As technology continues to shape the future, educational apps have emerged as a game-changing tool for parents, educators, and students. These apps offer engaging, interactive learning experiences that can be customized to meet each child’s needs, making learning more accessible and fun. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the top educational apps of 2024 to help parents prepare their kids for academic success, no matter their age or subject.
1. Khan Academy
Age Range: Kindergarten to Adult
Subjects Covered: Math, Science, History, Economics, and more
Price: Free
Why It’s Great: Khan Academy provides a comprehensive learning platform with thousands of lessons across various subjects. Kids can watch video tutorials, take quizzes, and track their progress over time. The app adapts to a student’s pace, allowing them to dive deeper into topics they’re passionate about or spend extra time where needed.
Key Features:
- Personalized learning dashboards
- Interactive exercises and quizzes
- Wide range of topics from kindergarten to college level
Hack: Use the app’s mastery challenges to reinforce learning and make studying a regular part of your child’s routine.
2. ABCmouse.com
Age Range: 2–8 years
Subjects Covered: Reading, Math, Art, Music, and more
Price: $12.99/month or $59.99/year
Why It’s Great: ABCmouse.com is designed for younger learners, offering a full online curriculum that is both interactive and enjoyable. Children can explore virtual worlds, play educational games, and complete learning activities in a guided learning path. It’s a fantastic way to introduce foundational subjects while keeping young minds engaged.
Key Features:
- Curriculum-based learning for pre-K to 2nd grade
- Over 10,000 learning activities
- Progress tracking for parents
Hack: Set small daily goals in the app to keep children motivated without overwhelming them with too much at once.
3. Duolingo
Age Range: 7+
Subjects Covered: Language Learning (Spanish, French, German, etc.)
Price: Free with ads, Duolingo Plus: $6.99/month
Why It’s Great: With gamified lessons that focus on reading, writing, listening, and speaking, Duolingo makes language learning enjoyable for kids and adults alike. Its interactive style keeps learners motivated through points, rewards, and streaks, perfect for kids who love a challenge.
Key Features:
- Over 30 languages available
- Short, manageable lessons
- Streak and reward system to encourage consistent learning
Hack: Encourage your child to compete with friends or family to keep language learning fun and competitive.
4. Photomath
Age Range: 10+
Subjects Covered: Math (basic arithmetic to calculus)
Price: Free with in-app purchases for advanced features
Why It’s Great: Photomath turns any math problem into a step-by-step learning opportunity. Simply take a picture of the equation, and the app breaks it down into understandable parts. It’s particularly helpful for kids who struggle with math or need extra guidance with homework.
Key Features:
- Instant problem-solving and step-by-step explanations
- Covers a wide range of math levels
- Works offline for those on-the-go math problems
Hack: Use Photomath as a supplement, not a crutch. Encourage kids to try solving the problem on their own before turning to the app for help.
5. Prodigy
Age Range: 6–14 years
Subjects Covered: Math
Price: Free with optional in-game purchases
Why It’s Great: Prodigy takes math learning to a new level with its role-playing game format. Children embark on quests and must solve math problems to advance in the game. This engaging approach can help transform math from a dreaded subject into an exciting adventure.
Key Features:
- Gamified math curriculum
- Adaptive learning to match individual skill levels
- Engaging storylines and characters
Hack: Encourage kids to play with friends or siblings to make math challenges more enjoyable and collaborative.
6. Epic!
Age Range: 12 and under
Subjects Covered: Reading
Price: $9.99/month or $79.99/year
Why It’s Great: Epic! is a digital library filled with thousands of books, audiobooks, and educational videos. It’s a one-stop platform for fostering a love for reading among children, especially those who need a little extra push to pick up a book.
Key Features:
- Over 40,000 books and audiobooks
- Personalized reading recommendations
- Read-to-me feature for younger readers
Hack: Use the app’s bedtime reading feature to make nightly reading a calming part of your child’s routine.
7. Brilliant
Age Range: 10+
Subjects Covered: Math, Science, Engineering, Computer Science
Price: Free with limited content, Premium: $24.99/month
Why It’s Great: Brilliant is designed for children who love problem-solving and logic-based subjects. The app offers interactive, problem-solving challenges in math and science, fostering deep understanding through hands-on learning.
Key Features:
- Engaging problem-solving courses
- Lessons in STEM-related fields
- Interactive approach to complex subjects
Hack: Encourage kids to explore STEM careers through the app’s variety of advanced topics, and get them involved in hands-on experiments outside the app for reinforcement.
8. Toca Life World
Age Range: 4–12 years
Subjects Covered: Creativity, Problem-Solving, Social Skills
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Why It’s Great: Toca Life World fosters creativity and storytelling through interactive games. Children create their own worlds, characters, and stories, all while developing problem-solving skills and creative thinking.
Key Features:
- Open-ended play with endless possibilities
- Teaches social interaction and creativity
- Regular updates with new worlds and items
Hack: Set a weekly theme or story prompt to challenge your child’s creativity and help them come up with new adventures each time.
9. Socratic by Google
Age Range: 13+
Subjects Covered: Math, Science, Humanities, English, and more
Price: Free
Why It’s Great: Socratic uses AI to provide detailed explanations and answers to homework questions. Students simply snap a photo of their question, and the app offers in-depth learning resources tailored to their needs, making it a perfect tool for high school students tackling tough subjects.
Key Features:
- Covers a wide range of academic subjects
- Instant, detailed answers and explanations
- Helps students understand concepts through videos and diagrams
Hack: Use Socratic to prep for quizzes or tests by practicing questions and reviewing in-app explanations.
10. Quizlet
Age Range: 12+
Subjects Covered: All Subjects
Price: Free with ads, Quizlet Plus: $7.99/month
Why It’s Great: Quizlet allows students to create custom flashcards, quizzes, and study guides for virtually any subject. It’s perfect for test preparation and reviewing difficult material in a format that’s both interactive and effective.
Key Features:
- Create and customize study materials
- Collaborative learning through shared flashcard sets
- Built-in quizzes and learning games
Hack: For a fun twist, challenge friends to a study competition using Quizlet’s quiz mode. This can turn studying into a social event.
Conclusion
In today’s digital age, the right educational app can make a significant difference in a child’s learning journey. From interactive math games to in-depth language courses, these top educational apps cater to various ages, subjects, and learning styles. Whether your child needs extra help in math or wants to explore a new language, there’s an app for every need. With these tools, parents can ensure that learning remains exciting, personalized, and, most importantly, effective.