Running errands with little ones can be challenging, but sometimes you can’t avoid a trip to the supermarket. To prevent in-store meltdowns, try loading a few free toddler apps on your phone. The games suggested below are available without pesky in-app purchases, or they have parental gates to prevent inadvertent charges to your account.
Christine Elgersma, a senior editor at media rating site Common Sense Media and a former teacher, says parents should view “technology as a tool, and set boundaries around this tool.” Kids learn best from engaging with parents, so if you can play along with your child, apps become a great way for kids to learn using smart devices.
Elgersma also notes that app reviews from other parents can be extremely helpful. Even free apps take up coveted space on your phone and you don’t want to waste megabytes on something that fails to entertain your toddler for more than 30 seconds.
When downloading free toddler apps, “Free apps don’t always mean free,” says Sara Kloek, the director of Moms with Apps. “Oftentimes, those free apps will charge for the app later through things like in-app purchases or play advertising in lieu of charging. Those advertisements will sometimes collect data on your children.” Looking for toddler-appropriate entertainment?
- Breathe, Think, Do
Elgersma says this Sesame Street app is great for teaching kids “chill skills” and how to think their way through a tough situation.
- Rosetta Stone Letter Sounds
Kids help the Go-Go Lingos match pictures to starting letter sounds. This free app also teaches some basic Spanish phrases.
- The Reading Train
Kloek recommends this free app with fun, age-appropriate learning games that uses a parental gate to avoid inadvertent in-app purchases.
- Pango Free
This interactive app engages toddlers by asking them to help Pango complete tasks like taking a bath.
- Sago Mini Ocean Swimmer
Your tot will discover an undersea world with Fins the fish and she learns to follow directions.
- Pixel and Parker
Help a boy find his missing cat in this story app that includes a board game complete with a spinning wheel.
- Rocket Speller
In this simple but fun game, kids help a friendly alien power his spacecraft by spelling words correctly.
- LEGO DUPLO Train
This app takes kids through a variety of tasks that build and steer a DUPLO train around a track.
- LEGO DUPLO Food
Another cute app from The LEGO Group lets your toddler run his own snack stand and prepare LEGO-tized food.
- LEGO DUPLO Ice Cream
Help a bunny build a boat and complete other tasks before sailing off in search of an elusive ice cream cone.
- PBS Kids Videos
Recommended by Elgersma, this app provides tons of free educational video content for kids to keep them occupied when you need a quick diversion.
- Barbie I Can Be
Decorate cupcakes as a baker or take care of sick animals as a veterinarian to earn rewards.
- Alien Assignment
Offered through the Fred Rodgers Center, Elgersma recommends this app for an exploratory game for young kids. While helping an alien family fix their spaceship, toddlers also learn how to use the camera button on iPhones.
- Tiny Tiger and Friends
Kids pick a friend to dress up and play games like Peek-A-Boo.
- First Words Sampler
This learning game is for toddlers and preschoolers and helps with letter recognition and first spelling words.
- Little Stars Toddler Games
This game asks toddlers to find the correct letter or shape. Correct answers earn virtual stickers.
- Animal Memory Match Free
With simple graphics and cute animals, this memory game can be set to the “easy” level to entertain toddlers.
- Balls
This free app was rated one of the best apps for toddlers by Gizmag. Kids use the touch screen to direct brightly colored paint balls, which produce wind chime sounds as they bounce off the walls and each other.
- Toca Kitchen Monsters
This free-play app allows little ones to prepare food and feed a friendly monster.
- The Monsters Family
Play games that ask kids to identify colored objects or pick the item that’s different.
Can’t get enough apps? Check out The 9 Best Apps for Kids.
Jennifer DiGiovanni is a mother of three, freelance writer and small business owner.