English and Language Arts Apps, Games, and Websites

With these fun apps, games, and websites, kids of all ages can practice literacy. Preschoolers new to reading can trace letters on the tablet screen, identify letter names and sounds, and match words to their images. Middle schoolers can focus on expanding their vocabulary, composing original stories, and building basic online-researching skills. Teens can engage with classic literature in interesting new ways, learn to identify credible sources for research, and brush up on some of the more challenging aspects of grammar. And for more language arts tools, check out our list of Common Core-Friendly English and Language Arts Apps, Games, and Websites.

Elmo Loves ABCs Poster Image
APP

Elmo Loves ABCs

age 3+

Learn the alphabet with tracing, puzzles, videos, and songs.

Devices: iPad, Android, Kindle Fire (2011)
Kinect Sesame Street TV Poster Image
GAME

Kinect Sesame Street TV

age 3+

Excellent example of educational interactive television.

Platforms: Xbox 360 (2012)
LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Letter Factory Poster Image
GAME

LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Letter Factory

age 4+

Froggy friends help preschoolers learn the alphabet.

Platforms: LeapFrog games (2012)
HOMER Learn & Grow Poster Image
APP

HOMER Learn & Grow

age 3+

Personalized early literacy program chock-full of choices.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire (2020)
LetterSchool Poster Image
APP

LetterSchool

age 4+

Step-by-step method, animations make writing letters fun.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2012)
Skybrary – Kids Books & Videos Poster Image
APP

Skybrary – Kids Books & Videos

age 4+

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

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire (2012)
SesameStreet.org Poster Image
WEBSITE

SesameStreet.org

age 4+

Brought to you by the letter "F" -- for fun.

URL: https://www.sesamestreet.org (2008)
Starfall Learn to Read Poster Image
APP

Starfall Learn to Read

age 4+

Great reading activities fit a range of skill levels.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire (2012)
Writing Wizard for Kids Poster Image
APP

Writing Wizard for Kids

age 4+

Fantastic, customizable tracing practice with fun rewards.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire (2015)
Handwriting Without Tears: Wet-Dry-Try Suite for Capitals, Numbers & Lowercase Poster Image
APP

Handwriting Without Tears: Wet-Dry-Try Suite for Capitals, Numbers & Lowercase

age 5+

Time-tested system transfers well to app, "sponge" included.

Devices: iPad (2013)
Monkey Word School Adventure Poster Image
APP

Monkey Word School Adventure

age 5+

Cute monkey guides kids through six early-reading games.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2013)
VocabularySpellingCity Poster Image
WEBSITE

VocabularySpellingCity

age 5+

City of fun, clever language games is worth visiting.

URL: https://www.spellingcity.com/ (2013)
HangArt: Play Hangman, Draw Pictures, Tell Stories Poster Image
APP

HangArt: Play Hangman, Draw Pictures, Tell Stories

age 6+

New twist on old game makes learning fun.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2016)
LanguageBuilderDeluxe Poster Image
APP

LanguageBuilderDeluxe

age 7+

Audio, visual prompts help boost kids' communication skills.

Devices: iPad (2012)
Marvel Hero Tales Poster Image
APP

Marvel Hero Tales

age 7+

Beat the villains, learn language skills in unique game.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android (2020)
Smashing Grammar Poster Image
APP

Smashing Grammar

age 8+

Arcade-style games test reflexes as much as grammar skills.

Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad (2016)
Write About This Poster Image
APP

Write About This

age 8+

Fun images and prompts spark creativity, get kids writing.

Devices: iPad (2015)
Dictionary. Poster Image
APP

Dictionary.

age 9+

Comprehensive reference tool with games and customization.

CAST UDL Book Builder Poster Image
WEBSITE

CAST UDL Book Builder

age 10+

Read, write, share -- there's no wrong way to enjoy a book.

URL: http://bookbuilder.cast.org/ (2012)
Scribblenauts Unlimited Poster Image
GAME

Scribblenauts Unlimited

age 10+

Vocabulary-exercise puzzler is an imaginative treat.

Platforms: Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii U (2012)