Fun and Educational Apps for Kids to Use

Between back-to-school prep and winding down from summer fun, now is the perfect time to refresh your child’s screen time with apps that are both entertaining and educational. Whether your kids are into reading, puzzles, or creative play, there are tons of great tools out there designed to spark curiosity and support learning. We’ve rounded up some fun, kid-approved app categories that balance enrichment with engagement that are perfect for after school, weekend wind-downs, or quiet moments at home in The Colony.

Reading Adventures on Screen

Apps like Epic!, HOMER, and Storyline Online bring books to life with colorful illustrations, narration, and interactive elements. These platforms help children improve vocabulary, comprehension, and early literacy skills, all while making reading feel like an exciting adventure. Many also offer age-based recommendations so your reader always finds the right fit.

STEM Explorations

Fuel your child’s curiosity with science, math, and tech-focused apps like Toca Lab, Khan Academy Kids, and ScratchJr. These interactive tools let kids experiment with coding, simple physics, number patterns, and more. Whether your little one dreams of building robots or solving math mysteries, STEM apps make learning hands-on and super fun.

Creative Play and Artistic Expression

Art apps like Drawing Pad, Sago Mini World, and PBS Kids Paint & Play let children design, animate, and imagine to their heart’s content. Music makers, design tools, and storytelling games give them a platform to express creativity in colorful, mess-free ways that are ideal for quiet time or screen breaks between homework and dinner.

Brain-Boosting Puzzles and Logic Games

For kids who love a challenge, apps like Thinkrolls, Monument Valley, and Lightbot sharpen critical thinking and problem-solving skills through puzzles and strategy games. These games are designed to be engaging without being overstimulating, helping to build focus and resilience with each level they complete.

Mindfulness & Social-Emotional Learning

Help your child build emotional awareness and mindfulness habits with apps like Headspace for Kids, Smiling Mind, or Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame. These tools offer guided breathing, yoga, and short emotional regulation exercises to help kids develop empathy, calm, and focus—especially helpful during busy school weeks.

Screen-Time Best Practices

Even the best apps work best in moderation. Try setting a daily screen-time routine or using educational apps as part of a reward system after chores or homework. Encourage your child to share what they’ve learned, or pair app time with off-screen activities  like acting out a story or sketching something they created in the app.

Safety Features and Parental Controls

Look for apps with ad-free experiences, age-appropriate content filters, and built-in parental controls. Most platforms also allow you to monitor progress, set time limits, or approve specific activities so you can feel confident about what your child is accessing during screen time.

Share Your Favorites!

With the right apps, your child can explore, imagine, and learn, all while having fun from the comfort of your home at The Colony. Whether it’s a spelling game or a stargazing app, there’s something out there to inspire every young learner.

Already have a favorite educational app in your household? Share it with fellow families in the neighborhood group!

Interested in finding a home where learning and play are always close by? Contact us today to discover everything The Colony in Bastrop has to offer!