The kids' software directory
Learning games and sites
Game sites and learning games, with their ads and accounts noted.
- 109 researched
- 1 to know about
Peabody's own: the learning arcade, no ads. 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 researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
99math
99math (Estonia) ยท ages about 5-14 (grades K-8)
A low-effort, free way for teachers to make fact practice lively; parents of kids who dislike timed competition may want a calmer tool.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
ABCya
ABCya.com LLC (a division of IXL Learning) ยท ages about 4-12 (pre-K to grade 6+)
Handy for quick grade-level practice in class or at home; skip if you want an ad-free experience without paying.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Adventure Academy
Age of Learning, Inc. ยท ages grades 3-8 (about 8-13)
Good for kids who love online games and need a nudge toward school subjects; families wanting no social contact should set chat to off or choose a solo app.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Arcademics
Arcademics ยท ages about 6-14 (grades 1-8)
Fine for quick fact-fluency races at school or home; families who want no ad tracking or who have a child anxious about speed should skip it.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Be Internet Awesome: Interland
Google ยท ages about 7-12
A good free starting point for online safety with kids 7-12, best paired with family talks since the game alone did not change behavior in testing.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Blob Opera
David Li with Google Arts & Culture ยท ages about 4 and up
A delightful five-minute music toy for any age; not a music course.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Blockly Games
Neil Fraser (open source, built on Google's Blockly) ยท ages about 8-14
A quick, free warm-up for kids about 8-14 before Scratch or Python; not a full course.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
BrainPOP (and BrainPOP Jr.)
BrainPOP ยท ages about 5-14 (K-8+)
Excellent when a school provides it; families paying alone should try the free sneak peek first.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
ChessKid
Chess.com, LLC ยท ages about 4-14
The safest way for kids to play chess online; budget for Gold if your child gets serious.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
CodeCombat
CodeCombat Inc. ยท ages about 6-18 (K-5 Junior, then grades 6-12)
A good fit for game-loving kids about 9 and up who are ready to type code; parents should decide whether they want generative AI included before buying Premium.
Desk researchPaid
CodeMonkey
CodeMonkey Studios Inc. ยท ages about 5-14 (grades K-8)
A good paid option for kids 7-12 ready to type simple code; families on a budget can try free tools first.
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, with paid extrasNo ads
Conceptis Puzzles
Conceptis Ltd. ยท ages about 8 and up (needs logic and patience)
A good ad-free choice for older kids and teens who love Sudoku-style logic; young kids who want quick, colorful games may find it too dry.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Contexto
Daydash Games Ltda (Brazil) ยท ages about 10 and up
A fun vocabulary puzzle for teens and word-loving older kids if parents are fine with ads; families avoiding ad tracking should skip the free version.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Coolmath Games
Coolmath.com LLC ยท ages 13+ (per terms), though popular with younger kids
An okay free logic-games site for teens; parents of under-13s should note it is not built for them and uses tracking ads.
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 researchFree, with paid extras
Discord (Family Center, teen-by-default)
Discord Inc. ยท ages 13+
Workable for teens 13+ who mainly chat with real-life friends, with Family Center on; too open for younger children.
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 researchFree
Ducksters
Technological Solutions, Inc. ยท ages about 8-14
A handy free starting point for elementary and middle school homework, best paired with a library source.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Duolingo
Duolingo, Inc. ยท ages about 10+ (children under 13 get a restricted mode)
A fine free habit-builder for tweens and teens learning a language; younger kids are better served by Duolingo ABC or a kids' app.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
EndeavorRx
Akili, Inc. (agreed in 2024 to be bought by Virtual Therapeutics) ยท ages 8-17 with ADHD (prescription)
Worth asking your child's doctor about as one part of an ADHD plan; do not expect it to replace medication or therapy.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Flagle
Teuteuf Games ยท ages about 8 and up
A light daily flag quiz for kids who already know some countries; pair with Worldle for map skills.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Foldit
University of Washington Center for Game Science and partners ยท ages about 12 and up (terms allow 7+)
A rewarding challenge for science-minded teens and biology classes; younger kids will likely find it too hard, and parents should note the public chat.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Freerice
UN World Food Programme ยท ages about 9 and up
A good fit for older kids and classes who like quick quiz drills with a cause attached; young readers will find it too text-heavy.
Desk researchFree
Funbrain
Funbrain Holdings LLC (owned by Tinybop Inc.) ยท ages about 4-14 (pre-K to grade 8)
Fine for occasional free play and reading at home; schools and privacy-minded parents may prefer ad-free options.
