20 Best Apps for 12 Year Olds
Twelve-year-olds require stimulating and challenging activities that not only help them improve their academic skills but also promote their cognitive development. At this age, kids need to be able to learn and engage in a fun and interactive way, and this is where mobile apps come into play.
As there are many options available, you might be stressing about choosing the right educational apps for kids. No worries, we've got you covered! In this blog post, you'll learn all the details about the best apps for 12-year-olds. Let's dive in.
Our Top Picks
- Best overall: MentalUP
- Best for education: Brainfeed
- Best for mathematics: Prodigy Math Game
- Best for fitness: MentalUP Fitness
- Best for reading: ReadingIQ
The Best Educational Apps for 12 Year Olds
To meet the educational needs of kids in this age group and keep them entertained, apps should be challenging and engaging, provide personalized learning experiences, and allow them to discover new subjects.
Here is a closer look at the best educational apps for 12 year olds.
1. Brainfeed-Educational Videos for Kids
Brainfeed is one of the best iPad apps for 12 year olds. It is an educational app that provides a wide range of educational videos in a variety of subjects, including science, math, history, and more.
The app is great for kids' cognitive skills, such as comprehension, memory, and critical thinking. Also, the app features a user-friendly interface and personalized video recommendations, which makes it highly enjoyable.
- Price: $14.99/year
- Best for children aged 6 to 18
- Support available: Email and help center
| Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Wide range of content | No performance tracking |
| User-friendly interface | Free content is too limited |
| Ad-free | |
2. MentalUP Brain Games
This is the ultimate app kids love and parents trust! MentalUP is a scientifically designed learning app aiming to provide kids with a continuous learning experience and cognitive development in a fun way.
The app features a variety of brain training games and physical education exercises to holistically support kids' overall development. This is why it is one of the best apps for 12 year olds.
The best part of the app is its adaptive algorithm that tests kids' skills continuously and provides them with the right content tailored to their educational needs, personal interests, and physical and mental abilities.
The app offers exciting features like performance tracking, reporting, and screen-time limiting. This way, the app informs parents and teachers about their kids' development and enables them to understand their kids' strengths and weaknesses.
MentalUP combines all these capabilities and beneficial content in a kid-friendly environment to provide a safe and effective learning experience. But that’s not all. MentalUP is available on any PC, tablet, or smartphone whether it is Android or iOS operated. This is what makes it the perfect learning tool for both indoors and outdoors.
Are you looking for a trusted learning app for 12 year olds? Look no further than MentalUP! As a recommended app by world-leading communities, MentalUP is here to provide your kid with an innovative learning approach that’ll keep them both entertained and stimulated. ✨
MentalUP features hundreds of games and exercises beneficial to kids' cognitive and physical development. From memory games and strength exercises to puzzles and gymnastic games, in MentalUP, there is something for every kid regardless of their age or interests. 🙌
It is time to start using MentalUP for expanding your kid’s potential in an enjoyable way!
- Regional price
- Best for kids of all ages
- Support available: Email and help center
| Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Wide range of content | Free content is limited |
| Performance-tracking tools | |
| Kid-friendly learning environment | |
3. iTooch Music
This is one of the good apps for 12 year olds who are interested in music. The app offers a comprehensive music curriculum covering a variety of topics, including reading sheet music, music theory, and playing different instruments.
Some features of the app include interactive lessons, practice exercises, and a user-friendly interface. It is a great choice for sparking kids' musical skills as well as attention to detail, memory, and concentration.
- Price: $5.99
- Best for kids aged 12 and up
- Support available: Email and help center
| Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Great for musical skills | Higher price point |
| Comprehensive content | Limited customization options |
| Interactive learning experience | No performance tracking |
4. Sphero Edu
Sphero Edu is an educational app that provides hands-on learning experiences of coding, robotics, and STEAM education. The app allows kids to program and control Sphero robots and engage in fun activities.
Sphero Edu features step-by-step tutorials, block-based programming, and a variety of challenging missions. It helps improve children's cognitive skills, such as problem solving, creativity, and critical thinking.
