What are the best educational apps for preschoolers?

Start with screen-time context

For ages 2 to 5, the AAP's longstanding guidance is to limit screen use to about one hour per day of high-quality programming, with a caregiver co-viewing and helping the child connect it to the real world.

The AAP's current parent-facing framework, the 5 C's, shifts emphasis from a single time limit toward what it calls Child, Content, Calm, Crowding-out, and Communication. The point is that quality, context, and co-viewing matter alongside the number of minutes.

An educational app is a supplement to play, conversation, and reading, not a replacement for them. The best results come when an adult watches with the child and talks about it.

Look for active participation, not passive swiping

The strongest apps ask the child to respond, solve, draw, or speak rather than tap through rewards. The AAP recommends co-viewing, talking about content, and connecting it to real-world activities.

Be wary of apps built around points, prizes, or in-app stores, which can shift a child's focus from learning to collecting rewards.

Watch for ads. Apps with advertising or pressure to buy are not appropriate for preschoolers, and the presence of ads is one of the clearest signals to skip an app.

Ad-free options reviewed well by Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media reviews apps for learning value, age-appropriateness, ads, and privacy. The picks below reflect its current reviews.

• Khan Academy Kids (age 3+): free, ad-free, adaptive activities across early literacy and math, with a strong privacy rating. The clearest free and ad-free pick.
• PBS Kids Games (age 3+): free, with no advertising shown to children and a passing privacy rating, drawing on familiar public-television characters.
• ABCmouse (age 3+): a subscription service, not free, around $12.99 per month. Common Sense Media flags a busy interface, a shopping-style reward system, a privacy warning, and a history of billing and cancellation complaints. Weigh these caveats before subscribing.

How to vet any app yourself

Before downloading, check the app's review on Common Sense Media for its learning rating, age recommendation, and notes on ads and data privacy.

Test it once with your child. If it mostly rewards tapping, pushes purchases, or shows ads, remove it.

Set the device's content and purchase restrictions, use the app together, and keep a consistent daily limit so screen time does not crowd out sleep, play, and meals.

Related questions

How much screen time is okay for a preschooler?

The AAP's guidance for ages 2 to 5 is about one hour per day or less of high-quality programming, ideally co-viewed with a caregiver. Its current 5 C's framework adds that content quality, calm, not crowding out sleep and play, and conversation matter alongside the time limit.

Is Khan Academy Kids really free?

Yes. Per Common Sense Media's review, Khan Academy Kids is free and ad-free for ages 3 and up, with adaptive early-literacy and math activities and a strong privacy rating. It is one of the cleanest free, ad-free options for preschoolers.

Is ABCmouse free and ad-free?

No. ABCmouse is a paid subscription, around $12.99 per month. It does not show ads to children, but Common Sense Media notes a busy interface, a shopping-style reward system, a privacy warning, and a record of billing and cancellation complaints. Review those caveats before subscribing.

Sources & further reading

1. Kids & Screen Time: How to Use the 5 C's of Media Guidance — HealthyChildren.org (AAP)
2. Parents' Guide to Khan Academy Kids — Common Sense Media
3. Parents' Guide to PBS Kids Games — Common Sense Media
4. Parents' Guide to ABCmouse.com — Common Sense Media

This article reflects current AAP, CDC, and other public-health guidance and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. ParentFlow is a wellness companion — not a substitute for your pediatrician. For any medical concern, contact your healthcare provider.