Great Educational Apps That Don’t Require WiFi or Data
Whether you’re trying to save some money on your internet plan at home or you’re traveling somewhere where there’s no free WiFi, it’s nice to know that your kids still can go online and learn without it costing you a dime. Here’s a list of some of the very best educational apps that don’t require WiFi connection or expensive data. And as an added bonus, they’re all completely free, so download an app – or three!
ABC Kids – Tracing & Phonics
(Available at: Amazon Appstore, Apple App Store, Google Play; Age Range: 2-5)
This fun app teaches basic reading and writing skills. It has a series of easy-to-follow games that prompt kids to recognize and trace different letters and then to associate them with their correct sounds. Kids receive words of encouragement as they go along, and when they successfully complete a game they’re rewarded with virtual stickers and toys.
Khan Academy Kids
(Available at: Amazon Appstore, Apple App Store, Google Play; Age Range: 2-7)
This comprehensive learning resource has a huge database of reading, writing and math activities. Among the many options, kids can record themselves reading, play back their recordings, and learn from their mistakes. Parents can chart their kids’ progress to see if they’ve mastered the learning goals or have them receive extra instruction if needed.
Moose Math
(Available at: Amazon Appstore, Apple App Store, Google Play; Age Range: 3-7)
Created by a Stanford University professor, this app teaches basic math concepts, including counting, sorting, addition, subtraction, and geometry through five multi-level games. It’s aligned with Common Core math standards for kindergarten and first grade. Kids earn rewards when they get the correct answers, and parents can monitor progress as their kids advance.
More Trucks
(Available at: Amazon App Store, Apple Appstore, Goggle Play; Age Range: 3-7)
This award-winning app has four different educational games involving trucks. Kids get simple lessons in movement, sequencing, and problem-solving by engaging in activities like driving a monster truck through a bumpy terrain (movement), towing cars and piling them on top of a flatbed tow truck (sequencing), and extinguishing a fire with a fire truck (problem-solving).
My Panda Chef Kitchen
(Available at: Apple App Store; Age Range: 2-5)
This colorful app teaches the youngest chefs in the house the basics of food preparation from finding the right ingredients in the refrigerator to making juices and creating delicious meals and desserts. All of the activities are accompanied by mouth-watering illustrations that are sure to get parents and kids sprinting to the kitchen to get started.
PBS Kids Games
(Available at: Amazon App Store, Apple Appstore, Google Play, Age Range: 2-8)
Created by PBS, this award-winning app has more than hundred educational games that are inspired by the broadcaster’s beloved kid shows and characters, including Cyberchase, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Dinosaur Train, Odd Squad, Sesame Street, Super Why!, and Wild Kratts. Kids acquire basic math, reading, and science skills while also using their creativity.
Preschool Animal Match
(Available at: Apple App Store; Age Range: 2-5)
This matching-game app helps kids learn the names of different animals, like frogs, giraffes, lions, moneys, and sheep, while simultaneously improving their memory skills. Kids click and turn over cards with images of animals, the animals say their names out loud, and fun animations appear on the screen when they make a correct match.
Toontastic 3D
(Available at: Apple App Store, Google Play; Age Range: 6-12)
This is the perfect app for budding movie directors in your family. Kids draw, animate, and narrate their own stories with easy-to-use tools. They can create adventures, documentaries, and mysteries, among other movie genres. They maneuver the characters they design across the screen while narrating what’s happening, and the app records the animations and their voices.
