Best Picks for Early Childhood STEM Learning

Top Pick

Don't let anyone tell you that STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) concepts can't be taught at an early age. Our youngest students have a natural curiosity that's perfect for harnessing real-world skills. Build on the potential of a young mind with these interest-driven STEM tools, which help students learn how to solve problems, engineer solutions, answer questions about the natural world, and make sense of numbers.

Coding and Programming

ScratchJr Publisher: DevTech Research Group at Tufts University, Lifelong Kindergarten Group at MIT Media Lab, and Playful Invention Company Drag-and-drop programming is an effective intro for budding programmers	Grades K-2 Type App Price Free Platforms Android, iPad Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
Codeable Crafts Publisher: Benesse Animate stories with accessible drawing tools and coding blocks	Grades K-3 Type App Price Free Platforms Android Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
Blockly for Dash & Dot Robots Publisher: Wonder Workshop Adorable robots teach hands-on coding skills	Grades K-5 Type App Price Free Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
Cork The Volcano - Puzzlets Publisher: Digital Dream Labs LLC Fun elementary coding through hands-on puzzle tiles	Grades K-5 Type App Price Free, Paid Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
Kodable - K-5 Coding Curriculum for Elementary Publisher: SurfScore Fun procedural reasoning for kids; great curriculum for teachers	Grades K-5 Type App Price Free, Paid Platforms Android, iPad Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
Code.org Visit Website: http://www.code.org Popular games, big names get kids and teachers pumped to program	Grades K-12 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 5 Teacher Rating 4
Nancy Drew: Codes & Clues - Mystery Coding Game Publisher: Her Interactive Simple coding mystery fueled by fashion, friendship, and STEM	Grades 1-3 Type App Price $3.99 Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire, Fire phone Common Sense Rating 3 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated

Creation and Engineering

Faces iMake - Right Brain Creativity Publisher: iMagine Machine LLC Collage-maker teaches symbolism and revs up creativity	Grades Pre-K-6 Type App Price $2.99 Platforms iPad Common Sense Rating 5 Teacher Rating 3
Easy Studio - Introduction to Animation Publisher: Les Trois Elles Interactive Ideal, easy-to-use way to help kids learn basic animation	Grades K-2 Type App Price $3.99 Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 3
Toca Builders Publisher: Toca Boca Students not quite ready for Minecraft get a creative, fun alternative	Grades K-4 Type App Price $.99-$2.99 Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire, Windows Phone, Apps for Windows Common Sense Rating 3 Teacher Rating 4
Busy Water Publisher: EDOKI ACADEMY Solve, create, and share puzzles that gush with STEM learning	Grades 1-5 Type App Price $3.99 Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
The Infinite Arcade by Tinybop Publisher: Tinybop Simple game-design app has endless creative potential	Grades 2-5 Type App Price $2.99 Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
littleBits Invent Publisher: littleBits Electronics Inc. Top-notch tool empowers kids to invent, build, and control wirelessly	Grades 2-8 Type App Price Free, Paid Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Common Sense Rating 5 Teacher Rating 4
3D Slash Visit Website: http://www.3dslash.net Minecraft-like 3D modeling (and printing) made super easy for all ages	Grades 2-12 Type Website Price Free, Paid Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated

Fundamentals and Problem Solving

Bugs and Bubbles Publisher: Little Bit Studio, LLC. Fascinating graphics engage as kids practice pre-reading, STEM skills	Grades Pre-K-K Type App Price $2.99 Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
PBS KIDS Measure Up! Publisher: PBS KIDS Fun mixes with learning in adventure-themed measurement activities	Grades Pre-K-K Type App Price Free Platforms Android, iPad, Kindle Fire Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
Peg + Cat: The Tree Problem Publisher: PBS KIDS Fun games require spatial reasoning to help Cat jump out of a tree	Grades Pre-K-K Type App Price $2.99 Platforms Android, iPad, Kindle Fire, Fire phone Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
Thinkrolls Publisher: AVOKIDDO Fun physics platformer teaches, engages young elementary students	Grades Pre-K-2 Type App Price $2.99 Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, Kindle Fire Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
Curiosityville Visit Website: http://www.curiosityville.com Highly engaging, age-appropriate site with delightful games	Grades Pre-K-3 Type Website Price Free to Try, Paid Common Sense Rating 5 Teacher Rating 3
Crazy Gears Publisher: Seven Academy Highly applicable STEM-themed free play; easy appeal for wide audience	Grades K-3 Type App Price $1.99 Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
Simple Machines by Tinybop Publisher: Tinybop Excellent elementary NGSS engineering practices embedded in fun games	Grades K-5 Type App Price 2.99 Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
PBS LearningMedia Visit Website: http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/ Impressive collection of classroom-ready, free digital resources	Grades Pre-K-12 Type Website Price Free, Paid Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4

Science and Math

Pattern Shapes, by the Math Learning Center Publisher: Clarity Innovations Virtual pattern blocks with some extra useful teaching tools	Grades Pre-K-4 Type App Price Free Platforms iPad, Chrome Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
The Earth by Tinybop Publisher: Tinybop Explore challenging concepts with beautiful, interactive free play	Grades K-2 Type App Price $2.99 Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Common Sense Rating 3 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
Tangram for Osmo Publisher: Tangible Play Inc Fun hybrid puzzles with excellent classroom supports	Grades K-3 Type App Price Free Platforms iPad Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 5
Ready Jet Go! Space Explorer Publisher: PBS KIDS Super cool to see real sky, yet astronomy info only scratches surface	Grades K-4 Type App Price Free Platforms Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire, Fire phone Common Sense Rating 3 Teacher Rating Not Yet Rated
Lawrence Hall of Science: 24/7 Science Visit Website: http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/kidsite/ First-class site for science games and investigations	Grades K-5 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 5 Teacher Rating 3
Mystery Science Visit Website: http://mysteryscience.com Big questions, kids' curiosity drive thoughtful science curriculum	Grades K-5 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4
CK-12 Visit Website: http://www.ck12.org Super STEM resource with highly accessible content	Grades K-12 Type Website Price Free Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 3
Plum's Photo Hunt Publisher: PBS KIDS Photo-finding missions get kids out to explore and enjoy their world	Grades 1-4 Type App Price Free Platforms iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Common Sense Rating 4 Teacher Rating 4

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Coding and Programming

Creation and Engineering

Fundamentals and Problem Solving

Science and Math

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