What is the best free educational app for kids?

Khan Academy Kids is the best fully free educational app for children ages 2-8. It is genuinely 100% free with no ads, no locked levels, and no in-app purchases, covering early math, reading, and social-emotional skills. For early reading specifically, Duolingo ABC is another excellent free option.

How much does ABCmouse cost in 2026?

ABCmouse offers a 30-day free trial, after which the monthly subscription is about $14.99, with cheaper six-month and annual plans (roughly $45 per year) often available. There is also a limited free Basic Access tier, but the full curriculum requires a paid subscription. Prices can vary with promotions.

What are good educational apps for kids aged 9 to 12?

For ages 9-12, Prodigy Math turns curriculum-aligned math into a fantasy game, Epic gives access to 40,000+ books and audiobooks, and Duolingo is great for learning a new language. For coding and STEM, Pocket Code lets kids build their own games and animations on an Android device.

Are educational apps safe for young children?

The best ones are, but you should still set guardrails. Use Google Family Link on Android or Screen Time on iPad to cap usage, enable each app's parental controls, and disable in-app purchases. For the youngest kids, prefer ad-free apps like Khan Academy Kids, Duolingo ABC, and ScratchJr over free tiers that show ads.

Which app is best for teaching kids to code?

ScratchJr is the best starting point for ages 5-7 because it uses drag-and-drop blocks and needs no reading. For older kids around 10-16, Pocket Code lets them build real games and animations on a phone. Both are free, ad-free, and teach the core idea of breaking problems into ordered steps.

What is the best app for learning to read?

Duolingo ABC is the best free learn-to-read app for ages 3-8, teaching phonics, sight words, and short stories in game-like lessons with no in-app purchases. For a broader library, Epic offers 40,000+ books and read-to-me titles on a subscription, and Khan Academy Kids also includes solid early-literacy content for free.

Are these educational apps available on Android?

Yes. Every app on this list runs on Android, and most also work on iPad and Amazon Fire tablets, so they work on phones, tablets, and Kindle Fire devices. ScratchJr, Pocket Code, Khan Academy Kids, and Duolingo ABC are all free Android downloads, while apps like ABCmouse and Epic offer free trials before a subscription.

How much screen time is appropriate for educational apps?

Pediatric guidance generally suggests keeping screen time limited and high-quality, especially for young children. Treat educational apps as short, supervised sessions rather than open-ended use, set a daily timer through Family Link or Screen Time, and balance app time with offline play and reading.

Best Educational Apps for Kids 2026

The best free educational app for kids in 2026 is Khan Academy Kids (ages 2-8), which is genuinely 100% free with no ads, no locked levels, and no in-app purchases. For early reading it is closely followed by Duolingo ABC, while ABCmouse remains the strongest paid all-in-one curriculum and Prodigy Math and Epic lead for math practice and digital reading respectively.

Below are 10 apps we rate for 2026, grouped by what they do best and which age they suit, with current pricing and an honest note on each app's catch. Every pick runs on Android (most also on iPad and Fire tablets), so it works whether your child uses a phone, tablet, or Kindle Fire.

In a hurry? Jump to: Top picks · Best app by age · Comparison table · Coding apps · How we picked · FAQs

The best educational apps for kids in 2026

These are the 10 apps we keep recommending to parents. Each entry covers what it is, key features, who it's best for, and the official link so you download the real app and avoid copycats.

1. Khan Academy Kids — best free app overall (ages 2-8)

Price: Free (no ads, no in-app purchases) · Platforms: Android, iPad, Amazon Fire

Khan Academy Kids is the rare app that is completely free and still high quality. It covers early math, reading and phonics, writing, and social-emotional skills through guided lessons and open-ended play, fronted by friendly characters like Kodi the bear that young kids genuinely like. There is no "premium" tier and no upsell, because it is funded by the non-profit Khan Academy.

For most families with a child between 2 and 8, this is the first app to install. The only real limitation is that the curriculum tapers off around age 8, so older kids will outgrow it.

Full early-learning curriculum: math, literacy, logic, executive function
Adaptive learning path that adjusts to the child's level
Library of books, songs, and videos
Offline access and a separate, locked parent area
Genuinely zero ads and zero in-app purchases

Best for: Toddlers and early-elementary kids; any parent who wants a no-cost, no-ads starting point.

2. ABCmouse — best paid all-in-one curriculum (ages 2-8)

Price: 30-day free trial, then about $14.99/month (or roughly $45/year) · Platforms: Android, iPad, web

ABCmouse is the most complete structured curriculum on this list, with thousands of activities across reading, math, science, and art, organized into a step-by-step "learning path" of levels and lessons. It is popular with homeschooling families and parents who want a clear sequence rather than a pile of loose games.

