74 Best Learning Apps for Kids: Primary Students
In today’s digital age, learning has taken a significant leap forward, thanks to the advent of learning apps for kids. These innovative tools have transformed the educational landscape by making learning engaging, interactive, and accessible to students of all ages. In this blog post, we will explore the world of learning apps for kids, their importance, and how parents and educators can make the most of them for primary students.
1. What is a learning app and why are they important?
A learning app is a software application designed to facilitate and enhance the educational experience. These apps cover a wide range of subjects and skills, from math and science to language arts and creativity. The importance of learning apps lies in their ability to:
Engage and Motivate: Learning apps often incorporate gamification elements, making learning fun and motivating for students.
Personalize Learning: They adapt to individual learning styles and progress, ensuring that each student gets a customized educational experience.
Accessibility: Learning apps are readily available on smartphones, tablets, and computers, making education accessible anytime and anywhere.
Supplement Traditional Learning: They can complement traditional teaching methods, reinforcing classroom lessons and providing extra practice.
2. Mrs. Bacchus’ Favourite Apps for Primary Students
There’s a plethora of learning apps listed below, but some stand out for their effectiveness with primary students. These are my all-time-favourite, must-try apps that I recommend to families and educators:
Khan Academy Kids: Offers a wide range of subjects, including math, science, and reading, through interactive games and videos.
Prodigy Math Game: Gamifies math learning and adapts to each student’s skill level.
Epic!: An extensive library of digital books and audiobooks that cater to a variety of reading levels and interests. As an educator, you can assign collections of books or individual books to students or groups of students. Easy to use in a Kindergarten or Primary classroom.
3. How to use the app as an educator
Educators can harness the power of educational apps to enhance the learning experience in their classrooms. Here are some ways educators can effectively use apps in the classroom:
– Educational apps can complement and reinforce classroom instruction. Teachers can use apps to provide additional practice, simulations, or interactive content that reinforces what students learn in class.
– Apps often offer adaptive learning features that cater to individual student needs. Teachers can assign specific apps or modules to students based on their skill levels, allowing for a personalized learning experience.
– In a flipped classroom model, educators can use apps to assign pre-learning materials for students to review before class. This allows class time to be more interactive and focused on discussions, problem-solving, and hands-on activities.
– Apps can be assigned as homework or for independent practice. Teachers can track students’ progress and identify areas where additional support is needed.
– Many educational apps include assessment tools that help teachers gauge student understanding. These assessments can be used for formative or summative evaluations.
– Apps often provide engaging and interactive content that can make learning more fun. Interactive simulations, games, and quizzes can captivate students’ attention and increase retention.
– Apps can support differentiated instruction by allowing teachers to assign different apps or levels within apps to students with varying abilities. This ensures that each student is challenged at an appropriate level.
– Some apps include features that enable collaborative learning. Teachers can use these apps to facilitate group projects, discussions, or problem-solving activities.
– Using apps in the classroom provides an opportunity to teach digital citizenship and responsible technology use. Educators can discuss topics like online safety, privacy, and proper online behavior.
– Some educational apps have features that allow teachers to communicate with parents, sharing updates on student progress and performance.
– Educators can use apps to access professional development resources and stay updated on the latest teaching strategies, trends, and research.
– Educational apps can support students with disabilities by offering accessibility features like text-to-speech, adjustable font sizes, and captioning.
– Apps can be used to teach concepts across multiple subjects, promoting interdisciplinary learning. For example, an app that teaches geometry can be used in both math and art classes.
– Some apps provide real-world context for learning. For example, science apps might simulate experiments that are too dangerous or expensive to perform in a classroom.
– Educational apps often collect data on student performance. Teachers can use this data to make informed decisions about instructional strategies and interventions.
To effectively integrate apps into the classroom, educators should consider the learning objectives, age-appropriateness, and accessibility of the apps they choose. Additionally, ongoing training and professional development can help teachers stay proficient in using technology to enhance the learning experience for their students.
4. Tips for parents on how to use these apps with their children
Parents play a crucial role in supporting their children’s learning through apps:
Supervision: Ensure age-appropriate content and supervise usage to maintain a healthy balance between screen time and other activities.
Engagement: Use the apps as bonding time with your child, discussing their progress and challenges.
Limit Screen Time: Set reasonable daily limits for app usage to prevent excessive screen time.
Feedback: Encourage your child to share what they’ve learned on the app, promoting communication and critical thinking.
