The Best Educational Apps for Kids

Your child's education doesn't have to stop after school. These games made for your iPhone and iPad will keep your youngster's mind active outside the classroom.

By Christen Brandt

  • Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

    This ebook highlights words as the narrator reads, and your young reader will love interacting with objects featured on each page -- touching them brings up their associated words. (ages 2-8, $3.99; iPad and iPhone)

    What are your favorite educational apps?

  • The Magic School Bus: Oceans by Scholastic

    Ms. Frizzle and her students embark on an aquatic journey in this interactive storybook, which features science facts, pictures, games, and videos. (ages 4 and up, $8; lighter free version also available; iPad only)

    What are your favorite educational apps?

  • Fish School HD

    Colorful fish teach your preschooler his letters, numbers, shapes, and colors in an under-the-sea world. (ages 3 to 5, $1.99; iPad)

    What are your favorite educational apps?

  • ABCmouse.com Visit the Zoo Interactive Environment Series

    Perfect for future veterinarians and biologists, this app lets your child explore the habitats of various animals. Kids absorb new facts and take quizzes along the way. (ages 2 to 6, $1; iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch)

    What are your favorite educational apps?

  • Scout's ABC Garden by LeapFrog

    An interactive green dog (he calls your child by name and mentions her favorite food, color, etc.) guides your child through a series of letter and number activities. (ages 2 to 4, $4; iPad, iPhone, iPod touch)

    What are your favorite educational apps?

  • Balloony Word

    Play with your kids by giving this hangman-like game a try: They'll learn new vocabulary and practice spelling skills while trying to keep a gorilla afloat with a handful of balloons. (ages 6 to 10, $1.99; iPad and iPhone)

    What are your favorite educational apps?

  • Stack the States

    As your child learns state shapes, capitals, and abbreviations, she'll build a stack of cartoonish states to reach the finish line and pass to the next level, eventually creating a full map of the United States. (ages 8 to 12, $0.99; iPad and iPhone)

    What are your favorite educational apps?

  • Math Easy HD

    Ten math-based puzzles, including connect-the-dots and counting games, help your child bridge the gap between basic counting and beginning arithmetic. (ages 4 to 6, $1.99; iPad)

    What are your favorite educational apps?

  • School Zone Time, Money & Fractions On-Track

    Fun sound effects and animated characters will keep your child entertained, but there's a bigger payoff: She'll soon know how to read a clock with hands, understand coins, and figure out that one-third is less than one-half. (ages 6 to 7, $10; iPad only)

    What are your favorite educational apps?

  • The Electric Company Wordball! by PBS

    It may look like he's watching music videos, but your child is really learning to spell tricky words, including those with silent letters, blends, and hard and soft Cs. (ages 6 to 8, free; iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch)

    Copyright © 2011 Meredith Corporation.

    What are your favorite educational apps?