Looking for some new ways to entertain the children whilst keeping it educational? Maybe on holiday or on a long journey? Apps can help with boredom on long journeys and it’s even better if they can be educational too! Here’s our list of educational apps for enhancing those maths, reading, spelling, language and coding skills during holidays and after school.
Reading
Available on: Apple and Google Play
Reading Eggs have various apps for different age ranges of reading from first steps and phonics through to age 12+ readers. They do an annual subscription that covers all the levels of reading and they also have a mathseeds app too. There is a free trial available of their apps that are easy to follow and engaging for young children with online reading games and activities. Teach your monster to read
Available on: Apple, Google Play, Amazon
Designed in collaboration with academics and The Usborne Foundation – Teach Your Monster to Read covers everything from letters and sounds to sentences. award winning and the desktop version is completely free. It complements school phonics programmes too. With 3 different courses 7 weeks, 14 weeks and 22 weeks. The game takes children on a colourful magical journey meeting characters along the way and collecting rewards.
Available on: Desktop and Apple
StoryBots is a digital learning program for children aged 3-8 and the inspiration for the Emmy Award-winning Netflix series Ask the StoryBots. With loads of different subjects to choose from you make your child the star of educational books, games and videos.
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Maths
Available on: Apple, Google Play, Amazon
Squeebles Maths is a fun way to learn and practice time tables with eight game modes to practice times tables followed by a game rescuing squeebles from the maths monster as a reward for all their hard work. Unlimited players and statistics on progress for parents.
Available on: Apple and Google Play
A fun way to sing and learn your times tables singing with Percy Parker. Covers all times tables from two to twelve. Then you can add in the multiplication grid to go with it.
Available on: Apple iPad, Android, Windows, Desktop
Primary and secondary school maths for children that may need extra maths help or for expanding their knowledge. Also recommended for those that are home schooling. Mathletics has sections that can be done in 15-20 minutes a fun space game called multiverse that children do without even noticing. More designed for a desktop but also available as an app, there is a free trial available.
Languages
Available on: Apple and Google Play
The easiest way to get your children to learn a new language. This app offers learners a variety of languages including Spanish, Dutch, Danish, French, German, Italian, Irish, and English. Completely free to download and use. The app has challenges and bite size lessons that are effective and fun. Duo Lingo doesn’t have any hidden fees and the in-app purchases are optional.
Available on: Apple and Google Play
A great way for learning new languages that is easy to use. English, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Dutch on the elementary level and more languages on the beginner range. A fun way of learning a language through various levels of games that encourage learning. The apps are free if you have a subscription through your school.
Spelling
Available on: Apple, Google Play, Amazon
Squeebles is a great spelling app for any reluctant spellers that hate writing and spelling! You create your own spelling lists and set up your own personalised spelling tests for your children, using the words you want them to learn, so those weekly spelling tests! Or download from over 150 pre-recorded tests, created by Squeebles. You can also see progress and what words children may be struggling with. Children get to rescue the Squeebles and play a game as a reward after doing well in the spelling test.
Healthy eating
Henri le Worm
Available on: Apple and Google Play
An app designed to help children learn about good food and cooking and encourage healthy eating. Created by Olivier Blanc son of the famous chef Raymond Blanc. The recipes are aimed at parents and children and it aims to dispel the myth that good food is just for adults. Henri le Worm shares his passion for good, sustainable and ethical food through an interactive story and recipe book narrated by Simon Pegg and features recipes from Raymond Blanc with facts about food and nature.
Coding and Puzzles
Code Adventures: Coding Puzzles for Kids
Available on: Apple and Google Play
A great introduction to learning how to code with learning puzzles and brain challenging games. A magical journey with five basic programing categories of problem solving and logic problems. Suitable for ages 6+ (and parents too!)
Available on: Apple and Google Play
EV3RSTORM, the LEGO MINDSTORMS robot who can do everything. Make him
fix the factory in an addictive puzzle. Challenging logical thinking and robot commanding skills through coding. Different levels of game play and problem solving. Guaranteed to appeal to all those LEGO fans with fun sound effects and great graphics.
General Knowledge and TV
You Tube Kids
Available on: Apple and Google Play
A safer, simpler way for kids to navigate through the world of online video. There are parental controls and you can tailor the experience for your family. YouTube Kids has educational videos and entertainment content specifically for children. Children can also look up and explore anything that captures their imagination. Free to use app that is simple to use.
Available On: Apple, Google Play, Amazon
Watch and discover the best of CBeebies and CBBC. The app lets your child register their name and age and watch their favourite shows. Either watch from the app or download for later. It is age appropriate with no ads or in app purchases.
Read our article on how to manage screen time.
