The Best Educational Tablet Apps for Kids (So They Don’t Just Zombie Out in Transit)

By Moms, For Moms

We’ve all been there: the car ride that never ends, the airport delay from hell, or the restaurant meltdown waiting to happen. Handing your kid a tablet can be a lifesaver—but it doesn’t have to mean zoning out with hours of mindless TV. Here’s a mom-approved guide to educational tablet apps that actually teach something while keeping your kid entertained. We’ve tested these on real kids in real-life travel chaos, and here’s the lowdown:

1. Khan Academy Kids

Cost: Free

Pros: Ad-free, comprehensive learning in math, reading, social-emotional skills

Cons: Interface can be overwhelming for younger kids

Why It’s Great: It’s basically a free goldmine of preschool-to-early-elementary content backed by educational pros. Great for long flights or focused learning moments.

2. Kiddopia

Cost: Subscription required after free trial

Pros: Bright, engaging design with academics, creativity, and pretend play

Cons: Can feel a bit “gamey” and overstimulating

Why It’s Great: A solid mix of educational and imaginative play—great for keeping younger kids occupied and learning.

3. Pok Pok Playroom

Cost: Subscription

Pros: Montessori-style, no goals or points, fosters creativity and exploration

Cons: Less structured—some kids may get bored quickly

Why It’s Great: Ideal for quiet play and critical thinking; think of it as a digital sandbox for curious minds.

4. Crayola Create and Play / Coloring App

Cost: Some features free; full access requires a subscription

Pros: Creative outlet, great for ages 3–8, mess-free art

Cons: Not super academic

Why It’s Great: Great for calming overstimulated kids. Perfect during flights or restaurant waits.

5. Planet Earth and the Americas (Smithsonian)

Cost: Paid app

Pros: Beautiful visuals, educational info about geography and nature

Cons: Less interactive, better for older kids

Why It’s Great: Great intro to world geography and wildlife—pair with headphones for solo discovery.

6. Bimi Boo

Cost: Freemium model; many games require purchase

Pros: Age-appropriate games for toddlers and preschoolers

Cons: Some content locked behind a paywall

Why It’s Great: Simple and sweet for little ones learning shapes, colors, and basic logic.

7. ABCmouse

Cost: Subscription

Pros: Full curriculum in reading, math, and science

Cons: Not intuitive for some kids without help

Why It’s Great: Structured, school-like learning with a gamified twist. Best for ages 3–8.

8. Homer Learn & Grow App

Cost: Subscription

Pros: Personalized reading paths, phonics focus

Cons: Less variety than ABCmouse

Why It’s Great: Excellent for early readers who need phonics support and storytelling.

9. Marble Math Junior

Cost: One-time purchase

Pros: Fun, hands-on math learning through play

Cons: Best suited for ages 5+, not ideal for toddlers

Why It’s Great: Turns math into a tactile, arcade-style game. Travel-friendly brain workout.

10. Reading Eggs

Cost: Subscription

Pros: Phonics-based reading, lots of progress tracking

Cons: Can feel repetitive

Why It’s Great: Parents rave about real reading gains. Use it consistently during travel to keep progress going.

11. Gruffalo Games

Cost: Paid

Pros: Based on beloved book characters, light academics + fun

Cons: Limited educational depth

Why It’s Great: Charming and cozy for little ones. Great if your kid loves the books.

12. Disney Games (various)

Cost: Varies—some free, others require purchase

Pros: High production value, familiar characters

Cons: Education varies widely

Why It’s Great: Fun and safe—great for when you need them distracted but still learning a little.

13. Bluey Games

Cost: Mostly free

Pros: Wholesome, fun, some creativity elements

Cons: More entertainment than education

Why It’s Great: The Bluey charm shines through—good for role play and giggles on the go.

14. PBS Kids Games

Cost: Free

Pros: Trusted brand, wide range of subjects and ages

Cons: Can require Wi-Fi

Why It’s Great: Educational and well-designed. A mom favorite for a reason.

15. Vooks

Cost: Subscription (some schools offer free access)

Pros: Animated storybooks with narration

Cons: Less interactive

Why It’s Great: Ideal for winding down. Like a storytime session on-the-go.

