TOP PICKS | 30 TOOLS
Great Games for Preschool and Kindergarten
Top Picks
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Multi-Subject Games
Khan Academy Kids
Creative, smart mix of pre-K to K activities is a breath of fresh air
Bottom line: It's tough to stand out in the crowded early learning space, but this collection does just that, offering a one-stop shop for creative learning of foundational skills.
Picture Dots
Kids connect the dots with multisensory, interactive media creator
Bottom line: Kids will love playing with this one, but it needs more developed features and additional support to be effective for classroom use.
Science, Math, and Coding Games
MarcoPolo Ocean
Young explorers discover oceans through puzzles and free play
Bottom line: This fun app helps kids gain an appreciation for the waters that cover much of the Earth's surface.
MarcoPolo Weather
Adorable sandbox tool lets kids safely explore, experiment, observe
Bottom line: A fun, cheerful way for kids to explore weather while appropriately touching on more serious issues like safety.
RelationShapes
Great visual-spatial practice balanced with imaginative free play
Bottom line: Includes both play and skill-building that develop important spatial and fine-motor skills.
DNA Play
Adorable open-ended genetics app gives students mutation power
Bottom line: Engaging DNA app will keep younger students' attention while they build a foundation of biology knowledge.
Toca Builders
Students not quite ready for Minecraft get a creative, fun alternative
Bottom line: Fun, engaging, open-ended play can work in a variety of content areas.
Toca Nature
Create, explore, and enjoy realistic (but G-rated) virtual forests
Bottom line: Virtual world is wonderfully calm, inspiring, and strangely addictive, but the range of its exploration is limited.
Cork the Volcano - Puzzlets
Fun elementary coding through hands-on puzzle tiles
Bottom line: Programming that combines engaging physical puzzle tiles with digital gameplay.
Tinybop Schools
Collection of STEM simulations that students will love to explore
Bottom line: Tinybop Schools offers meaningful scientific exploration to students, particularly when partnered with good teaching and discussion.
Fraction Mash
Face mash-ups plus fractions equal goofy, meaningful play
Bottom line: Math-flavored goofy fun is great for casual exposure to fractions, but will need thoughtful integration if used as a dedicated learning tool.
Arts, Music, and Creativity Games
Easy Music - Give kids an ear for music
Music-exploration app offers great balance of play and guidance
Bottom line: Great, easily accessible approach to building the foundations for musical literacy.
Faces iMake - Right Brain Creativity
Open-ended collage maker teaches symbolism and revs up creativity
Bottom line: Faces iMake - Right Brain Creativity is a don't-miss art app that encourages creativity at the same time as modeling it.
Sound Rebound
Make musical contraptions with playful sound and physics sandbox
Bottom line: This engaging and open-ended sandbox app has limited functionality but will engross students for extended periods.
Language and Reading Games
Beck and Bo
Drag-and-drop adventure great for learning new words in context
Bottom line: Your wee one will enjoy animating Beck and Bo's world while developing creativity and logic.
Endless Wordplay: School Edition
Rhymes, phonetic approach, silly animations help kids construct words
Bottom line: Good, holistic approach to the nitty gritty of constructing words.
Monkey Word School Adventure
Delightful monkey means business on this challenging early reading app
Bottom line: Automatic leveling and mix of phonics and sight words make this a great addition to any early reading toolkit.
Montessori Early Reading - Phonics & Rhyme games
Fun with simple words, language sounds best for emerging readers
Bottom line: This app may be best for quick learners who need little help to push them over the reading horizon.
Sesame Street Alphabet Kitchen
Fun, cute word-building with Cookie Monster; vowel toys are optional
Bottom line: Beloved character and versatile word-building approach help kids become successful word builders.
HangArt: Play Hangman, Draw Pictures, Tell Stories
Games, creative activities give 360-degree view of common sight words
Bottom line: Combination of guided games and open-ended activities give kids a great opportunity for digging deep into words.
Play and SEL Games
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood: Play at Home with Daniel
Fun exploration for kids; learning relies on grown-up input
Bottom line: Kids will enjoy exploring and playing, as well as talking with a grown-up about what they can learn.
Dr. Panda & Toto's Treehouse
Open play encourages empathy, critical thinking, imagination, wonder
Bottom line: Toto's Treehouse invites kids to play and explore -- just the way they learn best.
Dr. Panda Toy Cars
Role-play fun puts kids in the driver's seat
Bottom line: While not a substitute for off-device role play, Dr. Panda Toy Cars is an empowering and educational activity for young learners.
Toca Town
Kids run the world with perfect mix of fantasy and reality
Bottom line: Impressive open-play town lets kids explore and learn.
Toca Tea Party
Pretend play meets social skills at this cute interactive gathering
Bottom line: Beautiful, imagination-provoking app is so easy to use, kids will likely want to return for many more parties.
Hoopa City
Delightful, discovery-based worldbuilding encourages critical thinking
Bottom line: Offers kids endless hours of fun as they explore, discover, and plan to create an original world.
My PlayHome
Create a family and let imagination rule the house
Bottom line: Engaging, interactive free play sets the bar for the genre.
My PlayHome Stores
Free-play virtual shopping experience is full of surprises
Bottom line: Available shops are fun to explore, but more would offer a richer experience.
Homes by Tinybop
Explore homes -- and cultures -- around the world in exquisite detail
Bottom line: Offers a delightful and accessible way for kids to learn about the world's cultures.
