Building and Maker Apps, Games, and Websites

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.

LEGO DUPLO WORLD Poster Image
APP

LEGO DUPLO WORLD

age 2+

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

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2019)
Build With Grandpa Poster Image
APP

Build With Grandpa

age 3+

Mini-games about building appeal to construction lovers.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2017)
Sago Mini Toolbox Poster Image
APP

Sago Mini Toolbox

age 3+

Empowering play with tools and projects lacks logic.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire (2015)
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.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2015)
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.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire (2018)
Tami's Tower Poster Image
APP

Tami's Tower

age 4+

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

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire (2019)
Thomas & Friends Minis Poster Image
APP

Thomas & Friends Minis

age 4+

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

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2017)
Township: Farm & City Building Poster Image
APP

Township: Farm & City Building

age 4+

Sophisticated, occasionally slow take on the sim genre.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2019)
Car Kit Poster Image
APP

Car Kit

age 5+

Design fun roadways and cities, drive around your creations.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2017)
DiscoverE Poster Image
WEBSITE

DiscoverE

age 5+

Stellar source of engineering info and experiments.

URL: http://discovere.org (2020)
DIY.org – Creative Challenges Poster Image
APP

DIY.org – Creative Challenges

age 5+

How-to videos ignite curiosity and nurture key skills.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2019)
Fiete Cars Poster Image
APP

Fiete Cars

age 5+

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

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2017)
Pango Build Park Poster Image
APP

Pango Build Park

age 5+

Imagine, create, and play at custom theme parks.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2017)
Pango Build Safari Poster Image
APP

Pango Build Safari

age 5+

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

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2018)
SpriteBox Coding Poster Image
APP

SpriteBox Coding

age 7+

Puzzle-based platformer teaches kids actual code.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2017)
Train Kit Poster Image
APP

Train Kit

age 5+

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

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2016)
Train Kit Space Poster Image
APP

Train Kit Space

age 5+

Design 3D landscapes for locomotives on other planets.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2019)
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.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2014)
Super Mario Maker 2 Poster Image
GAME

Super Mario Maker 2

age 6+

Fun, accessible editing tools expose kids to game design.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch (2019)
Code.org Poster Image
WEBSITE

Code.org

age 8+

Clear instruction can turn kids into coding superstars.

URL: https://code.org (2019)