7 Best Apps for Toddlers to Learn, Play, and Grow

I looked at dozens of the best apps for toddlers and selected seven that truly help kids learn, play, and grow.

7 best apps for toddlers at a glance

1. Volley Games

What it is: Volley Games is a voice-powered, ad-free app that offers party-style TV games, including CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ made especially for toddlers.

What it does: CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ turns your Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, or LG Smart TV into an interactive, musical playground. Toddlers and families use their voices and movements to sing, play, and solve challenges.

My kids lit up as soon as CoComelon songs filled the room. They spun, clapped, and played Peek-a-Boo and sang BINGO with JJ. Everyone joined in, and we actually moved, laughed, and learned together.

Key features

• Brings family-friendly games to TV, with dedicated modes and content for the toddler age group.​
• Exclusive access to CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ. An activity suite built for ages 2–4, featuring:
  
  • Wheels on the Bus (sing-and-move)
  • BINGO (spelling rhythm game)
  • Peek-a-Boo (social-emotional play)
  • Baa Baa Black Sheep (animal/color recognition)
  • Look and Learn Adventure (visual searching and discovery game)
• Voice-powered and TV-native, ensuring even young children can participate easily.
• CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ is safely designed with early childhood development in mind for both independent enjoyment and family fun.

Pros

• Gets toddlers singing, moving, and responding; ideal for high-energy play or group time
• Multimedia, interactive approach makes transitions easy and engages short attention spans
• Combines CoComelon familiarity with active play, so parents will see genuine skills practice (verbal, physical, cognitive)
• Bridges family co-play and independent use

Cons

• Only available on TV platforms (Fire TV, Samsung, LG) through the Volley Games app 

Bottom line

Volley Games delivers the most energetic, hands-on toddler play for TV. Its CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ collection delivers joyful, movement-driven learning with songs and characters every family already loves.

2. Khan Academy Kids

What it is: Khan Academy Kids is a free, ad-free educational app for children aged 2–8. It’s available on iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire tablets and covers reading, math, and more.​

What it does: The app delivers interactive lessons, games, and storybooks designed by teachers to spark curiosity and build core skills. Kids learn at their own pace and earn rewards as they explore a safe learning environment.​

We tried Khan Academy Kids on a rainy morning, and my preschooler jumped right into the library of storybooks. The short activities kept her attention, and I could track her progress while she learned new words and numbers.

Key features

• Interactive stories, math problems, and creative drawing activities
• Tailored lessons that adapt to your child’s progress
• No ads, plus helpful parent controls and reports
• Offline mode and activities that encourage movement

Pros

• Completely free and ad-free; feels safe and trustworthy
• Covers reading, math, and social skills with engaging activities
• Lets kids learn solo or with a parent, tracking progress along the way

Cons

• Visuals can be repetitive for older kids
• Limited music or movement-based activities compared to TV games
• Requires a tablet or phone; not available on smart TVs

Bottom line

Khan Academy Kids sets the bar for free, interactive learning on mobile devices. The simple games and adaptive lessons keep young children engaged. It's a top pick for parents who want guilt-free screen time that teaches skills.

3. Sago Mini School/World

What it is: Sago Mini School and Sago Mini World are playful learning apps for preschoolers ages 2–5. You’ll find hundreds of open-ended games focused on reading, math, science, and creativity.​

What it does: Kids explore hands-on puzzles, creative prompts, and imaginative play worlds designed by early childhood experts. Activities spark curiosity as children explore and learn.​

My child dove into Sago Mini’s robot builds and bike ramps, switching to doodling or animal rescue whenever curiosity struck. Each session felt different, with colorful worlds and silly characters inviting her to try new things.

Key features

• Over 300 games span phonics, math, coding, social-emotional skills, and creativity
• Child-led, curiosity-driven navigation with fresh content added regularly
• No ads, plus available offline for safe screen time

Pros

• Lets kids explore and experiment freely, supporting self-directed play
• Covers a broad range of skills, including creative arts and emotional learning
• Simple for young children to use solo or with a parent

Cons

• Learning moments are sometimes subtle; parents may want more academic tracking
• Works only on tablets and phones; not on smart TVs

Bottom line

Sago Mini School and World make learning playful and approachable for preschoolers, blending skill-building with imaginative discovery. For families who value creative exploration, it’s an engaging choice for independent or shared play.

