educational games for 3 year olds on ipad

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30 Best Educational iPad Games for Kids in 2024 (Free and Paid)

Learn while you play!

Tablets are a regular part of most kids’ routines these days, and teachers and parents can use that to their advantage. There are a lot of terrific iPad games for kids that are designed for learning but disguised as fun! Here are some of the best that cover reading, math, science, social studies, and more for kids of a variety of ages.

Free iPad Games for Kids

The earlier kids start to learn new languages, the better. When we’re young, our brains are more receptive to learning language in general. Duolingo no longer has a specific version just for kids (though they do have a reading program; see below). But the general app itself is still great for kids by upper elementary or so. It’s completely free, and offers more than 40 languages to explore. Teachers should check out Duolingo for Schools , too.

Duolingo ABC

Ages: Pre-K to Grade 1

The foreign language learning company has brought its same philosophy to teaching kids how to read. The entirely free lessons focus on phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, and reading comprehension, all the skills emergent readers need. The lessons increase in difficulty as children progress, with tailored reviews to help kids strengthen skills they struggle with. It’s aligned with Common Core standards too.

PBS Kids Games

Ages: Pre-K to Grade 2

You know you can trust PBS to provide safe, fun, and educational iPad games for kids. Their collection features stars from popular shows like Daniel Tiger and the Wild Kratts, with hundreds of games on just about every subject. This is one iPad app every parent and teacher needs, especially since it’s all entirely free (and available in Spanish too!).

iCivics Games

Ages: Middle and High School

iCivics has a suite of terrific social studies games that kids will truly enjoy playing. They’ll feel like they’re right in the action as they try to get a new law ratified, run in an election, or try a case in court. These apps are all free, and their website has lots of excellent accompanying resources for teachers.

Bedtime Math

Ages: Pre-K to Grade 3

Bedtime stories are a longstanding tradition, but what about bedtime math? That’s what this free app, along with its accompanying books , aims to do. Each day, the app adds a new fun math problem for parents and kids to do together. (Teachers could also use them as daily problems in the classroom.) Each math problem has three levels of difficulty, and many offer challenge questions too.

Little Alchemy 2

Ages: K to 12

Starting with just a few basic elements (air, earth, fire, and water), players mix these to create dozens of new items, both real and imaginary. For instance, mix water and earth to get clay, then mix clay and fire to make bricks, add brick to brick to build a wall, and so on. This robust free game is completely engrossing, and it encourages both creativity and logical thinking.

World Geography Quiz Game

Ages: Grades 3 to 12

This isn’t one of those iPad games for kids full of animated characters and flashy graphics. It’s a straight-up geography quiz game and a very good one. Kids who are into maps and globes will enjoy checking their knowledge of flags, capital cities, statistics, and much more. The game is free to download and play; you have the option to buy “hints,” but they’re not necessary to enjoy the fun.

Sushi Monster

Ages: Grades 2 to 6

Looking for a fun way to practice math facts? Check out this free app! Sushi Monster is hungry. Feed him the sushi plates to make the correct goal number and practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Lyrical Letters

Ages: Pre-K to Grade 12

Combine music with spelling and vocabulary in this charming game, enjoyable for anyone at any age. Listen to the sequence of notes, then play them back to spell the right word. You can also simply play around with the keyboard and synthesizer functions, composing tunes just for fun. Lyrical Letters is free to download and play; you can remove the in-game ads for $1.99.

Ages: Grade 4 and up

Build vocabulary and work on spelling with this innovative word game. As you connect letters to make a word, they disappear from the board, collapsing others around them. New letters are always rising from the bottom, though, so you’ll have to think quickly to stop them from reaching the top and ending the game. The game is free to download, but many reviewers note that it’s ad-heavy; pay $4.99 to unlock the full version.

More Great Educational iPad Games for Kids

Think of this collection of iPad games for kids as your personal set of Montessori activities on the go. From busy boards and blocks to music sequencers and a marble machine, the youngest learners will find plenty to keep them engaged as they develop key skills. Pok Pok is subscription-based ($6.99/month or $45.99/year), with a free 7-day trial.

Hands-On Equations

Ages: Grades 4+

The Hands-On Equations iPad games teach algebra skills in a fun and engaging way. There are three levels available, plus Hands-On Equations Lite, a free version you can try to see if you like it. Level 1 covers the basics of equations, while 2 and 3 build up the difficulty to include order of operations and negative numbers. Levels 1, 2, and 3 range in price from $2.99 to $3.99 each.

Endless Alphabet

Ages: Pre-K

This iPad game has been around for awhile, but parents and kids both continue to love it. Kids build their vocabulary and alphabet knowledge through interactive games and fun animations. They’ll also enjoy the adorable monsters that join in on the game! Get Endless Alphabet for a one-time purchase price of $8.99.

ABCmouse is one of the most popular educational iPad games for kids who are learning to read, count, and more. They offer thousands of learning activities across the curriculum, including hundreds in Spanish. It requires a subscription ($12.99/month or $45/year), but you can try it for free for 30 days to see if you like it.

Adventure Academy

Ages: Grades 3 to 8

Adventure Academy is ABCmouse’s older cousin. Upper elementary and middle school students can learn math, science, language arts, and more. They’ll create their own avatar and make their way around a fully interactive school environment, learning as they go. It has the same subscription rates as ABCmouse ($12.99/month or $45/year).

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Ages: Pre-K to Kindergarten

Everyone’s favorite caterpillar is now available in an app! Play games to match colors and shapes, put together puzzles, and learn to take care of plants and animals. The app is free to download, but it costs $4.99 to unlock all of the available activities.

Ages: Grades 1 to 5

Solve math problems and try to get five Bingo Bugs in a row. Be careful, though, because wrong answers will affect your end score. High scores earn you your very own Bingo Bugs for your collection! There are five modes: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and mixed. Math Bingo costs $2.99 to download and play.

Ages: Grades 3 and up

Everything you love about Mad Libs in an app! Kids will get sneaky practice in learning the parts of speech, while creating zany stories that make everyone laugh. You get a limited number of Mad Libs for free, with the ability to buy more packages starting at $1.99.

Sight Words Ninja

Ages: Grades 1 to 4

This is such a fun way to practice sight words! As various words appear on the screen, slice through the target word as fast as you can to score points. At only $1.99, this game is a terrific bargain and one that students will beg to play.

Wee ones will love helping Tim and his family as they learn colors and shapes. The game is available in multiple languages, so you can also use it to help kids learn basic words in Spanish, French, and more. Dino Tim is free to download and $2.99 to unlock all content.

Presidents vs. Aliens

Ages: Grade 3 and up

Learn more about U.S. presidents while you battle aliens in this silly but informative game. As you answer the questions and beat each level, you add a new president to your collection. Then, you can fling these presidents at the aliens to help defend the planet! The app costs $1.99 to download but has no in-game ads and doesn’t require any additional purchases to play. Kids will need to be able to read to play on their own.

Ages: K to Grade 4

This subscription-based iPad game for kids promises to make learning math fun and engaging. Kids set out on missions to earn monsters by solving math puzzles. This is a program that can grow with any child, starting with very basic counting skills and building through to multiplication and division. After a 7-day free trial, the program costs $7.99 a month or $49.99 annually.

Where’s My Water?

Ages: Kindergarten and Up

Swampy lives in the sewers under the city, but he loves to stay clean! His shower is constantly getting stopped up, though, so kids need` to dig through the dirt and avoid obstacles to guide the fresh water to Swampy. This game is a lot of fun, but it’s based on real physics and the movement of water, so they’ll learn while they play. This Disney game costs $1.99 to download and includes additional storylines for purchase.

Stack the States 2

Ages: Grade 3 and Up

Learn U.S. geography the fun way by answering questions and building your own collection of states. Kids master state capitals, cities, landmarks, flags, and more. The app costs $2.99 to download and play, with no ads or other in-app purchases to worry about.

Teach Your Monster to Read

They say the best way to learn something is to teach it to another. That’s the idea behind this popular iPad game, where kids “teach” a monster to read while learning the skills themselves. It covers early reading skills, from letter recognition through phonics and word-building. Download and play for $8.99.

Monster Physics

Kids who love to tinker will get a real kick out of this game. They can design and build their own inventions, then see how (and if!) they would work in the real world. There are 50 different missions for them to invent and conquer alongside their own monster avatar. At only $1.99 to download, with no in-game ads, this one is definitely worth a look.

Cut the Rope

Ages: Kindergarten and up

This game has been around for a while, but it’s popular for a reason. The concept is simple: arrange the objects on the screen and then cut the rope to release the candy into the hungry monster’s mouth. The laws of physics apply here, so kids will learn without even knowing it. The levels get progressively more challenging as you play. Cut the Rope costs $1.99 to download, with the ability to buy hints, solutions, and more puzzles in the app.

Slice Fractions

Ages: Grades 1 to 6

Learn fractions in an interactive environment as you slice through ice and lava to clear the mammoth’s path. There’s no reading involved in this game, so kids can focus purely on numbers and fractions. Slice Fractions costs $3.99 to download and play.

Ages: Grades 2 to 12

You don’t need any coding experience to play this game; you’ll learn as you go. Solve puzzles by guiding a robot to light up tiles with basic commands. Multiple players can save their progress on the same device, so this one’s great for classrooms or families. Some reading is required, but otherwise, even little ones can play on their own. Lightbot costs $2.99 to download and play, without the need for in-app purchases.

Reading Raven

This well-reviewed app teaches basic reading and writing skills, starting with letter recognition and tracing. As their skills advance, so do the challenges, until they’re able to practice reading aloud using voice recording. Reading Raven is a one-time cost of $3.99 to download and play, with no in-game ads.

Did we miss one of your favorite iPad games for kids? Come share your thoughts in the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, our favorite online games that are fun and educational too ., you might also like.

51 Easy Math Fact Games and Activities To Make Practice Fun and Effective

Level up math practice with these games. Continue Reading

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Screen time

These fun, sweet, thoughtful apps make it even easier to get a little break.

Need a second to finish making lunch? Or just one moment to complete a sentence without being interrupted by your energetic 3-year-old looking to you for round-the-clock entertainment? Truth be told, tablet time saves the day for all parents sometimes. The best iPad games for your 3-year-old are ones that will keep them busy and if they reinforce things your child has learned with you or in preschool, like letters or numbers, well, that’s a bonus.

There are so many apps for 3-year-olds, it can be almost overwhelming to try to pick one to download, especially if your kid is hopping around under foot. From a sea of plentiful app options for kids, we love these 13 apps best of all. From amazing, interactive apps for kids like ABC Mouse, for example, that encourages children to complete puzzles, songs, and games to earn points (with over 2,000 activities to choose from) to lighter fare (see Ballon Pop). And of course, most people know of Khan Academy, which is a go-to ‘educational’ app for preschoolers that kids seem to love, regardless of just how much learning they may or may not be really doing. Most of all, though, screen time is screen time, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) themselves say that about an hour of screen time for kids between the ages of 2 and 5 years old is just fine. So, don’t worry too much about making iPad app-based screen time “educational.” If you need a little break, hand your kid a fun app and take it, guilt-free. Bring on the tablet time!

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We love the concept behind this beloved PBS kids app. All of your kids favorite characters, and games for every level of motor skill ability, it’s an easy favorite. Oh, and it’s free. Get it on Apple or in the Google Play store.

2 Bluey: Let’s Play!

There’s a Bluey app, and your kid loves Bluey. Therefore, your kid will love the Bluey app. It’s simple math, really. Just do it, you won’t regret spending a little more time with Bandit, Chilli, Bluey and Bingo. Available on Google Play and Apple .

3 Khan Academy Kids

You may be more familiar with the name Khan Academy from your own high school days, but the educational company now offers online learning tools for children, and they're free. Khan Academy Kids (for ages two to five) was designed with the Stanford Graduate School of Education and provides dozens of activities across multiple subjects while kids collect bugs, hats, and toys as rewards.

4 Metamorphabet

Kids and parents alike seem to adore Metamorphabet , and alphabet-focused app for 3 year olds. What kid wouldn't enjoy poking, prodding, dragging, and spinning each of the 26 letters to "reveal surprising and luminous transformations." It costs $5, but the rumor is that it’s worth way more than that.

5 Peekaboo Barn Life

Your child is likely already obsessed with farm animals, now they can work on learning their names and sounds by playing Peekaboo Barn. For just $1.99 in the Apple app store, this sweet game as they tap to find out what an animal is called. With darling animation and super easy to navigate format, even the youngest users can take on this app on their own.

6 LeapFrog Academy

Whether it's math or STEM skills you're wanting your little one to develop, look no further than LeapFrog Academy . This app offers a variety of interactive games for children ages 3 to 6. Yes, it requires a subscription, but this is a tool you'll be able to use for a few years.

7 Balloon Pop

The concept of Balloon Pop is mind-numbling simple: Pop the floating balloons on the screen. But you might be surprised to find yourself stealing the iPad away from your 3-year-old so you can have a go on the free app. Regardless of your age, this game is wonderfully mesmerizing.

8 The Platypus' Search

This $3 interactive book is all about diversity and friendship. Children must take Platypus through the woods on an adventure meeting all kinds of unique characters along the way. As the app's YouTube page explains, kids help the main characters find their lost objects using a flashlight "to look even in the darkest corners. Then they can join the party in the wood, creating a real music band, getting all the characters in the story to play, sing and dance together."

9 ABC Mouse

Designed for children ages two to eight, ABC Mouse is a free app that some teachers even recommend. Kids create their own kid avatar and then explore the ABC Mouse classroom. If they complete certain games, they can earn points to go shopping. It’s fun, and your kid just might learn a thing or two.

10 Toca Doctor

For $4 you can help your curious child (ages 3 and up) start to explore and learn about the body with Toca Doctor . This app lets kids see what it’s like to be a doctor without the need for a voluntary patient (ahem, you!). They can apply bandages, erase scratches, and even squirt eye drops into their eyes.

11 ABC Bingo

Bingo ABC is a song-based game app that uses music to teach and entertain kids for free. That means your child will get an introduction to phonics concepts while singing along to classic nursery rhymes and playing games on a colorful animated farm .

12 Animal Sounds!

With more than 100 animal sounds, this completely free app should give you at least a few minutes to finish writing an email. And you can write it guilt-free, knowing your kid isn't just mooing at a screen, but really learning about animals (critters are divided into farm, Savannah/desert, jungle, insects, ocean, forest, mountain, city/countryside and dinosaurs sections).

13 Busy Shapes 2

Busy shapes and colors — which is available in both the Apple app store and on Google Play — offers 3D puzzles and 100 colorful levels. We love it as a great distraction for kids during travel, say on a plane or in a car.

Occasional iPad app time truly doesn’t hurt. It’s the same as all other screen time you might use to give yourself, or your kid, a little rest. Enjoy the break, and keep up the great work.

This article was originally published on March 25, 2020

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30 Teacher-Recommended IPad Educational Games for Kids

May 5, 2023 //  by  Brittany Ray

There is no doubt that tangible technology has more than made its presence in schools over the last two decades. Most toddlers know how to work a smartphone in all of its functions by the time they reach kindergarten. So if you are interested in growing your child’s cognitive, reading, math, vocabulary, or any other type of brain skills, check out these iPad educational games below!

30 Ipad Games to Increase Learning

1. zebrainy – abc kids game.

This game was initially designed for children between two and six years old. Zebrainy has over 700+ educational activities for kids that develop many different skill sets. Even better, the language this app uses aligns with what is taught through the Common Core State Standards.

Learn More: Zebrainy Limited

The Noggin app features digital games with all of your child’s favorite characters with a learning boost. Download games easily for that long car ride so they can still play basic math and letter games on the road. This app features anything from interactive videos to silly stories with their favorite pig.

Learn More: Nickelodeon

3. HOMER Learn & Grow

The HOMER Learn & Grow app focuses on the entire list of things you would want your child to be practicing. This app features math games, social and emotional learning activities , and reading skills-building games .

Learn More: Homer

4. Preschool & Kindergarten Learning Games

I have used this app with my kindergartener, and we love it! This app allows us to have bonding time working through different games together. Your child will practice observation skills by recognizing shapes and colors, cognitive skills through various puzzles, and vision through finding differences between scenes. Build your children’s brilliant brains with these cute characters and games.

Learn More: Rosi Mosi LLC

5. Dino Fun – Games for Kids

Elementary school kids are at the age where they like to start taking care of themselves. The Dino Fun app is the perfect game for kids where they can brush their Dino’s teeth, take care of them at the salon, and even potty train their dinosaurs! Also, the educational kid’s games here practice motor skills through learning to tie a virtual shoe and logical thinking skills with math games! One big plus about this app is that there are no pesky game ads!

Learn More: Avocado Mobile Inc.

6. Math Brain Booster Games

Ages: 4 – adult

If you want an educational game for kids and adults alike, then download the Math Brain Booster app. This game lets you practice everything from basic multiplication and addition to more complex math problems . Give yourself or your children regular quizzes on math concepts to help sharpen the mind. This app even allows time limits on certain activities to practice speed with different things, such as multiplication games.

Learn More: Kirill Dyakonov

7. Water Sort Color Puzzle

Your children will love the interesting challenge of sorting all colors so that one single color exists in each tube. This game also has the familiar sounds of pouring liquid which makes this app one for kids who enjoy sensory-type activities .  What’s even better is that this app is free!

