Today’s generation of kids are known as “digital natives”, meaning they were born during the digital technology age. Growing up with access to all sorts of devices, like phones, tablets and computers, kids are familiar with the internet and apps almost from birth.
Apps are everywhere–even being integrated into the classroom. Use this guide to find the best apps for your child’s (or children’s) devices to keep them entertained.
Apps for Kids of All Ages
Older kids aren’t the only ones who can enjoy apps. You’ll find them for children of all ages, in a range of subjects, from educational to just plain silly fun. With 5,855 children’s apps in the Google Play store alone, it can be tough to know where to begin. How can you determine whether or not a particular app is right for your child? Look for age-appropriate apps that can engage your kid and provide value, while keeping them safe online.
Messaging Apps
Help kiddos stay connected with messaging apps like Facebook Messenger kids or Monster Messenger let parents control who kids are talking to. Both are free in the App Store or on Google play and are compatible with a wide range of devices.
Educational Apps
PBS Kids, Stack the States, Operation Math, and TinyTap, Create & Play Educational Games are excellent tools to keeps kids’ brains sharp while making learning fun. Interactive books by NosyCrow bring beloved childhood literary classics to life for kids of all ages.
Silly Apps
Let the kids get silly with apps like YAKit Kids. Kids get to manipulate photos and make the featured people, animals, and objects talk by recording their own voices. Prank call apps like Fake Caller ID or Fake-A-Call Free will leave users and parents in stitches with realistic prank phone calls from fake numbers.
YouTube Kids
A special kids’ version of youtube designed to make their online experience safer. Through specially-curated content, kids will be able to watch the videos and shows they love without fear of inappropriate content. Parental control features are easily accessible.
The Best Apps for Kids on the Market
Manage Their Screen Time Automatically
Before you download any apps for your youngster, thinking about how you plan to limit screen time. If you find it easier, you can put an app on their device designed to limit the amount of time they can spend using their screens. Free apps like ScreenLimit enable you to manage the time your kids spend on their phones by setting a daily time limit on the apps you want to restrict.
Keep track of how much time they’re spending using apps, and restrict usage to set windows of time. You can also set a list of blocked apps and even temporarily lock their access during certain times. Stay in control of your kids’ app usage without ever having to utter a word.
Ensure your kids enjoy themselves online with these apps, and control their content with ease.
12 comments
Screen limit sounds like an app I might need to use on my own screen use! You have a great collection here which I’m sure many parents will find very useful
I love the educational apps. Many times kids will spend time on technology and not always learn something at the same time.
I’e seen a lot of really cute and educational apps for kids. I do believe it is very important as a parent to make sure and thoroughly check out any app you download for your child.
Very informative list of some of the apps out there. My kids love YouTube kids. It has saved us a few times while out to dinner. I need to download a screen time app.
Thanks for these ideas. My four g-kids love playing on my phone and I have some fun but educational apps on there for them. They are growing up in such a digital world.
Personally, I do not like it so much that the children are already playing with a mobile at such a young age, but nowadays you can not escape it. Then I also prefer that they are working with apps that are good for their age, and not on youtube or something. When I see in my environment what parents do not allow to children on the mobile or computer so they are quiet, I sometimes find a NO GO. Last but not least, my neighbor of 5 years old … playing GTA. My children can not play this from me .. only such apps you describe here … There are a few that I did not know … I’m going to look at them and maybe add them to my phone. Thanks for sharing.
I really found this post informative but I don’t understand what do kids have to do with mobile phones. Anyhow, I hope it helps to those who need them.
I’m so anti-screens, sometimes I forget there are a lot of really educational apps out there. I’ll explore more when my baby’s a little older.
What a great list of apps. Sounds like there are so many out there! I love the list of silly ones! How fun!
With so much technology around ,kids are all exposed to the net, it’s good to know that there are specific apps geared towards kids.
I know tablets and cell phones can be a life saver when you need to distract your little ones. Thanks for this great list of apps to make it easier!
Some great ideas here! I don’t have kids, but I will definitely share this post with some of my friends who do – I think they’ll find it really interesting!