- Price: Free
- Best for kids aged 8 to 14
- Support available: Email
| Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Completely free | Might include ads |
| Great for coding and STEM skills | No performance tracking |
| Challenging exercises | Might be hard to navigate for young kids |
5. Khan Academy
This is one of the best apps for 12 year olds that is available for free. The app covers subjects, such as math, science, history, and more, with lessons and exercises that are designed to help children learn at their own pace.
Khan Academy, which is one of the best alternatives to Kahoot, comes with personalized learning plans, progress tracking, and interactive exercises. It is a simple yet effective alternative to help kids learn new subjects and improve their analytical skills.
- Price: Free
- Best for kids of all ages
- Support available: Help center
| Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Completely free | Might not be engaging for older kids |
| Performance tracking | Limited content |
| Ad-free | |
The Best Math Apps for 12 Year Olds
Improving math skills for kids is crucial as it is a fundamental subject that is used in everyday life, from managing finances to problem-solving. Strong math skills also provide a foundation for success in other subjects, such as science and technology.
Let’s dive into the best maths apps for 12 year olds that’ll expand their mathematical knowledge in an entertaining way.
6. IXL
IXL is an educational app that provides practice problems and questions for improving kids' mathematical knowledge. The app offers a personalized learning experience with adaptive questions that adjust to each child's skill level.
In addition to math, the app also includes content on various topics, including English, science, and social studies. It also offers awards and certificates to motivate and encourage students.
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Best for Pre-K to grade 12
- Support available: Email
| Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Personalized learning experience | Might include ads |
| Wide range of content | Free content is too limited |
| Progress tracking | |
7. Photomath
This is among the good apps for 12 year olds. It is a simple yet effective app that helps students solve math problems by taking a picture of the problem and using the app to show step-by-step solutions.
The app features image recognition technology to instantly solve problems and provide explanations for basic to advanced math problems including algebra, geometry, calculus, and statistics. It is a great app supporting kids' critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Best for kids aged 10 to 18
- Support available: Email and help center
| Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Allows users to share solutions | Might contain ads |
| Great for problem-solving skills | No performance tracking |
Are you tired of providing kids with the same old boring math drills? Don’t worry, MentalUP is more than just a math game—it's an exciting and engaging resource to foster kids' math skills!
With over 10 million users worldwide, MentalUP is a trusted resource for learning. MentalUP math games are designed to be both enjoyable and effective, helping your child develop their skills and confidence in a safe and supportive environment. 🌎
The award-winning app features a variety of math games from basic to advanced levels, such as geometry, counting, division, games, and more. This way, it improves every skill from counting and algebra to calculations and geometry! 🏆
It is time to give MentalUP a try!
8. King of Maths
If you are looking for great game apps for 12 year olds that’ll expand their math skills in an entertaining way, you can check out the King of Maths. It is a fast-paced math game with lots of puzzles and problems in different areas.
The app requires kids to answer math questions and improve their total score through engaging exercises. It features multiple difficulty levels to adjust to the user's skill level and covers a variety of math topics, including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and logic.
- Price: $2.99
- Best for middle and high school students
- Support available: Email
| Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Gamified learning experience | Might not be engaging for older kids |
| Great for problem-solving skills | Limited educational content |
| Progress tracking | |
9. Cymath - Math Problem Solver
Cymath is a math problem-solving app that offers step-by-step solutions to math problems. It is one of the best math apps for 12 year olds that utilizes artificial intelligence to support kids' math skills and help them solve problems.
The app covers diverse math topics, such as algebra, geometry, spatial sense, measurement, functions, and probability, and video explanations for some math problems. With its step-by-step approach, it is a great resource to increase kids' problem-solving abilities.
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Best for kids aged 8 and up
- Support available: Email and help center
| Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Provides detailed explanations | Might contain ads |
| Wide range of math topics | Might be hard to navigate for some users |
| Graphing calculator | No performance tracking |
10. Prodigy Math: Kids Game
This is an interactive math game designed for students in grades 1-8. The app covers over 1,400 math skills and adapts to each student's progress, providing personalized feedback and challenges.
The game is set in a fantasy world, where students can earn rewards and progress through levels as they master math skills. It is one of the most fun apps for 12 year olds who need to improve their math skills.