Learn More: Vicenter Viet Nam Company Limited

8. State the States and Capitals

Ages: All Ages

Whether you teach preschool or high school, all kids need to know the states and capitals! There is an entire generation of kiddos needing this knowledge! Click on the state to see its name, the capital cities, state abbreviation, flag, famous landmarks, and more.

Learn More: Ecom Enterprises, Inc.

Your child can use this app to learn all about the great unknown from rocket ships to shooting stars. The NASA app features news and stories on space, over 20,000 space images, interactive 3D models, and other educational learning activities with soaring user reviews. Both children and adults can enjoy these enjoyable space learning activities .

Learn More: NASA

10. Wordle!

This app is all the rage with my students and my older children. Teasers on this app are challenging and will help take complex thinking skillset to the next level. Also, Wordle features a variety of puzzles to keep anyone entertained!

Learn More: Lion Studios Plus

11. Jigsaw Puzzles Game

My family loves puzzles. One thing I hate is constantly having to track all the puzzle pieces down. With this charming game, you will never lose another puzzle piece again. You can challenge your kid’s critical thinking skills by choosing puzzles with many pieces vs. only a few. The Jigsaw Puzzle app also has many puzzles to choose from.

Learn More: Easybrain

Nothing says arcade-style games like Tetris. This classic video game challenges anyone’s thinking skills and is fun to play. Take the basic shapes and maneuver them to fit just right to fit this puzzle and keep from hitting the top of the play screen.

Learn More: Play Studios

13. Vocabulary Builder by Magoosh

This is not your classic vocabulary game . The vocabulary builder allows your child to build their skill level with various vocabulary words to build an overall higher level of reading. This app is free and allows you to start at a basic level and work your way up.

Learn More: Magoosh

14. 1st Grade Math Learning Games

Help your child learn the basics of counting with Splash Math! Your child can also practice addition and subtraction , word problems , and more. The learning process is easy for your child and they will use strategic thinking skills in solving various problems.

Learn More: Study Pad, Inc.

15. Trace Letters & Sight Words

Letter recognition is the first step to being a successful reader. Have your child learn their ABCs in real-time by tracing the letters with their fingers, then sounding out the letter. Child developmental specialists also recognize the importance of recognizing sight words in conjunction with early reading success.

Learn More: Vu Dang

16. Little Stories: Bedtime Books

I know my little one loves to read stories before bedtime, and this app has so many cute ones. Your children can choose the story they want, have you read it, or have them read it to you. One great feature of this app is that the stories can be put into “story mode” where the app will read to your child.

Learn More: Diveo Media

17. Flow Free

This popular puzzle game will have your child challenging their motor skills in an interactive environment. Kids will match and pair colors, and race against the clock to solve various puzzles!

Learn More: Big Duck Games LLC

18. Scrabble GO!

Nothing says family game night like a game of Scrabble Go! This app is free and has a few pesky game ads. Also, the learning process for Scrabble has never been easier than with this app. Put your vocabulary skill level to the test with Scrabble GO!

Learn More: Scopely, Inc.

19. June’s Journey: Hidden Objects

June’s Journey is one of the best and most challenging hidden picture games in the app store. Find the matching objects, follow the story, and search for hidden objects and clues. Also, I love object searches because they are challenging and test various skill levels.

Learn More: Wooga

20. Candy Crush Saga

All of you self-proclaimed shape gurus can potentially attest to the challenging concept of this game! My little one loves playing this game with me. This matching game allows my child to match colors, shapes, and sequence patterns. While this game does promote in-app purchases, you do not have to purchase anything to play.

Learn More: King

21. The Oregon Trail

The Oregon Trail was an essential childhood rite for Millenials! This adventure game allows your child to learn the history of those traveling across the U.S.A in a covered wagon, all while having a ton of fun.

Learn More: Gameloft

22. US History Trivia 

Learn about American History in a fun and challenging way with this trivia app. Whether you have a history test coming up, or you just want to know about the founding fathers a little bit better, this is a fun and engaging trivia app.

Learn More: Google Playstore

23. Project Makeover

Learn self-care and individual style through this fun digital makeover app. Let your creative whims of fashion take you wherever you would like by styling various characters.

Learn More: Magic Tavern, Inc.

24. Pizza Maker Cooking Games

While the age says 4+, I believe this is a toddler-friendly app. Your child will have so much fun creating their pizza by virtually chopping ingredients, putting together their pizza, and eating it.

Learn More: Pazu Games Ltd

25. Google News

Have your older child understand the world by having them look at Google News Daily Headlines. This app will keep both you and your child up on current events and allow them to have a greater understanding of influential societies around the world. Check out our list of teacher-recommended reading websites for kids .

Learn More: Google LLC

26. Idle Human

Learn amazing facts about the human body with the Idle Human app. Your child will learn about all the bones, organs, and even how bacteria and viruses can affect the body.

Learn More: Green Panda Games

27. Shapes! Toddler Kids Games

Calling all children who are shape gurus, they will love the engaging challenge of finding and learning new shapes.

Learn More: Gennadii Zakharov

28. QuizzLand. Quiz & Trivia Game

Solve puzzles, compete against others, and complete your mission. This game will certainly challenge your knowledge retention.

Learn More: MNO Go Apps Ltd

29. Piano Academy

If you are wanting your child to learn piano, then download this app. It is totally free and your child will feel like they have an entire recording studio to compose their musical masterpieces.

Learn More: Yokee Music

30. Schulte Table

Have kids speed read, challenge their vision skills, and increase their mental agility with this speed reading app. The lightning-fast challenges in this app will make your child smarter and faster.

Learn More: Artem Tselikov

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Some of the Best Online Learning Games for Kids

By Courtney Schley

If you’re looking for apps and games that not only keep young kids occupied but also encourage them to explore, learn, and express themselves, we have some great suggestions.

The apps we cover in this guide are good learning apps not because they’re designed to make kids smarter, to drill facts, or to replace in-school learning, but because they each offer something fun, unique, and interesting for kids and adults.

As with our guides to STEM and learning toys , we didn’t test scores of apps to try to find the “best” ones. Rather, most of our favorite apps have been chosen by teachers for their students in classrooms, used by Wirecutter parents and their kids, or recommended by the experts and educators we spoke with. (For more details, read about how we selected the apps in this guide.)

The research

Our favorite math apps, our favorite coding apps, our favorite science and exploration apps, our favorite social and emotional learning apps, our favorite ebook app, how we picked and tested.

These math games don’t simply drill facts or make kids memorize but rather use visuals, narratives, and storylines to help kids discover math concepts and build their skills. We like these apps because they offer games and exercises tailored to different ages and skill levels and because they encourage adults and kids to play together.

A family math app: Bedtime Math

Bedtime Math (iOS and Android)

Bringing math home.

This free app makes math a part of daily family life, like a bedtime story. A peer-reviewed study showed that it not only helps improve kids’ math performance but also makes parents feel more comfortable with math.

Buying Options

Ages: 3 to 9

How it works: Bedtime Math ( iOS and Android ) seeks to do for math what the bedtime story does for literacy, by turning math into an enjoyable bonding routine between child and caregiver.

The free app offers a daily word problem for children to solve together with an adult during bedtime or anytime. Each exercise centers on a short narrative or interesting fact and poses questions at four difficulty levels, from pre-K through elementary school.

Why it’s great: Bedtime Math is one of the few children’s educational apps that have been evaluated in a peer-reviewed study . This particular study demonstrated that students who used the app significantly boosted their math scores; it also showed that Bedtime Math can help parents mitigate their own math anxiety , a phenomenon that can negatively affect their children’s attitudes toward math and their ability in the subject.  Jennifer Auten, an elementary school teacher at the time of our interview, told us she liked that the questions were written at a middle-school reading level, meaning an adult must facilitate the discussion but you have a choice of four levels of difficulty based on the child’s age and math level.

Apps for visual math: DragonBox Numbers and DragonBox Big Numbers

DragonBox Numbers (iOS, Android, and Amazon)

Visual numeracy.

Cute characters called Nooms help kids visualize and conceptualize numbers and arithmetic operations.

DragonBox Big Numbers (iOS, Android, and Amazon)

More-complex arithmetic.

Kids go on adventures, solving long addition and subtraction equations in the process.

Ages: 4 to 8 and 6 to 9

How it works: DragonBox Numbers ( iOS , Android , and Amazon ), aimed at kids ages 4 through 8, introduces number sense, addition, and subtraction through cute characters called Nooms. (The characters are designed to resemble Cuisenaire rods , math learning aids that introduce kids to arithmetic operations in a hands-on way.) Kids feed, slice, and sort the Nooms, developing familiarity with addition, subtraction, fractions, and ranges.

In DragonBox Big Numbers ( iOS , Android , and Amazon ), for kids 6 through 9, players follow the Nooms on more complex adventures, solving long addition and subtraction equations in order to gather and trade resources.

Why it’s great: The Nooms function as digital versions of what classroom teachers call math manipulatives , physical learning aids that help young children understand theoretical math concepts in a concrete way. For older kids, the DragonBox series continues on with algebra and Euclidean geometry.

Many great apps teach coding to kids as young as preschool and progressing through upper elementary grades. We’ve highlighted four of these apps because they’re particularly easy to get started with and don’t require reading or, for the child or the parent, a coding background. Regardless of what app they use, parents should think of coding apps as a family activity, said Pat Yongpradit of Code.org . “You will rarely have such a rich media experience as you can when coding with your kid,” he said.

Coding puzzles for beginners: Lightbot and Lightbot Jr

Lightbot (iOS and Amazon)

Coding puzzles.

The app’s simple puzzle challenges are easy to jump into for kids and adults with no previous coding experience.

Lightbot Jr (iOS and Amazon)

Coding puzzles for younger kids.

A slower-paced, easier set of puzzles for kids as young as preschool.

Ages: 9 to 11 (Lightbot); 4 to 8 (Lightbot Jr)

How it works: In Lightbot ( iOS and Amazon ), kids solve a series of simple puzzles by lining up commands that make a robot advance over obstacles and light up squares. As they master basic concepts, they add more-complex commands, such as conditionals, loops, and nested statements.

Lightbot Jr ( iOS and Amazon ) follows a similar structure but at a slower pace and with simpler challenges that focus on reinforcing the basics. A minimal amount of reading is required, so pre-readers may need adult help at the beginning.

Why it’s great: Project Lead The Way (PLTW), a nonprofit educational organization that promotes and develops STEM curricula and resources, told us, “The best apps for young students without previous experience are those that teach and help build logic and reasoning skills [and] critical thinking skills, and provide brain teasers.” PLTW’s curriculum writers like the Lightbot and Lightbot Jr apps as ways to get kids as young as 4 started with the basic concepts and logical structures of coding.

A creative coding app: ScratchJr

ScratchJr (iOS, Android, and Amazon)

Visual programming.

Using graphical coding blocks, ScratchJr lets kids animate characters and create storylines.

Ages: 5 to 7

How it works: In ScratchJr ( iOS , Android , Amazon ), kids select characters and backdrop scenes and drag graphical programming blocks, which snap together like puzzle pieces, to make animation sequences and storylines. Although the app has some written cues, the programming blocks largely use symbols (such as arrows and stop signs) to indicate what they do (such as move the character forward or make them stop). As kids become familiar with how to structure the code, they can create multi-scene stories.

Why it’s great: ScratchJr isn’t lesson-based (though you can consult a variety of curricula and tutorials for the app) but rather designed to give kids a sandbox in which to experiment, learn, and create through trial and error (the app offers sample animations as well). Pat Yongpradit of Code.org , which recommends ScratchJr among other coding apps and games, noted one particular benefit: “It’s very free-form; you’re not basically being directed down a particular path.” Younger kids will need an adult or older child to guide them as they get familiar with ScratchJr .

An app for hands-on coding: Osmo Coding Awbie

Osmo Coding Starter Kit for iPhone & iPad

Tangible coding.

The Osmo system uses physical game pieces in conjunction with the device’s screen, making scripting and coding tangible and accessible for pre-readers. This set includes a stand compatible with many iPhones and iPads.

Osmo Coding Starter Kit for Amazon Fire Tablet

This kit includes the same game pieces, with a stand compatible with Amazon Fire tablets.

Osmo Coding Awbie (iOS and Amazon)

Coding with character.

This app pairs with the Osmo system, directing players to use the pieces to move Awbie through a maze and challenges.

Ages: 5 to 12

How it works: The Osmo Coding Starter Kit ( iOS or Amazon ) comes with a base system—a stand and a mirror that attaches to the device’s camera—and pairs with the Osmo Coding Awbie app ( iOS or Amazon ). Kids use physical pieces marked with commands, arrows, numbers, and loops to interact with the screen-based game, creating scripts that direct a silly character (Awbie) through mazes and challenges and picking up prizes such as strawberries. The Osmo base system can also be used with other Osmo games . One drawback we noticed, however: we were not able to reach customer service when we ran into issues with the app.

Why it’s great: Auten, who used Osmo games in her classroom, said the fact that it combined an app with physical pieces made kids more patient and thoughtful as they worked through the challenges: “When something is purely on the screen, kids will sometimes end up just tapping as fast as they can, randomly guessing. With the manipulatives, it slows their thinking down.” Auten also noted that the physical pieces made it easier to play the game with multiple people, fostering discussion, collaboration, and group problem-solving. Kids still get the thrill and digital feedback from the app as they successfully complete each challenge.

In this category we chose these apps—focused on anatomy and the natural world—because they offer kids unique, open-ended ways to explore science topics. Each app encourages kids to meander, linger, and dive deeper at their own pace.

An app to see what’s inside: The Human Body

The Human Body (iOS and Android)

Seeing what’s inside.

The Human Body offers a visually and aurally interesting way to wander through the body’s organs, systems, and functions.

Ages: 4 and up

How it works: In The Human Body ( iOS and Android ), kids explore anatomy by jumping around to different organs and systems—for example, watching a mouth chew food and swallow drink, sliding into a stomach breaking down food, and following flashing nerve signals as they race up to the brain.

Why it’s great: The Human Body focuses less on teaching kids specific anatomical lessons and more on sparking wonder and fascination toward the body and what it can do. The app’s engaging visuals are neither cartoonish nor graphic, and the thoughtful sound effects are as compelling and instructive as the animations: Gurgles, wooshes, creaks, and spurts give kids a visceral sense of what’s happening inside them. You can toggle on or off the text labels that identify the systems and organs, but no reading is required to get deep into the app, making it equally accessible to pre-readers.

An app for discovering nature: Toca Boca Jr (Toca Nature)

Toca Boca Jr (iOS and Android)

Toca Nature, one of the games available through Toca Boca Jr, is an open-ended building activity where kids can explore and shape the terrain, collect resources, and observe wildlife.

Ages: 2 to 6

How it works: In Toca Nature , kids start with a simple plot of land where they can raise or lower mountains, create lakes, clear or plant forests, and make deserts. They can zoom in to different areas of their terrain to collect and distribute resources (like mushrooms, fish, or berries). As they change and shape the environment, different kinds of animals, plants, and fish will appear, multiply, migrate, or disappear.

Toca Nature is one of the games from Toca Boca Jr ( iOS and Android ). The app is free but access to the games requires a subscription. The $12 per month Piknik bundle ( iOS and Android ) covers unlimited access to Toca Boca Jr games such as Toca Nature , Toca Pet Doctor , Toca Lab: Plants , as well as Sago Mini games such as Sago Mini World . A Toca Boca Jr plan (with only Toca Boca games) is also available for $8 per month.

Why it’s great: Similar to popular narrative-less building games like Minecraft , Toca Nature harnesses the enjoyment kids get from open-ended creating, wandering, and exploring games, with a unique focus on the natural world. Common Sense Media senior editor and learning center strategist Christine Elgersma said that an app like Toca Nature doesn’t have explicit learning goals—it’s not trying to teach kids the names of animals or types of terrain, for example—but rather is “an exploratory app with experiences that a kid really couldn’t have off screen.” By creating and manipulating the environment, and then observing how the plant and wildlife change as a result, kids can see how animals, resources, and the environment interact.

Social and emotional learning , which includes self-awareness, empathy, communication skills, and building relationships, among other capacities, has increasingly been recognized as a critical component of children’s education. These two apps let young kids explore different aspects of self-expression, emotions, and social play.

An app for self-expression: Me: A Kid’s Diary

Me: A Kid's Diary (iOS)

A digital diary.

This app lets kids explore self-expression through drawing, writing, photos, and audio and video.

Ages: 6 to 8

How it works: Kids create a digital diary of their lives by answering questions about themselves; making avatars for family members, friends, and other loved ones; and designing their own media. Kids navigate all these entries on their Me Map, a sort of multimedia landscape of their lives.

Why it’s great: Me: A Kid’s Diary (iOS only) helps kids creatively document their feelings, experiences, and loved ones through different media and modes of expression. In some ways, the app offers an experience akin to social media—uploading photos, making videos, writing reflections, and mapping personal connections—but in an entirely closed environment (there’s no actual communication or sharing within the app). This can create a space for kids to start to explore (and for parents to discuss) digital self-expression and sharing.

An app for emotions: Daniel Tiger’s Grr-ific Feelings

Daniel Tiger's Grr-ific Feelings (iOS, Android, and Amazon)

Exploring emotions.

The beloved PBS character helps young kids identify, act out, and explore their feelings through games, songs and creative activities.