16. The Nail Art App

Cost: Free with in-app purchases

Pros: Fun for creative kids, especially older ones

Cons: Not academic

Why It’s Great: Engaging and calming. Surprisingly useful during long waits or boring transitions.

17. Math Playground

Cost: Free website; app version varies

Pros: Great for ages 6+, covers a wide range of math concepts

Cons: Less visual flair than other apps

Why It’s Great: Smart games that sneak in real learning—ideal for grade schoolers.

18. YouDJ Mixer App

Cost: Free and paid versions

Pros: Encourages creativity and rhythm

Cons: Not academic

Why It’s Great: Unique option for music-loving kids who want to create, not just consume.

19. Libby (by OverDrive)

Cost: Free with a library card

Pros: Massive selection of children’s eBooks and audiobooks, including read-alongs; completely free; works offline

Cons: No password-protected parental controls; content availability depends on your local library

Why It’s Great: Libby turns your local library into a digital bookshelf. It’s perfect for screen time that actually feels like reading, and ideal for travel since you can download books in advance. A must-have for kids who love story time or are building reading fluency.

20. Kids Coloring App (various versions)

Cost: Free versions available; some offer paid upgrades

Options: Kids Doodle (Color & Draw), Coloring & Learning by Orange Studios, Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Pets, Happy Color (Color by Number), Drawing for Kids (Doodle Games), Kids Paint Free,

Pros: Easy for toddlers, promotes creativity

Cons: Not educational in a traditional sense

Why It’s Great: A calming tool for creativity on the go, especially when Wi-Fi is spotty.

Honorable mentions:

🌟 Toca Life World

• Ages: 4–10

• Cost: Free with in-app purchases

• Why It’s Great: Open-ended play meets creativity and storytelling. Kids create characters, build scenes, and narrate their own adventures. No rules—just exploration.

🌟 Sago Mini World

• Ages: 2–5

• Cost: Free trial, then subscription

• Why It’s Great: Adorable mini games that foster creativity, empathy, and fine motor skills. Great for preschoolers and completely safe.

🌟 Duolingo ABC

• Ages: 3–7

• Cost: Free

• Why It’s Great: Phonics, letters, and early reading—gamified and backed by language-learning experts. Less chaotic than the adult Duolingo.

🌟 Moose Math by Duck Duck Moose

• Ages: 3–7

• Cost: Free

• Why It’s Great: Fun math mini-games (sorting, counting, addition) in a story-driven format. Made by educators, and totally ad-free.

🌟 Pet Bingo by Duck Duck Moose

• Ages: 4–8

• Cost: Free

• Why It’s Great: A bingo-style math game with adorable pets and a rewards system. It’s educational, light-hearted, and fun.

🌟 BrainPOP Jr. Movie of the Week

• Ages: 5–9

• Cost: Free weekly content (subscription unlocks full access)

• Why It’s Great: Engaging animated videos on everything from science to social-emotional learning, followed by games and quizzes.

🌟 Lightbot: Code Hour

• Ages: 6–12

• Cost: Free

• Why It’s Great: Teaches coding logic (sequencing, loops) without needing to read code. Great intro to computational thinking.

🌟 Tynker Junior

• Ages: 5–8

• Cost: Free trial, then subscription

• Why It’s Great: A friendly, visual way to introduce coding through puzzles and stories. Ideal for pre-readers and early learners.

🌟 Montessori Crosswords

• Ages: 4–8

• Cost: Paid

• Why It’s Great: Builds phonics, spelling, and vocabulary skills the Montessori way. Smart and tactile.

🌟 LingoKids

• Ages: 2–8

• Cost: Free tier, full version requires subscription

• Why It’s Great: Covers math, science, language, and more—with cute characters and a gentle learning curve.

🌟 StoryToys Apps (e.g., Eric Carle, Disney Books, LEGO DUPLO)

• Ages: 2–6

• Cost: Free options available

• Why It’s Great: Classic stories become interactive books and games. Beautiful animations, great for bedtime or solo play.

Final Mom Tip: Download a few ahead of time so you’re ready even when there’s no Wi-Fi. And remember, it's all about balance. A little Bluey, a little Khan Academy, and a whole lot of sanity saved for everyone.