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Best for kids aged 6 to 14
- Support available: Email and help center
| Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Gamified learning experience | Might include ads |
| Fun and engaging | Limited content |
| Performance tracking | |
The Best Fitness Apps for 12 Year Olds
Kids need to stay active at least 60 minutes a day as physical activity is a vital component of overall development. Yet most kids find following exercise routines daunting. Apps can be a helpful tool for kids to make exercise engaging, providing them with a convenient way to stay motivated.
Here are the top-rated fitness apps for 12 year olds that’ll keep them both entertained and engaged:
11. Super Stretch Yoga
Super Stretch Yoga is a fitness app featuring animated yoga poses and exercises that help improve strength, flexibility, and balance. It is a simple yet effective app offering a variety of yoga routines and games that make exercising fun and engaging.
In addition to helping kids stay active, the app is great for improving kids’ focus and concentration as well as body awareness and mindfulness.
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Best for parents with kids of all ages
- Support available: Email
| Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Animated exercising videos | Might include ads |
| Fun and engaging | Limited content |
| Great for body awareness | No performance tracking |
12. MentalUP Fitness
MentalUP’s fitness module is not just like any ordinary fitness apps for 12 year olds. It stands out from the crowd by combining fun brain teaser games and engaging fitness exercises that holistically support kids’ development.
The fitness module includes more than 240 exercises in balance, strength, stretching, cardio, and gymnastics categories, making it one of the best apps for 12 year olds looking to improve their overall fitness. Thanks to MentalUP’s personalized daily exercising plans, kids can easily follow a routine that suits their needs and stay motivated to continue their routines.
But what makes MentalUP’s fitness module truly exciting is animated videos that showcase different exercises and customizable characters that kids can choose according to their interests. This adds an extra layer of excitement to the app, making it an engaging and interactive experience for kids of all ages.
MentalUP’s fitness module is also highly flexible, allowing kids to work out at home or on the go without any equipment. And with performance-tracking tools, it allows parents and teachers to monitor their children’s progress and set goals to keep them motivated and on track.
Are your kids getting enough exercise and staying healthy? In today’s world, it’s more important than ever for kids to stay active, and MentalUP’s fitness module is the perfect solution to make it fun and exciting! 💪
MentalUP Fitness is a world of entertaining fitness games and exercises that will keep your kid active, happy, and healthy. With its highly engaging content and effective exercises, it is a great resource for your kids to blow off steam and improve their physical and mental well-being. 🎯
You can give your child the gift of an active and healthy lifestyle with MentalUP today! Trust us; your kid will thank you for it! 🎉
- Regional price
- Best for kids of all ages
- Support available: Email and help center
| Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Animated exercising videos | Free content is limited |
| Performance tracking | |
| Kid-friendly | |
13. Fitness for Kids: Kids Workout
This is one of the most fun apps for 12 year olds who need a simple boost to stay active. The app offers short, engaging workouts designed for kids, which include stretching, cardio, and strength exercises.
The app features different workout routines, video instructions for each exercise, and a fun reward system that motivates children to complete their daily workouts. It is a great alternative that enables kids to get out their energy and improve their processing speed.
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Best for kids aged 4 to 14
- Support available: In-app support
| Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Fun reward system | Might contain ads |
| Great for physical development | No performance tracking |
| Easy to navigate | Limited content |
14. Fit Quest
This is one of the best free Android educational apps for 12 year olds. It provides kids with personalized daily workouts and meal plans and allows them to track their progress toward meeting their fitness goals.
The app offers a variety of exercises, including cardio, strength training, and stretching, to help children improve their fitness and stay healthy. In addition to its contribution to physical abilities, the app is great for sparking kids’ cognitive skills, like attention and concentration.
- Price: Free with in-app purchases.
- Best for kids of all ages
- Support available: Email and help center
| Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Performance tracking | Might contain ads |
| Wide range of content | Too many in-app purchases |
15. Exercise for Kids at Home
This is one of the most simple and entertaining fitness apps for 12 year olds. It is a family-friendly fitness app that offers a fun training program suitable for kids of all ages through short and animated videos.
The app aims to expand kids’ physical well-being with 5-minute daily yoga, stretching, and strength training. Therefore it could be a good option if you are looking for an app that promotes kids’ mindfulness.
