Best Kids' Apps to Download Before a Flight

Last updated: June 3, 2022

Settling in for hours of air travel? Help mix things up for your kids by offering as many types of activities as cramped seating allows. When books and I Spy run dry, these apps cover a wide variety of interests and ages to keep everyone happy and occupied. Together, play virtual board games, create books, or solve word puzzles. In the mood to play alone? Have kids try sandbox-style games or puzzle apps to keep them interested -- and thinking. Whether you're playing as a family or your kid's playing solo, you're bound to find something for everyone from one airport to the next.

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Busy Shapes 2 Poster Image

APP

Busy Shapes 2

age 2+

Simply brilliant puzzler develops critical thinking.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad Paid (Education)

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Friends - First Words Poster Image

APP

The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Friends - First Words

age 2+

Eric Carle faves teach vocab in English and other languages.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android Paid (Education)

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Peg + Cat: The Tree Problem Poster Image

APP

Peg + Cat: The Tree Problem

age 3+

Help Cat out of trees with spatial skills; expect smiles.

iPad , Android , Kindle Fire Paid (Education)

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Kiko's Thinking Time - Cognitive Training for Children's Brains Poster Image

APP

Kiko's Thinking Time - Cognitive Training for Children's Brains

age 4+

Charming games help little ones build core cognitive skills.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad Free to try (Education)

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Skybrary – Kids Books & Videos Poster Image

APP

Skybrary – Kids Books & Videos

age 4+

Classic reborn as fee-based e-library with great selection.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Kindle Fire Free to try (Education)

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Sprinkle Junior Poster Image

APP

Sprinkle Junior

age 4+

Water puzzles for youngsters; super fun, stays shallow.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android Paid (Family Games)

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Tales Untold Poster Image

APP

Tales Untold

age 4+

Fun, well-crafted audio stories entertain parents and kids.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad Free to try (Entertainment)

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Crazy Gears Poster Image

APP

Crazy Gears

age 5+

Fun STEM-themed free play with easy offscreen connections.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad Paid (Education)

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Gro Garden Poster Image

APP

Gro Garden

age 5+

Free play in virtual sustainable garden requires patience.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Kindle Fire Paid (Education)

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Pango Build Park Poster Image

APP

Pango Build Park

age 5+

Imagine, create, and play at custom theme parks.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android Paid (Simulation Games)

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Thinkrolls: Kings & Queens Poster Image

APP

Thinkrolls: Kings & Queens

age 5+

Fairy tales inspire fun, challenging puzzler.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Kindle Fire Paid (Education)

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Toca Hair Salon 3 Poster Image

APP

Toca Hair Salon 3

age 5+

Creative free-styling continues with more options, features.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Kindle Fire Paid (Education)

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Barefoot World Atlas Poster Image

APP

Barefoot World Atlas

age 6+

Delightful way to learn about animals, people, and more.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad Paid (Reference)

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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)

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The Robot Factory by Tinybop Poster Image

APP

The Robot Factory by Tinybop

age 6+

Stellar sandbox tool drives kids to improve designs.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad Paid (Education)

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APP

Toontastic 3D

age 6+

Same great easy animated story creator, new 3D graphics.

Android , Chromebook Free (Education)

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Where's My Water? Poster Image

APP

Where's My Water?

age 6+

Puzzler's plot, unique gameplay will captivate young or old.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android Paid (Educational Games)

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Hovercraft - Build Fly Retry Poster Image

APP

Hovercraft - Build Fly Retry

age 7+

Cool 3-D modeling, racing, and revision; lots of ads.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Kindle Fire Free to try , Free (Racing Games)

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Minecraft Poster Image

APP

Minecraft

age 8+

Worthy spin-off of popular PC game encourages creativity.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Kindle Fire Paid (Simulation Games)

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Stack the States Poster Image

APP

Stack the States

age 8+

Surprisingly fun geography education game.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Fire phone , Kindle Fire , Windows app Paid (Education)

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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.