Desk researchFree
Globle
Trainwreck Labs ยท ages about 8 and up
A fun daily map warm-up for kids who can type country names; play logged out with an ad blocker or on a parent's device.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Google Arts & Culture
Google ยท ages about 8 and up
A rich, free window into world museums for families to explore together; supervise the camera and AI features.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Google Doodle games
Google ยท ages about 5 and up
A fine free treat for a few minutes of play; kids looking for steady learning should pick a real learning game.
Desk researchFree
Highlights Kids
Highlights for Children, Inc. ยท ages about 6-12
A safe, free corner of the web for younger readers; don't expect a learning program.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Hit the Button (Topmarks)
Topmarks Online Ltd ยท ages about 5-11
A good, cheap drill for times tables and number bonds; children who need concepts explained rather than speed practice need something else alongside it.
Desk researchFree
Hooda Math
Hooda Math LLC ยท ages about 6-18 (grades K-12)
A reasonable free pick for logic games and some math practice; parents wanting focused math learning should steer kids to specific games or another site.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Hopscotch
Hopscotch Technologies (New York) ยท ages about 8-13 (App Store lists ages 9-11)
A good step up from ScratchJr for iPad kids who want to make games; parents who dislike in-app currencies should switch off purchases or skip it.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
iCivics
iCivics, Inc. (nonprofit founded by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor) ยท ages about 11-18 (grades 6-12)
A strong free choice for middle and high school civics; younger children will find most games too advanced.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Kahoot!
Kahoot! (Kahoot ASA) ยท ages about 6 and up; grades K-12 and adults
A fun group review game for classes and family quiz nights; less useful for deep learning or for kids who get anxious under time pressure.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
KenKen
KenKen ยท ages about 7 and up (3x3 grids for beginners)
A good free math-and-logic habit for kids who like Sudoku; pay for Premium or use the teacher emails if ads are a problem.
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 researchPaidNo ads
KidiZoom Smart Watch MAX
VTech ยท ages 4+ (maker)
A fun offline gadget for young kids who want a 'watch like a grown-up'; parents wanting location tracking or calls need a different kind of device.
Desk researchFree
KidzType
KidzType (Chennai, India) ยท ages about 6-12
Fine for quick free practice at home; families wanting no ads or real progress tracking should pick an ad-free tutor.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Krazydad
Jim Bumgardner ยท ages about 6 and up (privacy policy says the site is meant for 13+)
A great free, ad-free source of printable logic puzzles for families and classrooms, with a parent choosing the right level for younger kids.
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
Legends of Learning
Legends of Learning ยท ages about 5-14 (grades K-8)
A strong fit for K-8 classrooms that want game-based science and math; parents wary of reward loops and paid passes should watch how their child uses Awakening.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
LEGO Play
The LEGO Group ยท ages about 5-12 (rated 4+)
One of the safer first social apps for LEGO-loving kids, thanks to pre-moderation and parental consent; families who want no social feed at all should stick to LEGO Builder.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
LEGO.com for kids
The LEGO Group ยท ages about 5-12
A safe, ad-free place for LEGO fans to play short games; parents should know the whole site is a showcase for LEGO toys.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Lichess
Lichess.org (nonprofit association) ยท ages about 8+ with an adult; 15+ for own account
Excellent free chess for older kids and families; set up a kid account with kid mode for younger players.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Lightbot
SpriteBox LLC (LightBot Inc.) ยท ages about 6 and up
A neat logic puzzle if it runs on your device; try the free Code Hour version first before paying.
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
Math Playground
Math Playground LLC ยท ages about 5-12 (grades K-6)
Handy for a few minutes of free math play at home or school; families who want no ads or a structured program should pay for ad-free or pick another tool.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Matific
Matific (Slate Science) ยท ages about 4-14 (grades K-8)
A good fit for young kids who learn by playing with math ideas; check the free trial first, and do not count on the advertised score gains.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Microsoft MakeCode Arcade
Microsoft ยท ages about 9 and up
A great free choice for kids who want to make their own video games; younger children may need help with the tutorials.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Minecraft (Java and Bedrock)
Mojang Studios (Microsoft) ยท ages about 7+ (PEGI 7, ESRB Everyone 10+)
Great for creative builders when a parent sets multiplayer and spending controls; families wanting structured lessons should look at Minecraft Education instead.
Desk researchThrough schoolsNo ads
Minecraft Education
Mojang Studios / Microsoft ยท ages about 5-18 (K-12)
Worth it when a school uses it with good lessons; families at home are better served by regular Minecraft plus the free educational worlds.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Mini Metro
Dinosaur Polo Club ยท ages about 8 and up (rated 4+)
A smart pick for older kids who like puzzles and planning; younger children may find it too fast as it ramps up.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Mission US
THIRTEEN / WNET (public media) ยท ages about 10-14 (middle school)
One of the best-evidenced history games for grades 5-9; preview missions before handing them to younger or sensitive kids.
