Best Learning Apps for Kids to Turn the Cocomelon Zombies into Little Geniuses

ABCmouse is an exceptional early learning app for kids ages 2-8 that makes education both comprehensive and fun. Instead of a collection of random games, ABCmouse provides a structured Learning Path with over 850 lessons across 10 progressive levels.

This ensures that your children build a solid foundation in four key subjects: reading, math, science, and art. They'll master everything from phonics and letter recognition to basic science concepts and shapes.

Upon our research of the app, what truly sets it apart is its unique ability to keep children motivated. The unique tickets-and-rewards system lets kids earn virtual tickets for completing activities. They can then use these tickets to ‘buy’ items for their classroom, aquarium, or zoo, turning learning into a rewarding and engaging experience.

For parents like you, this learning app for kids offers a detailed progress-tracking feature that gives you clear insights into your child’s advancement across all subjects. Plus, with over 2,000 printable activities, the learning can continue beyond screen time. ABCmouse is the all-in-one platform that makes learning feel like play.

Looking for a fun way to get your child excited about a new language? Duolingo makes it happen. This isn't just another language app; it’s a global phenomenon that turns learning into a rewarding daily habit.

We have experimented firsthand with how Duolingo's AI-powered lessons adapt to each child's pace, turning mistakes into learning opportunities. The platform focuses on the four core skills—reading, writing, listening, and speaking- through quick, game-like exercises that keep kids engaged.

It’s all about motivation. With its famous streak system and XP points, Duolingo turns daily practice into a challenge your children would want to win. You can also help your kids compete in weekly leagues, earn achievements, and see their progress in real time.

Plus, with dedicated apps like Duolingo ABC and Duolingo Math, the fun and learning extend far beyond languages. Best of all? The core educational content is completely free and accessible to everyone. With its science-backed methodology and game-like features, this is one of the best educational apps for elementary students that makes learning a new language an exciting adventure.

ALSO READ: Duolingo vs. Babbel

Getting kids excited about reading can be a challenge. That's where Epic comes in, it is one of the best book reading apps, which helps children to actually enjoy reading. During our hands-on test, we saw how seamlessly Epic bridges the gap between fun and education, proving that a love for reading can be sparked with the right tool.

Epic gives your child instant access to the world's largest digital library for kids, featuring over 40,000 curated titles from top publishers. The app features top titles like Clifford the Big Red Dog, My Pet Slime, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and more. All these books are perfect for children from the age of 3 to 12. Most of the books are in the the English language, but you can also explore famous books from other languages, including French, Spanish, etc.

Along with this, the app features genius functionalities like Read-to-Me books and audiobooks for emerging readers, interactive learning tools like Dictionary Lookup that build vocabulary without interrupting the story, and gamified rewards such as Reading Buddies.

The app offers a premium subscription- EPIC Family that comes with a 7-day free trial and starts at $9.99 monthly. As for institutes, Epic is free to use for students and educators during the school day. This is one of the most fun educational apps, which makes reading a truly engaging and rewarding experience. With personalized recommendations, your child will always find a story they love!

Khan Academy Kids is an app that doesn't just teach your child to read and count, but also helps them understand their own feelings. It's a complete learning experience designed for the holistic development of your child, with a curriculum developed by Stanford learning experts. When we tested this kids' learning app with our team, we were blown away by its ability to combine rigorous academic standards with truly joyful, playful learning.

Your child will be guided by five charming characters who make learning an adventure. The adaptive learning path continuously adjusts to your child's progress, offering just the right level of challenge so they build confidence without getting frustrated.

The app also has a rich, independent library where your child can explore curated books, videos, and activities at their own pace. What truly sets it apart is the emphasis on social-emotional learning, with lessons that teach kids how to handle big emotions.

And the best part? It's 100% free forever—no ads, no subscriptions, ever. Khan Academy Kids is a mission-driven platform that proves high-quality education should be accessible to everyone.

Discover the magic of learning with SplashLearn, the app designed to build unshakable confidence in your child. When our team explored the platform, we were amazed to see how kids become completely absorbed in enchanting adventures, mastering core math and English skills without the stress of timers or pressure.

