Five Awesome Free iPad Games for Kids

Apple’s iPad has been a huge hit with kids since its launch over a decade ago. First unveiled back in 2010, the tablet immediately appealed to youngsters across the board. This appeal was thanks in no small part to the range of games on offer via the App Store.

Apple has now sold over 500 million iPads. In the 11 years since the device’s launch, the number of games available on the App Store has grown to somewhere in the region of a million. A good portion of these games are aimed squarely at children, too.

But, as a parent or child care provider, which games are the best? It’s an important consideration for a variety of reasons. From general suitability to favoring games with an educational purpose, here’s a closer look at five of the best iPad games for kids of all ages.

Of course, when it comes to video games for kids, what represents ‘the best’ will always be subjective. What different parents want from their children’s games and other entertainment varies wildly, and understandably so.

At the same time, what appeals to one child might not appeal to another. With this in mind, what follows is a carefully compiled list of five of the best kids’ iPad games based on a range of criteria.

These criteria include general suitability for children aged between 2 and 8-9+, as well as overall ratings from other parents. Also taken into consideration are a number of further factors, such as longevity, educational credentials, charitable efforts, and more.

Combining classic game mechanics with learning at its core, Starfall ABCs is partly the work of a publicly supported nonprofit. Promising a fun introduction to learning letters and words through colorful animations, the app is designed to help kids become confident readers.

Designed for children aged 2-5, a choice of in-built games further focuses on additional math and social skills. Starfall ABCs is free to download and use. A previously paid-for element, largely centered around the app’s math and social skills portion, is now also included free of charge.

Starfall Education, the team behind the app, says that this is thanks exclusively to their work with their nonprofit charitable partner.

Designed for toddlers and children up to 7 years old, PBS Kids Games is, as the name suggests, the work of the Public Broadcasting Service.

The app, which is entirely free to download and use, gives kids access to a range of games, all based on their favorite PBS shows. Importantly, these games cover a variety of educational topics ranging from reading to math.

More than 200 games feature characters such as Daniel Tiger and Curious George. Designed to make preschool and early elementary education fun and easy, PBS Kids Games promises a great way to learn and play via a safe, kid-friendly interface.

Quick Math Jr. is a top-rated free learning app. It was created to provide an interactive math journey for little monsters, according to its developer, Shiny Things.

With that, Quick Math Jr. turns numbers into a more creative and interactive experience. The popular kids’ iPad app, designed for children aged between 4 and 8, packs in a total of 12 unique games, each featuring crucial math concepts and skills. Play is encouraged via its bright graphics and a choice of buildable characters.

Furthermore, answers are drawn on an iPad’s screen, meaning that Quick Math Jr. is also fantastic for practicing handwriting. Previously featured by Apple on the App Store, Quick Math Jr. is largely free, but does offer a choice of optional in-app purchases as well.

From science and social studies to art and technology, BrainPOP Jr. Movie of the Week‘s educational credentials are, perhaps, among the strongest out there in terms of iPad games for kids. Packed with award-winning content, the app is less game-focused and more tailored toward general entertainment and learning.

Much of the BrainPOP Jr. Movie of the Week app, designed for ages 6-9, is free to use. However, parents can choose to subscribe for additional content if they wish, at the cost of $6.99 per month.

Subscription or not, there’s little need to worry about kids outgrowing the app. That’s because the developer also has a version for older kids, should they wish to continue their journey as they outgrow BrainPOP Jr. Movie of the Week.

Finally, and tailored toward slightly older kids, is Lightbot: Code Hour. It promises to get children into coding in as little as an hour. Lightbot: Code Hour is currently among the best-rated beginner coding apps for kids on the App Store.

Intended for ages 8+, it’s also perfectly suitable for both older and younger kids interested in the topic, and pairs puzzle gaming with learning for maximum effect and enjoyment. By focusing on functions rather than raw computer code, the app is a great way to introduce children to programming without overwhelming them in the process.

Lightbot: Code Hour includes 20 unique game levels and is free to download and enjoy, all with zero in-app purchases to worry about.

Whether your children borrow your iPad or have their own devices, there’s no avoiding the fact that any tablet is at risk of succumbing to the rigors of playtime in young hands. Even with the best of intentions, drops, spills and other accidents happen.

Taking that into account, Upsie offers all-important peace of mind for parents of kids with iPads. Upsie’s extended tablet and iPad warranty packages include protection against manufacturing defects, hardware failure, and—crucially—accidental damage.

iPad warranty prices start from under $2.70 per month, based on two-year protection for a $399 iPad Mini. Coverage is available on both new and used iPads for up to three years. Other benefits include local repairs (even at the Apple Genius Bar) or free two-day shipping to Upsie’s certified central repair facility.

Best of all, claims are unlimited up to a device’s purchase price rather than a specified number of repairs. If a faulty or damaged iPad cannot be repaired, Upsie will replace it at no extra cost.

Ready to lock in peace of mind for as little as $65.99 for two years? Find out more exclusively at https://upsie.com/tablet-warranty/.