Ages: 0 to 5

How it works: Kids explore the familiar world of the PBS Kids series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood ( iOS , Android , Amazon ) through simple games, songs, and art activities that focus on identifying and exploring feelings and emotions. It offers different ways for kids to practice, talk about, and experience emotions, such as by drawing a picture, taking a photo of themselves feeling angry or happy, or practicing a calming exercise with Daniel Tiger.

Why it’s great: The app is simple and accessible for very young kids, with frequent verbal cues and reminders to help them through the easily navigable interface. “Even without the Daniel tie-in, it could actually still be a pretty successful app for teaching a lot of social, emotional, and self-care skills,” said Harry Sawyers, Wirecutter senior editor and father of three. “But having the familiar characters and songs really helps jump-start their interest if, for example, they ‘have to go potty—stop, and go right awaaaaay!’”

An app for reading: Epic! ebook subscription

Epic! e-book subscription

Endless ebooks.

This app allows young readers to choose from up to 35,000 different books for a low monthly cost.

Ages: 4 to 12

How it works: For $14 a month ($7 per month if you pay annually), kids gain access to some 35,000 children’s books in an intuitively designed app. Epic’s library is updated regularly with new titles, including classics and the site’s original content. Many of the picture books have a “Read to me” function, where a narrator reads the text aloud and the pages turn automatically. The app also suggests books by age and based on what a child has previously read, allowing kids to easily discover new titles at their reading level. Epic! works on iOS and Android tablets and smartphones.

Why it’s great: While some subscription kids’ e-book apps tend to be populated with the kinds of uninteresting titles you’d find in a bookstore bargain bin, Epic! offers an impressive library of children’s books, including many of the beloved classics and award-winning authors you’d find in a well-curated children’s library. (The Wizard of Oz, with the original 1900 illustrations, was one memorable find that gave us many nights of rapt bedtime reading.) The app is simple enough to use that my daughters could independently browse books by the cover art and find what interested them—even when they were pre-readers. Fairy tales abound, but I’ve also found them paging through books about geology, Ramadan, and coding.

Since we began researching learning apps in 2016, we’ve spoken with a range of experts, including a classroom teacher, a child developmental psychologist, a pediatrician, an astronomer, education researchers, app developers, and others.

These experts have included Kathy Hirsh-Pasek , a professor of psychology at Temple University who has written about and conducted research studies on educational apps for young children; Jennifer Auten , an award-winning teacher in Cupertino, California, who at the time was using tablet and smartphone apps in her first- and second-grade classrooms; Christine Elgersma , senior editor, learning content, for Common Sense Media, an organization focused on children’s media; and Pat Yongpradit , chief academic officer at Code.org, a nonprofit that advocates for computer science education. Last, we’ve spoken with parents on our staff for recommendations of apps they and their kids love in categories such as science, music, and coding.

We read articles and reports from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and child developmental psychologists and educational researchers to learn about kids’ media use and about principles for designing learning apps. Finally, we read through reviews and ratings from well-regarded children’s media sites such as Common Sense Media .

The good news: research has found that educational apps can aid with student learning. The challenge is finding the good ones. Similar to what we found when researching learning toys , we discovered that developers and app stores often label apps as “educational” with little research or evidence, and few experts, to support those claims.

In 2016, the AAP released a broad report on children’s use of digital media, calling for more-rigorous evaluation of apps that claim to be educational: “Unfortunately, very few of the commercially available apps found in the educational section of app stores have evidence-based design input with demonstrated learning effectiveness.” Similarly, in a 2015 article , Hirsh-Pasek writes that educational apps “present a significant opportunity for out-of-school, informal learning when designed in educationally appropriate ways” but notes later on that “[o]nly a handful of apps are designed with an eye toward how children actually learn.”

In a 2019 analysis of 124 popular children’s educational apps in the Google Play Store, most scored low in offering meaningful learning or engagement, particularly the ones that were free. Among the top-rated ones were several Toca Boca apps and a related Daniel Tiger app, Daniel Tiger’s Stop and Go Potty ( iOS and Android ).

Experts are still studying what makes learning apps successful pedagogical tools, as well as fun and interesting activities for kids. But after speaking with experts, reading research, and trying out apps ourselves, we identified a few features that seem to be common among great learning apps.

• Offer unique experiences: Several of the experts we spoke to noted that a good educational app should offer children something they couldn’t simply do, learn, or explore in a classroom or the real world. If the app is “basically a worksheet on screen, [or] an experience that could be replicated off screen, then that’s not a good use of the screen,” Elgersma said. “You want it to be an experience that kids could really only have in that screen world.”
• Be open-ended, with limits: Most of the apps in this guide are open-ended in the sense that they encourage kids to independently explore, create, and navigate within the app. But researchers say it’s important to have built-in limits, as well. The AAP has pointed out that digital games have traditionally been designed with rewards and reinforcement designed to keep kids playing as long as possible. The organization recommends that learning apps instead have “automatic ‘stops’ as the default design to encourage children and caregivers to pause the game use and turn to the 3-dimensional world.”
• Be engaging but not distracting: Apps have great potential to engage children through interactive features, but some research has shown that too many bells and whistles can distract children or reduce their comprehension. A good learning app uses interactive, animated, and responsive features to engage kids or enhance their comprehension, not simply to entertain. Hirsh-Pasek has written that parents should evaluate an app’s interactive features and ask: “Do the enhancements actually add value and increase engagement, or do they cause distraction?”
• Encourage interaction: The AAP and other organizations say that learning apps that encourage real-life interaction among multiple people—adult and child, or child and peers—can be especially strong at facilitating learning. The apps in this guide are fun and interesting for kids and adults, and many foster conversation and play outside of the app itself.

As with our guide to learning toys , we focused primarily on apps aimed at kids 3 to 9 years old, though older kids can enjoy many of our recommendations, as well. We chose this age range because, as Hirsh-Pasek has written , “there are so many apps targeted toward [children in this range] that parents and educators do not know how to navigate the marketplace of possibilities.”

Sarah Gannett and Ellen Lee contributed to this guide.

Christine Elgersma, senior editor, parent education, Common Sense Media , phone interview, March 12, 2019, email interview, April 15, 2024

Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, PhD, professor of psychology, Temple University , phone interview , January 8, 2019

Pat Yongpradit, chief academic officer, Code.org , phone interview , April 18, 2019

Jana Grcevich, PhD, astronomer, science educator, author , phone interview , December 1, 2016

Jennifer Auten, first- and second-grade teacher, Cupertino, California , phone interview , November 8, 2016

Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, et al., Putting Education in “Educational” Apps: Lessons From the Science of Learning , Psychological Science in the Public Interest , April 20, 2015

Yolanda (Linda) Reid Chassiakos, et al., Children and Adolescents and Digital Media , Pediatrics , October 1, 2016

Meet your guide

Courtney Schley

Courtney Schley, a senior editor covering sleep and appliances, has been at Wirecutter since 2014. She has held several roles at Wirecutter, including research editor, as well as supervising editor of baby and kid coverage.

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25 Best Educational Games for 3 Year Olds to Uplift Learning

5 Online Games for 3-Year-Olds

5 toy games for 3-year-olds, 5 board games for 3-year-olds, 5 card games for 3-year-olds, 5 active games for 3-year-olds.

As your precious little one grows, so does their amazing brain! At three years old, their brain is like a sponge, soaking up everything around them. It’s a fascinating time for their development, and the games you play with them can have a big impact.

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Did you know that during these early years, their brain is forming connections at an incredible pace? Did you know that 80% of a child’s brain develops during the first three years of their life? When your child’s brain produces excess synapses during the first three years, it becomes more responsive in later life. So it is important to stimulate the 3-year-old’s brain as much as possible. And there is nothing better than games for 3-year-olds to develop their mental and physical strength.

This article will take you on a stroll through the best 25 games for three-year-olds to improve their mental and physical abilities while keeping them fruitfully engaged.

25 Learning Games for 3-Year-Olds for Fun Learning and Entertainment

It is difficult to grab a three-year-old’s attention for a long time. They have the shortest attention span with interested in everything bright on Earth. Games for three-year-olds have to be fun yet educational. Here are the best games for 3-year-olds:

We all love playing online games, and so do our kids. Online games are another reason for screen exposure for our kids and an opportunity for them to learn from it if we, as informed parents, choose the right games for our children. So, it is wise to allocate a portion of the screen time we have allotted for our kids to online learning games. Take a look at some of the best games available online.

1. SplashLearn

Skill: Math and reading skills

Price: Free for teachers and a 7-day free trial for parents. Subscription starts at $4.99 per month.

SplashLearn is one of the best games for 3-year-olds to improve their math and language skills . This platform has interactive visuals, sound quality, and a storyline to engage young children. All the games have a simple interface and language that toddlers can easily understand. In addition, this platform has several helpful resources for parents and teachers to educate young students, like blogs, research notes, curriculums, etc.

2. Balls and Boxes

Skill: Memory improvement 

Price: Free 

Balls and Boxes is a challenging and one of the many free games for 3-year-olds available online. It is an award-winning educational game that is easy to play but hard to get right. It has three boxes, and each box has a ball. The balls get shuffled at each level, and players must remember which ball belongs to which box. It is a great brain teasing game to improve your toddlers’ memory and overall brain development.

3. Create Mosaics

Skill: Memory and logical reasoning skills 

This free game for 3-year-olds online can help them learn colors and improve their logical skills. It is a simple grid of four and six different colors. Children have to follow the color grid and fill in the right colors in the large blank grid in the center of the screen. 

4. Counting Pizza Party

Skill: Counting skills 

Price: Monthly subscription starts at $8.00 per month

Counting Pizza Party is a fun game where kids make pizzas and improve their counting skills. They get to decide what type of pizza they want to make and select its topping as well. When the customers make a request, it is up to your child to get the correct amount for topping on their pizza.

5. Learning Shapes

Skill: Shapes

By playing this game, 3-year-olds can learn basic shapes with the help of animated characters such as squares, rectangles, circles, hearts, and so on. The game has two types of exercises – coloring and shape-recognising activities. 

After online games, let’s explore kids’ very first and favorite love, toys, and learning toy games for them.

A 3-year-old kid is exploring their world curiously. Everything from insects to planes piques their curiosity. In this arena, toys cater to their developmental needs and natural curiosity. Toy games provide them with sensory experiences, encourage imaginative play, and offer them a sense of control and mastery. They allow kids to mimic real-life situations, experiment, and create, fostering enjoyment and a sense of accomplishment. Following are some of the most amazing toy games filtered from a whole lot just for you!

6. Toddler Chicken Egg Toys

Skill: Color matching and motor skills

Price: $18.99

It is one of the top educational games for 3-year-olds and is perfect for stimulating their color senses and motor skills. This game is also ideal for children suffering from sensory disorders. This simple game can enhance their contextual understanding and color-matching skills.

7. The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game

Skill: Math skills, social and strategic planning 

Price: $15.79

A family of four can enjoy this strategic game and improve the mathematical skills of their toddlers. In this game, 3-year-olds will learn to win a game by feeding their squirrels first. The gameplay is simple — spin the spinner, squeeze the matching colored acorn with the squirrel squeezer, and place it into a log. This game involves multiple elements,  perfect for entertaining your toddler.

8. The Honey Bee Tree

Skill: Hand-eye coordination, strategic thinking, and dexterity

Price: $17.97

This honey bee game is educational and fun for a 3-year-old. Your toddler will experience thrill and excitement while removing leaves from the tree without disturbing the honey bees. Players who have fewer honey bees in their trays at the end will win this game. It is a strategic and sensory game that can develop your child’s brain and keep them entertained at the same time.

9. WinkleStar Dartboard

Skill: Motor skills, color matching, and identifying fishes

Price: $12.59

Unlike the traditional dart boards with sharp darts, this is a unique kids-friendly dartboard with round balls as darts. So, it is a completely safe and educational game for young children. The dartboard contains different colors, fish images, and patterns to improve toddlers’ color, shape, and print recognition skills. It is a perfect classroom and party learning game for 3-year-olds. 

10. Cootie Bug Building

Skill: Color matching and motor skills 

Price: $8.99

Cootie is a classic educational game for three-year-olds. This is a fun party activity for toddlers to learn color-matching skills and improve their hand-eye coordination. Players have to spin the spinner and hope to land on the bug part they need to complete their Cootie bug. The player who builds the bug first wins the game.

Everyone has fond memories of playing board games as kids. Their popularity lies in their ability to create suspense and happy feelings in moments of victory.  Board games enhance children’s strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. Through them, kids also learn qualities like teamwork and sportsmanship. Now that we know how important board games are for children, let’s see a few best ones around.

11. Candy Land

Skill: Color matching and strategies 

Price: $12.99

Candy Land must have brought your childhood’s nostalgic memories back. It is a classic board game that every child has played. Over the years, different versions of the game have been created. But the traditional version with colored cards, sweet illustrations, and four gingerbread players is the best. Children must pick the cards and move their plastic players on the board to explore different landscapes and mountains while targeting the castle.

12. Chutes and Ladders: Peppa Pig Edition

Skill: Counting, addition, and color recognition 

Price: $9.99

Chutes and Ladders is the best party game for three-year-olds. Four players can play this game at one time. There are multiple versions of this game available today. So, based on your child’s interest, you can get the game. This game helps toddlers improve their counting and number-adding skills. Children have to spin the spinner and count numbers to move their player on the board squares and aim to reach the 100th square. This way, Chutes and Ladders inject a dose of thrill and excitement into the gameplay.

13. Magnetic Maze

Skill: Creativity, imagination, and motor skills

Price: $22.99

As the name suggests, it is a magnetic board with vibrant images and graphics. Your child has to use a magnetic ball to move it from point A to B while crossing a maze. Children will use their imagination and strategic skills to move balls in the magnetic maze. It is a simple game to stimulate imagination and creativity among toddlers.

14. Hi, Ho! Cherry-O

Skill: Math Skills

Price: $11.99

Hi Ho! Cherry-O is yet another classic board game for three-year-olds. In this game, children have to spin the wheel and pick cherries from the tree based on their instructions, like 1, 2, 3, etc. They will learn to read, count, add, and subtract while picking the cherries. 

15. Disney Classic Characters Matching

Skill: Identify similarities and differences

Price: $14.39

If your child is a big fan of Disney movies, this game is perfect for them. You will get 72 tiles with Disney character pictures like Mickey Mouse, Minnie, Dumbo, The Incredibles, Donald Duck, Goofy, etc. Children have to pick the matching photos and name the Disney character. You can also make this game fun by giving a time limit for finding the right Disney character match.

Card games are ageless as much as they are entertaining. It is a perfect way to spend quality time with your friends and family. A session of card games builds memories you cherish for years to come. Kids can also be introduced to card games for their age and understanding. Card games often involve memory, math, and critical thinking, entertainingly enhancing cognitive skills. Let’s take a look at a few superb card games we have put together below!

16. Lingo Cards

Skill: Language and memory skills

Price: $14.99

Do you want to teach your mother tongue to your toddlers? If so, you can play lingo cards with them. These are regular 52 cards with two jokers. However, a phrase from your selected language will be printed on each card. So, you can show different cards to your children and teach them words with phonetic pronunciation. These lingo cards are available in various languages like Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, etc. 

17. Smack It!

Skill: Memory and motor skills

Price: $6.99

It is a fast-paced and rowdy card game for three-year-olds. Your entire family can play this game together and spend some quality time. Players must sit in a circle and swiftly swipe cards in the center. But they must remember when to say smack it and win the game. These cards are also perfect for playing classic games like wars and Slapjack. 

18. Gimme 5

Skill: Counting and patterns

Price: $4.99

This game is a toddler version of Snap. It has a hundred colorful cards that you can divide equally among your toddlers and let them put cards individually in the center pile. However, they will try to use their power cards to make their opponent give away their card as a punishment. It is the perfect classroom card game you can play with over ten kids.

19. Steal The Bacon

Skill: Matching skills 

Steal The Bacon is the tastiest fun game for 3-year-olds. This card game contains delicious breakfast cards like pancakes, bacon, etc. Players have to match breakfast cards, and when their breakfast plate matches their opponent, they rush to steal the bacon from their plate. The player who steals the bacon first obviously wins the game.

Skill: Matching and memory skills

Price: $9.94

BLINK is a fast-paced family card game. In this game, two players race against one another and try to match different colors, shapes, and counts of two cards. You can play a card with four yellow stars on any card with yellow symbols (color), on a card with any number of stars (shape), or a card with four symbols of any kind (count).

It’s a game of speed & focuses with no reading or counting, so it’s perfect for young children.

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”

Yes, active games make children anything but dull. When children involve themselves in active play, they experience an adrenaline rush that makes them more robust, confident, and intelligent. Therefore, there should be no undermining of physically active play for children. Qualities a child does not learn in the physical constraints of a classroom; he learns effortlessly in the playground. Following are a few great active games for 3-year-olds:

Price: $26.99

Elefun is a cute elephant that produces butterflies from its trunk. It is the best activity game for toddlers. The game is pretty simple, you have to plugin the Elefun, and it will first produce a trumpet sound before throwing butterflies out of its trunk. After that, children can use a net to catch butterflies, and the one who catches the most butterflies will win the game. With this game, you will get 20 butterflies and three nets. So, three-year-olds can play this game with their friends and do some physical activity.