4. Pok Pok Playroom

What it is: Pok Pok Playroom is a Montessori-inspired app with open-ended digital toys for ages 2–7. It creates a calm, screen-time alternative for creative, independent toddler play.​

What it does: Kids tinker, draw, build, and invent their own stories using art tables, building blocks, musical blobs, and playful pretend worlds. There are no levels, timers, or rules, only free exploration and gentle sensory experiences in a safe, ad-free space.​

My child gravitated toward the Drawing Pad and Busy Board, stacking blocks, pushing buttons, and “making music” at her own pace. Each day, she discovered a new way to build, color, or connect the digital toys, with zero pressure and no meltdowns.

Key features

• Digital toys and activities focused on open-ended, screen-calm play
• No scores, levels, or in-app purchases; new content added regularly
• Minimalist art and sound design for a sensory-friendly, universally accessible experience

Pros

• Nurtures creativity and confidence by encouraging self-directed discovery
• Keeps toddlers calm, focused, and engaged; ideal for sensitive kids or travel
• Works entirely offline and never uses ads

Cons

• No explicit learning tracks or step-by-step lessons
• Some children may prefer more structured games or music
• Tablets and smartphones only; not available on smart TVs

Bottom line

Pok Pok Playroom offers a calming, non-addictive digital playroom that lets toddlers explore, create, and unwind their way. Its Montessori spirit makes unstructured play feel safe, purposeful, and refreshingly screen-gentle.

5. PBS Kids Games

What it is: PBS Kids Games is a free educational app packed with games featuring favorite PBS characters. It’s available on iOS, Android, Amazon Fire tablets, and online.​

What it does: The app delivers hundreds of mini-games that teach math, reading, science, and social skills using familiar shows and playful storylines. Kids can explore new games every week in a safe, ad-free environment with strong parent controls.​

We fired up PBS Kids Games on a tablet, and my child jumped right into Daniel Tiger’s Nature Trek and Peg + Cat’s math challenges. Every game felt familiar, thanks to show tie-ins, and offered quick wins with drag-and-drop play, matching, and counting.

Key features

• Over 375 games span math, literacy, science, and social routines
• Features beloved PBS shows like Daniel Tiger, Alma’s Way, and Wild Kratts
• No ads, solid parent tools, and bilingual options

Pros

• Reliable brand and totally free, with new games added often
• Covers wide age ranges and builds academic, social, and emotional skills
• Lets kids play solo or with family anytime, anywhere

Cons

• Sometimes focuses more on quick play and entertainment than deep skill-building
• Some games require internet connection for downloads
• Visuals and gameplay are simple compared to newer, glossier apps

Bottom line

PBS Kids Games delivers variety, safety, and beloved characters, making it a trusted all-purpose choice for fun, educational screen time at home or on the go.

6. Blippi’s Curiosity Club

What it is: Blippi’s Curiosity Club is a learning app for kids roughly aged 3–6 that mixes early STEM/STEAM, literacy, and everyday-life concepts with familiar Blippi settings and characters.​

What it does: Children tap into missions like simple science challenges, sorting and matching, and building or taking apart objects to understand how things work.

My child jumped straight into the Blippi missions, eagerly tapping through space adventures and sink-or-float challenges as Blippi cheered him on. There were no frustration tears, just excited giggles as he proudly shouted out his choice and showed off each new discovery on the screen.

Key features

• Blippi-guided missions that cover topics like science, numbers, and early reading
• Themed activities such as space adventures, dinosaur digs, and building or demolition play
• Creative modes with drawing and coloring inspired by Blippi’s world 

Pros

• Combines multiple learning areas (STEM/STEAM, literacy, creativity) in one app
• Familiar Blippi characters and settings can boost engagement for many preschoolers
• Works for both independent play and co-play with caregivers

Cons

• Content is tightly centered on the Blippi brand, which may not suit kids who don’t enjoy the character
• Some activities may feel repetitive for older or more advanced preschoolers

Bottom line

Blippi’s Curiosity Club offers character-led games and creative play that support early learning in a colorful, kid-friendly environment. Its focus on exploration and themed missions makes it a good fit for Blippi fans starting to build early school-readiness skills.

