sonal gupta 
Allowing kids more screen time isn’t always the best idea, but if you are going to let them use it, make sure it’s educational. These Best Educational Apps for 5 year olds will keep them busy and learning, without causing too much screen fatigue.
Epic is a reading app that provides personalized book recommendations based on their interests. It does have a cost, but many families can get it for free.
uKloo
Kids love to run around the house on a treasure hunt and this award-winning educational app disguises reading as fun. With a range of different-level clue cards (including ones that say “Look beside the lamp” and others that ask them to find something at home), and a Picture Helper poster for when they get stuck, kids will be learning to read before they know it!
This is the next-level version of uKloo’s brilliant seek-and-find literacy game that gets children reading, thinking and solving riddles all at the same time. It’s also a great way to build their confidence and develop their initial research skills.
The BBC’s CBeebies app family is a goldmine of engaging learning games for preschoolers, with apps on everything from geography and maths to feelings and self-care. The most popular, however, is this one that teaches the alphabet and spelling with interactive movable letters, audio prompts for tricky words and a series of spelling tests to keep kids engaged.
Kids can learn about the world and how it works with this excellent collection of educational videos from YouTube’s dedicated learning channel. It’s free to use, but in-app purchases unlock extra features including a search function and a list of recommended videos that parents can trust.
Brainpop Jr. Movie of the Week
Designed for children in kindergarten through third grade, this educational app offers animated movies on a variety of topics related to state education standards. The website also has curriculum-based lessons that support classroom learning.
Kids can access the site for free using their school’s username and password. Alternatively, they can choose an in-app subscription that gives them unlimited access to all the Brainpop Jr. content and allows them to watch the Movie of the Week as well as supplementary videos, quizzes, and activities.
After watching a movie, students can gauge how much they understand by taking an easy or hard quiz on the topic. This encourages metacognitive thought processes and helps students identify academic areas that may need more work or attention.
This educational app is a good choice for parents who want to keep their kids occupied with educational games that help them improve math skills and build cognitive abilities. It uses characters from popular PBS shows and cartoons like Sesame Street, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and Molly of Denali to introduce young kids to themes around tolerance, diversity, and social and emotional development.
Unlike other apps on this list, this one is free to download and use, but it only offers basic versions of its games. Users can upgrade to the full version, which has more advanced features and is available on a subscription basis.
PBS Kids Games
Designed to be safe and easy for kids to use, the PBS Kids Games app offers a great collection of educational mini-games. It is also fully functional offline, so children can play whenever they want without worrying about accessing content they shouldn’t or dealing with advertising.
The app encourages children to engage in skills related to science, math, and creativity through gameplay with their favorite PBS KIDS characters. It features games from popular series such as Daniel Tiger, Wild Kratts, and Alma’s Way. New games are added frequently, which keeps the app fresh and exciting for kids.
PBS Kids Games is perfect for parents looking for educational apps that help their kids learn while having fun. It is free to download, and users can control how much storage it uses on their phone or tablet. The app also has no chat features, so it can be safely used for children of all ages.
Some of our favorite educational games on this app include Party at Alma’s from “Alma’s Way,” which lets your child plan different parties with friends and family. The game also helps them develop organizational and planning skills. Another great game is Curious Campout from “Elinor Wonders Why,” which allows kids to explore nature with Elinor, Ranger Rabbit, and Olive. The game is fun and imaginative, and can be played by up to six players.
NASA Visualization Explorer
This NASA app is one of the coolest educational apps for kids because it allows them to be a part of scientific exploration on their iPad or iPhone. The app is updated each week with a new science story about the Earth, sun, or universe. Each story is presented in an easy-to-read format with striking images and videos. Older students can use the app without a teacher, while younger students can be guided by a teacher.
This is an excellent app for learning math with Peg + Cat, discovering creature powers with the Kratt Brothers, and going on a space adventure with the kids from Ready Jet Go! The app has tons of games in all areas of the curriculum, and even includes a version of Dr. Seuss’ ABC book that is interactive with augmented reality. This app is best for ages 2 and up, and it is available on both iOS and Android devices.
A great way to teach pre-coding skills, Scratch Jr is an introductory programming app that teaches children how to code by snapping together different blocks to make their adorable characters move, jump, and dance. The app is based on the popular Scratch programming language, but has been tailored for younger children. It is an excellent way to introduce children to the world of computer programming at a young age, and can also be used to teach problem solving, design, and critical thinking.
