The 10 Best Toddler Apps (Teacher-Recommended)
As a parent, you're always on the lookout for ways to help your child grow and learn. And toddler learning apps are a fantastic way to do just that!
These interactive educational tools can keep your toddler entertained on long car journeys, help them relax before bed, or give them a head start in their education. And the best part? They're fun!
If you're wondering what are the best toddler apps, this article features a selection of the best toddler learning apps, all recommended by experts.
The Best Toddler Learning Apps for Effective Development
With so many apps to choose from, it's crucial to be selective and ensure that you're getting the best apps for toddler. So take the time to research and read reviews before making a decision.
There are several categories, such as educational, game, vocabulary, music, and bedtime apps. You can choose effective tools from these categories and use them combined in line with your and your child's needs.
Check out our list of 10 teacher-recommended best toddler development apps and see if they fit your child's learning and entertainment needs.
1. Endless Alphabet
Endless Alphabet is an educational app designed for toddlers and young children to learn the alphabet and basic vocabulary.
The app offers a series of interactive puzzles and mini-games that introduce and reinforce letter recognition, word recognition, and word meanings in a fun and engaging way.
Each puzzle presents a word, along with an animation that illustrates the word's meaning. For example, the word "dog" is accompanied by an animation of a dog barking and playing fetch.
- Price: $8.99
- Ages: 3 and up
- Support available: email
| Endless Alphabet Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Self-paced learning | Lack of ability to track progress |
| Interesting animations | Lack of customization |
2. MentalUP Brain Games
Are you ready to supercharge your toddler's brain and give their mental muscles a workout with one of the best apps for toddler learning?
This educational app is jam-packed with hundreds of fun and challenging brain games and activities that are designed to help toddlers develop important mental skills. And the best part? It's all presented in a fun and engaging way that will keep your toddler entertained while they grow their brain power.
Whether they're working on their visual and verbal intelligence, logical reasoning, attention, concentration, memory, math skills, analytical thinking, or problem-solving skills, MentalUP has something for every little learner.
MentalUP is an educational games platform with more than 10 million users that offers 150+ brain games that improve mental abilities and 240+ physical exercises for kids that can be done at home and outdoors without additional equipment, all approved by pedagogues and experts. 😇
By performing MentalUP’s mental and physical exercises, children can build up their memory, attention, focus, analytical thinking, visual intelligence, balance, strength, and flexibility - all crucial skills for growth and development. 👏
MentalUP is child-friendly and has no ads, pop-ups, and inappropriate content. Its rich reporting modules, dashboards, and pre-made programs allow you to track your child's progress and adjust their routines. 🎉
- Price: Regional
- Ages: Kids of All Ages
- Support available: Help Center, email
| MentalUP Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| No-ads | Restricted capabilities on the free version |
| Pedagogically approved | |
| In-depth progress tracking | |
| Plan for multiple family members | |
3. Peek-a-Zoo
Peek-a-Zoo is one of the best free toddler apps for iPhone that teaches toddlers about animals and their characteristics through interactive toddler games and activities.
Peek-a-Zoo includes various animal-themed games and activities that aim to help toddlers learn about different types of animals, including their appearance, behavior, and sounds.
The app also includes features to help children practice fine motor skills, such as tapping, dragging, and swiping, and early language skills, such as identifying and naming different animals.
- Price: free
- Ages: 1-4
- Support available: email, FAQs
| Peek-a-Zoo Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Imagination driven | Only available on iOS |
| High-quality sounds | |
4. PBS KIDS Video
PBS KIDS Video is a free mobile app that provides access to a large collection of educational and entertaining video content, including full episodes of popular PBS KIDS shows, such as Sesame Street, Curious George, and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood.
Many of the shows and videos included in the app are designed to teach young children about a variety of topics, such as numbers, letters, shapes, and social-emotional skills.
This alternative is among the best apps for parents because they can customize the app to suit their child's interests and needs, such as selecting specific shows or themes to focus on. This can help ensure that the content is relevant and engaging for toddlers.
- Price: free
- Ages: 2-8
- Support available: email, FAQs, Help Center
| PBS KIDS Video Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Customization options | Extensive data usage |
| Connecting generations | |
| Huge collection | |
5. Elmo Loves ABCs
Elmo Loves ABCs is one of the best toddler educational apps that supports toddlers' early language development by teaching them about the alphabet and basic phonics skills, which are essential building blocks for reading and writing.