22. Toy Rocket Launcher

Skill: STEM skills

Price: $19.99

For unlimited outdoor entertainment, you can give this toy rocket launcher to your toddler. It is not only a fun toy to create foam rockets. It is a scientific and technical toy that teaches children how to apply the right amount of pressure at the right angle to fly a rocket. Also, assembling this toy rocket requires some basic engineering skills. So, if you have a little engineer or scientist in your family, you should definitely play this activity game with them.

23. RaboSky Bean Bag Toss

Skill: Motor skills and important sensory development

Price: $24.99

When toddlers toss bean bags into the interactive holes, this will not only improve their motor skills. But it will also improve their tracking, visual, coordination, and aiming skills. It is a perfect party and classroom game to keep energetic three-year-olds active all day.

24. Whack A Mole Game

Skill: Motor skills  

Price: $38.99

Whack A Mole Game is the best educational and entertaining game for 3-year-olds. It is an electronic game that automatically pops up moles, and children have to use hammers to whack them all. You can set the game’s speed based on your child’s ability. It is also available in eight languages that help improve language skills among children. With hand and eye coordination improvement, this game improves visual and tactical senses in young children.

25. Hover Ball

Skill: Motor skills

Price: $45.95

To tire out energetic toddlers, this is the perfect indoor soccer game. It is a football, but it is made of foam and travels in the air. Kids will have a blast kicking around this hover ball. The best thing about this ball is that it travels in the air. Therefore, it is perfect for playing indoors without breaking anything.

“Play is the primary way children were designed to learn” – Kathy Hersh-Pasek and Roberta Golinkoff

These captivating learning games are tailored for the enjoyment of 3-year-olds . They effectively blend education with entertainment, ranging from engaging board games to interactive online experiences. With a variety of options available, some offered at no cost while others require a fee, you can immerse your toddlers in these games and witness their developmental progress firsthand.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can i pick the best games for my three year olds.

While selecting the best games for three-year-olds, check the educational and entertainment levels in the game. The game should teach a skill or value to children. In addition, it is an advantage to have some entertainment value in the game because it is hard to retain the attention of young children.

Should I allow my kids to play online games?

Online games are helpful to entertain and educate children when parents are busy with other errands. Having said that, monitoring your child’s screen time is equally essential.

How many hours of play does a 3 year old need?

Toddlers should be allowed at least one hour of free, unstructured play and at least half an hour of structured adult-led structured play.

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Best Educational iPad Games

iPads for kids are quickly becoming a popular and powerful educational tool at home. iPad games for kids are being used in education around the world with great success. Come home with an iPad and your kids are going to want to play iPad games with it.

Lots of iPad games for kids are fun and genuinely interesting. Every game for iPad has an age-specific rating so that you can tell if the game is right for your child. We've taken care to play every game, so you know it's definitely worth a download. Whether you're new to iPad gaming or are just looking for your next game to download, here are my top picks for iPad games.

Check out the best educational iPad games that are fun and engaging for children of all ages.

• Best iPad Educational Games

1. Kids Academy

Kids Academy is one of the best iPad game for young learners. Their innovative program blends cutting-edge adaptive technology, artificial intelligence, custom learning paths, and game-like elements to enhance children's learning experience. It makes learning engaging and effective by offering interactive games across subjects like Math, Reading, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies.

Ages: 3 and over

Related: Puzzle Games

2. MentalUP Educational Games

MentalUP Educational Games for iPad offer learners a variety of problem-solving experiences and critical thinking challenges. The games start with concise instructions before launching into timed exercises. Users can customize the app to focus on specific skills and consider the player's age. It includes a reports page for tracking progress and achievements, and players can personalize their avatars with in-game currency earned by succeeding in games.

Ages: 5 and over

Related: Best brain training apps

3. PBS KIDS Games

PBS Kids Games is a top iPad game for kids, offering over 25 games featuring popular PBS Kids characters. It provides preschoolers with hours of entertainment and education across various activities like pattern matching, racing, and music. The games teach basics about weather, sea life, shapes, and more, while also developing reading skills and strategic thinking. The app regularly updates with new games, expanding its educational content. It's a free and effective choice for interactive learning with beloved children's TV characters.

4. Adventure Academy

Adventure Academy is a multiplayer game for elementary and middle school students, offering thousands of learning activities across subjects like math, reading, science, and social studies. Kids explore these through quests in a virtual world. The activities include videos, games, quizzes, and interactive elements aligned with U.S. and international curriculum standards.

Ages: 9 and over

5. Science Games for Kids - Tappity

K-5 Science for Kids - Tappity is a great app that is like having the perfect science teacher available for children all of the time. The app includes 200+ science lessons, activities, and stories in a curriculum designed for kids ages 4-10. Their content is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards for K-5th Grade.

6. Word Beach: Fun Spelling Games

Word Beach is an ideal iPad game for children aged 6 and older, enhancing their attention, language development, and spatial awareness. This word puzzle game improves their spelling skills, introduces new words, and reinforces the spellings of irregular words. The game involves finding words from letters of a longer word, with progress to the next level upon completion. With hundreds of levels and regular updates, it offers lasting engagement. A daily challenge, presented as a simple crossword, adds variety.

Ages: 6 and above

• Related: Best free games for kids

7. Kids Brain Games

Kids Brain Games is a fun iPad game for kids. The games are challenging children to develop their thinking skills. The variety of puzzles is excellent and cover many different topics and ways of thinking. One moment your child will be matching clocks to times and the next mentally rotating a scene to find its mirror image. Both of these have an element of maths to them but other challenges cover words, problem solving, planning, memory, general knowledge and all sorts of other aspects.

Ages: 5 and under

8. ABCya Games

ABCYa is an educational game for iPad designed for kids in grades K-5, categorizing games by grade and subjects such as letters, numbers, and holidays. The game collection includes arcade, word find, racing, and typing games, among others, with examples ranging from Alphabetical Order for kindergarteners to Division Drag Race for fifth graders. ABCya! allows children to identify their learning levels and select games that meet their educational needs.

9. Coding Games For Kids To Play

Coding Games for kids is a popular iPad game for kids that teaches sequential visual coding. The app comes with an array of free games and encourages children to solve problems, improve logical thinking and increase their memory in a fun and interactive environment. Its fun way to get kids to learn and problems solve in fun way with cool characters and plenty of great games to choose from.

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Getting smart collective, impact update, 30 of the best educational ipad games: kid’s edition.

“The 30 Best Educational Games for the iPad: Kid’s Edition” first appeared on OnlineCourses.com. Parents and teachers who trust little Muffy and Junior with their shiny iPads don’t have to worry about how access to shoot-‘em-up video games will rot their precious little gifted and talented program minds. Instead, they can download some of the following alternatives to help them build up their brilliant brains that will totally go on to win Nobel Prizes someday.

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Stack the countries :, highlights hidden pictures :, the oregon trail :, lego super heroes movie maker :, math and letters air control :, brainpop featured movie :, early jamestown :, garageband :, thinkertoy :, kapu toys :, mathboard :, ultimate word search free (wordsearch) :, rocket math :, civilization revolution :, i spy riddle race :, coin catcher :, let’s create pottery :, iwritewords :, mathemagics – mental math tricks :, story wheel :, what’s the difference :, time, money & fractions on-track :, dr. frankenstein’s body lab :, soundtouch :, monster physics :.

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37 comments, scott strong.

Hello, I recently released an iPad game to the App Store that I think should be considered for your top-30 list. It's a simple memory matching game that allows kids to match concepts in order to learn about the particular topic. For example, in the Numbers topic, the user can select to match numbers to Roman numerals, or to the spelling of the number in English, French or Spanish. There are currently topics for the following: Animals, Colors, Countries, Shapes, Numbers, and Time. The name of the game is "Match To Learn", and it can be found at this URL: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/match-to-learn/id583563447?ls=1&mt=8 . Or, to learn more about the game visit my website at http://www.pureforte.com/match-to-learn. Thank you for your consideration, and please contact me if you have any questions. regards, - Scott

I recently released an iPad game to the App Store that I think should be considered for your top-30 list. It is Essay Starter. I want introduce you with Essay Starter. You can find it on next link. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/essay-starter/id593023126?mt=8 I want to invite you to feel free to try this app and write review if you are interested about it. What is Essay Starter? The new iPad app "Essay Starter" is here...Make writing easy. The new iPad app "Essay Starter" is perfect for students, writers, and professionals, anyone whose writing involves a research component. Use the split screen feature to view your research on one side, and take notes on the other. Select text from research material and insert it directly into your notes, along with an automatically generated footnote. Description Be inspired! Writing is easy when you have easy access and control of your sources. Automatic footnotes let you stop worrying about references and just write. Split screen mode lets you open and read multiple PDF files, and take notes at the same time. Get your writing started quickly: * Upload your research as PDF files * Automatic reference information for footnotes * Edit optional additional bibliographical information for footnotes * Read and highlight PDF files on the full screen or split screen * Easily navigate within PDF files with tile view * Create a new worksheet to make notes and start your essay * Use split screen to view the worksheet and PDFs at the same time * Select PDF text and send it to the worksheet, with an automatic footnote reference * Easy file management system * Left or right handed layout

Chuck The Turtle

Hello everyone! You should try Chuck The Turtle! It is a fun and educational game for kids. They get to paint, jump, do puzzles, cross some dangerous roads, jump, climb and much more! Chuck the Turtle is easy to play, rewarding and mind-challenging!! Check it out and also watch the video: http://itunes.com/apps/chucktheturtle http://youtu.be/ObGMIc9HgqI

Liz Griffiths

There are some things the iPad can't replace: http://buildingblocksmedia.blogspot.com/2013/03/there-are-some-things-ipad-just-cant.html

"Hello, Another great new app for kids is Jazzy World Tour. They have a free version. My kids have learned so much from it. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/jazzy-world-tour-free-musical/id574909527?mt=8"

Love Space Exploration? This is the only ABC learning app that focus on Space. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kBGWoEaAuw

Ashley Wells

Nice to hear this thanks for sharing. I want this for my son.

Sheer portability and convenience of app, makes learning activity a complete joyride for both parents and kids.

Maryna Petrenko

Hi, Our new educational app "City Letters" is now available on App Store. City Letters teaches children to identify alphabet letters, recognize their sounds, trace them, and solve exciting puzzles and mini games: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/frugoton-city-letters-education/id730991933?ls=1&mt=8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M66cp7ni958

Paweł Kitajewski

I would like to recommend you Joypa Colors. It is interactive coloring game for kids 3 years+ While making progress object on your screen are coming to life. Trees are bending, sun starts to move on the sky, animals are starting to move it's simple but brilliant :) It can be played on your tablet or smartphone. Game can be downloaded for free on Appstore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/joypa-colors-free-interactive/id789651365?mt=8 And Google play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dm.joypacolorsfree

Superb list...Math ninja is best math game for kids ever. Math is always boring subject for kids and by this game kids will learn math vey easily.

igeniuspets

iGeniusPets is a fun pet game with 9 mini educational games. Available on both ios and android. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/igeniuspets-lite/id817614884?ls=1&mt=8

Our son loves playing this animal app called MiniPlaces on our iPad http://goo.gl/iXY6so. Games like these helped to stimulate his interests in animals and going to the zoo as he got older.

Great blog! I have published a new educational slide puzzel game for iPad called Scramble Fest that is available for free on the App Store. It features a total of 300 puzzels ranging in subjects from animals to people and architecture. Presented in an original manner this game includes a variety of stage designs that challenges the player to get ahead in the game. Why don't you take a look at the iTunes page? https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scramble-fest-free/id838310529?ls=1&mt=8 There's also a paid version that costs $0.99 and doesn't include ads. To see more of the game be sure to check out the Facebook page which features a number of videos here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scramble-Fest/515100568601397?ref=ts&fref=ts And the official website: http://www.royniginal.nl/ScrambleFest/index.html Enjoy! And feel free to contact me at any time. Best regards, Roy

Hello, Check this Fun & Educational Math App for kids:"Flappy Owlet - The Adventures of a Baby Bird". It’s a free game that test your reflexes and first grade math skills. App store url: goo.gl/w2eCWV

Excellent list, I would also add Bubble Shooter puzzle game - its educational value lies in rather something different than schools subjects.. This game can improve responses and fast thinking, absolutely love it!

Parks j Daniel

Such a fantastic educational game for kids listed here in this post. Educational game are best way for teach to child some educational activities. I like all the games appears here.

How about an educational game that is full of interactivity, animations, fun, vocal and sounds for many repeat plays? Jungle game provides endless entertainment and learning to your kids! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZuF_AtQV_E&feature=youtu.be https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/jungle-educational-game/id929575979

Rodel Ednalan

More apps availlable at Educational Fun For Kids

learning system

Sheer portability and accessibility of app, makes acquirement action a complete joyride for both parents and kids.

Thanks. Play new filled puzzle game and help Astropup save Earth. The simple tap mechanic have some complex challenges. Discover black holes, radiation, space anomalies & the dastardly alien fleet in Astropup. Free to Download for ‪#‎iPhone‬, ‪#‎iPad‬ and ‪#‎iPod‬ touch. Download Link: http://bit.ly/astropup-ios

I try to review mobile games best for kids at my site here: mobileappsforkids.wordpress.com

Hey everyone! I'm super excited to share the project I've been working on for such a long time... Dino Kids Free is already for Apple : https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dino-kids-free/id958288574?l=fr&ls=1&mt=8 and Android : https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...e.DinoKidsFree See example in Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0asTg2Acw4 Thinks for your support.

parks daniel

awesome list..loved all these games..after i read these facts : http://goo.gl/KnRXAf

I think you could add this game to the list also. It is loved by kids of all ages from all over the world and it has over 200.000 downloads worldwide. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=air.com.dlgames.GuessThatAnimal

Great way to learn through play is to pick boardcraft game, which is a set of educational games adapted for children of all ages, supporting development, creativity, imagination.your child create new game by drawing and then play in tablet. very simple.

Hey! We are working on a puzzle game with deep narrative element. Both the story and the puzzles are designed to require deep concentration and the puzzles teach visual pattern recognition skills. It is designed both for adults and children. We will be searching beta testers in future and would love feedback from both adults and children. If you think this interesting please follow us: www.galacticechoes.com Best regards, Jaakko

"NUMBERS SWAPPER" is a smart educational game for ages 8 and up. it is published on iPhone but could play on other Apple devices. the player organizes and manipulates numbers that are close or look alike. it teaches digits/place value in a fun way. Also "MONEY MATTERS" can be played on the iPhone/Apple devices. It teaches budgeting, quick adding, decision making and avoiding bankruptcy. it has nice graphics and different levels of difficulties.

Taylor Donaway

I really think my new baby sister will like the game hangman and Braimpop.Maybe even Mathninja and Madlibs.

Patricia C.

Hi, I don't like to post these kind of comments but I would like to recommend this puzzle.. My son love it. I think is because of the colors and sounds. Sadly is only for android. But I'm using my husband's tablet. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.queleas.wheelspuzzlesforkids

Thank you for the list! Here is one more for children who are learning how to read: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/hales-tale-learn-to-read/id1184892804

Hello everyone! I would add to this list the educational website Koikiwi http://koikiwi.com/ where kids could learn about ecological issues while they playing games. It's set of games: action games, puzzle games, trivia and other fun games - which all are focused on ecology, the environment and the future of our planet.

Shweta Kale

Great! Thanks for sharing your information. They are really useful games. I have just come across an article, which says they are brain child award winner. You can give it a read to the link. https://logicroots.com/MathBlog/tillywig-brain-child-award-winner-2019/

The theme of kids' computer games is the same - an anonymous person brutally fights an anonymous enemy. This type of kids' computer game infuses violent behavior into kids. Playing computer games has become the biggest addiction among kids. They even save money to buy the latest game titles.

Please consider Rocket Mouse by Sofielafée in your selection. Rocket Mouse is an original English French learning game for preschoolers, made by parents and available on iPad, iPhone and Android

Diya Kapoor

Thanks for sharing this useful list. During lockdown, I am trying to engage my son in taking some brain games or learning quizzes. One of his favorite learning app these days is : The Quizopedia. You can also install for your kid for free GK and many more quizzes and practice tests. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/thequizopedia/id1480799124

reetamorson

Hi, You have build such an amazing site. thanks for sharing this amazing information with us. It is really going to be very helpful for kids. You may also visit: https://www.thelearningapps.com/

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Ultimate Guide to the Best iPad Games for Kids

Introduction to ipad gaming for kids.

Welcome to the exciting world of iPad gaming for kids! In today’s digital age, children are increasingly drawn to technology, and the iPad has become a popular device for entertainment and education. With its user-friendly interface and vast selection of games, the iPad offers a unique gaming experience for young learners.

Gone are the days when playing video games was considered a mere pastime. Now, parents and educators recognize the potential of iPad games to enhance children’s cognitive skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. From educational games to creative apps and thrilling adventures, there is something for every child on the App Store.

In this article, we will explore the different categories of iPad games that are perfect for kids. Whether you want to help your child learn new concepts, foster their artistic talents, or simply provide them with hours of fun, we’ve got you covered!

Before we dive into the various types of games, it’s important to note that not all iPad games are created equal. As a parent, you need to ensure that the games you choose are age-appropriate, safe, and offer educational value. With thousands of options available, it can be overwhelming to find the best games for your child. That’s why we’ve done the research for you and compiled a list of top-rated games in each category.

Why Choose iPad Gaming for Kids?

