While you’ll have no problem finding an app that’ll keep your toddler busy for a few minutes, how about downloading one that’s also educational?
The best apps for toddlers are designed to do just that, with a focus on exploration and open-ended play. That’s how toddlers learn, focus, and engage best.
Not all screen time is equal, so check out our list for the best toddler apps. They bridge the gap between entertainment and education.
Between these high-quality apps and your active participation, you’ll meet the key criteria for the updated guidelines on screen time for small children from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
iPhone rating: 4.7
Android rating: 4.5
Price: $8.99
Little monsters help your child learn their ABCs and boost their vocabulary. Choose from 100 words, dragging and dropping the scrambled letters to their correct place. Letters and words react in fun, engaging ways. There’s no high score, time limits, or stressors. Your toddler can set the pace and enjoy the animations.
iPhone rating: 4.3
Android rating: 4.3
Price: Free
From the same developers as Endless Alphabet comes Endless Numbers. This app focuses on early numeracy learning. Children familiar with Endless Alphabet will recognize the charming animations that reinforce number recognition, counting, and quantity. The app’s interactive puzzles also support basic number skills.
iPhone rating: 4.0
Android rating: 4.3
Price: Free
Give your kids a safe, child-friendly place to watch the PBS Kids television channel. Help your child browse videos and find their favorites wherever you have a 3G or Wi-Fi connection. New videos are offered every Friday.
iPhone rating: 4.4
Android rating: 4.2
Price: Free
Let your child take the Lego Duplo train for a ride! Your kids can control the Duplo train, including how fast it goes and when you blow the horn, and go on adventures with the train conductor to earn stickers and play a wide variety of games that last for hours both on the train and off.
iPhone rating: 4.6
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Learning and having fun can go hand-in-hand with the Kiddoverse learning program in this app that’s been downloaded by over 40,000,000 kids. Your child can do almost anything that their imagination can come up with, including puzzles, animal games, shapes, and colors, and practicing words and artistic abilities like drawing and tracing.
If you want to nominate an app for this list, email us at nominations@healthline.com.