Building and Maker Apps, Games, and Websites

Last updated: January 25, 2022

The Maker Movement -- a return to more hands-on engineering activities -- has been capturing the imagination of kids worldwide. It helped launch STEAM initiatives that combine the analytic methods of STEM with the creative elements of art, as well as the popularity of DIY videos. These digital resources tap into all the fun of building and making while helping kids develop spatial reasoning skills. Whether you have a preschooler who loves construction or a teen excited about 3D modeling, these apps, games, and websites will inspire them to build, create, and invent something to be proud of. For more inspiration, check out our favorite DIY YouTube Channels and Shows.

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LEGO DUPLO WORLD Poster Image

APP

LEGO DUPLO WORLD

age 2+

Branded blocks build early skills with co-play, mini-games.

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

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Build With Grandpa Poster Image

APP

Build With Grandpa

age 3+

Mini-games about building appeal to construction lovers.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad Paid (Education)

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Sago Mini Toolbox Poster Image

APP

Sago Mini Toolbox

age 3+

Empowering play with tools and projects lacks logic.

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

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Tiny Builders - Digger, Crane and Dumper for Kids! Poster Image

APP

Tiny Builders - Digger, Crane and Dumper for Kids!

age 3+

Diversity stands out in construction-site sandbox.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad Paid (Entertainment)

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Tami's Tower Poster Image

APP

Tami's Tower

age 4+

Build a tower, test, and improve to help a hungry monkey.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Kindle Fire Free (Puzzle Games)

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The Cat in the Hat Builds That Poster Image

APP

The Cat in the Hat Builds That

age 4+

Upbeat feline offers fun STEM exploration on- and offscreen.

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

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Thomas & Friends Minis Poster Image

APP

Thomas & Friends Minis

age 4+

Fun AR builder for train fanatics; good fun for others.

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

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Township: Farm & City Building Poster Image

APP

Township: Farm & City Building

age 4+

Sophisticated, occasionally slow take on the sim genre.

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

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Car Kit Poster Image

APP

Car Kit

age 5+

Design fun roadways and cities, drive around your creations.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad Paid (Kids' Games)

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DiscoverE Poster Image

WEBSITE

DiscoverE

age 5+

Stellar source of engineering info and experiments.

(http://discovere.org)

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Fiete Cars Poster Image

APP

Fiete Cars

age 5+

Drive into a creative, make-and-test dream with fun options.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android Free to try (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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Pango Build Safari Poster Image

APP

Pango Build Safari

age 5+

DIY safari landscapes come to life in scene-building app.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android Paid (Kids' Games)

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Train Kit Poster Image

APP

Train Kit

age 5+

Virtual trains take a spin through a 3D world you design.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad Paid (Simulation Games)

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APP

Train Kit Space

age 5+

Design 3D landscapes for locomotives on other planets.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad Paid (Education)

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Build a Truck - by Duck Duck Moose Poster Image

APP

Build a Truck - by Duck Duck Moose

age 6+

Rollicking monster-truck fun, minus the noise.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad Free (Entertainment)

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Super Mario Maker 2 Poster Image

GAME

Super Mario Maker 2

age 6+

Fun, accessible editing tools expose kids to game design.

Nintendo Switch (2019)

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SpriteBox Coding Poster Image

APP

SpriteBox Coding

age 7+

Puzzle-based platformer teaches kids actual code.

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

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WEBSITE

Code.org

age 8+

Clear instruction can turn kids into coding superstars.

(https://code.org)

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Cyberchase 3D Builder Poster Image

APP

Cyberchase 3D Builder

age 8+

Kids turn 2D shapes into 3D buildings in fun geometry app.

iPad , Android , Kindle Fire Paid (Education)

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Common Sense Media

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