There are several reasons why iPad gaming is a great choice for kids. First and foremost, it provides a fun and engaging way for children to learn and explore new concepts. Many educational games are designed to align with school curriculums, helping children reinforce what they learn in the classroom.

iPad games also promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Puzzle and strategy games require children to think strategically, analyze situations, and come up with creative solutions. These games can improve cognitive abilities, memory, and logical reasoning.

Furthermore, iPad gaming allows children to express their creativity. With a wide range of artistic apps available, kids can unleash their inner artist and create digital masterpieces. Whether it’s drawing, painting, or designing, the iPad offers endless possibilities for artistic expression.

Another benefit of iPad gaming is the opportunity for social interaction. Many games allow children to connect with friends or family members, fostering teamwork and collaboration. Multiplayer games can be a great way for kids and parents to bond and have fun together.

Lastly, iPad gaming can be a useful tool for parents. It’s essential to be involved in your child’s gaming experience and ensure they are playing games that are safe and appropriate. By choosing educational and entertaining games, you can turn screen time into a valuable learning experience for your child.

Now that we’ve covered the benefits of iPad gaming for kids, let’s dive into the different categories of games that will captivate your child’s imagination and provide hours of fun and learning!

Top Educational iPad Games for Young Learners

Are you looking for fun and educational activities to keep your young ones engaged? Look no further than the iPad! With its wide range of educational games and apps, the iPad is the perfect tool to foster learning and creativity in children. In this article, we will explore some of the top educational iPad games that are not only entertaining but also help develop important skills in young learners.

1. ABCmouse

ABCmouse is an award-winning educational app that covers a wide range of subjects, including math, reading, science, and art. With interactive lessons and activities, this app keeps children engaged while helping them develop essential skills. From learning the alphabet to understanding basic math concepts, ABCmouse offers a comprehensive curriculum for children aged 2-8.

2. Khan Academy Kids

Khan Academy Kids is a free app that offers a plethora of educational activities for children aged 2-7. With its diverse range of subjects, including math, reading, and social-emotional development, this app helps children build a strong foundation for learning. The app also includes interactive games and videos that make learning fun and engaging.

3. Toca Life World

Toca Life World is a creative and imaginative game that allows children to explore different virtual worlds and engage in open-ended play. In this game, children can create their own stories, design characters, and build their dream houses. Toca Life World encourages creativity, problem-solving, and storytelling skills in a fun and interactive way.

4. Duolingo

Duolingo is a language-learning app that offers interactive lessons in various languages, including Spanish, French, and German. With its game-like format, Duolingo makes language learning enjoyable and engaging for children. The app includes speaking, listening, and writing exercises to help children develop their language skills at their own pace.

5. Math vs. Zombies

Math vs. Zombies is a math game that combines learning with a thrilling zombie adventure. In this game, children solve math problems to defeat zombies and save the world. With its captivating storyline and challenging math exercises, Math vs. Zombies makes learning math fun and exciting for young learners.

6. Thinkrolls

Thinkrolls is a puzzle game that promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills in children. With its intuitive gameplay and progressively challenging levels, Thinkrolls encourages children to explore and experiment to find solutions. The game covers various concepts, such as gravity, logic, and spatial reasoning, making it an excellent educational tool for young minds.

These are just a few examples of the many educational iPad games available for young learners. When choosing games for your children, consider their age, interests, and learning goals. Look for games that offer a balance between fun and educational content.

Remember, it’s important to set limits on screen time and ensure that your children are playing age-appropriate games. Always supervise their activities and encourage them to take breaks and engage in other offline activities.

With the right selection of educational iPad games, you can provide your children with engaging and enriching learning experiences. So, let the learning adventures begin!

Best Creative and Artistic iPad Apps for Children

Calling all little artists and creative minds! If your child loves to draw, paint, or explore their imagination, then you’re in luck. The iPad is brimming with a plethora of creative and artistic apps that will keep your child entertained for hours while also nurturing their artistic talents. Here are some of the top picks:

1. Procreate

This app is a must-have for any budding artist. Procreate offers a wide range of brushes, paints, and tools that allow your child to create stunning digital artwork. They can experiment with different colors, textures, and brushes to bring their imagination to life. Plus, the app also has a user-friendly interface, making it easy for children to navigate and explore their creative abilities.

2. Art Set 4

Art Set 4 is like having a virtual art studio at your fingertips. With a variety of tools like brushes, pencils, and even pastels, your child can unleash their artistic side. They can mix colors, shade, and blend to create realistic artwork. The app also includes different canvases and paper textures, giving your child the feeling of working with traditional art materials.

3. Toca Hair Salon 3

For the little stylists out there, Toca Hair Salon 3 is the perfect app. With this app, your child can become a hairdresser and style the hair of various characters. They can cut, dye, and experiment with different hairstyles. The app encourages creativity and allows children to express themselves through hairstyling.

4. Puppet Pals HD

Puppet Pals HD is an app that combines storytelling and creativity. Your child can choose from a selection of characters and backgrounds to create their own puppet shows. They can move the characters, add voiceovers, and even create their own storylines. This app is a fantastic way for children to develop their storytelling skills and let their imagination run wild.

5. Drawing Pad

Drawing Pad is a versatile app that offers a range of creative tools. Your child can draw, paint, and even add stickers to their artwork. The app also includes coloring pages and a wide variety of coloring tools. It’s a great app for children who enjoy both drawing and coloring.

Remember, while these apps provide a fun and creative outlet for your child, it’s important to set limits on screen time and ensure they are engaging in other activities as well. Encourage them to explore their creative abilities offline, too, by providing them with traditional art supplies such as crayons, markers, and paper.

So, whether your child dreams of becoming the next Picasso or simply enjoys expressing themselves through art, these creative and artistic iPad apps are sure to keep them entertained and inspired. Let their imaginations soar!

Puzzle and Strategy Games for Kids on iPad

Are you looking for fun and educational games to keep your kids engaged and entertained? Look no further than puzzle and strategy games for the iPad! These games not only provide hours of fun, but also help develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and cognitive skills in young learners. Here are some of the best puzzle and strategy games for kids on iPad:

1. Monument Valley

Monument Valley is a visually stunning puzzle game that takes players on a journey through surreal and mind-bending landscapes. With its beautiful graphics and clever level design, it challenges players to think outside the box and navigate through optical illusions. This game not only stimulates creativity and spatial awareness but also encourages patience and perseverance.

2. Where’s My Water?

In this popular puzzle game, players help the lovable alligator, Swampy, by guiding water through various obstacles to his bathtub. With its intuitive gameplay and challenging levels, Where’s My Water? teaches kids about physics and problem-solving skills in a fun and engaging way. It also introduces concepts like gravity, buoyancy, and fluid dynamics in a simple and accessible manner.

3. Minecraft

Minecraft is a world-building game that allows players to create and explore virtual landscapes using blocks. It offers endless possibilities for creativity and imagination, as players can build anything from simple houses to complex structures. With its open-ended gameplay and strategic thinking required for resource management, Minecraft fosters problem-solving, teamwork, and planning skills.

4. The Room

The Room is a series of puzzle games that challenges players to solve intricate puzzles and unravel mysterious storylines. With its immersive atmosphere and detailed graphics, it keeps players hooked from start to finish. The Room not only sharpens critical thinking and analytical skills but also encourages players to pay attention to detail and think outside the box.

5. Plants vs. Zombies

In this popular strategy game, players must defend their home from an army of brain-hungry zombies using an arsenal of plants with unique abilities. With its addictive gameplay and strategic decision-making, Plants vs. Zombies teaches kids about resource management, planning, and problem-solving. It also introduces concepts like sun economy and plant synergies in a fun and accessible way.

When choosing puzzle and strategy games for your kids on iPad, it’s important to consider their interests, age appropriateness, and educational value. Look for games that offer a balance between entertainment and learning, as well as encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Remember to set limits on screen time and encourage outdoor play and social interaction to maintain a healthy balance. With the right games and guidance, iPad gaming can be a valuable tool for your child’s cognitive development and overall enjoyment.

So, get ready to embark on exciting adventures, solve challenging puzzles, and unleash your child’s inner strategist with these amazing puzzle and strategy games for kids on iPad!

Exciting Adventure and Role-Playing Games for Junior Gamers

Are you ready to embark on an epic adventure with your child? Look no further than the world of adventure and role-playing games on the iPad! These games not only provide endless entertainment but also offer valuable learning opportunities for young gamers. From exploring magical realms to solving mysteries, these games are sure to ignite your child’s imagination and problem-solving skills.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – This critically acclaimed game takes players on a thrilling journey through the vast and beautiful world of Hyrule. With its captivating storyline and immersive gameplay, it’s no wonder that this game has captured the hearts of both kids and adults alike. Your child will learn valuable lessons about bravery, resourcefulness, and perseverance as they navigate through challenging puzzles and defeat formidable enemies.

2. Minecraft – In this open-ended sandbox game, players can unleash their creativity and build their own virtual world. From constructing elaborate structures to exploring vast landscapes, Minecraft encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. It’s a great way for kids to learn about architecture, engineering, and spatial awareness while having fun.

3. LEGO Marvel Super Heroes – If your child is a fan of superheroes, they’ll love this action-packed game that combines the beloved LEGO brand with the Marvel universe. Players can take control of their favorite characters like Iron Man, Spider-Man, and Captain America as they battle villains and save the day. Along the way, they’ll learn about teamwork, problem-solving, and the importance of using their powers for good.

4. Pokémon GO – Get ready to catch ’em all in this augmented reality game that brings the world of Pokémon to life. Players can explore their surroundings, discover and collect Pokémon, and engage in battles with other trainers. Pokémon GO encourages outdoor exploration, physical activity, and strategic thinking. It’s a fantastic way for kids to learn about different species of animals and develop their observation skills.

5. Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp – In this adorable game, players become the manager of a campsite and interact with cute animal characters. They can engage in various activities like fishing, bug-catching, and decorating their campsite. Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp teaches kids about responsibility, time management, and social interactions. It’s a delightful game that promotes creativity and community building.

Remember, while these adventure and role-playing games offer numerous benefits for young gamers, it’s important to set limits and ensure a healthy balance between screen time and other activities. Encourage your child to take breaks, engage in physical play, and explore other hobbies.

So, gear up for an exciting escapade with your child by diving into the world of adventure and role-playing games on the iPad. With their immersive storylines, engaging gameplay, and valuable life lessons, these games are sure to create unforgettable memories and foster a love for learning.

Family-Friendly Multiplayer iPad Games for Kids and Parents

Are you tired of your kids spending all their time on their iPads playing games by themselves? Why not join in on the fun and play some games together as a family? Multiplayer iPad games are a great way to bond with your children, have some laughs, and even learn a thing or two. Here are some family-friendly multiplayer iPad games that both kids and parents will enjoy:

1. Scrabble

Who doesn’t love a good word game? Scrabble is a classic game that has been enjoyed by generations. The iPad version allows you to play against friends and family, either in person or online. It’s a great way to test your vocabulary skills and have some friendly competition. Plus, it’s a game that can be enjoyed by players of all ages.

2. Minecraft

If you haven’t heard of Minecraft, you’ve been living under a rock. This wildly popular game allows players to build and explore virtual worlds. The multiplayer mode lets you collaborate with your kids to create amazing structures and go on exciting adventures together. It’s a great game for fostering creativity and problem-solving skills.

3. Mario Kart Tour

The Mario Kart series has been a favorite among gamers for years, and now you can play it on your iPad. Mario Kart Tour lets you race against friends and family from all over the world. It’s a fun and fast-paced game that will have everyone on the edge of their seats. Just be prepared for some friendly trash talk and lots of laughter.

4. Heads Up!

Heads Up! is a hilarious game that will have the whole family in stitches. In this charades-inspired game, one player holds the iPad to their forehead, and the others have to give clues to help them guess the word on the screen. It’s a great way to get everyone up and moving and laughing together. Plus, there are tons of different categories to choose from, so you’ll never run out of words to guess.

5. Just Dance Now

If you’re looking to get some exercise while having fun, Just Dance Now is the perfect game for you. The iPad version allows you to connect to a screen and follow along with the dance moves. It’s a great way to get everyone up and moving and burn off some energy. Plus, it’s a game that the whole family can enjoy, regardless of age or skill level.

These are just a few examples of the many family-friendly multiplayer iPad games available. When choosing a game to play with your kids, it’s important to consider their age and interests. Make sure the game is appropriate for their age group and offers educational value. Additionally, setting time limits and establishing rules can help ensure that gaming remains a fun and balanced activity for the whole family.

So, why not put down your phones and tablets and spend some quality time together as a family? Grab your iPads, gather around the couch, and get ready for some friendly competition and lots of laughter. With these multiplayer iPad games, you’re sure to create lasting memories and strengthen your bond as a family.

Essential Tips for Parents: Choosing Safe and Appropriate iPad Games for Children

As a parent, it’s only natural to want the best for your child, and when it comes to iPad gaming, finding safe and appropriate games can be a challenge. With so many options available, it’s important to make sure you choose games that not only entertain but also educate and engage your child. Here are some essential tips to help you make the right choices:

1. Look for Age-Appropriate Content

When selecting an iPad game for your child, always check the age rating. Most games have age recommendations provided by the developer or the App Store. These ratings are meant to guide parents in choosing games that are suitable for their child’s age and developmental stage. It’s important to respect these age restrictions to ensure your child is playing games that are safe and appropriate for their level of maturity.

2. Read Reviews and Recommendations

Before downloading a game, take the time to read reviews and recommendations from other parents or educational experts. Look for games that have positive feedback and encourage learning and critical thinking. You can also ask for recommendations from friends, family, or your child’s teachers. Hearing from others who have tried the game can provide valuable insights and help you make an informed decision.

3. Check for Educational Value

While entertainment is important, it’s always beneficial to choose games that have educational value. Look for games that teach important skills such as problem-solving, creativity, math, reading, or science. Many educational games are designed to make learning fun and engaging for children. By combining entertainment with education, you can help your child develop important cognitive and academic skills while having fun.

4. Set Appropriate Screen Time Limits

It’s essential to establish and enforce appropriate screen time limits for your child. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than one hour of screen time per day for children aged 2 to 5 years old. For older children, it’s important to find a balance between screen time and other activities such as outdoor play, reading, and socializing. Setting clear boundaries will help ensure that your child’s gaming habits are healthy and balanced.

5. Enable Parental Controls

Most iPads come with built-in parental controls that allow you to monitor and control your child’s access to games and apps. Take advantage of these features to ensure that your child can only access age-appropriate content. Parental controls can also help you manage screen time limits, restrict in-app purchases, and prevent your child from accessing inappropriate content. Familiarize yourself with these settings and use them to create a safe and controlled gaming environment for your child.

6. Play Together and Stay Involved

One of the best ways to ensure your child is playing safe and appropriate games is to be actively involved in their gaming experience. Play games together with your child and discuss the content and themes. This will not only allow you to monitor what your child is exposed to but also provide an opportunity for bonding and shared experiences. By actively participating in your child’s gaming activities, you can better understand their preferences and make informed decisions about future game choices.

By following these essential tips, you can make sure your child has a safe and enjoyable gaming experience on their iPad. Remember, it’s not just about finding games that entertain, but also ones that foster learning, creativity, and critical thinking. With a little research and parental involvement, you can help your child make the most of their iPad gaming time.

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Top 18 best educational kids games for iPhone and iPad (iOS)

Some scholarly kids games to play on your iPhone and iPad

Children are put in front of screens quite often these days, and with the variety of educational and kid-friendly apps, I totally understand why. However, note that none of these educational kids' games will substitute the real methodical education, they are rather here to keep them interested and hooked up to learn and educate themselves!

If you’d like your child to lean towards the more scholarly route when it comes to their screen time, we have compiled a list of the best educational games that are children friendly to play on your iOS device! That said, I’d also suggest picking up a strong case if you’re going to let young ones play!

• Take a quick glance at our list of the best free phone games in 2023 !

Click through below to find out what are, in our opinion, the 18 best educational kids' games on iPhone & iPad.

1 Metamorphabet

Metamorphabet is the most wonderful alphabet-learning game out there. Each screen shows you a letter that you can pinch, zoom, tap, and otherwise play with to reveal words that start with this letter. A calm voice reads you the words, tells you what the letter is called and allows you to explore.

Once you have discovered all the words that letter has to offer, a star appears, and in your own time, you can tap to move on to the next letter. It’s a very engaging way to look at the alphabet.

2 Ruffy the Husky: On Ice

Taking you into the article, Ruffy the Husky: On Ice gives you an adorable dog to help you solve a bunch of different little puzzles and games. This app can help children identify shapes, learn to count, listen to animal noises, practice speaking and more. There are a bunch of other cute characters that are also featured, from penguins to seals, which will keep any animal lover captivated as they learn more.

The top one, however, would have to be the husky. This smart dog has a super entertaining way of teaching toddlers and pre-schoolers the shapes, numbers and alphabet, and have a blast while doing so.

Tappity is a science game for ages 4 and up, which breaks down a variety of topics from outer space, to dinosaurs, to tectonic plates and explains them in bite-sized games that any child will enjoy. It's one of our top picks in terms of educational apps because it showcases a little bit of everything.

The game has its own teacher, who walks you through each area, explaining more as you go along. There are interactive experiences, choices to be made, and more in this game, which really brings a fun twist to education!

