19 Quirky Apps That Can Help Your Kid Learn

Last updated: March 19, 2021

Sometimes you need to come at learning from a new direction, and all of these apps take an inventive approach. Whether they involve reading, puzzles, or vocabulary, they all invite kids into weird worlds, have unique characters, or break the mold on an old model. If your kids are bored by the more obvious educational apps, try one or two of these to spice up their screen use. Even though some don't look like "learning apps," they do encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and other important skills.

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DRAWNIMAL by YATATOY Poster Image
APP

DRAWNIMAL by YATATOY

age 3+

Innovative combo of paper, app, and ABCs.

Metamorphabet Poster Image
APP

Metamorphabet

age 3+

Learn letters and words through amazing animations.

Thinkrolls: Kings & Queens Poster Image
APP

Thinkrolls: Kings & Queens

age 5+

Fairy tales inspire fun, challenging puzzler.

Kahoot! Big Numbers: DragonBox Poster Image
APP

Kahoot! Big Numbers: DragonBox

age 6+

Clever math resource-management game requires some patience.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android Free to try (Education)
The Robot Factory by Tinybop Poster Image
APP

The Robot Factory by Tinybop

age 6+

Stellar sandbox tool drives kids to improve designs.

Monument Valley Poster Image
APP

Monument Valley

age 7+

Beautiful, brain-twisting puzzle game.

Windosill Poster Image
APP

Windosill

age 7+

Imaginative journey through surreal, richly drawn puzzles.

iPad Paid (Kids' Games)
Code the Robot. Save the Cat Poster Image
APP

Code the Robot. Save the Cat

age 8+

Create and play with cute, cat-friendly coding puzzler.

Weirdwood Manor Poster Image
APP

Weirdwood Manor

age 8+

Solve puzzles, explore rich visuals in cool storybook.

iPad Paid (Books)
Zoombinis Poster Image
APP

Zoombinis

age 8+

Save cute creatures with fun, complex puzzles.

Isoland Poster Image
APP

Isoland

age 9+

Artistic, atmospheric, tough puzzle adventure.

Lumino City Poster Image
APP

Lumino City

age 10+

Stunning visuals and tough puzzles delight and challenge.

Warp Shift Poster Image
APP

Warp Shift

age 10+

Visually beautiful puzzles center on escape story.

Scribblenauts Remix Poster Image
APP

Scribblenauts Remix

age 11+

Vocabulary-building word puzzle game shines on iOS.

The Room Poster Image
APP

The Room

age 11+

Gorgeous, captivating puzzle game will draw you in.

Think Like Churchill Poster Image
APP

Think Like Churchill

age 11+

Go inside history with stunning visuals, critical decisions.

DEVICE 6 Poster Image
APP

DEVICE 6

age 12+

Inventive, interactive story puzzler has thrills and chills.

Common Sense Media

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Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media offers the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based ratings and reviews. Our timely parenting advice supports families as they navigate the challenges and possibilities of raising kids in the digital age.