7. Lingokids

What it is: Lingokids is a play-learning app for ages 2–8, focused on English, STEM, and social skills. It’s available on iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire tablets in a safe, ad-free setting.​

What it does: Kids play interactive games, watch videos, sing songs, and complete challenges that adapt to their skill level. Parents get progress tracking, and children build both academic and practical life skills in a playful way.​

My preschooler dove into Lingokids’ colorful lessons, singing along and playing counting and vocabulary games. She loved earning stars and badges while trying quizzes that felt more like fun than schoolwork.

Key features

• 3,000+ interactive, age-appropriate games, songs, and stories
• Personalized skill tracking for parents; offline play available
• Covers reading, math, science, emotional skills, creative arts, and physical activities

Pros

• Easy adaptation to any skill level with scaffolded, playful lessons
• Wide subject range, including STEM and life skills
• Strong parent dashboard and safety controls

Cons

• The full curriculum requires a paid subscription
• Some activities are fast-paced and may overstimulate some kids
• Tablet or phone only, with no TV support

Bottom line

Lingokids combines language, math, science, and creative play in one engaging, adaptive toddler app. It’s a top pick for parents who want kids to learn across multiple subjects in a secure, ad-free space.

Why Volley Games tops the list

Volley Games is the only app in this roundup available directly on smart TVs, including Fire TV, Samsung, and LG models. This means that, unlike with smartphones, you’ll know exactly what your child is playing and when.

The use of smartphones and tablets will keep you guessing whether your kid is swiping away into YouTube or toggling out to other distractions. With Volley Games on a smart TV, you can see and hear every moment, which makes family media transparent and worry-free.

Volley Games turns the smart TV screen into a shared, interactive experience. You join your child for multi-person, in-room play while singing, laughing, and learning together. This keeps kids focused on the right game instead of wandering off to other toddler iPad apps.

Thanks to Volley’s partnership with Moonbug, parents also get access to an exclusive toddler suite in CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ. JJ leads your child through purpose-built mini games like Wheels on the Bus, BINGO, Peek-a-Boo, and Look and Learn Adventure, with many more to come.

Each activity combines movement, speech, and classic songs, so even the youngest kids are learning rhythm, vocabulary, colors, and coordination. You get to build real connections and joyful routines together, all in the safest, most visible play environment possible.

The best choice for your toddler is Volley Games

Parents love seeing exactly what’s on-screen, with no risk of wandering into random videos or ads. CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ keeps toddlers engaged with movement, music, and learning.

Volley Games isn't just 1 of the best apps for toddlers. Older siblings or adults can jump in with other party games hosted on Volley Games for family night or group play.

Some of our most played titles include:

• Jeopardy! for family and trivia nights
• Song Quiz presents a music challenge for music lovers
• 20 Questions fills the night with fast, interactive guessing rounds

Volley Games gives you a safe, interactive, all-ages platform right on your smart TV. You get the most trusted toddler app, plus a catalog of group games ready for every family member, all in one place.

Start your 7-day free trial today!

FAQs

How can I download the Volley Games app?

To download the Volley Games app, search for “Volley” on your smart TV’s app store. I found Song Quiz, Jeopardy!, and CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ on my Samsung Smart TV in just a few taps, ready for family play.​

Is CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ official?

Yes, CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ is fully official. Volley Games is partnering with Moonbug to bring the game to you. I launched it from the Volley Games app and saw authentic songs and JJ characters straight from the show.

What other games does Volley Games offer?

Volley Games offers family hits like Jeopardy! and Song Quiz on Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, and LG Smart TV. My family loves switching from toddler play with CoComelon: Sing & Play with JJ to trivia challenges in the same app.

Can adults play Volley Games too?

Yes, adults can play Volley Games too. After a CoComelon session, we often start rounds of Song Quiz on our TV, and everyone joins the fun, not just the kids.