15 Best Coding Apps for Kids
Here’s a list of coding apps suitable for kids to learn programming and computational thinking:
- ScratchJr:
- Age Group: 5-7 years
- Description: A simplified version of Scratch, ScratchJr teaches young children the basics of coding through block-based programming.
- Scratch:
- Age Group: 8+ years
- Description: Developed by MIT, Scratch allows kids to create animations and games using a visual coding interface.
- Tynker:
- Age Group: 7-13 years
- Description: Tynker offers coding courses, puzzles, and challenges that teach programming concepts in a playful way.
- Code.org:
- Age Group: 4+ years
- Description: Code.org offers a wide range of coding activities and courses for kids, including the popular “Hour of Code” tutorials.
- Hopscotch:
- Age Group: 9+ years
- Description: Hopscotch is an app that lets kids create their own games and animations using a block-based coding system.
- Swift Playgrounds:
- Age Group: 10+ years
- Description: Designed by Apple, Swift Playgrounds introduces kids to coding in the Swift programming language.
- Blockly:
- Age Group: 8+ years
- Description: Blockly offers a visual programming environment that can be integrated into various educational platforms and apps.
- Kodable:
- Age Group: 4-11 years
- Description: Kodable is an app that teaches coding concepts to young children through fun games and activities.
- Lightbot:
- Age Group: 6+ years
- Description: Lightbot is a puzzle game that teaches programming logic and problem-solving skills.
- CodeCombat:
- Age Group: 9+ years
- Description: CodeCombat is an interactive platform that teaches coding by having kids write real code to control characters in a game.
- Lego Mindstorms Robot Commander:
- Age Group: 10+ years
- Description: This app is designed to work with LEGO Mindstorms robotics kits, allowing kids to program and control their robots.
- RoboBlockly:
- Age Group: 8+ years
- Description: RoboBlockly offers a visual programming interface for programming robots and drones.
- Botley 2.0:
- Age Group: 5+ years
- Description: Botley 2.0 is a coding robot that comes with its own app for teaching coding concepts through hands-on play.
- Osmo Coding:
- Age Group: 5-12 years
- Description: Osmo Coding combines physical coding blocks with an iPad app, making coding interactive and engaging.
- CodeSpark Academy:
- Age Group: 5-9 years
- Description: CodeSpark Academy offers a fun and creative way for young children to learn coding through storytelling and games.
These coding apps for kids cater to various age groups and skill levels, making it easier for children to start their coding journey and develop important problem-solving and computational thinking skills.
13 Best Math Apps for Kids
Here’s a list of math apps for kids that are designed to make learning mathematics fun and engaging:
1. Prodigy Math Game:
– Age Group: 6-12 years
– Description: Prodigy is an adaptive math game that adjusts difficulty based on a child’s progress, covering various math topics.
2. SplashMath
– Age Group: 4-10 years
– Description: SplashMath offers interactive math lessons and games aligned with school curricula, covering different grade levels.
3. DragonBox Numbers
– Age Group: 4-8 years
– Description: DragonBox Numbers helps kids explore math concepts through puzzles and games, emphasizing number sense and basic arithmetic.
4. Motion Math
– Age Group: 4-12 years
– Description: Motion Math offers a suite of math games covering concepts like fractions, addition, and multiplication in an interactive way.
5. Coolmath Games
– Age Group: 6-12 years
– Description: Coolmath Games provides a collection of fun math games and puzzles for kids, including logic and strategy games.
6. Math Bingo
– Age Group: 4-10 years
– Description: Math Bingo combines bingo gameplay with math practice, helping kids improve their math skills in an entertaining way.
7. Khan Academy Kids
– Age Group: 2-7 years
– Description: Khan Academy Kids offers math lessons, stories, and activities designed for younger learners.
8. Mathletics Student
– Age Group: 6-17 years
– Description: Mathletics provides a wide range of math challenges and activities tailored to different grade levels.
9. Quick Math Jr.
– Age Group: 3-7 years
– Description: Quick Math Jr. helps kids develop basic math skills through interactive games and activities.
10. BuzzMath
– Age Group: 11-16 years
– Description: BuzzMath offers middle and high school students interactive math problems and step-by-step solutions.
11. Sushi Monster
– Age Group: 6-12 years
– Description: Sushi Monster is a fun game that helps kids practice their math facts through sushi-themed challenges.