The app is based on the popular Sesame Street character, Elmo, and includes a variety of interactive games, videos, and activities.
Elmo Loves ABCs is designed to be used independently by young children, which can help promote a sense of accomplishment and encourage toddlers to take an active role in their own learning.
- Price: $0.99 - $4.99 per item
- Ages: 0–5
- Support available: phone, email
| Elmo Loves ABCs Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Independent learning | No screen time restriction options |
| Interactive | Not customizable |
| Age-appropriate content | |
6. Nighty Night - Bedtime Story
Nighty Night is an interactive bedtime story app that features cute and calming illustrations, soothing music, and narrated bedtime stories designed to help toddlers relax and fall asleep.
The app is designed to help parents and caregivers establish a bedtime routine and create a relaxing environment for children before sleep.
It is beneficial for toddlers as it can help them wind down and relax before bedtime, which can lead to better sleep and improved overall health and well-being.
- Price: $0.99 - $4.49 per item
- Ages: 1-4
- Support available: email
| Nighty Night - Bedtime Story Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Successful relaxing methods | Lack of learning possibilities |
| Offered in various languages | No skill development content |
| Strong themes | |
7. Khan Academy Kids
Khan Academy Kids is a free, research-based educational app that aims to help kids learn reading, language, math, social-emotional development, and problem solving skills.
This app, which has its place among the best educational toddler apps includes interactive games, activities, and stories that are designed to be fun and engaging for toddlers.
It is beneficial for toddlers as it can help the early learning of essential skills and knowledge, which can set the foundation for future learning and success in school. And it is also one of the best apps for toddler speech development.
- Price: Free
- Ages: 2-8
- Support available: Ticket, Email, Articles
| Khan Academy Kids Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Totally free | Lack of gamified content |
| Comprehensive | |
8. Play and Learn Science
Play and Learn Science is a great example of one of the best toddler game apps that uses interactive games, activities, and experiments to introduce young children to the fascinating world of science.
With this app, children can enjoy learning about scientific concepts in a fun and age-appropriate way.
But it's not just about having fun–this app also fosters curiosity and critical thinking skills in kids, setting the stage for future academic success.
Whether they're learning about the properties of matter or exploring mysteries of the solar system, children love the interactive and engaging way that this app brings science to life.
- Price: free
- Ages: 0-5
- Support available: FAQs, email
| Play and Learn Science Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Encourages imagination | Few language options |
| Covers core scientific topics | |
9. Monkey Preschool Lunchbox
Looking for fun and educational best toddler apps free to help your children learn and grow? Check out Monkey Preschool Lunchbox!
This app is packed with engaging games, activities, and interactive experiences that are designed to help young children develop essential skills in areas like counting, shapes, colors, and more.
And the best part? It's all led by a lovable animated monkey instructor who will keep your children entertained and engaged while they learn.
- Price: $4.99
- Ages: 2-5
- Support available: email
| Monkey Preschool Lunchbox Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Great fun | Lack of ability to track progress |
| Engaging visuals | No customization |
10. Sago Mini Friends
Ready to introduce your children to the cutest and cuddliest virtual pets around? Sago Mini Friends is an educational app that helps young children learn about responsibility and caretaking through play.
It features five cute and cuddly virtual pet characters that children can take care of and play with. With more than 10 activities to choose from, including dressing up the pets and playing hide-and-seek, children can have fun while learning essential life skills.
