By Common Sense Media


Sifting through the app stores trying to find the cream of the crop isn't easy, so Common Sense Media did it for you! Though plenty of other awesome apps are out there, kids should play these at least once. From art to coding, preschool skill building to problem solving, and social-emotional learning to endless runners, dive in with this list of 50 standout apps across all age groups. Check out our Essential Apps Guide for even more titles, or find a curated list that fits your niece’s or nephew’s specific interests.

Busy Shapes
age 2+
Super-smart playground designed for youngest app users.

My Very Hungry Caterpillar
age 2+
Famous book inspires activities, encourages kids to nurture.

Sago Mini Friends
age 2+
Fascinating first app features familiar, friendly fun.

Daniel Tiger's Grr-ific Feelings
age 3+
Express feelings in safe, healthy ways with Daniel's lead.

Duckie Deck Trash Toys
age 3+
Discarded and found items inspire creativity, "upcycling."

MarcoPolo Weather
age 3+
Sandbox tool lets kids explore weather without getting wet.

Metamorphabet
age 3+
Learn letters and words through amazing animations.

My PlayHome
age 3+
Virtual dollhouse encourages creative play.

Kalley's Machine Plus Cats
age 4+
Kid's art-inspired story full of engineering fun (and cats).

Learn With Homer
age 4+
Beautiful app promotes skills and a love of reading.

Leo's Pad Enrichment Program for Preschoolers
age 4+
Charming stories, interactivity get preschoolers thinking.

Toca Nature
age 4+
Create and interact with mesmerizing natural landscape.

Reading Rainbow
age 4+
Classic reborn as fee-based e-library with great selection.

Big Bird's Words...A Sesame Street App
age 5+
Impressive use of technology great for young readers.

DragonBox Algebra 5+
age 5+
Kids learn concepts of algebra in stellar game app.

The Foos: Code for an Hour FREE girls and boys educational app
age 5+
Visual code meets story-based game; kids learn by doing.

Gro Garden
age 5+
Free play in virtual sustainable garden requires patience.

Thinkrolls 2
age 5+
Maze puzzler packed with smart, science fun.

Toca Hair Salon 2
age 5+
More tools, characters, and hair-styling fun in nice sequel.

Twelve a Dozen
age 5+
Heroine saves the day with math in lovely, fun platformer.

Homes by Tinybop
age 6+
Explore homes around the world in impressive detail.

Mystery Word Town - Sight Word Spelling
age 6+
Old West crime-fighting takes kids on a spelling adventure.

One Globe Kids - children's stories from around the world
age 6+
Stories, beautiful photos help kids build global awareness.

Toontastic
age 6+
Create amazing multi-scene cartoons with musical scores.

The Robot Factory by Tinybop
age 6+
Stellar sandbox tool drives kids to improve designs.

Angry Birds
age 7+
Popular knock-down-blocks app pits birds against pigs.

Monument Valley
age 7+
Beautiful, brain-twisting puzzle game.

Seedling Comic Studio
age 7+
Photo effects enhance cool comic-maker.

Windosill
age 7+
Imaginative journey through surreal, richly drawn puzzles.

WonderBox: Explore & Learn Science, Geography, Music, and Design
age 7+
Get inspired with curated videos and creative challenges.

Alto's Adventure
age 9+
Stunning graphics bring snowboarding to endless runners.

IF... The Emotional IQ Game
age 8+
Fantasy game promotes real-life social and emotional skills.

Zoombinis
age 8+
Save cute creatures with fun, complex puzzles.

Minecraft - Pocket Edition
age 8+
Worthy spin-off of popular PC game encourages creativity.

Slice Fractions
age 8+
Super fun slicing app presents key concepts in engaging way.

Tynker - Learn programming with visual code blocks
age 7+
Fun coding puzzler helps kids ease in to complex concepts.

Inventioneers Full Version
age 9+
Excellent physics puzzler emphasizes engineering practices.

Motion Math: Pizza!
age 9+
Pizzeria sim delivers valuable lessons about economics.

SkyView - Explore the Universe
age 9+
Astronomy app uses location to explain your view of the sky.

The Orchestra
age 10+
Stellar videos, interactive features make beautiful music.

The Room Three
age 11+
Third in amazing series, even bigger than before.

Scribblenauts Remix
age 11+
Vocabulary-building word puzzle game shines on iOS.

Duolingo: Learn Languages Free
age 11+
Plentiful, fun, fantastic, and free language lessons.

Lifeline...
age 13+
Choose Your Own Adventure grows up, goes tech, is great.

Procreate
age 13+
Awesome professional-level tool for digital artists.

Geocaching
age 14+
Treasure hunt = family fun but not for kids alone.

The Sims FreePlay
age 15+
Freemium sim both enjoyable and playable without spending.

Dubsmash
age 16+
Silly lip-synching, shareable fun for older teens.

PicsArt - Photo Studio
age 16+
Top-notch photo app crams in functionality; some iffy stuff.

Zombies, Run!
age 16+
Zombie-fueled workout fun, violent; adjust privacy settings.

Photo: morrowlight
Republished from Common Sense Media: February 2, 2016