12. Zap Zap Math
– Age Group: 4-12 years
– Description: Zap Zap Math offers a collection of math games and activities covering various math topics.
13. Mathway
– Age Group: 13+ years
– Description: Mathway is a math problem solver app that can help older students with complex math problems and equations.
These math apps for kids cover a wide range of math concepts and skill levels, making it easier for children to practice and improve their math skills in an enjoyable and educational way.
15 Best Reading Apps for Kids
Here’s a list of reading apps for kids that can help foster a love for reading and improve literacy skills:
1. Epic!
– Age Group: 12 and under
– Description: Epic! offers a vast digital library of children’s books, audiobooks, and educational videos for young readers.
2. Raz-Kids
– Age Group: 5-12 years
– Description: Raz-Kids provides hundreds of eBooks at 29 different levels of reading difficulty to support a child’s reading development.
3. Reading Rockets
– Age Group: 3-8 years
– Description: Reading Rockets offers a collection of free educational games, activities, and resources to help young children with reading.
4. ABCmouse
– Age Group: 2-8 years
– Description: ABCmouse provides a comprehensive early learning program that includes reading activities, interactive books, and games.
5. Starfall
– Age Group: 4-8 years
– Description: Starfall offers interactive activities, books, and songs to teach phonics and early reading skills.
6. Homer
– Age Group: 2-8 years
– Description: Homer offers personalized reading and math lessons, stories, and songs for preschool and early elementary students.
7. Reading Eggs
– Age Group: 2-13 years
– Description: Reading Eggs provides a structured, sequential program for learning to read, with games and activities for kids.
8. Storyline Online
– Age Group: 4-12 years
– Description: Storyline Online features famous actors reading popular children’s books with animated illustrations.
9. Bob Books Reading Magic
– Age Group: 3-7 years
– Description: Bob Books Reading Magic helps kids learn to read with a systematic phonics-based approach.
10. FarFaria
– Age Group: 2-9 years
– Description: FarFaria offers a library of children’s stories that can be read aloud or as interactive eBooks.
11. Sight Words Learning Games
– Age Group: 4-8 years
– Description: This app focuses on teaching sight words, an essential skill for early reading.
12. ABC Spelling – Spell & Phonics
– Age Group: 4-8 years
– Description: ABC Spelling helps kids learn to spell and recognize words through fun games.
13. ReadingIQ
– Age Group: 2-12 years
– Description: ReadingIQ offers a vast collection of eBooks and leveled reading books for kids.
14. Phonics Ninja
– Age Group: 4-8 years
– Description: Phonics Ninja teaches phonics and letter recognition through a ninja-themed game.
15. Hooked on Phonics
– Age Group: 4-8 years
– Description: Hooked on Phonics provides a comprehensive phonics program with interactive lessons and games.
These reading apps for kids cover a wide range of reading levels and skills, making it easier for children to develop their reading abilities and foster a lifelong love of reading.
15 Best Science Apps for Kids
Here’s a list of science apps for kids that can help spark curiosity and encourage exploration of various scientific concepts:
1. Toca Lab: Elements
– Age Group: 6-12 years
– Description: Toca Lab introduces kids to the periodic table and the properties of elements through fun and interactive experiments.
2. Star Walk 2
– Age Group: 6+ years
– Description: Star Walk 2 is an astronomy app that allows kids to explore the night sky, identify stars, planets, and constellations.
3. NASA App
– Age Group: 8+ years
– Description: The NASA app provides access to a wealth of space-related information, including images, videos, and updates on space missions.
4. SkyView
– Age Group: 6+ years
– Description: SkyView lets kids point their device at the sky to identify stars, constellations, and celestial objects in real time.
5. The Human Body by Tinybop
– Age Group: 4+ years
– Description: This app allows kids to explore the human body, its organs, and systems through interactive animations and activities.
6. Simple Machines by Tinybop
– Age Group: 6+ years
– Description: Simple Machines helps kids understand the fundamentals of physics and engineering by exploring various machines and mechanisms.
7. The Robot Factory by Tinybop
– Age Group: 6+ years
– Description: Kids can design and build their own robots while learning about robotics and engineering principles.
8. DIY Human Body
– Age Group: 6+ years
– Description: DIY Human Body offers interactive 3D models and activities to teach kids about the human body’s systems and functions.
9. Monster Physics
– Age Group: 9+ years
– Description: Monster Physics is a creative physics game that allows kids to build and test their own contraptions.
