AllApps

The best learning apps for children.

Khan Academy Kids is the top pick for parents who want a genuinely free learning app with no subscription traps, ideal for offline use during flights or car rides. Epic works well for teachers whose schools already cover the subscription. Lingokids suits parents who've already decided to pay for a bundled games-and-shows subscription. PBS KIDS Games fits kids who already watch PBS shows on a device with steady wifi.

The filter. Every app here is rated 4.2 or better, has been updated in the last eighteen months, and has no significant number of reviewers reporting it broken. Price is not the rule on this list — some are free, some are not.
Top pick

Epic - Kids' Books & Reading

Epic Creations, Inc.
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Free4.7★ (518,891)Updated Sep 10, 2026unverified
Verdict
Epic is a large kids' reading library, but most of that library sits behind a subscription, and access can be limited to school hours if you're not paying. Reviewers are frustrated that a free-sounding app keeps demanding payment to actually read books.
Best for
A teacher or school using the classroom/school version, where the subscription is already covered institutionally, rather than a parent hoping for free home reading.
The catch
You can't read most books without paying for a subscription, and some reviewers report access is restricted to school hours (8am-3pm) unless you subscribe, which defeats casual evening reading at home.
Native app

Lingokids: Games & Shows

Monkimun Inc
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Free4.3★ (649,770)Updated Sep 14, 2026unverified
Verdict
Lingokids offers a broad mix of games and shows for kids, but most of the actual content sits behind a subscription that reviewers say isn't always clear upfront.
Best for
A parent who's already decided to pay for a recurring kids' learning subscription and wants games and shows bundled together rather than a single free app.
The catch
The free trial converts into a paid subscription, and multiple reviewers report being charged after cancelling or not realizing how much content was locked until they hit the paywall.
Native app

Khan Academy Kids

Khan Academy
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Free4.8★ (130,401)Updated Jul 30, 2026unverified
Verdict
Reviewers repeatedly note it's free with no ads or subscriptions, which stands out among kids' learning apps, and parents describe it as well-designed and effective for teaching. A recurring minority report freezing or crashing mid-lesson, which is worth knowing before relying on it for a long flight or car ride.
Best for
A parent who wants a genuinely free kids' learning app with no subscription upsells, including for offline use on a plane or in the car.
The catch
Multiple reviewers report the app freezing or crashing mid-activity, including during setup, so it's not fully reliable for uninterrupted use.
Native app

PBS KIDS Games

PBS KIDS
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Free4.4★ (371,773)Updated Sep 11, 2026unverified
Verdict
PBS KIDS Games leans on its offline download feature as a headline selling point, but recent reviews show that same feature has been inconsistent, with several parents saying most games now require internet access they used to not need.
Best for
A parent whose kid watches PBS shows and plays on a device with reliable wifi, not one relying on offline play for car rides or trips.
The catch
Offline access has been rolled back and re-added inconsistently, and a handful of reviewers report crashes or freezing on specific games, so don't count on it working reliably without internet.
Native app

Who should skip this entirely.

Skip this whole category if your child is under two. None of these apps are designed for toddlers that young, and screen time guidelines generally recommend avoiding solo tablet use at that age anyway. Also skip if you're looking for a single free app with zero reliability issues — every option here either charges for real content or has reported crashing and freezing. If reliability matters more than price, consider physical books, workbooks, or educational shows instead of an app.

Questions.

Which of these apps is actually free?Khan Academy Kids is the only one that's fully free with no subscription or ads. Epic, Lingokids, and PBS KIDS Games all either paywall most content or have had their free offline features rolled back.
Are any of these good for long car rides or flights without wifi?Khan Academy Kids is built for offline use and is the safest bet for that scenario. PBS KIDS Games advertises offline downloads too, but reviewers say that feature has become inconsistent, so don't count on it.
Is Epic worth it for home use?Only if a school or institution is already paying for it. For parents paying out of pocket for home reading, reviewers report most books are locked behind a subscription and access can be restricted to school hours.
Do any of these apps have reliability problems?Yes. Khan Academy Kids has reports of freezing or crashing mid-activity, and PBS KIDS Games has similar crash reports on specific games. None of the four are crash-free, so treat all of them as imperfect.