Educational Kids Apps for Android We Love
Kids and screen time is a popular and hot topic among parents. It’s especially popular among kids with different needs because it can be both an important learning tool and an addictive nightmare. At our house we believe screen time isn’t bad. We believe it’s a tool, and it’s how it’s used that is most important. We have given our kids screens for awhile and each has a hand me down Android device that they use to see the family calendar, family chats and also for games. We think it’s important to provide them with quality kids apps for their android devices and not just watch videos on YouTube. Screens and electronics will be a part of our kids’ adult lives and we want to help them make wise choices by walking with them as they learn to use them as a tool and for entertainment as they grow.
One of our big screen time rules for family is that online interactions should compliment their real life relationships. They use chat apps to communicate with real life friends or in moderated membership communities we have joined. Creating online only relationships is discouraged. We use Google Chat groups to tell the kids important information like Youth Group announcements and share links they would enjoy. Youtube is only watched as a family on the TV and dad curates the watch list. We are generous with additional screen time when it involves other friends either gaming together in the same room or on a virtual playdate on a private minecraft server.
We do have limits and boundaries on screens, and have mostly compliant children who don’t push our boundaries. We have Google Family Link set up on all our devices so we can monitor their screen time use and turn them off during the bedtime hours. We also have strict rules about them being used during our schooling hours. Games can only be played after school hours and they get up to 1 hour a day of screen time. This time must be taken in 30 minute blocks with other non screen activities in between. Their screen time can be used for gaming on Computers, the Switch or their personal devices. TV isn’t a big deal for us and we watch it only rarely: there are some popular shows that we have kept up with as a family, but otherwise it doesn’t get used much. We don’t leave our TV on for background noise.
A big question I get asked when people hear we are a screen family is what are quality apps they should download for their kids. I’ve gathered up a list of our favorites kids apps for Android as well as some that we all enjoy playing. As kids grow it can be fun to all play the same apps for family fun. When we all played Stardew Valley last year, everyone had tips to share with each other as they played and learned new strategies.
Android Apps for Learning to Read
Starfall Learn to Read From the popular website Starfall. This free app includes their learn to read activities without a membership required. This is one of several apps from Starfall, be sure to check out the rest as well.
Teach Your Monster to Read This app is from british children’s book publisher, Usborne. There are 3 levels to the program and your child will progress through the app learning their phonetic sounds and building words. The narrator of the app does have a British accent which some American children may find unfamiliar and challenging to understand. This app is often given away so watch for a sale
Sight Words Learning Games 6 different games to practice sight words. There is a lite versions available with limited activities, we found the small price worth the upgrade for all the options.
Young Learner Apps
Letterschool We were introduced to this handwriting App by an Occupational Therapist. You can practice print letter writing in three different handwriting styles.
Alphabet and Numbers Cursive Handwriting ZBC We use this app to practice Cursive Writing. The app doesn’t test for accuracy, but is great for introducing the letter formation and independent practice.
Intellijoy Early Learning Academy This app includes activities at the Kindergarten and 1st grade level across many content areas. Subscription required beyond lesson 20 in each activity.
Khan Academy Kids From the website Khan Academy, content and activities for students 8 and under. Activities include math, reading, spelling, and more
PBS Kids video app I am guilty of using quality videos as a babysitter. PBS Kids is my go to and my kids enjoy it too. This app lets you pick and choose which shows and episodes they watch.
Scratch Jr. An introduction to programming for emerging readers with visual buttons to move around and program animations on the page.
Math Apps for Android
Xtra Math A great way to practice math facts in a timed test fashion. Students received certificates when each level is mastered. Accounts can be created on their website to save your progress. Addition, Subtraction and Multiplication included.
Math Blaster HyperBlast 2 Game based math review, for students 9 and up. Skill area include Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Fractions, and Standard Form
Bad Piggies A physics sandbox game related to Angry Birds, where students can be use different elements to create vehicles and test them to see how the elements work together to make it roll or fly or explode.
Apps for the Whole Family
Stardew Valley Once purchased, this game can be used on multiple devices in your Google Family LIbrary. This ad-free farming game is open-ended enough for everyone to have fun playing in their own way and share what they discover with one another.
Monument Valley A puzzle game with Escher-like puzzles. Delightful and challenging for all ages to enjoy.
SkyMap This app makes us all amature astronomers. It uses the GPS to show you the constellations and planets you can see in the sky in any given season.