10. Biology Pop
– Age Group: 8+ years
– Description: Biology Pop is a quiz game that tests kids’ knowledge of biology concepts in a fun and engaging way.
11. Molecules by Theodore Gray
– Age Group: 8+ years
– Description: Molecules is an interactive app that lets kids explore 3D models of various chemical compounds and learn about their properties.
12. My Incredible Body
– Age Group: 6-12 years
– Description: My Incredible Body offers an interactive journey through the human body, allowing kids to explore organs and systems.
13. Geo Walk – World Fact Book
– Age Group: 6+ years
– Description: Geo Walk provides information about animals, plants, historical figures, and geological features from around the world.
14. Amazing Science Facts
– Age Group: 6+ years
– Description: This app shares interesting science facts and trivia with kids, sparking their curiosity about the natural world.
15. ChemCrafter
– Age Group: 9+ years
– Description: ChemCrafter is a hands-on chemistry simulation app that lets kids experiment with different chemical reactions.
These science apps cover a wide range of scientific topics and age groups, making it easier for kids to explore and learn about the fascinating world of science in an interactive and engaging way.
8 Best Art Apps for Kids
Here’s a list of art apps for kids that can help nurture their creativity and artistic skills:
1. Toca Hair Salon 4
– Age Group: 3-8 years
– Description: Toca Hair Salon 4 allows kids to create unique hairstyles and experiment with colors on virtual characters.
2. Drawing Pad
– Age Group: 4+ years
– Description: Drawing Pad offers a wide range of drawing tools and materials for kids to express their artistic ideas.
3. Artie’s World
– Age Group: 4-8 years
– Description: Artie’s World introduces kids to art and creativity through interactive games and drawing activities.
4. Blox 3D World Creator
– Age Group: 6+ years
– Description: Blox 3D World Creator lets kids build their own 3D worlds and scenes, fostering creativity and spatial reasoning.
5. Kids Doodle – Color & Draw
– Age Group: 4+ years
– Description: Kids Doodle is a simple yet fun app that allows kids to create colorful and animated doodles.
6. LEGO Tower
– Age Group: 6-12 years
– Description: LEGO Tower lets kids design and build their own virtual LEGO towers, incorporating creativity and construction skills.
7. Faces iMake – Right Brain Creativity
– Age Group: 6+ years
– Description: Faces iMake encourages kids to create unique faces and artwork using everyday objects.
8. Doodle Buddy
– Age Group: 3+ years
– Description: Doodle Buddy is a free drawing app that provides various tools and colors for creating digital art.
Open up the opportunity for your child to let their creative juices flow in a totally different way with apps that tap into their artistic inclinations.
8 Best Music Apps for Kids
Here’s a list of music apps for kids that can help them try new instruments and nurture their creativity and musical skills:
1. Simply Piano by JoyTunes
– Age Group: 6+ years
– Description: Simply Piano helps kids learn to play the piano by providing interactive lessons and feedback.
2. Music Maker JAM
– Age Group: 10+ years
– Description: Music Maker JAM allows kids to create their own music tracks by combining loops and samples.
3. Sesame Street Makes Music
– Age Group: 4-7 years
– Description: This app introduces kids to music and instruments through fun activities with Sesame Street characters.
4. Incredibox
– Age Group: 6+ years
– Description: Incredibox lets kids experiment with beatboxing and create their own music compositions.
5. GarageBand
– Age Group: 9+ years
– Description: GarageBand is a powerful music creation app that allows kids to compose and record their own songs.
6. Tongo Music – Baby Shark, Nursery Rhymes & Games
– Age Group: 2-6 years
– Description: Tongo Music offers popular nursery rhymes and interactive music games for young children.
7. Melody Jams
– Age Group: 4+ years
– Description: Melody Jams lets kids play along with colorful characters and create their own music.
8. Beat Bop: Pop Star Clicker
– Age Group: 6+ years
– Description: Beat Bop is a fun game that introduces kids to rhythm and music while tapping along to catchy tunes.
These music apps provide creative outlets for kids to express themselves and develop their musical abilities in an enjoyable and interactive way.
Conclusion
In conclusion, learning apps are powerful tools that can significantly enhance the educational journey of primary students. When used thoughtfully and in collaboration between educators and parents, these apps can foster a love for learning, boost academic performance, and prepare children for success in a digitally driven world.