The catch is the price: there is a limited free "Basic Access" tier, but the full experience needs a subscription. It can also feel heavy on lower-end Android devices, so it is best on a reasonably modern phone or tablet.

Thousands of lessons and activities across core subjects
Structured, level-based learning path with progress tracking
Multiple child profiles under one account
Rewards system (tickets and a virtual store) to keep kids motivated
Ad-free

Best for: Homeschoolers and parents who want one paid app that covers the whole early-years curriculum.

3. Duolingo ABC — best free learn-to-read app (ages 3-8)

Price: Free (no in-app purchases) · Platforms: Android, iPad

Separate from the main language app, Duolingo ABC teaches early literacy through phonics, sight words, and short stories in bite-sized, game-like lessons. It is fully free with no subscriptions, funded by Duolingo as part of its broader education mission, which makes it an easy companion to Khan Academy Kids.

Structured phonics and sight-word curriculum
Short, gamified lessons that build reading confidence
Hundreds of interactive stories and activities
No ads and no in-app purchases

Best for: Pre-readers and early readers; parents who want a free, focused reading app.

4. Duolingo — best for learning a language (ages 8+)

Price: Free with ads; Super Duolingo around $12.99/month (cheaper billed annually) · Platforms: Android, iPad

The flagship Duolingo app turns language learning into a streak-driven game, with dozens of languages including Spanish, French, German, Japanese, and more. The free tier is fully usable; the paid Super tier removes ads and adds unlimited hearts. It suits older kids and teens better than toddlers because of the reading load.

Dozens of languages with bite-sized daily lessons
Streaks, leagues, and XP that keep motivation high
Listening and speaking practice, not just vocabulary
Generous free tier; optional ad-free Super subscription

Best for: Tweens and teens learning a second language.

5. Epic — best digital library (ages 2-12)

Price: Free for educators; home plans around $13.99/month or about $84.99/year · Platforms: Android, iPad, web

Epic is essentially a kids' Netflix for books, with a library of more than 40,000 ebooks, audiobooks, read-to-me titles, and learning videos. It tracks reading progress, recommends books by level and interest, and lets multiple kids read on one account, which makes it a strong way to build a reading habit. If you want broader reading options, see our roundup of the best reading apps.

40,000+ books, audiobooks, and videos
Level-based recommendations and reading-progress tracking
Read-to-me and audiobook modes for early readers
Free for teachers and classrooms during school hours

Best for: Building a daily reading habit across a wide age range.

6. Prodigy Math — best for math practice (ages 6-14)

Price: Free core game; optional membership from roughly $5-$10/month · Platforms: Android, iPad, web

Prodigy Math wraps curriculum-aligned math (roughly grades 1-8) inside a fantasy role-playing game: kids answer math questions to win "battles" and progress. The core game is free and standards-aligned; the paid membership mostly adds cosmetic and in-game perks, so you do not need to pay to get the educational value.

Curriculum-aligned math from grade 1 to 8
Adaptive questions that adjust to the child's level
Game-based motivation that makes practice feel like play
Free parent and teacher dashboards to track progress

Best for: Elementary and middle-school kids who resist plain math drills.

7. ClassDojo — best for school-home communication (ages 5-14)

Price: Free (optional paid extras for families) · Platforms: Android, iPad, web

ClassDojo is less a learning app and more a bridge between teachers, students, and parents. Kids get a monster avatar, teachers share updates and feedback, and parents stay in the loop on classroom activity. It only works if your child's teacher already uses it, but where they do, it is excellent for staying connected.

Real-time updates and photos from the classroom
Custom feedback points and behavior tracking
Private, secure messaging between parents and teachers
Customizable monster avatars kids enjoy

Best for: Families whose school already uses ClassDojo.

8. YouTube Kids — best for video learning (ages 3-9)

Price: Free with ads (Premium removes ads via a YouTube Premium plan) · Platforms: Android, iPad, Fire tablet, TV

YouTube Kids gives a filtered, parent-controlled version of YouTube with timers, content-level settings, and the ability to approve specific channels. It is a strong source of educational video, but it needs active parental setup, because automated filtering is not perfect and you'll want to curate channels.

Age-based content levels and screen-time timers
Approve-only mode to whitelist specific channels
Separate kid profiles with their own settings
Huge library of educational videos and shows

Best for: Video-loving kids, with hands-on parental controls in place.

9. ScratchJr — best free intro to coding (ages 5-7)

Price: Free · Platforms: Android, iPad

ScratchJr introduces coding to young children through colorful drag-and-drop blocks that snap together to make characters move, jump, and talk. Because kids don't need to read fluently to use it, it is one of the best first steps into programming and computational thinking.

