio Tale-Bot Pro
MatataStudio (Matatalab) ยท ages 3+
A gentle first robot for ages 3-6 that keeps screens out; kids past kindergarten will want something with more depth.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Math Learning Center Apps (Math MultiApp)
The Math Learning Center (nonprofit) ยท ages grades K-8 (about 5-14)
A clean, free toolbox for parents and teachers who already know what to teach; children looking for a self-guided math game will be bored.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Miko 3
Miko (Emotix) ยท ages about 5-10
Suits families who want a full-featured talking robot for ages 5-10 and are comfortable with a camera, cloud AI and a subscription; privacy-minded families should look at screen-free, offline robots instead.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Miko Mini
Miko (Emotix) ยท ages about 5-10
Suits families who want a talking learning robot for ages 5-10 and accept a camera, cloud processing and a subscription; families wary of always-listening devices should skip it.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Montessori Preschool (Edoki)
Edoki Academy (operated by Bayard) ยท ages about 3-7
A good structured choice for families drawn to Montessori learning at ages 3-7; check which plan the trial converts to before starting it.
Desk researchFree
Mr Printables
Mr Printables ยท ages about 2-8
A pretty source of free printables for parents of preschoolers; download the sheets yourself rather than letting a child browse an ad-supported site with no readable privacy policy.
Desk researchFree
Noodle Loaf
Dan Saks ยท ages about 3-9
A lovely free pick for families who want musical play without screens; not for kids ready to learn an instrument.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Novel Effect
Novel Effect, Inc. ยท ages preschool and elementary, read with an adult
A fun storytime add-on for families and classrooms that already own the books; skip it if you'd rather not have a microphone on during reading.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Numberblocks apps
Alphablocks Ltd and Blue Zoo Productions ยท ages about 3-6
Great for preschoolers who love the show and need a visual feel for numbers; pair it with hands-on practice, since much of it is watching.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Oscar Stories
HeyQQ GmbH ยท ages about 3-8 (App Store: made for ages 6-8)
A good fit for parents of young children who want quick moral-of-the-story bedtime tales on a phone; skip if you want the child to do the writing.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Osmo
Play Osmo Inc. (formerly Tangible Play) ยท ages about 3-10
Still a good hands-on option for ages 3-10 if you check device compatibility and accept the company's fragile history; buy from the official store and do not expect every old game.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Oxford Owl
Oxford University Press ยท ages about 3-11
A strong free reading shelf for ages 3-11, especially for families using UK phonics schemes; U.S. parents will need to translate the levels.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
PBS KIDS Games (app and site)
PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) ยท ages about 2-8
A safe first stop for preschool and early-grade kids; families wanting a structured learning path should look elsewhere.
Desk researchFree
PBS KIDS Summer of Adventure
PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) ยท ages about 2-8
Handy for parents of preschoolers and early grade-schoolers who want low-cost summer ideas; families wanting a summer learning plan with tracking should look elsewhere.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Peekaboo Barn
Peekaboo Interactive Games (Big Happy Holding Company / BHHC LLC); originally Night & Day Studios ยท ages about 1-4
A gentle, one-time-purchase first app for toddlers; older preschoolers will outgrow it fast.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Pinna
Pinna LLC ยท ages 3-12
A good pick for families who want curated, ad-free audio for kids 3 to 12; less needed if a library app covers you.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Pok Pok
Pok Pok Inc. ยท ages about 2-8
A strong pick for parents who want gentle, open-ended play for preschoolers; skip it if you want structured lessons with progress reports.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Reach All Readers
Anna Geiger (formerly The Measured Mom) ยท ages about 5-9 (grades K-3); the site is for adults
Worth a look for K-3 teachers and homeschooling parents who want structured phonics printables; families wanting an app their child uses alone should skip it.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Read Along by Google
Google ยท ages about 5-10 (early primary readers)
A good free first choice for early readers on Android or the web; families wanting a full phonics course should pair it with something more structured.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Reading Eggs
3P Learning ยท ages about 2-13
A reasonable all-in-one reading and math subscription for ages 3-8; check the auto-renewal date before the trial ends.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Sago Mini
Sago Sago Toys Inc. (Piknik, a Spin Master company) ยท ages about 2-5
A gentle, ad-free subscription for 2-5-year-olds; skip if you want free apps or measurable skills practice.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
ScratchJr
DevTech Research Group at Boston College and the Scratch Foundation ยท ages 5-7
An easy yes for families and teachers of 5-7-year-olds who want a calm, creative first coding app; older kids will outgrow it quickly.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Seek by iNaturalist
iNaturalist (nonprofit) ยท ages about 5-12 (App Store: made for ages 9-11)
The safest first nature-ID app for young kids; pair it with an adult before anyone touches or tastes what it names.
Desk researchThrough schoolsNo ads
Seesaw
Seesaw Learning ยท ages about 4-12 (PreK-grade 6)
A good fit for elementary schools that want kids to show their thinking and keep families in the loop; families cannot sign up on their own.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Sesame Street (games and apps)
Sesame Workshop ยท ages about 2-5
A good free pick for preschoolers who love the characters; check who made any Sesame-branded app before paying.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Snorble
Snorble Inc. ยท ages about 2-7
May suit families of preschoolers who want help with bedtime routines and accept a listening device in the room; skip it if you want a proven, available product with clear ongoing costs.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Sphero indi
Sphero ยท ages grades PreK-3 (about 4-9)
A good fit for pre-K to grade 3 classrooms and families who want screen-free coding; children past early grades will outgrow it.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
SplashLearn
StudyPad, Inc. ยท ages 2-11 (preschool to grade 5)
A playful math and phonics option for preschool to grade 5 if you're happy to pay; families who want free or evidence-backed tools have other choices.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Starfall
Starfall Education Foundation (nonprofit) ยท ages about 3-11 (Pre-K to grade 5)
A safe, low-cost pick for preschool and early grades, especially for families who want no ads and no data collection.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Stop Motion Studio
Cateater, LLC ยท ages about 5-14+
One of the safest creative apps for kids of almost any age; skip only if your child wants drawn rather than photographed animation.
