Endless Alphabet- This app comes from the creators of Sesame Street's The Monster at the End of This Book — so you know it's bound to be silly and cute. The monster-themed activities teach children new words and how to spell them. The games don't have time limits or scores, so it's stress-free fun for kids. Some words might be too advanced for preschool children. Make the 99-cent in-app purchase to remove ads.
Ages 3 & up
For iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Ages 3 & up
For iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Kids ABC Letters Lite- Help your child learn his/her letters with the collection of fun games included in this app. In one game, children create letters by sliding colorful puzzle pieces into place while in another, kids learn to recognize letters as they appear in words. Note that this "lite" version covers only letters A through H, and you must buy the complete version ($3.99) for the entire alphabet.
Ages 2 & up
For Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Ages 2 & up
For Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Read Me Stories- If you forgot to pack some children's books for on-the-go, this app is a great option. A new eBook for kids is added every day. Each word is highlighted as the voice tells the story so that kids can learn to read along. It's a great choice for reluctant readers who like to play with Mom's phone or tablet.
Ages 3 & up
For Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Ages 3 & up
For Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Sushi Monster- Kids don't have to like sushi to love Sushi Monster! This fun game by Scholastic gets kids hooked on math. The goal is to add or multiply numbers that equal the sum or product that the Sushi Monster seeks. Players earn points, stars, trophies, and personal bests — all while brushing up on their number skills.
Ages 7 & up
For iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Ages 7 & up
For iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
SpellingCity- Does your child struggle with spelling? This app, which includes 10 word lists and eight different games, will have her spelling like a champ! HangMouse — similar to the game Hangman — is a blast to play. Other fun games include word scrambles, alphabetizing challenges, and missing-letter quizzes.
Ages 7 & up
For Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Ages 7 & up
For Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
The Opposites- Expand your child's vocabulary with a game that's all about opposites. The game asks kids to match up pairs of opposing words as they float down the screen. The easier levels include opposites like up and down or entrance and exit, and kids (or adults who happen to get hooked!) gradually progress to the hardest levels, which include more rare or technical words.
Ages 7 & up
For iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Ages 7 & up
For iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
News-O-Matic- Extra! Extra! This kid-friendly current events app boils down the daily news into simple articles that are appropriate for kids. The app earned five stars from Common Sense Media.
Ages 7 & up
For iPad
Ages 7 & up
For iPad
Stack the States Lite— The iPhone Mom- a popular app-review website written by a mom for moms — calls this "a fantastic educational app that's also a hoot!" The quizzes and games help kids learn about state shapes, capitals, abbreviations, bordering states, flags, and more. Who knew geography could be so fun! Note that you can only "earn" five states in the free version, so if your child gets hooked on filling up the map, you'll need to buy the full version for 99 cents.
Ages 7 & up
For iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Ages 7 & up
For iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch
Phonics 2nd Grade Reading HD
Compatible with iPad.
See the app in the app store: See the app in iTunes
The Pros:Over 100 activities and puzzles to teach phonics, 7 different categories of phonics skills to choose from
The Not So:Very little interaction or animation, not a lot of variety in the activities, may take several tries to line the words up closely enough for the app to recognize a correct response
Price: $1.99
Compatible with iPad.
See the app in the app store: See the app in iTunes
The Pros:Over 100 activities and puzzles to teach phonics, 7 different categories of phonics skills to choose from
The Not So:Very little interaction or animation, not a lot of variety in the activities, may take several tries to line the words up closely enough for the app to recognize a correct response
Price: $1.99