Join a community of over 40 million learners and witness the incredible impact—children who engage regularly show a 77% improvement in just two months. Spanning from Preschool to Grade 5, SplashLearn offers a universe of over 4,000 games, stories, and activities on a personalized path that adapts to your child's unique needs.

You can track every milestone with detailed weekly progress reports sent directly to your inbox. See the spark for yourself and watch your child fall in love with learning by starting your 7-day free trial today.

Prepare to watch your child’s imagination take flight with Lingokids! Forget boring drills and tedious memorization; this app champions the Playlearning method, a revolutionary approach that transforms education into pure fun.

With over 3,000 interactive games, songs, and challenges, your child will dive into a world of discovery, mastering everything from phonics and coding to empathy and mindfulness without even realizing they're learning.

Embark on exciting journeys with beloved characters from Blippi, Pocoyo, and even NASA, as your child explores a rich curriculum covering STEM, art, social-emotional skills, and so much more.

The dedicated Parents Area allows you to track the progress of up to four children, celebrate their achievements, and get expert tips to continue the fun offline. As a kidSAFE-certified and 100% ad-free platform, you can have peace of mind knowing your child is exploring in a secure and positive environment.

Endless Alphabet distinguishes itself among the best free educational games by eliminating pressure while maximizing engagement. Our team's analysis revealed this kids' learning app's genius lies in its monster-powered approach to vocabulary development. Instead of traditional flashcards or repetitive drills, children encounter over 70 carefully selected words through delightful interactive experiences.

It offers an interactive experience where talking letters jump, wiggle, and vocalize their sounds as children drag them into place.

What sets this app apart is its philosophy of stress-free learning. There are no high scores to achieve, no failures to fear, and no time limits to create anxiety. Children can revisit their favorite words endlessly, building confidence through repetition without pressure.

The app focuses purely on alphabet recognition and vocabulary expansion, making it perfect for children ready to move beyond basic letter identification. While the word collection is finite, each interaction feels fresh, and the satisfying puzzle mechanics keep little fingers engaged.

Dr. Stephen Schutz's own struggle with dyslexia as a child has shaped the platform into something truly special—an untimed, pressure-free environment where exploration and play drive educational success. Since its launch in 2002, Starfall has become a trusted classroom companion for teachers working with diverse learning needs.

With this app, your children will not just see letters; they’ll hear sounds, trace shapes, and interact with animated characters that make abstract concepts tangible.

This methodology proves particularly effective for emergent readers, special needs students, and English language learners who benefit from multiple pathways to understanding. What sets Starfall apart among the best educational apps for 1-3 year olds is its emphasis on intrinsic motivation rather than external rewards.

Activities feel like natural play rather than structured lessons, encouraging confident exploration. Premium membership starting at $14.99 per month expands access to additional songs, mathematics activities, and reading content, supporting continued development of new educational materials.

Read Along by Google revolutionizes how children develop reading fluency through innovative speech-based learning technology. This app represents Google's commitment to making quality literacy education accessible worldwide. Our team's analysis revealed that this platform uniquely focuses on oral reading skills—a crucial foundation often overlooked by other educational apps.

Using advanced speech recognition, the app’s smart AI helper provides immediate positive reinforcement for correct pronunciation and offers gentle guidance as well.

What sets Read Along apart is its impressive multilingual capability, supporting eight languages, including Hindi, Bangla, Tamil, and Spanish, Portuguese, and others. Books from trusted publishers like Pratham Books and Katha Kids offer age-appropriate content across various difficulty levels.

The app's personalization engine adapts book recommendations based on each child's reading proficiency, ensuring optimal challenge levels. The app is completely free to use, without any ads or upsells.

ClassDojo creates transparent communication channels between teachers, parents, and students. Trusted by over a million students and parents worldwide, this platform serves as a digital bridge that brings classroom experiences directly to your home.

The app's strength lies in its community-building approach rather than traditional academic instruction. Teachers share classroom moments through secure Stories, allowing parents to see authentic learning experiences as they happen. The instant messaging feature breaks down language barriers with automatic translation into 35+ languages.

The app’s Points system encourages positive behavior by recognizing students for kindness, participation, and a growth mindset. Students can develop their own voice through Portfolio features, where they can showcase their work and reflect on their learning journey.

The platform excels at fostering school-home partnerships and supporting social-emotional development, making education a collaborative effort between all stakeholders in your child's growth.