Back to top

Carissa's App Picks for Kids

High-quality apps you can feel good about using with your child.

Reassuring information about using screens with kids during COVID-19

Click here to learn more about using apps with kids.

View videos of Carissa's Top Five Picks for Apps in various categories.

As seen on NBC 15

Reviewed on 8/12/22

By the same folks that brought us the Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls books, now you can listen to the stories through an app! Stories of women and girls from long ago or from right now, from artists and activists, to scientists and athletes, and from all over the world.... there's a wide...

Read the full review
Reviewed on 10/24/14

Just like a real geoboard, but without the fear of getting snapped by a rubberband! Geoboard's simple, clean design is intuitive to use and easy to learn. In addition to creating the outline of shapes with the colored bands, the app has the added feature of being able to fill a shape with color...

Read the full review
Age group: Preschool, Grades K-2
Topics: Art, Concepts, Math, STEM
Reviewed on 10/24/14

The Allen County Public Library created this excellent free app, full of helpful literacy-based information for families with young children in a fun, kid-friendly package.  The app includes librarian-recommended, themed booklists; a reading timer (useful if you need to track how many minutes or...

Read the full review
Age group: Baby/toddler, Preschool
Reviewed on 10/10/14

Scribbling is an important pre-writing skill.  This app gives simple drawing prompts that allow kids to try their scribbling skills on pre-illustrated scenes.  When they're done scribbling with their finger, they press the "GO!" button and their drawings come to life!  With a nice variety of pre...

Read the full review
Age group: Preschool
Reviewed on 7/29/14

My child actually played this as a 2 year old, but it took a lot of adult assistance as he conquered the learning curve. I’ve put it in school age here because I’m guessing that’s closer to its intended audience. Use the gadgets and pieces in the sidebar to build an “invention” that will perform...

Read the full review
Age group: Grades 3-5
Reviewed on 7/29/14

A wordless game that invites you to explore this tiny world together, solving puzzles, collecting missing pieces and unlocking new areas to discover.  Utterly delightful and an excellent multi-generational activity. Reminiscent of Myst, but without the sense of foreboding. Available on both the...

Read the full review
Age group: Grades 3-5

Pages