4 Oinky the Piggy: On Farm

More for toddlers and preschoolers, Oinky the Piggy: On Farm allows younger children to solve sliding puzzles, and then interact with animals. This game is completely focused on barnyard animals, introducing them to the player through these sliding puzzles, before allowing the player to watch them play around on the farm, eat, grow and make sounds.

It’s a familiar world as every child has grown up playing some sort of farmyard game, understanding animals, but this time it’s taken to the digital world. The best part, however, has to be the puzzles. They're as entertaining as physical puzzles and equally challenging.

5 Masha and the Bear Educational

Masha and the Bear Educational is a single app that has a lot of different mini-games within the app that showcase different learning skills. Masha and the Bear is a children's TV show, so this game has the two main characters of that TV show going on an adventure! On the main screen of the game, children can pick from a bunch of different categories; math-related games, spelling games, reading games, and even musical games. Each category then has a bunch of simple to play games within them, that showcase this skill. It's great for children who like playing a variety of games and jump between them quickly.

6 The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Based on the classic children’s book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar has a lot to offer in its 3D book form, providing a variety of games which help you learn to count, sort and about healthy eating (we wouldn’t want our caterpillar eating too many sweets!) Sprinkled between games are facts about real-life animals - which are just as fun to learn about after you’ve been playing.

This beautiful app is the equivalent of the physical 3D book, with pop-ups and what looks like stunning hand-drawn graphics. It's brilliant.

7 Coco – Educational Game

Another variety game for younger players, aged 5 to 10 years old, Coco focuses on a bunch of children’s puzzles, from math games to memory games to keep children entertained.

The interface for this game is quite soft in color and design, which is quite appealing for children both young and old, and the variety of puzzles and games are very nice - it is worth noting that the game does work for free for a week, then is subscription-based, depending on what you want to use it for.

8 Pinky the Hippo: In the Wild

Pinky the Hippo: In the Wild focuses on teaching children age two and up about colours, jungle animals, and languages. The interface is very child-friendly, with cute animals that can easily have their environment coloured and explored. You can see their shelters and their world, as well as learn about the noises they make. You can also learn different languages through the app, learning how words are said and should sound.

It's an app that will be well-liked by kids, with beautiful graphics and an entertaining play style. That's exactly what makes it one of the best educational kids games for iPhones even today.

9 Endless Alphabet

Endless Alphabet is an interesting app where you are able to select a word, then watch the letters run away, and bring them back to place. These letters are lifelike, wiggling and attempting to get away, but once the word is complete, they all animate together and the game explains what the word means, teaching you exactly what you have been creating.

This is much more than teaching the alphabet. It brings a lot of joy to reading, so it's on our list of best educational kids games for iOS for a reason. Make sure you check it out.

10 Baby Panda's School Bus

Baby Panda's School Bus is a bright and colorful game that has children taking on a bunch of different puzzles, that they can learn from! The game has a big focus on buckling up and driving the bus around, going to various locations where mini-games are waiting. Your child will be taking children to the hospital for check ups, rescuing people who have gotten themselves into dangerous situations, and even bringing your car to a car wash! There are little mini-games around understanding numbers and colors, as well as learning day to day skills. It's a really well made kid's game!

11 Montessorium: Intro to Colors

A look into coloring, Montessorium: Intro to Colors aims to teach you the basic foundations of primary and secondary colors, shades, gradients, names of colors, mixing colors, and practicing fine motor skills. You are able to paint canvases, bringing the world to life in your own way. There are recaps throughout the app, testing to see if you can listen to the name of a color, find it, and select it.

This game is not only beautiful but also oddly satisfying. You'll get to enjoy a world filled with colour and gradients, and let's be honest - it is great for adults too (if you want a beautiful and relaxing game)!

12 Star Walk Kids: Astronomy Game

Made for children aged 6 and above, Star Walk Kids teaches you more about the galaxy. Unlike other apps about the stars, this game is kid-friendly, providing a good interface for younger audiences. You can explore the solar system, see constellations, find the ISS and Hubble - as well as view different animated videos that give more facts and details about what can be found in outer space.

It’s a great dive into the world beyond ours. It should really be included on the list of educational games that you'd play with your kids on your iPhone.

13 Where's My Water? 2

What should you do when your kid does not want to play a regular educational game? That's right! You should find a game that will be both useful and exciting for your child. Where's My Water? 2 is a great game where your kid will have to solve puzzles and complete levels.

In the game, you will find more than 100 interesting levels, cute graphics, and an adorable soundtrack. Moreover, you will find challenge modes that make the puzzles more complicated for older children. Also, your kid can use the hints if he gets stuck.

14 Quick Math Jr.

Quick Math Jr. allows you to adjust the difficulty depending on the age, for 3 and up, learning through different maths games as you play. Questions can be answered in the form of multiple-choice or you can use your finger (or a stylist) to write in the answers, practicing handwriting as you learn.

Quick Math Jr. also has little monster characters that you can create, to help you connect with the games that you are playing. It's actually quite fun from an adult perspective and makes math pleasant and easy to learn for children.

15 Shape Gurus

Shape Gurus aims to teach younger children to identify shapes and place them into their slots, creating larger pictures that can then come to life. They can play mini-games where they must find the shape that doesn’t match the others and ones that can be sorted by size. Creating pictures is where the real fun begins, as shapes are placed into slots, creating more of a picture.

This is the ideal game for pre-schoolers, and it's easy to see why - it's simple to get into, it's fun, and it's highly educational. Everything you could want in one place.

16 Minecraft: Education Edition

Minecraft is a big platform that works like a game engine. Inside the game, you can make a bunch of different content, mechanics, and add interactive elements.

In addition, Minecraft is understandable to children. It is easy to learn due to its simplicity and accessibility, plus, it is convenient that the game has a large children's audience. That is why Minecraft has become a popular tool in education: it is a convenient platform for creating content, and the interest of children around the world in it is huge.

17 Math Bingo

Math Bingo does exactly what the name says - allows younger children to play bingo by answering math questions and putting little bugs on the correct number of a bingo card. To make things more challenging, a timer can be added to see if you can answer the math question in a swift manner. Though the game itself is simple, it’s a fun way to practice mental math.

And with Math Bingo we are closing our list of best educational kids' games for iPhone and iPad! Hopefully, you found the games you were looking for on this list, and if you've got some more title suggestions for us, make sure to let us know!

18 Sago Mini World

Sago Mini World is a game full of games - with over 40 to choose from, there is a lot to keep a young one busy! Instead of focusing on Math and Reading skills, Sago Mini World focuses on understanding feelings and being accepting. There are diverse characters that your child can meet and help out. They can learn what makes characters happy and what makes them frustrated or upset. There is also a lot of freeform play, so kids can build confidence while playing this game!

20 Teacher Approved iPad Apps for Kids

Preparing kids for the 21st century means exposing them to technology. And for many kids, that means spending some time on an iPad.  But what iPad apps are best for kids?

With so many iPad apps on the market for kids these days, it can be hard to know which ones are age-appropriate and purposeful, so I went on a hunt to gather together my favorite 20, teacher-approved suggestions.

When you’re done with the list, take our 5 Day Challenge where you can set up a STEM system that works for your classroom, as well as STEM centers your students will love!

The list includes favorite math games, building apps, reading activities… loads of ideas that will keep kids entertained and learning at the same time!

Whether you’re looking for ways to incorporate iPads into your classroom or you need a quick way to entertain the kids on a long flight, these 20 teacher-approved iPad apps are sure to do the trick.

iPad Apps for Kids: Ages 3 to 5

Learn with Homer is one of those multi-purpose apps. It includes storybooks, learn to read games, drawing… but my favorite feature is its post office. Children can send and receive digital postcards from pre-approved family and friends. It’s a brilliant and easy way to encourage long distance communication with far away relatives.

I’m a big fan of the Words Their Way Spelling Program because of how nicely it identifies what kids already know and what skills they need to work on next. So I was thrilled when This Reading Mama developed an Alphabet Sounds Word Study app based on the series. It’s a perfect combo of motivating and developmentally-appropriate!

Another great iPad app for kids?  One of the most popular preschool apps on the market is ABC Mouse Early Learning Academy and there’s a good reason why. The engaging games take the guesswork out of teaching kids how to read – leading them through alphabet sounds, word families, sight words and more.

When kids are ready to learn about numbers ,  Kids Academy free apps  are a great way to go. The preschool-friendly lessons include games, stories and songs that help kids grow a strong number concept.

And speaking of math, kiddos will love learning about shapes and counting with Preschool Math · Basic Skills School . It won a Parent’s Choice Award so you know it’s good!

PBS KIDS offers a free app giving you access to their most popular kid-appropriate shows including “Curious George” and “Wild Kratts.”

Work on writing alphabet letters with a playful round of Trace it, Try it – Thomas Wilson . The program practices letter names, letter sounds and (of course!) letter writing at once. It’s a three-in-one!

iPad Apps for Kids: Ages 5 to 8

Once kids tackle letter sounds, they’re ready to move on to reading short, three-letter words . This Reading Mama’s Short Vowel Word Study app is a motivating way to practice sounding and spelling CVC words. My kids could sit and play the games for hours if I’d let them!

Learn with Homer focuses on helping kids learn to read by providing entertaining storybooks, learn to read games and drawing activities. But what sets it apart is its digital post office where children can send and receive cards from pre-approved family and friends. It’s a genius way to get kids reading and writing!

Make building vocabulary a blast with Ellen Degeneres’ high energy game, Heads Up!

Practice reading sight words and writing alphabet letters with Ollie’s Handwriting & Phonics , a two-in-one app developed by a teacher.

Get kids excited about learning sight words by playing  Sight Words Ninja ! There’s an alphabet and number version, too!

Kids who love puzzles will go crazy for Free Flow – a pipe building game that challenges kids to connect matching dots with pipes to create a flow.

And speaking of building, Block Craft 3D gives young iPaders practice creating and growing cities . (My six year-old is obsessed with gaining villagers and adding to his virtual town!)

Sushi Monster makes math fact practice fun by having kids gobble plates of numbered sushi to make a target addition sum or multiplication product.

Work on memorizing multiplication facts as you play “Show Me” and “Peek” in the Multiplication Flashcard Quiz and Match Games App for 2nd graders and up .

For hours of entertainment on the go, play That’s Baloney! a kids’ quiz game filled with out of the box facts. Is the largest living spider a camel spider… or is that baloney?!

And finally, for those just-want-to-play kinda’ days, Despicable Me: Minion Rush and Crossy Road are guaranteed to be hits!

5 Day Challenge

Take our 5 Day Challenge where you can set up a STEM system that works for your classroom, as well as STEM centers your students will love!

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Maths Tips From Maths Insider

Quick tips and practical advice to help you guide your child to maths success.

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16 Cool iPad Math Apps (That Your Child Might Actually Love!)

1   mathmateer – $0.99.

This rocket themed math app appeals to the most basic instinct in kids, which is usually not to learn maths, but is to collect stuff and build stuff. Of course it covers the essential 4 operations but also covers topics such as telling the time, money, shapes and even square roots. Kids get to build a rocket which is powered by a realistic physics engine and launch their rocket into space to answer questions and collect maths objects. Designed for kids aged 4-12 years old, there’s plenty of maths (and rocket building) in this app to keep kids usefully occupied for many hours.

2 ArithmeTick Math Flash Cards – Free

ArithmeTick lacks the cool graphics of other apps, but it’s strangely addictive and gets the job done. This app has 5 difficulty levels from easy to Einstein and gives kids flash card style training for each of the 4 basic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division.) What works well are the timed challenges which offer points and additional time for correct answers.

3 Mathemagics – Mental Math Tricks – $1.99

With nearly 2000 4.5 star reviews, this mental maths trainer app is a good choice for older children (and adults) who want to go beyond basic arithmetic and become mathematicians. Presented in a notebook style, with clear explanations of how to perform these mental maths tricks along with a practice mode allowing you to perfect your maths tricks.

4 Kids Ace Math – Free

A nice maths app for kids aged 3 and up. Kids Ace Math features kid (if not adult) friendly graphics and nice visualizations to help little ones see the visual representations of the 4 basic operations. What’s good about this app is that the settings can be adjusted to your child’s ability allowing the app to grow with your child.

5 Math Bingo – $0.99

This universal app (purchase once and use on both your iPhone and iPad) can be played in one of 3 difficulty levels, with up to 5 profiles (handy if you have more than on child), using any of the 8 avatars and features bug prizes. The brightly rendered bingo card concept with animated bugs adds a level of interest to this 4 operations game.

 6  Math Puppy – Free

The cute animated puppy, bright graphics and upbeat music make this bingo math challenge game engaging for little ones. Basic subtraction is included in the free version, with addition, multiplication and division challenges available through in-app purchase.

7  Math Drills Lite- Free

8  team umizoomi math – $4.99.

The high quality production of the audio and graphics, as well as the use of Nick Jr’s UmiZoomi characters, explain the high price point of this app. Featuring maths ideas ranging from counting to addition/ subtraction and number lines, this preschool game is a firm favorite with my 3 year old. Games are leveled, and designed to increase in difficulty. Appropriate hints are provided to support your child as they practice and build their maths skills.

9  Intro to Math by Montessorium – $4.99

This beautifully designed app uses classic Montessori methods to teach maths basics such as number recognition, sequence, and spatial relationships. It even introduces odd and even numbers. Montessori resources such as number rods and sandpaper letters are reinvented for the digital age to provide a rich learning experience for preschoolers. This app also features language support for 7 different languages.

10  Teach Me – 1st Grade – $0.99

Although  not exclusively a maths app, Teach Me – 1st Grade deserves a mention here for the way it manages to engage children. My 5 year old proclaimed that he didn’t need to go to school after playing with the Kindergarten version of this game over several weeks. Taking advantage of children’s desire to be like grown-up’s and buy things, the various themed stores offer stickers that kids can buy using coins they earn during game play. The handwriting recognition engine helps to reinforce number formation and addition and subtraction are taught from and to 20.

11  Math Evolve – $1.99

Math Evolve’s graphically rich “Story Mode” mixes the usual 4 operations maths practice with classic arcade-style gameplay, creating a true synergy between learning and play. Players embark on epic math adventure across three unique environments: microscopic, ocean, and space. The app’s “Practice Mode” can be used  to provide customizable math practice. Works on both the iPhone and the iPad with one purchase.

12  Motion Math Zoom – Free

 Motion Math Zoom’s zoomable, stretchable number line is missing some numbers – it’s up to your child to put the numbers back where they belong. What works really well is that the game uses concrete objects to represent abstract numbers: from dinosaurs in the thousands down to amoebae in the thousandths. Fun animal animations and sound effects help school children master the number line, and get a real feel for how big (or small) numbers really are. The first 6 levels are free, and a further 18 levels can be accessed with an in-app purchase.

13  Doodle Numbers HD – Free

An addictive and simple family number game, Doodle Numbers HD offers plenty of arithmetic practice.  Why spend time mindlessly matching coloured shapes when with this game you can clear the game board by matching numbers based on the rules given at each level. Scoring a consistent 4.5 stars from nearly 1000 reviews, this  app makes arithmetic a fun family activity!

14  Super 7 – $0.99

A favorite in our house, it’s easy to dismiss Super 7 as being a simple maths game as the numbered discs slowly float onto the screen. However minutes later as you’re frantically working out addition sums with numbers (including negative numbers), while making sure certain increasingly fast floating discs don’t touch each other, you’ll realize that both your mental maths and your reaction skills have undergone some targeted training. 4.5 stars from over 8000 ratings says it all.

15  Brain Tuner 2 Pro – $0.99

This brain training maths app takes addition, subtraction, multiplication and division questions and turns them into a challenging math game for adults and children. In each of the 5 game modes, players earn “brain cells” as they answer questions. There’s a game center and a multiplayer mode where players can play over the internet.

16  Math Ninja HD – $1.99

Combining cool video game play with maths means that kids won’t realize how much math they’re actually doing while playing Math Ninja. You can customize the game to focus on particular operations and number ranges while your child defends themselves against Tomato-San, who is building a robotic army to steal their tasty math treasure!

Which maths iPad apps have worked well for your child? Tell me in the comments below!

For more cool math apps check out the following posts:

The 16 Best iPhone and iPad Math Apps for Preschoolers

7 iPad Apps to Help Your Child Crush Their Times Tables

Questimate! – Quite Possibly the Coolest Math iPad App!

Is Thinkster Math a Real Alternative to Kumon?

Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.

37 thoughts on “ 16 Cool iPad Math Apps (That Your Child Might Actually Love!) ”

I would add Operation Math to the list for older kids.

Operation Math does look cool! From the description,”Dr. Odd is on a global quest to eliminate the world’s even numbers. And it’s your job to stop him, by seeking out his secret bases, destroying his menacing mainframes and making the world a safer place for math”

Looks like a fun way for older kids to review basic operations. Thanks Tina for sharing!

Hi Caroline Mukisa. It’s helpful for me. Because i’m developing a website about Math Apps. My website have cool math apps, and i’ll update apps in your topic :). Thank You! This is my Website: http://www.coolmath-apps.com How do you feel about it?

That’s an excellent list. I find it hard to find maths apps for older ppl, but I did see this one called Maths vs Martians (link below, not sure if I’m allowed to post it, but you can find it on the Apple AppStore). I played it to improve my maths, and found it really great fun. You have to think really fast sometimes, so it must be doing some good in my brain! Great fun firing guns at martians.

