Best Apps & Games for Kids on Android And iOS

Last Updated on November 4, 2022

At the current period, you would see phones in practically everyone’s hands. This is not limited to only adults; many children nowadays know how to utilize technology well. 

Parents leave tablets and smartphone gadgets to their younger kids for entertainment or learning. So, companies find a huge audience base in the new generation and create unique money-making apps that cater to their interests. These range in different manners:

• Educational apps 
• Games
• Puzzles 
• Entertainment video apps, 

And more. 

While this is true, there are chances of children coming across apps that are not fit for their demographic. as gaming apps are getting popular there should be complete parental control is not possible with the variety of options available. 

So, you need to know which are safe and useful for your offspring. This article would give better details, highlighting the best apps for kids on iOS and Android. 

Why Does Your Kid Need A Mobile App?

Yes, the argument does come up about the level of dependency of children on digital solutions. There are many uses of mobile apps for children, or indirectly their parents. How does that impact their development and social skills?

In truth, there are multiple pros to using a kids app, including giving them an outlet for entertainment. Some apps come with parental control and a tracking mechanism. With their support, you can check their search history and internet access through these options. 

Plus, many apps suitable for kids are games that they can use to pass their time. Not to mention, these apps contain features or themes that educate their minds through imagery and stories. 

What Type Of Application Is Suitable For Your Kid?

In terms of cool apps for kids, there are many variations available. Commonly, certain application types garner the most interest from youngsters under 10 years of age. These versions include the following:

• E-learning apps– include apps with content like Maths sums and puzzles; children learn basic concepts with pictures and interactive app elements. 
• Video apps– Children, see and grasp more details with apps that offer video content, like stories with morals. 
• Reading apps- There are applications available that provide reading material for younger users to practice their diction and understanding skills. 
• Sketching apps- For entertainment and motor improvement, sketching and drawing apps are available that make it easier for children to hone their precision. 
• Games- Gamified content and applications retain their attention better, and improve it as well. So, free children games acts as an entertaining and knowledge gaining medium.

Benefits Of Mobile Apps For Kids

There are multiple benefits that kids can expect with mobile applications. Some of the best ones are as follows. 

1. Practical Use Of Free Period

Instead of pursuing things that do not improve the skills or development of children, mobile apps give them something interesting to complete. As they use fun apps, they still learn information and enhance their visual comprehension skills. This is a better alternative than unnecessary browsing or television watching. 

• Knowledge gained- Children around 5-8 years and even before then retain information and begin understanding facts faster. So, mobile apps are instrumental in providing them with the necessary knowledge through interesting elements in popular kids’ games like virtual pet games. 
• Informal and enjoyable content- Most children have a low attention span. This makes it difficult for them to focus on traditional learning mediums in the early years. Mobile apps and games are exciting and different, which attracts kids’ attention better. 
• Technology mastery- While using award-winning educational apps, children begin to get a better knowledge or skill in handling technological gadgets. In recent years, much of everyday lifestyle depends on technology usage, so using mobile apps early gives them the necessary practice or foundational training. 

2. Dynamic Learning Experience

Children gain access to different types of training options via mobile apps. These include videos, text-based information, graphics, MCQs, animations, infographics, and audio narrations. So, through the e-learning platforms, kids get more scope to learn and retain details with the type of learning process that suits them best. 

Best Apps And Games For Kids

There are different types of usable and high-quality mobile apps that children find equally helpful for training and entertainment. Some of these are usable on both iOS and Android systems, but many options are native apps. Here, we shall discuss the top 10 app varieties available for either platform, best suited for children. 

Best Android Apps And Games

The following are some of the best Android apps available that are fun for kids to utilize. 

1. ABC Kids

This version is strictly educational, though it is better suited for very young ages than older than 7 years. Users learn how alphabets, familiarise themselves with phonetics, and practice writing. The free app also offers word association activities and prompts users to match lowercase and uppercase letters. This app itself is not difficult to utilize, but exiting the interface can get tricky.

2. Playmobil Space

This is one of the free games for kids to play on mobile phones that children enjoy immensely.  There is no advertising available here. Users have to build a toy line with just blocks. Since the games are mainly centered around collection-based activities, children grasp information better through repetitive gameplay. However, this is not precisely as direct among the different apps that center on educational progress. 

3. LEGO City Explorers

Here, children can expect a fun experience due to the rocket-launching mode of the gameplay. This has taken inspiration from NASA particularly and offers videos showcasing similar performances of real-life NASA scientists. It is compatible with other retail game models of LEGO, which adds an entertaining experience to this. There are no IAPs or ads here. 

4. Starfall.com Free & Member

This game is entirely educational and is suitable for pre-K schoolers and third-graders alike. It is best for learning simple numerics and alphabets in a fun manner. The usability here is entirely gamified and integrates with important subjects like maths and reading. Kids also get singing activities to try out here. This app is not available offline so make sure that you have an active internet connection in place. 