Desk researchFree
Monkeytype
Monkeytype (Miodec, open source) ยท ages about 10+
Great for a teen who already touch-types and wants to get faster; beginners should learn the keys elsewhere first.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Monument Valley
ustwo games ยท ages about 7 and up (rated 4+)
A thoughtful puzzle game for families to play together; treat it as quality play, not schoolwork.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Mr. Nussbaum
Nussbaum Education Network, LLC ยท ages about 5-14 (grades K-8)
A handy free game library for elementary classrooms and home practice; families who want an ad-free, structured program should look at paid alternatives.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
NASA Space Place
NASA (produced at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory) ยท ages about 8-12 (upper elementary)
A trustworthy free science corner for curious 8-12-year-olds; not a full course.
Desk researchFree
National Geographic Kids games
National Geographic Partners (The Walt Disney Company) ยท ages about 6-12
A pleasant free stop for animal-loving kids; treat it as fun trivia rather than lessons.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Nex Playground
Nex Team Inc. ยท ages about 4 and up, with families
A good fit for families who want active, shared screen time with tight safety settings; skip it if a yearly subscription or an always-present camera is a deal-breaker.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF)
Next Gen Personal Finance, a California nonprofit ยท ages about 11-18 (middle and high school)
A strong pick for schools and homeschool co-ops teaching personal finance to teens; parents wanting a self-guided kids' app should look elsewhere.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Night Zookeeper
Wonky Star Ltd (UK) ยท ages 6-12
A good pick for reluctant writers ages 6-12 whose parents want human feedback; skip it if you do not want another subscription.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app
Nintendo ยท ages any age
Every family with a Switch should set it up; it does nothing for other devices.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Nitro Type
Nitro Teaching LLC (from the makers of Typing.com) ยท ages about 8-18
Good motivation for kids who already know the keys; parents should switch off or limit purchases and know it is ad-supported.
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 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 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
Poki
Poki B.V. ยท ages 16+ (main site); under 16 on Poki Kids
Children should use Poki Kids, not Poki.com, which its own terms reserve for ages 16 and up.
Desk researchFree
PrimaryGames
PrimaryGames, Inc. ยท ages about 5-13
Handy for free classroom fillers and holiday printables; parents wanting focused, ad-free practice should look elsewhere.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Prodigy Math
Prodigy Education ยท ages about 6-14 (grades 1-8)
Fine for kids who need a game to do math practice and parents ready to say no to upgrades; families wary of upselling to children should skip it.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Quick, Draw!
Google Creative Lab ยท ages about 6 and up
A strong classroom or kitchen-table intro to how AI guesses; just tell kids their drawings become public data.
Desk researchFree
Quordle
Merriam-Webster (created by Freddie Meyer) ยท ages about 10 and up
A good free brain warm-up for word-loving teens and confident older readers; younger kids will find nine guesses for four words frustrating.
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 researchFree
Roblox Parental Controls
Roblox Corporation ยท ages for parents of kids about 5-17
Every Roblox parent should link an account and set these up; they reduce risk but do not make Roblox safe for young kids on their own.
Desk researchFree
Roblox Studio and Roblox Education
Roblox Corporation ยท ages about 10-18
Powerful for teens who want to make real games, best with a parent watching account settings; young kids or families wary of open platforms should start with Scratch or MakeCode Arcade.
Desk researchFree
RoomRecess
RoomRecess.com (built by an elementary school teacher) ยท ages about 6-11 (grades K-5)
Useful free practice for K-5 skills; families who mind ads or want progress reports should pick another tool.
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
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance ยท ages about 4-12
A pleasant free animal site for younger kids and zoo fans; it is a supplement, not a science program.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Say What You See
Google Arts & Culture (with artist Jack Wild) ยท ages about 9 and up (needs reading and typing)
A good AI-literacy activity for upper-elementary and middle-school kids, best with an adult nearby; too text-heavy for early readers.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Scratch
Scratch Foundation ยท ages 8-16
The standard first real coding tool for kids 8-16; parents should review the community guidelines and the new AI-training language together with their child.
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 researchFree, with paid extras
Seterra (GeoGuessr)
GeoGuessr AB ยท ages about 9-18
Great for memorizing maps and flags in upper grades; younger children should play logged-out with a parent's okay.