That’s an excellent list. I find it hard to find maths apps for older ppl, but I did see this one called Maths vs Martians (link below, not sure if I’m allowed to post it, but you can find it on the Apple AppStore). I played it to improve my maths, and found it really great fun. You have to think really fast sometimes, so it must be doing some good in my brain! Great fun firing guns at martians. http://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/maths-vs-martians/id525915335?mt=8

Splash Math apps. They are available for grade 1 to grade 5 and are aligned to common core standards.

Math Pentagon apps deserve a mention too. I teach a group of 5 students. My kids love practicing problems on iPad. They don’t stop even during their breaks! :) There are a variety of worksheets to choose from, mainly for grades 4 and up, and I can assign them to my students. It’s almost like we can do without paper – as it’s just not worksheets on iPad, it’s also reports and a whole lot of other things. We have been avid users of their Math!!! app; now we’ve decided to switch to Math Pro!!! . I jus discovered that has much more specialized worksheets.

Summed Up is my first iPad app that I had developed to help kids with their basic addition facts to 20. Well worth a try, but I am a bit biased. Go check it out.

Yes, these apps sound rather interesting, don’t they? A lot of us, in this day and age, spend quite a bit of time online, or at least, gazing at a screen. Now, one can make that pastime quite educational. This the one time parents won’t stop children from jumping at the iPad the moment they’re home from school. Maths in a fun way is one way of ensuring that kids don’t play rubbishy games that involve shooting, gore, war, killing and so on.

“Smart Toddler School Pro++” apple app– This all in one or kindergarten prep app provides everything about upper, lower case letters, numbers, colors, shapes, counting and provides good listening and learning.  The child will have the opportunity to learn to write, counting, colors, and advanced shapes. 

I think you’ll love Mathtopia. It’s new… a fun math facts game that is both addictive and works!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mathtopia/id569333308?mt=8

I hope it makes your next list.

I also really like “Numbler”. It’s a crossword type game like Scrabble or Words with Friends, but using numbers instead of letters.

https://itunes.apple.com/app/numbler-math-game/id569515022?mt=8

A really fun and engaging way for kids to improve their algebra, computation, and critical thinking.

DynaMult and DynaPlus are 2 math apps designed to provide multiplication and addition practice in the context of engaging space games. Navigation for the student’s space ship is accomplished by using multiplication of signed numbers in DynaMult, and by using addition of signed numbers in DynaPlus.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dynamult/id561485938?mt=8

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dynaplus-for-ipad/id584461109?mt=8

Please check these out!

Hi Nikki thanks for the comment. It’s great to get feedback and know that the info is helping families across Cape Town! If you find any other good free outings be sure to come back and leave a comment!

We all know the importance of teaching mental strategies to our kids. Check out the Apple app SLAM DUNK MATHS MENTAL STRATEGIES. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/slam-dunk-maths/id559701686?ls=1&mt=8 Slam Dunk Maths is the most fun you’ll have learning how to calculate in your head. Students love it because of the built in motivation – they get to slam dunk at the end of each topic. Teachers love it because, at last, an app is written which focuses on MATHS MENTAL STRATEGIES! Covering the curriculum from Prep to Year 7, each topic focuses on one strategy only.

Try “Math Up” the first basic Math addition and Subtraction. It will help your child to prctice math skill.

Math Gnomes a fun new iOS app that teaches math.

We’ve just developed a new exciting app for the iPhone & iPad. Would you be interested in reviewing it? You can check it out at: http://www.mometrixgames.com/mathgnomes/

or link directly to the iTunes store at:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/math-gnomes/id591417429?mt=8

Math Gnomes features:

Three-dimensional adaptive learning technology – the game continually adjusts both speed and problem difficulty level to match skill levels, and also relatively adjusts game speed for problem difficulty. Includes over one million addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems. The game screen functions as a whiteboard for more difficult multi-step problems. Users simply write with their fingers to conduct advanced operations such as long division, three digit addition and two digit multiplication. The whiteboard is automatically cleared after each problem. Customize which types of problems show. Want to work on multiplication only? Just change your settings. One purchase, multiple users. If you have multiple children who may want to use the game, this is great because you buy one copy and each child has his or her own gnome, with custom name, problem type settings, rewards / scoring. Includes both the high-definition iPad version and iPhone/Touch functionality with one purchase, an incredible value. Maintains a history, which can be emailed, of the last 1000 problems presented for each user, noting incorrect answers, enabling parents or educators to zero in on trouble spots for learners.

I’d like to introduce one more math game: “Cryptarithms”: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cryptarithms/id609736978?ls=1&mt=8

The only abilities required by “Cryptarithms” are to sum numbers and perform logical reasoning. This kind of puzzles has become popular in the first half of XXth century in Europe. Solving the cryptarithm “send+more=money” was an intellectual challenge thrown by english mathmetician Henry Ernest Dudeney. As well as today. This application is to encourage you to meet the challenge in any of 6 languages. Solve them all.

Hi! Check out our App Math Bugs for practising numeracy and our number system, while creating fun bugs! https://itunes.apple.com/app/id583921623

Try MysteryMath, it’s new but it involves coloring as well. There are three “stages.” One were they can color anything they wish to, one that is color by number, and one were you need to solve math facts. It also keeps adults entertained!

Sorry, I forgot the URL

MysteryMath: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mysterymath/id610993145?ls=1&mt=8

Check out myBlee: http://myblee.info The lessons are clear and easy to follow. My daughter loves that she can write her answers with her finger.

“Mathematis” – An educational app for kids that makes learning mental math fun!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mathematis/id640272611?mt=8

Check out Spell Pop! https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spell-pop/id648964388?ls=1&mt=8

Try this one also for your kids. It’s Jazzy World Tour. It will teach your kids music all over the world with different culture. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/jazzy-world-tour-free-musical/id574909527?mt=8

Great list!

My vote goes to Tinct, found it under educational apps. Well designed for adults, but equally my kid enjoys it too. Seems to fit the bill for players of any age.

https://itunes.apple.com/app/tinct/id651433354?mt=8

My vote goes to Doodle number HD that offers a plenty of arithmetic practice for the kids. This apps make a arithmetic fun for my family activity.

Check out our new Base 10 app on the iTunes app store. We bring a whole new level of fun and engagement to base 10 blocks with cute characters and animations. iGet Math: Base 10 allows kids to explore math without the typical math drill format. It’s also a great classroom tool – it feels like a game, but is flexible enough for any teacher to use to demonstrate or reinforce basic addition and subtraction concepts. Download it from the iTunes app store (for iPad): https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iget-math-base10/id824021388?ls=1&mt=8

My kids love Heli Math. It’s flappy bird meets math problems. They are so good at it and I can barely get the hand-eye coordination and problem solving to work together!

If you are teacher, I want to suggest “Math up K” to use in classroom. The educational design teaches the way information is presented in a traditional math book at school. Student more interesting in effect when they try to counting numbers.

Another fun app you can add to the educational game list is Candy Andy – Munching Numbers.

It is a fun math based game where the rules determine how you eliminate candy pieces from the board – be careful, the rules get more challenging as time goes on.

Join Andy in his journey down the yellow street of sesame to eat all the candies! Do you like brain teasers, brain games, and math games like sudoku? Do you have a analytical and logical mind hungering for problem solving games? This is the perfect number puzzle game for you. Challenging for avid puzzlers, yet easy to learn for the casual gamer.

It is available for FREE at Google Play – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.digiskygames.candyandy3

You can also download it for FREE in the iOS App Store – https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/candy-andy-munching-numbers/id901238950?mt=8

You should try out Little Math Adventure. It is fun game and difficulty is automatically adjusted so the kids stay challenged and motivated

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/little-math-adventure/id889658967?mt=8

I am surprised that there so many Math apps available, maybe I was not looking enough. SimpleK12

Thanks for giving me more great ideas to try. I’ve used so many things on my iPad with my fourth graders it is ridiculous. The one thing that is the biggest problem is that some kids just don’t take the time to practice and memorize math facts at home.

Try this app, Mathball.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mathball-eck/id982008428?ls=1&mt=8

https://www.facebook.com/mathball?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Sum Fun is a great number puzzle game. Interesting games take a few minutes to play each: https://appsto.re/us/86RUW.i

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9 iPad Games for Kids of All Ages

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The iPad can be the ultimate family entertainment system, with tons of games and entertaining apps that are perfect for kids of all ages. Every game for iOS has a minimum age rating so that you can tell if the game is right for your child.

Many games are free downloads that offer in-app purchases. Other games cost between $.99 and $2.99, with the expensive games rarely going for more than $6, so you don't have to break into your kids' piggy bank to pay for their entertainment.

Turn off in-app purchases before installing games on iPad for your kids. Some games can seem like a great deal until you get the bill with the in-app purchases.

'Candy Crush Saga'

Fantastic artwork and unique board designs.

Hundreds of new stages.

A great take on the classic matching game.

It's easy to break the piggy bank on in-app purchases.

Some levels are nearly impossible to pass.

Cost of gold has risen, but the prizes have been reduced.

Candy Crush has taken on a life of its own since its release. It mixes the classic connect-the-matching-symbols gameplay with everyone's favorite pastime: eating candy.

Candy Crush Saga is good for younger children, too, because just tapping the screen results in a lot of graphical fun. Older kids will enjoy the puzzles the game presents, and even adults will find it engaging.

Appropriate for kids ages 4 and older.

'Minion Rush'

Great costumes.

3D environments based on Despicable Me movies.

Download and play for free.

Can be glitchy.

Updates may wipe out progress.

Slow play without certain minions.

The endless runner game has exploded since Temple Rush hit the app store. Although many games in this genre are just Temple Rush with new graphics or a new theme, Minion Rush adds fun new gameplay mechanics and includes the humorous charm of those cute little minions.

Kids will enjoy this game because it's quick to play and fun to compete for the highest score.

Appropriate for kids ages 9 and older.

'Miracle Merchant'

Great graphics and music.

Challenging daily tasks.

Solitaire-style gameplay.

Tutorial not much help.

Could use more variety.

Too difficult for younger children.

Miracle Merchant players are apprentices of a master alchemist, where they learn to mix and match different ingredient cards to make potions for their customers. The cards change daily, and daily tasks keep players coming back for more.

The gameplay is Solitaire-style and offers amazing graphics and fun music. While the basics of the game are easy to learn, mastering it is difficult.

Appropriate for kids ages 12 and older .

'Fruit Ninja 2'

Fantastic graphics and sound effects.

Modes give lots of play options.

Solid folllowup to the original Fruit Ninja.

The game is a bit buggy.

Lots of ads, especially at higher levels.

Some in-app purchases reach $20.

Few games have as many customer reviews as Fruit Ninja 2 and manage to stay above four stars, and there's a reason for that.

Fruit Ninja 2 is good old-fashioned slicing and dicing fun, with a simple concept and yet enough challenge to keep kids swiping. The goal: Slice as much fruit as you can without slicing through a bomb and blowing your virtual finger off.

Appropriate for kids ages 4 and older .

'Alto's Adventure'

Gorgeous graphics.

Play as a snowboarder on never-ending mountains.

Interesting story line.

Is difficult in places.

More characters would be nice.

Alto's Adventure is a infinite runner-type game, where the player is on a snowboard racing down mountains and doing backflips. The game is not too hard and not too easy.

The graphics are stunning and the story is interesting, if limited. This app is designated as an Editors' Choice game by Apple, but does require purchasing to play.

Appropriate for kids ages 9 and older .

'Where's My Water?'

More than 500 puzzles for hours of gameplay.

Water moves realistically.

Easy-to-use controls.

Syncing with iCloud can be glitchy.

Paid app with in-app purchases.

Need in-app purchases for the best experience.

If cleanliness is next to godliness, Swampy is going to make one fun little deity.

Rather than slinging birds at boards and stones, Where's My Water? concentrates on teaching kids the value of bathing by helping Swampy the alligator stay clean despite the actions of Cranky, the antagonist of this story. Where's My Water? is one of the best games for kids on the iPad.

'Cut the Rope GOLD'

Outstanding graphics.

Great way to learn about physics.

Lots of levels to keep you interested.

Difficult for children under 10, despite the rating.

Paid app contains ads.

Om Nom loves his candy, but he needs a little help getting it. Cut the Rope GOLD is a physics puzzle game in which kids use ropes to move a piece of candy, swinging it across the screen and— with luck—into Om Nom's mouth.

Fortunately, it's not as simple as it sounds, forcing kids to think about how to get past the various obstacles standing between Om Nom and his candy.

'Slice Fractions'

Playful learning at its best.

Best for kids aged 5 to 12.

Teaches important math concepts.

Challenging for kids under 6.

Difficult for kids who learn by listening.

Some levels require abstract thinking.

Many kid-friendly games are about having fun, not about learning something new.

Slice Fractions manages to capture fun inside a game that's all about learning fractions. It's ideal for kids who are ready to move beyond whole numbers and conquer division.

'Bubble Ball'

Create your own levels or play user-created ones.

A fun way to learn physics.

The first 48 levels are free.

Won't challenge older kids.

Graphics aren't terribly sophisticated.

Rudimentary user interface.

What do you get when you have an addictive physics-based puzzle game made by a kid rather than just for kids? You get Bubble Ball.

Developed by 14-year-old Robert Nay, Bubble Ball enjoyed a million downloads in its first two weeks on the App Store. The game doesn't have the fun graphics found in titles like Cut the Rope and Fruit Ninja, but it does contain engaging play that will please puzzle lovers ages 4 to 94.

As of 2022, of the almost 3.6 million apps at the App Store, 984,000 are games. Games are the most popular App Store category and are downloaded twice as much as the second most popular category (business).

Of all the apps at the App Store, 92.3 percent are free downloads (many with optional in-app purchases). The average price for an game that isn't free is under $3.

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Osmo - Creative Starter Kit for IPad - 3 Educational Learning Games - Creative Drawing & Problem Solving/ Early Physics - STEM Toy Gifts for Kid, Boy & Girl - Ages 5 6 7 8 9 10 (Osmo Base Included)

Creative Kit for Fire Tablet

Creative Kit for iPad

Monster Game

• Actual product packaging may vary from the image displayed. Components within the box remain the same. OSMO IS MAGIC: Fun-filled & award winning learning games. Children interact with actual hand held pieces & an iPad, bringing a child's game pieces & actions to life (No WiFi necessary for game play). An Osmo Base is included, an iPad is not included, both are required for game play.
• TEACHING: Travel on an adventure & solve story problems with personal drawings brought to life instantly on the iPad (Monster) along with drawing problem solving/early physics (Newton), learn to draw anything with creative drawing skills (Masterpiece).
• SKILLS LEARNED: Drawing, listening, speed of drawing, visual thinking, problem solving, physics, creative problem solving & fine motor skills. Osmo sees and reacts to every real-life move. Geared towards children & love of learning.
• AGE & CAPABILITY: Ages 5-10+. Games are designed for beginner to expert levels. Osmo enables the continuation of learning. Real-time audio and visual feedback lets children learn through experimentation in a stress-free environment.
• WHAT'S IN THE BOX: Osmo Base & Reflector for iPad, new Creative Board, 4 dry erase markers, microfiber marker pouch, Stackable storage for each game & 3 Game Apps: Monster, Newton, and Masterpiece.
• COMPATIBILITY FOR IPAD: All iPads except Generation 1-4, Air Gen 1, & iPad Mini Gen 1-3. The new iPad 10th Gen, iPad Pro 11” (4th Gen), & iPad Pro 12.9” (6th Gen) are not currently compatible; compatibility coming later in 2023. iPad Reflector 2021 required for: iPad Mini 6, iPad Air 4-5, iPad Pro 11-inch & iPad Pro 12.9-inch. The minimum iOS version needed is iOS 15.

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Product information

Product Dimensions	3.25 x 12 x 9.6 inches
Item Weight	2.2 pounds
ASIN	B07PXPHF5M
Item model number	901-00090
Manufacturer recommended age	5 - 10 years
Best Sellers Rank	#32,109 in Toys & Games ( ) #809 in
Customer Reviews	4.6 out of 5 stars
Release date	July 23, 2019
Manufacturer	Osmo

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A great entry to the Osmo universe, the Creative Starter Kit for iPad includes everything your child needs to experience - hands-on learning and digital fun in **three** different ways through 3 games. We know kids learn by doing, so each game uses physical action. Whether it’s freehand drawing, supercharging drawing skills, or physics meets creative problem solving (Monster, Masterpiece & Newton Games), Osmo sees and reacts to every real-live move. Osmo games bring a child's creative imagination to life with hand held pieces that interact with an iPad and an Osmo Base (No WiFi necessary for game play). The Creative Starter Kit for iPad ships with an Osmo iPad Base. Approved by parents and teachers worldwide, used in over 40,000 classrooms.

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Transform your tablet into a hands-on coding adventure with Awbie. Explore coding with 3 hands-on learning games.

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Blend your real-life doodles with on-screen action. Take drawing to a new level with three games: Monster, Newton, & Masterpiece.

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Tynker Coding is the best learning platform for kids & teen. We make coding fun with expert guidance from coaches to ensure success.

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What's in the box

• Creative Board
• Dry Erase markers
• 3 Games - Monster, Newton and Masterpiece

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Osmo little Genius starter kit for IPad + Early Math-6 games

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Customer reviews.