5. Tornado Time Free

The particular game is of an old-school variety with simplistic gameplay and functionality. You have to deal with one goal only, which is demolishing the entire town. Plus, there is only one stage available here. Winning is entirely score-based; how much you can destroy and gain scores on. There is not much variety here, and the gameplay is repetitive but enjoyable for children. 

6. Khan Academy Kids

The app offers educational content and games for little kids at no price at all. You can expect much for your child to learn here, like languages, maths, reading material, and GK. You can customize the app to suit the main pressure points of your child, and they would improve on it with this app easily. The design here is vibrant and different, which again attracts childrens’ concentration. 

7. The Cat in the Hat Invents: PreK STEM Robot Games

Another educational app idea you should consider downloading is the Cat in the Hat Invents. This educational option is best for children who find STEM fascinating. They get to learn it and use it in gamified form for free. 

The usability here involves refining the problem-solving skills. There are engineering tools available that train them for various necessary STEM elements that they would learn later in life if they pursue their interest in STEM. Here, there are many mini-games available as well. 

8. Toca Kitchen 2

Toca Boca is a premier-level provider that creates and offers different types of games in terms of kids’ games app publishers. This game, in particular, is playable for both girls and boys and has a user-friendly design and features. The cooking-based game holds children’s interests and improves their speed too. There are no IAPs, costs, or ads here, although not all Toca Boca apps promise that. 

9. Pet Bingo (Duck Duck Moose)

If your child likes or is interested in Mathematics, they will enjoy the game highly. This is best for 5- to 10-year-old children. This app can learn and refine their math skills like subtraction, addition, multiplication, measurements, division, and geometry. The problems are not very complex and suit children at different learning levels well.

10. Daniel Tiger for Parents

This free app is not mainly for kids but mostly for their parents. They gain content and guidance on approaching their children and discussing important situations in a kid-friendly manner. Thus, this may not be an app particularly for children, but it does help them immensely. Here, choose a subject you wish to broach with your offspring and see videos on how to explain it. Thus, this may not be an app particularly for children, but it does help them immensely. 

Best IOS Apps And Games for Kids

We covered the options best for Android users. Now, here are some of the best mobile apps suitable for iOS devices that kids would enjoy and grow with. 

1. Angry Birds

This is one of the best freemium apps that both adults and kids can appreciate. Here, the missions are divided per level, and the interface is simple to use and understand, even for kids. Shooting birds in a trajectory to hit the monkeys teaches children angles and distance in a fun practice. The cartoon-ish styling holds their attention. There are multiple levels here that children enjoy. 

2. Duck Duck Moose Games

These are free games, though some models can charge a fee. Children would get an educational experience through the gameplay of the different games available here. Some examples include Moose Math, ChatterPix, Fish School, Word Wagon, and Build A Truck. Starting from the navigations to the features, all are simple and indirectly educate children as well. Though, it is important to mention that younger kids would like these more than older toddlers. 

3. Endless Alphabet

For younger kids, the variety of game types here are interesting and fun. Titles worth mentioning are Endless Alphabet, Endless WordPlay, Endless Numbers, and Endless Learning Academy. Grade school children can handle the controls here better and understand the content suitably. 

4. Intellijoy

Intellijoy is a notable publisher of free video games for kids and other educational options. Though they mostly prioritize the latter type and are available in the paid format. Popular games include Kids Learn Shapes 2, Kids Numbers and Math, and Kids Learn to Read. These games work on both iPads and iPhones, so your children would enjoy them well. The gameplay here is simple with user-friendly controls. 

5. Monkey Preschool Lunchbox

For 5-year-olds and lower, this game is an interesting option. There are monkey-themed games available here with colorful elements and easy usability. Game types include letter identification, counting, matching, color correction, difference spotting activity, and puzzles. 

6. LEGO Duplo World

These games are available for free, although some varieties can cost higher. There are many versions available here that appeal to children well, like LEGO Scooby-Doo, LEGO DC Superheroes, and others. Typically, older children would like this game more and can control the different advanced techniques better.

7. Mrs. Potato Head

Here, children can mix and match different parts of Mrs. Potato Head to create her entire character. There are over 200 parts to select here. plus, you would get interactive gameplay options and silly faces to add as well. 

8. Elmo Calls

This game is an interactive type of game where the Sesame Street character Elmo contacts the users on FaceTime. That is the app design interface, and children can enjoy watching Elmo and other Sesame Street characters interact. Extra levels are available at higher prices that you can purchase, with different themes. 

9. AlphaTots

AlphaTots is a fun kids game for 5-year-olds and younger. Users can build robots and solve robot-themed games and puzzles. 

10. PBS Kids Video

Here, children watch shows common on PBS catering to their age, like Curious George or “The Cat and the Hat Knows a Lot About That. Children under 5 years old find it interesting.

Conclusion

Overall, you would find many types of apps that kids would enjoy and even learn from. Choose one that fits the grade level and understanding capacity of your child and download the version. Some options, like Angry Birds, are available in both iOS and Android versions. You can download them for your kids as well and ensure an enjoyable gaming experience for them. 

If you are planning to develop an app for kids then hiring an Game development company like Emizentech is a good idea.