Desk researchFree
Sheppard Software
Sheppard Software ยท ages about 3-14 (preschool to middle school)
Fine for supervised map and math practice; parents of young children may prefer a site that rules out tracking ads.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
SolveMe Puzzles
Education Development Center (EDC) ยท ages about 8-14 (upper elementary through algebra), and older puzzle fans
A good free pick for kids 8 and up who like logic puzzles and are heading toward algebra; skip it if you need a phone app or a guided course.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Squaredle
Squaredle ยท ages about 10 and up
A good daily word habit for teens and families playing together; under-13s are outside its terms.
Desk researchThrough schoolsNo ads
ST Math
MIND Education (nonprofit) ยท ages about 4-14 (PreK-grade 8)
A strong choice if your child's school offers it, especially for visual learners; families wanting a cheap standalone app may find other options easier to buy.
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 researchFree, with paid extras
Sudoku.com
Easybrain Ltd (Cyprus) ยท ages about 10 and up
A fine logic game for teens and adults; for younger children, a parent should buy the no-ads version or pick a kids' puzzle app.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Sumdog
Sumdog (Sumdog Ltd in the UK, Sumdog Inc. in the US) ยท ages about 5-14 (US grades K-8; UK years 1-9)
A fun practice add-on for schools and families who want game-style drills; parents seeking proven gains or no online play with others should look elsewhere.
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 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
TimeGuessr
TimeGuessr Limited ยท ages about 10 and up
A fun way for teens and history-curious families to play together; parents of younger kids should turn off multiplayer and preview photos.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Toca Boca (Toca Boca World)
Toca Boca AB (a Spin Master company) ยท ages about 6-12
A creative sandbox for imaginative kids; lock down purchases before handing it over.
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 researchFree
Toporopa
EastDock Media (Amsterdam) ยท ages about 8 and up
A simple free way for kids to drill European geography before a test; parents may want an ad blocker or the world version for broader practice.
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 researchPaidNo ads
Turing Tumble
Upper Story LLC (Minnesota) ยท ages 8 to adult
A great screen-free logic game for kids 8+ and families who like puzzles; kids who want to write code or make apps need a different tool.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Turtle Diary
TurtleDiary LLC ยท ages about 3-11 (preschool to grade 5)
A budget-friendly practice site for K-5; many families will find free, ad-free alternatives good enough.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Twitch
Twitch Interactive ยท ages 13+
For teens 13+ watching streams with Parental Controls linked; not for younger children, and think hard before letting a teen stream.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Tynker
Tynker (Neuron Fuel), owned by CodeHS since 2025 ยท ages about 5-18 (grades K-12)
A reasonable paid pick for families who want a guided, game-like path from age 5 to Python; budget-minded families can get much of the same from free Scratch and Code.org.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Typing.com
Typing.com LLC ยท ages about 5-18 (K-12)
A solid free way for classes to learn touch typing; families who want no ads will need PLUS.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
TypingClub
EdClub ยท ages about 6-18
A strong free typing course; schools should consider the ad-free edition and parents should note the ads on individual use.
Desk researchFree
TypingGames.Zone
TypingGames.Zone ยท ages about 6-adult
Fine as an extra, ad-supported practice arcade for kids who already learn typing elsewhere; families who want an ad-free, tracked typing course should skip it.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Universe Sandbox
Giant Army ยท ages about 10 and up
A memorable way for older kids and teens to explore gravity and climate; younger children need a parent's Steam account and some guidance.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Waffle
Waffle Studio Ltd ยท ages about 9-adult
A fun daily word challenge for strong readers about 9 and up, best on an ad-blocked family browser; skip it if you want an ad-free game for young kids.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Wayground (formerly Quizizz)
Quizizz Inc., doing business as Wayground ยท ages grades K-12
Good for teachers who want quick checks and review games; parents mostly meet it through school rather than choose it.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Which Face Is Real?
Jevin West and Carl Bergstrom, University of Washington (Calling Bullshit project) ยท ages about 10 and up
A quick, free AI-literacy warm-up for kids 10 and up, best paired with a talk about how much better fakes have become since 2019.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Words With Friends
Zynga (Take-Two Interactive) ยท ages about 10-adult
Works for families who want a shared word game with older kids and will manage chat and spending; younger children or kids who should not meet strangers online are better off with an offline word game.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Worldle
Teuteuf Games ยท ages about 8 and up
A great daily geography game; teachers should use the ad-free Teuteuf Edu version in class.
Desk researchFree
ZType
PhobosLab (Dominic Szablewski) ยท ages about 8+
A fun reward for kids who already type a little; pair it with a real tutor and an ad blocker or the paid app.
Know before you buy
Shut down, exposed children's data, or said unsafe things in tests.
WarningFree
Scholastic Home Base
Scholastic Inc. ยท ages kids under 13 and up (Scholastic's middle-grade readers)
No longer available; a reminder that kids' creations on free platforms can disappear, so save what matters.