Desk researchFree
Storyberries
Smart Projects Consulting Pty Ltd (Australia) ยท ages 0-12 (sorted as 0-3, 4-6, 7-12)
Handy for a grown-up looking for a quick free story to read together; not a site to hand a child alone because of tracking ads.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Storyline Online
SAG-AFTRA Foundation (nonprofit) ยท ages about 3-10 (picture books; no age range stated)
A lovely free read-aloud option for young kids, best used on the website or app rather than YouTube itself.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Storynory
Storynory Ltd (UK) ยท ages young children to preteens; family listening
One of the most private free story options found; good for bedtime and car rides, and parents should use the website or podcast rather than look-alike apps.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
StoryToys
StoryToys Limited ยท ages about 2-8
Fun for preschoolers who love these characters; parents should turn on purchase controls and expect a branded experience.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Synthesis Tutor
Synthesis School, Inc. ยท ages 5-11
Worth a free trial for curious 5-to-11-year-olds who like math puzzles; families on a budget can get similar practice elsewhere for less.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Teach Your Monster to Read
Teach Your Monster Ltd (The Usborne Foundation) ยท ages about 3-6 (early phonics)
A great free phonics game for preschool and kindergarten on a computer; older readers will outgrow it fast.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
The Math Learning Center (free math apps)
The Math Learning Center (nonprofit) ยท ages about 4-11 (PreK to grade 5)
A great free set of hands-on math tools for parents and teachers of young kids; families wanting a self-paced lesson app should pair it with something else.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Thinkrolls (Avokiddo)
Avokiddo Ltd ยท ages about 2-8
A good fit for iPad families who want puzzle-based thinking games for preschool and early grades; Android and Chromebook homes can't use it.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
This Reading Mama
Becky Spence (This Reading Mama, LLC) ยท ages about 3-9 (preschool to early grades); the site is for adults
A useful printable source for parents and teachers of beginning readers; families who dislike ad-heavy sites may prefer the paid library.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
TinkerLab
Rachelle Doorley (TinkerLab) ยท ages about 2-8
A good idea source for parents and preschool teachers who want messy, creative art time; families wanting an app a child uses alone should look elsewhere.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Tinybop
Tinybop, Inc. ยท ages about 4-10
Great for curious kids who like to tinker and explore science; not for parents who want guided lessons or progress tracking.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Todo English
Enuma ยท ages about 5-10
A well-built English starter for young non-native speakers; weigh the monthly cost and voice recording.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Todo Math
Enuma, Inc. ยท ages about 3-9 (PreK-grade 3)
A solid early-math app for ages 3-8, especially for kids who need accessibility features; skip it if you don't want a yearly subscription.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Toniebox 2
tonies ยท ages about 1-12
A simple, sturdy audio player for toddlers and young kids; plan for the ongoing cost of figures.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Toy Theater
Toy Theater ยท ages grades K-5
A dependable free pick for K-5 math and reading practice in class or at home; not an AI tool.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Unite for Literacy
Unite for Literacy ยท ages about 2-7
A safe free pick for toddlers, preschoolers and multilingual families; school-age readers will want a bigger library.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Vooks
Vooks, Inc. ยท ages picture-book age (about pre-K to grade 3); Creator app 4-10+
A calm, ad-free story app for preschoolers and early readers; check your library's free options first.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Vroom
Bezos Family Foundation ยท ages birth-5 (for their parents and caregivers)
An easy, free source of everyday play ideas for parents of babies and preschoolers; parents wanting a structured curriculum or a kid-facing app should look elsewhere.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Worksheetfun
Worksheetfun ยท ages about 3-10 (preschool to grade 5)
Handy for parents who want quick free paper practice for preschool and early grades; families looking for a structured program or adaptive practice will need something else.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Yoto Player
Yoto ยท ages toddlers to about 10+ (cards sorted 0-2 up to 9+)
A simple, low-risk audio player for young children; budget for cards or a Club plan over time.
Desk researchFree
YouTube Kids (and supervised YouTube)
Google ยท ages preschool through tweens
Safer than main YouTube for young kids, best in approved-content-only mode; not a babysitter.
Desk researchPaid
Zebra AI Learning (Banma AI Xue)
Zebra Children's Science and Education Group (Yuanfudao; Beijing Yuanli Technology) ยท ages about 3-12
For Chinese-speaking families wanting a structured daily app for young kids; others, or parents uneasy about voice recording and public posting, should skip it.
Know before you buy
Shut down, exposed children's data, or said unsafe things in tests.
WarningPaidNo ads
Bondu
Bondu ยท ages about 4-8
A cautionary tale: the parent controls are real, but full chat histories were once open to anyone, so families should weigh that before giving a young child an AI friend that records everything.
WarningPaid
ROYBI Robot
Roybi Inc. ยท ages 3 and up
Hard to recommend now: with the company's exit and no privacy policy online, families should skip it unless the new owner publishes clear terms and support.
WarningFreeNo ads
Toontastic 3D
Google ยท ages about 5-12
Skip it; for young kids' animation today, Stop Motion Studio or ScratchJr are maintained choices.