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 81% 10% 5% 2% 3% 81%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 81% 10% 5% 2% 3% 10%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 81% 10% 5% 2% 3% 5%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 81% 10% 5% 2% 3% 2%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 81% 10% 5% 2% 3% 3%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the creativity and appearance of the toy. For example, they mention it's imaginative, educational, and engaging. That said, opinions are mixed on quality and value.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the product imaginative, educational, and engaging for kids. They say it's a great interactive resource that brings art to life. Customers also mention that it encourages creativity and provides tools for children who enjoy art.

"...off the video games and they have so many different ones great learning experience for them ." Read more

"The Osmo Creative Starter Kit for iPad is a fantastic educational tool that combines physical play with digital learning...." Read more

"...is one con so far that I can find.... Luckily they have several options to keep her interest ... Which lasted for at least 30 mins today... But it is..." Read more

" Very engaging for our son , however the (specifically) red marker dried out after a few minutes of use." Read more

Customers like the appearance of the toy. They say it's all about drawing and creativity, and it brings artwork to life. Some customers also say it’s incredibly cute and neat. They appreciate the system that encourages the user to draw in fun and different ways.

"...With interactive games and activities, kids can explore drawing , problem-solving, and storytelling in fun and engaging...." Read more

"...was so happy to get a new OSMO kit and the fact that it's all about drawing and creativity made it even better...." Read more

"...Surpasssing the switch! They have a drawing feature called “masterpiece ” where you choose any picture you want and it projects it onto your paper..." Read more

"...It is an incredibly cute game but smaller kids will definitely need help with drawing" Read more

Customers are mixed about the quality of the game. Some mention it's good quality and easy to use, while others say that some of the markers were dry when they received it and didn't work after a few minutes of use.

"...The board is quite thick and easy to clean and the markets work great...." Read more

"Very engaging for our son, however the (specifically) red marker dried out after a few minutes of use." Read more

" Great Product !" Read more

"...This particular game is my least favorite. Honestly, it’s a bit redundant and boring...." Read more

Customers are mixed about the value of the game. Some mention it's well worth the money and keeps their mind active, while others say it'll cost you a monthly fee.

"...on sale- a deal of the day item ($60) otherwise I feel like it’s a bit overpriced (it was $80ish) The App is free (which is great) but the board is..." Read more

"...All you have to do is buy the kit and there is no monthly fee like with other games like this. They have fantastic sales too. I highly recommend!!!" Read more

"...What an absolute waste of money ...." Read more

"...Very annoying and expensive . Finally just got the extra piece and will see how it goes...." Read more

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Best iPad Games for Kids of All Ages

Check out CNET's list of age-appropriate iPad games for kids.

• She received the Renau Writing Scholarship in 2016 from the University of Louisville's communication department.

Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp is a dialed-down version of New Horizons, but still fun to play.

If you're looking for kid-friendly games, you might not know where to start. And how can you be sure what's safe and age-appropriate? 

We've got you covered with a list of the 30 best iPad games for kids, with Apple's age rating for each (scroll further down for games for older kids, even though a lot of the games for ages 4 and up would be fun for kids of all ages). Some, but not all, of these iPad games are available as part of Apple's $5 a month mobile gaming subscription service, Apple Arcade . Others are available to download free or for a price in the App Store.

Ages 4 and up

Monument Valley

In Monument Valley, you must help Princess Ida on a mission through Monument Valley -- a world of mazes, crow people and strange, impossible structures. The game uses the way you interact with the environment to play with perspective and reveal pathways. The artwork is also absolutely beautiful. 

If you like this one, the studio has a sequel -- Monument Valley 2 ($5) -- which stands on its own as an original story and takes a step forward as a more sophisticated narrative and style. In this one, you must guide Ro and her child through Monument Valley. 

Monument Valley and Monument Valley 2 are both available on Apple Arcade as well.

Way of the Turtle

Available through apple arcade subscription ($5 a month).

Way of the Turtle is a cute, colorful, single-player platform game. Navigate a beach obstacle course and gather coins while avoiding traps. As you continue, you'll earn shells that give you more abilities. The only trouble is that Mr. Turtle never stops moving, which might make him difficult to maneuver sometimes. 

Fledgling Heroes

Take to the skies as Biscuit the Brave, a young macaw, in this tropical platform game. Tapping the screen makes Biscuit fly. Too much tapping sends the macaw too high, while not enough tapping drops him too low. You must maintain the right altitude to avoid enemies and obstacles while collecting coins. As you explore more islands, you'll learn tricks and meet different characters including Penny the Penguin, who wants to be a pirate. 

Read more: The 10 best iPad apps of the past decade

Crayola Create and Play

Crayola Create and Play is loaded with fun features like coloring pages, tending to in-game creatures and plants, learning and arcade-style games, puzzles, and more. It encourages creativity and curiosity with digital versions of Crayola art supplies (remember stamp markers?), while encouraging kids to think about letters, numbers, problem solving and more. There are no "wrong" answers, just creativity. You can also find Crayola Create and Play in the App Store, but you'll encounter in-app purchases and ads.

Pok Pok Playroom

Available through pok pok subscription ($4 a month).

Pok Pok Playroom includes a collection of digital toys and activities that encourage cognitive and socio-emotional development, according to the team, with no winning or losing. The app includes colorful activities like a mix-and-match block game, a drawing pad, and a Busy Board packed with buttons, switches, bells and musical blobs. Pok Pok Playroom also has sections called Town, Forest and House, which further encourage exploration, curiosity and learning.

Run Sackboy! Run

Price: free.

Run Sackboy! Run is the mobile version of the Little Big Planet game series. It's a cute endless runner platformer in the original game's unique crafted-materials style. As you run, you can collect coins, bubbles and stickers to ultimately increase your score. Each level adds on different tasks, like jumping or dashing a certain amount of times. 

Eloh is a visually beautiful musical puzzle game that teases your brain without stressing you out. Each level features island spirits that you can move. Once you get them into the right spot, tap the red speaker and music will start. The goal is to bounce the "sound waves" off the spirits and hit the spiral icon, kind of like banking a shot in billiards. 

Frogger in Toytown

Embark on a quest inside a human's house to rescue lost "froglets" after they're blown away in a storm. You'll navigate a toy-filled terrain -- avoid toy cars, climb block buildings and collect jelly beans to save the froglets. When you rescue a froglet, it hops on Frogger's back, which is just as cute as it sounds. Carrying the froglets adds an extra challenge during the obstacle courses because they can fall off. If you liked the old-school Frogger, this game's worth a look. 

Enchanted World

The Enchanted World is about a young fairy whose world is wrecked by dark forces. You'll help her on a journey to repair and heal what's been damaged. With guidance from a red songbird along the way, you'll get help from a web-spinning spider, quirky robots, a hungry frog and others. Through sliding block-style gameplay , you'll redirect rivers, mend tree roots, rearrange gears on a factory floor and save your world from the darkness. 

Rayman Adventures

There are a number of Rayman games that have come out over the years, but there's a free mobile version called Rayman Adventures that your kids can try out. Adventures is an endless runner where players must find all the Ancient Eggs that keep the Sacred Tree alive. 

Read more: 11 nostalgic games to play on Apple Arcade if you miss your childhood

Sneaky Sasquatch

Available through apple arcade subscription ($5 a month.

In the infectiously cute game Sneaky Sasquatch, you'll play just that: A sneaky sasquatch. But you also get help from a clever raccoon. Sneak into the campsite and fill your backpack with snacks. Sometimes other animals, like the snoozing bear, are willing to pay for some picnic leftovers. You can use the money at the raccoon's shop. Just make sure you tip-toe so you don't get caught by the surly park ranger or scare any campers. 

Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp

In Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp -- the free mobile version of the original simulation game -- you're in charge of a campsite -- craft furniture, personalize your tent and customize your camper. You can travel to different recreation spots, meet animals and grow your friendships in exchange for rewards. While you're visiting, you can fish, gather fruit and collect bugs to trade later. All the friends you make can visit your campsite, too. 

Pocket Camp also offers a smaller world to manage compared with New Horizons. In addition, the tasks are easier on the mobile version, and update daily. Essentially, you're getting big rewards for picking up everything on the ground and shaking all the trees.

Pocket Camp also offers a smaller world to manage compared with New Horizons. In addition, the tasks are easier on the mobile version and update daily. Essentially, you're getting big rewards for picking up everything on the ground and shaking all the trees. It definitely helped me scratch the FOMO itch when most of my friends were playing Animal Crossing over the summer. 

Doomsday Vault

In this WALL-E style puzzle game, the Earth's climate has collapsed and you must rescue the remaining plant life. Explore what's left of the planet in your robot suit, collect plant life and return it safely to the Doomsday Vault. Just be careful -- there are AI bots that were left behind motivated by sentiments of corporate greed.  

Inbento is an adorable puzzle game about cats and bento boxes. Relax with these cute Japanese lunch box brainteasers. Rearrange the food to match the recipe to complete the box. Each level gets a little more difficult, but the whole game is set to soothing music. There are over 100 levels to beat and extra-challenging bonus levels. 

Gorogoa is a gorgeous puzzle game with an accompanying narrative. It's all hand-drawn panels that players have to combine in a certain way to solve the level. It's hard to explain this one without playing it yourself. The more puzzles you play, the more your mind acclimates to the puzzle style. Gorogoa transports players between realities full of strange creatures. Reviews suggest playing it multiple times for better understanding. 

The Pinball Wizard

In The Pinball Wizard, you play as a young apprentice who must bring peace back to your homeland by restoring a lost treasure in a high tower. Along the way, you must defeat enemies and collect keys to find the next room. The game works like a pinball game: The higher you go, the more health you lose if you fall out of the ring. 

Fruit Ninja

Fruit Ninja is an oldie but a goody. It's a simple concept -- as fruit is tossed up on the screen, you use your finger to slice it up as fast as you can. Just watch out for the bombs that start getting tossed into the mix as well. It's a fun way to pass the time and has different modes to play in, like Zen, where there's no bombs, but it's timed. If you lose on a level, you can sacrifice a life to continue, or watch an ad to progress for free.  

Donut County

This is an adorable, creative game. Donut County is taken over by raccoons who are stealing everyone's trash with remote-controlled holes. You play as the hole. The game's story takes a turn when one of the raccoons falls into the hole he's operating and has to answer for his actions. The trouble is, the holes keep growing and won't stop until the whole county has been gobbled up.

Spongebob: Patty Pursuit

Spongebob: Patty Pursuit is a fun platformer that takes you through the Spongebob universe. Jump on trampolines, speed down ziplines, avoid jellyfish, and collect coins and spatulas along the way to foil the infamous mini-villain Plankton's plans to steal the Krabby Patty secret formula. It's up to SpongeBob and his friends -- Patrick, Sandy, Squidward, Gary the Snail and Mr. Krabs -- to stop him. 

Age 9 and up

Blocky world-building game Minecraft lets players explore, gather resources, craft tools and engage in some mild combat. The game has different modes -- survival, creative, adventure, spectator and multiplayer -- so you have flexibility in how you play. For younger players, Minecraft teaches teamwork and the motivation to improve reading and math skills on top of creativity and self-direction. 

Down in Bermuda

A pilot named Milton crashes on a seemingly deserted island in Bermuda, where you must help him discover the island's secrets and solve puzzles to find a way home. It's a cute, colorful game that's perfect for just about everyone. I liked that there was just enough mystery and story mixed in with puzzle-solving. 

The Crossy Road series

The original Crossy Road asks the question "why did the chicken cross the road?" in the form of a classic infinite runner game. Think Frogger meets Flappy Bird. Crossy Road Castle joined Apple Arcade in February 2020, which adds a platforming element to the gameplay. 

If you grew up in the '90s, you might remember this game. You must guide the Zoombinis out of the evil Bloats' clutches and home to Zoombiniville. Each of the 12 levels such as Allergic Cliffs, Stone Cold Caves and Pizza Pass get progressively more challenging, with kids using logic and pattern identification to win. 

Lego Brawls

The Lego brand has stood the test of time, making the jump from plastic blocks to the silver screen to video games . Lego Brawls is a mobile fighting game that's easy to start playing. The game offers countless ways to create your Lego character in a fast-paced 4v4 multiplayer. Every stage of the game brings new challenges, goals and quirky power-ups, like a pie launcher, a cactus suit, a snake car or a hot dog stand. Jump into a party, join a brawl or keep training.

Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm

Oceanhorn 2 is an open-world action fantasy RPG that tells the story of a young knight on a quest with his friends to save the world from an evil warlock. The knight ventures out with Trin, the granddaughter of Arcadia's leader Archimedes, and Gen, a robot armed with a Samurai weapon. The trio must unite with the Owrus, Gillfolk and others to save the world from Warlock Mesmeroth's Dark Army.

Alto's Adventure Price: $5

Alto's Adventure is to endless runners what Monument Valley is to puzzle games. The game puts a new twist on sports adventure as you -- as Alto -- snowboard across scenic hills, down gorgeous mountainsides and through villages with day-to-night transitions. It's all set to a lovely soundtrack as well. Rescue animals, collect coins, outsmart mountain elders and brave the weather along the way.

You can also check out Alto's Odyssey ($5), the studio's follow-up game, as well as Alto's Odyssey: The Lost City, on Apple Arcade.  

Terraria  is similar to Minecraft, but it's 2D. You create a character, select your world size and start harvesting resources to craft items. Once you get a home, a worktable and a torch, the game really picks up. With a light, you can go underground and start mining resources there, in addition to treasure chests that can contain gear upgrades, and life crystals to raise your health. It's a pretty big open-world game and there are enemies you'll encounter, but if you die, you'll respawn with all your loot, sans a few coins. 

Butter Royale

Butter Royale is like Fortnite with food. The game is set in the near future, where weapons have been banned globally. In a cafe, a food fight erupted after two patrons began arguing over the last chocolate doughnut. Sensing an opportunity to capitalize on people's tension, mysterious company Butter Co. created a game show called Butter Royale. Contestants are air-dropped onto an island to duke it out with food. After upgrading from stale baguettes to Nutritionally Operated Machines, or NOMs, players engage in "culinary combat," and try to outrun floods of butter and get to safe zones in 5-minute matches.

24 incredible video games you can finish in one night

Age 12 and up

Miracle Merchant

This game caught my attention because it reminded me of the Adventure Time cartoon. Miracle Merchant is solitaire meets potion brewing with a cast of zany, colorful characters. All your "potion ingredients" are in the card decks and organized by color, a potion is a mix of four cards. How well you mix the potion -- your arrangement of cards -- determines how much money it's worth. It's a fun, unintimidating problem-solving game. 

Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is a comfort classic in the vein of Animal Crossing . In the Super Nintendo-style simulation RPG, you've inherited your grandfather's farm plot in Stardew Valley. Start out with little money and old tools, then work your way up from there. You'll farm, live off the land as you see fit, explore Pelican Town and befriend its residents, search for treasure, decorate your home and maybe even fall in love.

Read more:  7 great, cheap kid-friendly gifts that aren't video games

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Play Classic DOS Games

Designed for ipad.

• #3 in Utilities
• 4.8 • 12 Ratings

Screenshots

Description.

Play classic DOS games on your iPhone and iPad! iDOS turns your device right into a powerful DOS gaming PC, with modern game control to make your old favorites as playable as possible. You can also use iDOS for non-gaming purposes, such as word processing, casual programming. Apps in the DOS days are often simpler and surprisingly productive. KEYBOARD iDOS provides a PC compatible on-screen keyboard with carefully designed layouts for different devices and orientations. The keyboard has a sliding control in landscape mode so that you can keep it from covering critical part of the screen. Bluetooth keyboard is fully supported on iOS 14+. GAMEPAD iDOS provides a virtual gamepad with key bindings that are fairly common in DOS games. You can customize the bindings. The DPAD works in 8-axis way. It can also be toggled into a joystick. External bluetooth game controllers are supported. Make sure your game controller is connected (System Settings->Bluetooth). To customize button bindings, go to iDOS in landscape mode, tap on bluetooth icon on the auto-hiding top bar. MOUSE The screen area serves as a trackpad for moving mouse pointer. Tap on the screen for left click. If direct touch is enabled, the mouse pointer will move to where you tap. Hold one finger on the screen, and tap with another finger for right click. On-screen mouse buttons are also provided for your convenience. Bluetooth mouse are fully supported on iOS 14+. SUPPORT - Visit https://litchie.com/dospad for more information - Send email to [email protected] - Follow the developer on Twitter: https://twitter.com/litchiedev - iDOS is open source, report issue on https://github.com/litchie/dospad

Ratings and Reviews

More updates.

App is working great. But it has serious problems with the controls, for example X-Men: Children of the Atom for some reason the controls don't work correctly and they don't map properly. Wolfenstein works and Blood. But the controls need to be fixed.

This is awesome

I have been dreaming of a dos emulator on iPad. This app is brilliant! And there are a lot of small details the developer included that make this work awesome. Great job!!

Works. Not for casual users.

USERS BEWARE: DOSbox has a learning curve. For the most part, you need to know what you are doing. You can’t just run XMen at the default 3000 cycles setting. Your device will turn into the sun and begin molecular fusion.

App Privacy

The developer, 潮激 李 , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Not Collected

The developer does not collect any data from this app.

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

• Developer Website
• App Support
• Privacy Policy

Family Sharing

Up to six family members can use this app with family sharing enabled., more by this developer.

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