- Price: Free
- Best for kids of all ages 4 to 14
- Support available: Email
| Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Great for physical and mental wellbeing | No performance tracking |
| Easy to navigate | Might include ads |
| Animated videos | Limited content |
The Best Reading Apps for 12 Year Olds
Now that we’ve evaluated the best apps for 12 year olds in education, math, and fitness, let’s take a look at the fun and beneficial learning apps that’ll foster kids literacy and language skills.
16. Serial Reader - Daily Reading
Serial Reader is one of the best reading apps for 12 year olds that enjoy reading classic literature. The app delivers classical books from authors like Charles Dickens and Mark Twain in daily bite-sized installments, making it easier for kids to finish long books.
It features customizable reading settings, the ability to track reading progress, adjustable font sizes, and night mode to provide kids with an engaging reading experience. It is an effective resource for promoting kids' comprehension, vocabulary, and focus.
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Best for kids aged 10 to 18
- Support available: Email
| Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Performance tracking | Might include ads |
| Great for reading comprehension | To many in-app purchases |
17. OverDrive
OverDrive is one of the best educational apps for 12 year olds that allows them to borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and more from their local library or school for free. Through the app, kids can access thousands of titles on their mobile devices.
The app includes exciting features, such as adjustable reading settings, the ability to create bookmarks and notes, and syncing across multiple devices. All you need is a library or school card from anywhere in the world.
- Price: Free
- Best for kids aged 6 to 18
- Support available: Email and help center
| Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Ad-free | No performance tracking |
| Recognized worldwide | |
| Great for literacy skills | |
You can discover an effective way to develop your child's cognitive skills in a fun and engaging way with MentalUP! The app offers a wide range of games and exercises designed to enhance your child's mathematical, logical, linguistic, and creative abilities while preparing them for both academic and everyday challenges. 🎓
With its cutting-edge educational approach, MentalUP is loved by over 10 million kids, parents, and teachers worldwide. Whatever their level or interest, MentalUP is here to provide your kid with a personalized learning experience tailored to their needs. 👪
Don’t waste your time looking for the ultimate app for your kid and start their MentalUP journey today! ✅
18. ReadingIQ
ReadingIQ is a digital library for kids that provides access to over 7,000 books across multiple reading levels, along with educational games and quizzes. So it is one of the most fun apps for 12 year olds who need to improve their reading proficiency.
In addition to its wide range of content, the app offers personalized reading recommendations, leveled reading, and performance-tracking tools. It can also be used in online and offline modes and spark kids' literacy and critical thinking skills.
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Best for kids of all ages
- Support available: Email
| Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Kid-friendly | Too many in-app purchases |
| Performance tracking | Limited selection for older children |
| Wide selection of books | Lack of interactivity |
19. Basmo - Reading Tracker
Basmo is one of the good apps for 12 year olds who want to improve their reading habits. It is a reading tracker app that helps kids keep track of the books they have read and want to read. The app allows kids to create book lists, track reading progress, and set reading goals.
The app is great for motivating kids to spend some more time reading. It is also great for helping them expand their planning, organization, and memory, as well as literacy.
- Price: $4.99/month
- Best for kids of all ages
- Support available: Email
| Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Ad-free | New book recommendations |
| Great for organization and planning skills | Does not provides access to books |
| Wide range of content | No performance tracking |
20. SwapTales: Leon!
If you are looking for some great game apps for 12 year olds to foster their reading skills, you can check out this app. SwapTales: Leon! is a game app designed with a story-telling approach.
The app allows kids to create their own stories by swapping words and phrases in pre-written stories. It is great for expanding kids' literacy and creativity. Also, it supports a variety of languages, including Spanish and German. So it can also be used as a language learning app.