- Price: free
- Ages: 2-4
- Support available: ticket, email, FAQs
| Sago Mini Friends Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Provides a sense of responsibility | Difficult to navigate |
| Emphasizes friendship | |
The Best Toddler Apps Features Summary Table
| Best Toddler Apps Comparison Table | ||
|---|---|---|
| App | Subscription Fees or In-App Purchases | Features |
| Endless Alphabet | $8.99 |
✓ Download/Offline X Child-Safe/Ad-Free X Customizable by Age ✓ Social/Community |
| MentalUP | Regional Price |
X Download/Offline ✓ Child-Safe/Ad-Free ✓ Customizable by Age ✓ Social/Community |
| Peek-a-Zoo | Free |
X Download/Offline ✓ Child-Safe/Ad-Free X Customizable by Age X Social/Community |
| PBS KIDS Video | Free |
✓ Download/Offline ✓ Child-Safe/Ad-Free X Customizable by Age ✓ Social/Community |
| Elmo Loves ABCs | $0.99 - $4.99 per item |
X Download/Offline X Child-Safe/Ad-Free ✓ Customizable by Age X Social/Community |
| Nighty Night - Bedtime Story | $0.99 - $4.49 per item |
X Download/Offline ✓ Child-Safe/Ad-Free X Customizable by Age ✓ Social/Community |
| Khan Academy Kids | Free |
X Download/Offline ✓ Child-Safe/Ad-Free ✓ Customizable by Age ✓ Social/Community |
| Play and Learn Science | Free |
✓ Download/Offline ✓ Child-Safe/Ad-Free X Customizable by Age ✓ Social/Community |
| Monkey Preschool Lunchbox | $4.99 |
✓ Download/Offline X Child-Safe/Ad-Free X Customizable by Age ✓ Social/Community |
| Sago Mini Friends | Free |
✓ Download/Offline ✓ Child-Safe/Ad-Free X Customizable by Age ✓ Social/Community |
Parent Tips to Choose the Best Toddler Educational Apps
As you search for the best toddler apps for learning, remember that an app might have excellent reviews and impressive features, but if it doesn't meet your child's specific needs and interests, it’s not the best choice.
Here are a few tips to help you choose the best apps for your child:
- Choose apps that are designed for toddlers, as they will likely have content that is appropriate for your child's age and ability level.
- Find apps that teach new concepts and skills rather than just providing entertainment.
- Look for apps that have a user-friendly interface and are easy for your child to navigate.
- Search for the best ad free toddler apps since advertisements can contain content that is not age-appropriate.
- Before giving the app to your child, try it out yourself to make sure it is appropriate and easy to use.
An example of an application that fulfills parents’ expectations is MentalUP Brain Games. 🎈
One of the key reasons why MentalUP is considered a reliable educational app is that it has been developed by a team of experts in the fields of education and psychology. 🏆
The brain games and exercises included in the app are designed to boost kids! By using MentalUP, families can help their children perform better in school and other areas of life by improving their mental and physical skills. ⌛
Frequently Asked Questions
Finding the best toddler games or apps isn't always easy. So if you have any questions, let's clear your mind!
What makes a high-quality toddler app?
A high-quality toddler app is engaging, educational, and easy to use, with age-appropriate content and a user-friendly interface.
How to find good toddler apps?
To find good toddler apps, you can ask for recommendations from other parents or educators or read reviews from trusted sources.
What are the best toddler apps?
The ideal app for you depends on your specific needs. If you are looking for skill-building, fun, and educational games, MentalUP can be the best option. If you want to help your child sleep, then Nighty Night might be the top choice.
What are the best free toddler apps?
Peek-a-Zoo, PBS KIDS Video, Khan Academy Kids, Play and Learn Science, and Sago Mini Friends are some of the best free toddler apps in the market. You can choose the one that best suits your needs.
What are the best toddler apps for teaching?
Apps like MentalUP that focus on improving cognitive skills and also provide educational content have the potential to enhance the effectiveness of education greatly.
What are the best toddler educational apps for tablets?
Many of the best toddler educational apps, such as MentalUP, Khan Academy Kids, or Endless Alphabet, have special versions running smoothly on tablets and are considered some of the best toddler apps for iPad and other devices.
To give your child the best possible start to reach their full potential and lead a happy, successful life, nourishing their developing minds and helping them build strong mental abilities is essential. That's where MentalUP comes in. Along with its easy usage on any device, it is one of the best ipad apps for kids. 📱
The certified app MentalUP is an engaging and efficient way to enhance cognitive abilities such as attention, concentration, and memory through its collection of 150+ entertaining brain games and encourages children to stay active with its 240+ fitness exercises in categories such as balance, cardio, and flexibility. ✨
With MentalUP, whose academic approach has been approved by pedagogues, your children will find the tool they need as they grow right in the palm of their hand. 🌈