Block-based, no-reading-required visual coding
Kids build their own interactive stories and games
Free, open-source, and ad-free
Works offline on tablets and phones

Best for: Curious 5-7 year-olds taking their first coding steps.

10. Pocket Code — best coding app for older kids (ages 10-16)

Price: Free · Platforms: Android, web

Pocket Code lets older kids and teens build their own games, animations, and apps directly on an Android phone using a visual, block-based editor. It is a natural next step after ScratchJr and a good on-ramp to real STEM and programming skills, with no ads and no purchases.

Create games and animations on the device itself
Visual programming with real logic concepts
Share and remix projects with a community
Free and ad-free, ideal for STEM learners

Best for: Tweens and teens ready to build, not just play.

Also Read: The Best Android Apps in 2026

Best educational app by age

If you only install one app, pick by your child's age:

Ages 2-5 (toddler / preschool): Khan Academy Kids for free all-round learning; Duolingo ABC once they're ready to read.
Ages 5-8 (early elementary): Khan Academy Kids or ABCmouse for curriculum; ScratchJr for first coding; Epic for reading.
Ages 8-11 (upper elementary): Prodigy Math for math practice; Epic for reading; Duolingo for languages.
Ages 11-16 (tween / teen): Duolingo for languages; Pocket Code for coding and STEM.

Educational apps for kids: quick comparison

App	Best for	Ages	Price (2026)	Ads / IAP
Khan Academy Kids	Free all-round learning	2-8	Free	None
ABCmouse	Paid full curriculum	2-8	~$14.99/mo, free trial	Ad-free, subscription
Duolingo ABC	Learning to read	3-8	Free	None
Duolingo	Languages	8+	Free / ~$12.99/mo Super	Ads on free tier
Epic	Digital library	2-12	~$13.99/mo or ~$84.99/yr	Subscription
Prodigy Math	Math practice	6-14	Free core; ~$5-10/mo optional	Optional membership
ClassDojo	School-home link	5-14	Free	Optional extras
YouTube Kids	Video learning	3-9	Free (Premium optional)	Ads on free tier
ScratchJr	First coding	5-7	Free	None
Pocket Code	Coding for older kids	10-16	Free	None

Coding and STEM apps for kids

Coding has become a core early skill, and the good news is the best starter coding apps are free. ScratchJr is the gentlest entry point for 5-7 year-olds because it needs no reading, while Pocket Code steps older kids up to building real games and animations on an Android phone. Both teach the same underlying idea: break a problem into steps, then sequence them. Pair either with Prodigy Math to cover the logic-and-numbers side of STEM. For teens who get serious, these apps are a natural bridge to text-based languages like Python and to standalone coding platforms.

For more app guides for young learners and students, see our picks for the best reading apps, the best productivity apps for students, and the best budgeting apps for college students.

Screen time and safety: what parents should set up first

Even the best educational app needs guardrails. Before handing over a device, do four things. First, turn on the platform's family controls — Google Family Link on Android or Screen Time on iPad — to cap daily usage and approve downloads. Second, enable each app's own parental controls and any "approved content only" mode, especially in YouTube Kids. Third, disable or restrict in-app purchases and require a password for any spend. Fourth, treat free apps with ads (the free tiers of Duolingo and YouTube Kids) with extra care, and prefer the genuinely ad-free options — Khan Academy Kids, Duolingo ABC, ScratchJr, and Pocket Code — for the youngest children.

How we picked these apps

We focused on apps that are widely available on Android (and usually iPad and Fire tablets), that are appropriate for children, and that teach something measurable rather than just entertain. We installed and used each app on a current Android phone and tablet, checked the live pricing and free-tier limits on each developer's official site and the Google Play listing in June 2026, and confirmed which apps are truly free versus subscription-based. We weighed educational value, age fit, the quality of parental controls, the presence or absence of ads and in-app purchases, and how well each app actually held a child's attention. Where an app changed since our last update — for example, ABCmouse's current monthly price and Prodigy's free core game — we refreshed the details to 2026 reality and dropped picks that no longer earn a spot.

Bottom line

For most families, start with Khan Academy Kids — it is free, ad-free, and covers the early years well — and add Duolingo ABC for reading and ScratchJr for a first taste of coding, all at no cost. If you want one paid app that handles the whole curriculum, ABCmouse is the pick; for reading breadth choose Epic, for math practice choose Prodigy Math, and for languages choose Duolingo. Match the app to your child's age, switch on the parental controls before you hand over the device, and you'll get genuine learning instead of just screen time.