- Price: $4.99
- Best for kids aged 6 and up
- Support available: Email
| Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Kid-friendly | Might not be engaging for older kids |
| Interactive learning experience | No performance tracking |
| Engaging visuals | No reporting modules |
20 Best Apps for 12 Year Olds Features Summary Table
| Best Apps for 12 Year Olds Features Summary Table | ||
|---|---|---|
| App | Subscription Fees or In-App Purchases | Features |
| Brainfeed | $14.99/year |
✓ Child-safe/No in-app ads X In-app purchases X Performance tracking ✓ Wide range of videos |
| MentalUP | Regional price |
✓ Child-safe/No in-app ads X In-app purchases ✓ Performance tracking ✓ Wide range of content ✓ Personalized learning experience ✓ Great for both cognitive and physical development |
| iTooch Music | $5.99 |
✓ Child-safe/No in-app ads X In-app purchases X Performance tracking ✓ Interactive learning experience ✓ Great for musical skills |
| Sphero Edu | Free |
X Child-safe/No in-app ads X In-app purchases X Performance tracking ✓ Interactive learning experience ✓ Great for coding and STEM skills |
| Khan Academy | Free |
✓ Child-safe/No in-app ads X In-app purchases ✓ Performance tracking X Interactive learning experience |
| IXL | Free with in-app purchases |
X Child-safe/No in-app ads ✓ In-app purchases ✓ Performance tracking ✓ Wide range of content ✓ Personalized learning experience |
| Photomath | Free with in-app purchases |
X Child-safe/No in-app ads ✓ In-app purchases X Performance tracking ✓ Wide range of content X Personalized learning experience ✓ Great for problem solving skills |
| King of Maths | $2.99 |
X Child-safe/No in-app ads X In-app purchases ✓ Performance tracking X Wide range of content ✓ Gamified learning experience ✓ Great for problem solving skills |
| Cymath | Free with in-app purchases |
X Child-safe/No in-app ads ✓ In-app purchases ✓ Performance tracking ✓ Wide range of content ✓ Gamified learning experience ✓ Provides detailed explanations |
| Prodigy Math | Free with in-app purchases |
X Child-safe/No in-app ads ✓ In-app purchases ✓ Performance tracking X Wide range of content ✓ Gamified learning experience ✓ Fun and engaging |
| Super Stretch Yoga | Free with in-app purchases |
X Child-safe/No in-app ads ✓ In-app purchases X Performance tracking X Wide range of content ✓ Great for body awareness ✓ Fun and engaging |
| MentalUP Fitness | Regional price |
✓ Child-safe/No in-app ads ✓ In-app purchases ✓ Performance tracking ✓ Wide range of content ✓ Great for physical education ✓ Fun and engaging |
| Fitness for Kids | Free with in-app purchases |
X Child-safe/No in-app ads ✓ In-app purchases X Performance tracking X Wide range of content ✓ Great for physical development ✓ Easy to navigate |
| Fit Quest | Free with in-app purchases |
X Child-safe/No in-app ads ✓ In-app purchases ✓ Performance tracking ✓ Wide range of content ✓ Great for physical development |
| Exercise for Kids at Home | Free |
X Child-safe/No in-app ads X In-app purchases X Performance tracking X Wide range of content ✓ Great for physical and mental wellbeing |
| Serial Reader | Free with in-app purchases |
X Child-safe/No in-app ads ✓ In-app purchases ✓ Performance tracking X Wide range of content ✓ Great for reading comprehension |
| OverDrive | Free |
✓ Child-safe/No in-app ads X In-app purchases X Performance tracking X Wide range of content ✓ Great for literacy |
| ReadingIQ | Free with in-app purchases |
✓ Child-safe/No in-app ads ✓ In-app purchases ✓ Performance tracking ✓ Wide range of content ✓ Great for reading skills X Interactive learning experience |
| Basmo | $4.99/month |
✓ Child-safe/No in-app ads ✓ In-app purchases X Performance tracking ✓ Wide range of content ✓ Great for organization and planning skills |
| SwapTales: Leon! | $4.99 |
✓ Child-safe/No in-app ads ✓ In-app purchases X Performance tracking X Wide range of content ✓ Interactive learning experience ✓ Engaging visuals |
Nowadays, technology is playing an increasingly important role in kids’ learning and development. But with so many options available, it can be tough to find an app that's not only effective but also fun and engaging for kids. That's where MentalUP comes in!
Developed by experts in education, gaming, and academia, MentalUP targets essential cognitive skills while promoting physical activity. With new games added regularly, your child will never tire of learning and developing new skills. 🚀
And with advanced features like screen-time limiting and performance tracking, you can monitor your child's progress and ensure they are getting the most out of the MentalUP. Best of all, MentalUP is a safe environment for children to learn and grow because it has no ads. 😇
So why wait? Download MentalUP today and give your child the gift of reaching their full potential, anytime, anywhere, and on any device. 🎁
