I'm thinking most parents would love to help their children learn about science and math from an early age. The thing is that although some parents might have all the skills and time they need in order to start their kids on science and math lessons early on, many of us don’t. We may know a thing or many about these subjects, but that doesn’t mean we know how to teach them in an age-appropriate way. Fortunately, there are many apps designed specifically to teach kids about science and math in an easy, accessible, and fun way.
More from MamásLatinas: Cool educational phone and iPad apps for kids
Many parents let their kids use their phones to play on to pass the time. Why not turn that time into learning time with apps that will teach kids while they play? It’s a great way to make sure that your child is being exposed to math and science concepts even before they go to school. Or if your child is already in school, these apps can help them understand and practice what they are learning in school without it feeling like homework. Here are a few educational apps that will get your kids excited about math and science.
Tappity is for kids 4 to 10.
Tappity boasts "the world's largest library of interactive science lessons." It was developed by educators and storytellers and offers lessons on more than 100 science topics. Kids get to do real science experiments and discussion questions are provided for parents to ask their kids after each lesson. Tappity is free with in-app purchases and is available for iPad and iPhone.
Sid’s Science Fair is great for kids ages 3 to 6.
This app is brought to you by PBS Kids and features Sid, the animated star of the show Sid the Science Kid, as the emcee. There are three different science games within the app designed to help kids identify patterns, learn about statistics, and travel through time. Sid’s Science Fair is free and available on App Store, Google Play, and Amazon App Store.
PBS Kids has a whole suite of apps for kids ages 2 to 8.
You can choose from apps like Play and Learn Engineering, Ready Jet Go! Space Scouts, Cyberchase Builder and many more that will introduce your children science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts in a fun and age-appropriate way. All PBS Kids apps are free and is available on App Store, Google Play, and Amazon App Store.
Khan Academy Kids is designed for kids ages 2 to 8.
Here’s how Kahn Academy describes their app for kids: "Our award-winning app is thoughtfully designed by experts in early childhood education to guide young learners on a delightful journey through key skills in math, reading, phonics, writing, social-emotional development, and more." The app provides access to thousands of lessons, activities, books, and games. The activities are made for kids from preschool through second grade. Khan Academy Kids is free and available on App Store, Google Play, and the Amazon App Store.
Math Bingo is for kids 4 and up.
ABCya’s Math Bingo! lets kids practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division while playing bingo and collecting Bingo Bugs. Here’s a review from a happy user:
I love this game and I am an 11 year old! I think the bugs you win are super cute! I am really competitive so I like to beat my friends and brother at this game! I would definitely recommend this app to help you lean some of you easy math in a fun way! My mom would tell my I had to do it once a day but I would do it all the time!
Math Bingo costs $2.99 and is available on App Store and Google Play.
DragonBox Algebra 5+ is for kids 5 to 8.
Players learn how to solve equations in a game that encourages them to experiment and get creative. Here a review from a happy parent:
This is awesome. When my kid started playing it first, I thought I had been swindled as it had some pictures and clicking stuff made things disappear. But then a few games later things started changing and by the end, without her knowing she was working with Xs, As, Bs and Cs. Mind blown. Definitely recommend it. Going to buy the next level up.
DragonBox Algebra is $4.99 and available on App Store, Google Play, and Amazon App Store.
Slice Fractions is for kids 5 to 12.
The app helps kids learn about fractions as they slice through ice and lava to clear a path for a mammoth. Slice Fractions is $4.99 and available on App Store, Google Play, and Microsoft.
NASA app is for kids of all ages.
The NASA app has a ton of content from the US space program, including thousands of images, on-demand videos, NASA TV, Third Rock Radio, news, podcasts, and feature stories. There's also a Solar System Exploration feature, and activities to track the International Space Station and see mission information. The app is free and available for iOS, Android, Apple TV, Kindle Fire, Fire TV and Roku.
Monster Physics is for kids ages 9 to 11.
This app lets kids play with physics. They get to build and operate a car, crane, rocket ship, plane, helicopter, tank and more. It also includes 50 missions to solve. Monster Physics is $1.99 and available on the App Store.
Monster Math is for kids from kindergarten to fifth grade.
Kids get to go on a math-filled adventure and learn Common Core math standards alongside a mighty math monster named Maxx. They’ll get to practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Monster Math is free and offers in-app purchases. It is available on App Store and Google Play.
SplashLearn is for kids from pre-K to fifth grade.
SplashLearn is designed for kids from preschool to fifth grade, and provides more than 1,900 curriculum-aligned math games and activities. The program also has a personalized reading experience for ages 3-8, helping kids with reading comprehension for books and stories. The aim is to get children reading their first book within weeks. SplashLearn is free and offers in-app purchases. It is available on App Store and Google Play.
Solar Walk is for kids of all ages.
This app provides you with a 3D model of our solar system and lets you interact with planets, satellites, moons, comets and other space objects. According to its makers, “The amount of information users can learn about the planets, moons, satellites and other celestial bodies is impressive. Information is age appropriate, detailed and animated video clips make learning our solar system even more engaging!” Solar Walk is $4.99 and also offers in-app purchases. It is available on App Store and Google Play.
Star Walk Kids: Astronomy Game is for kids up to 12.
The app was designed to help parents teach their children the basics of astronomy. Kids get to learn about the planets, constellations, and much more. Star Walk Kids is free and offers in-app purchases. It is available on App Store and Google Play.
Crazy Gears is for kids aged 5 to 9.
This app lets kids “manipulate gears, chains, rods, and pulleys, to pull themselves through each level, which teaches them how different mechanisms affect one another when constructing a machine.” Crazy gears is $2.99 and available on App Store.
The Robot Factory is for kids 4 and up.
It lets users create, test, and collect robots. Robots can be built with exoskeletons, zephyr mechanisms, hydrostatic tentacles, machinos locomotors, G-Force mixers, and more. The Robot Factory is $2.99 and available on App Store.
Smart Tales is for kids 3 and up.
It is described as a library full of animated stories and interactive games to stimulate the imagination and passion for STEM subjects. Smart Tales is free and offers in-app purchases. It is available on App Store and Google Play.
