Ultimately, you find some of the best iPad and iPhone apps and games for kids in two ways — Quibbles and Nibbles. Quibbles are those insightful kids’ app reviews and lists that you find on the Web, and those helpful kids’ app user comments and ratings that greet you on the App Store. Nibbles are free lite versions of kids’ apps that some app developers offer, which allow you to try ‘em before you buy ‘em.
Though both have a place in kids’ app discovery, Nibbles have an edge over Quibbles. Quibbles draw conclusions and make recommendations based someone else’s kids, iDevices and kids’ app experiences. On the other hand, Nibbles allow you to test kids’ apps yourself, with your child and on your iPad or iPhone. They give you the most direct way of gauging how well a paid kids’ app or game actually fits with your child’s age, preferences, interests, learning needs and style — before you plunk down your hard-earned 99 cents or $49.99. In short, they deliver the proverbial proof of the pudding at no cost.
So when app developers offer you free lite versions of their kids’ apps, by all means, nibble. Now you’ll find that Nibbles are not as played up as their paid counterparts, perhaps because they are mere sidekicks. So consider this post the revenge of the sidekicks. Better yet, consider it an appetizing sampler — a sort of wine-tasting of some of the best apps and games for kids according to Apple.
You might also like our related post, The Best Free iPad and iPhone Kids’ Apps According to Apple. Be forewarned though. As in this post — no matter your age — the kid in you will not be spared. These apps will likely teach, tickle and tantalize you along with your kids.
Free trials and lite versions of some of the best iPad and iPhone apps and games for kids
Below you’ll find a list of top recommended kids’ apps on the App Store, which offer a free lite version that you and your child can sample. There are 42 apps in all (35 if you don’t count the iPad or iPhone version of the same app), listed alphabetically. We’ve extracted these apps from the special sections listed to the right, which comprise the Apps for Kids and Games for Kids collections on the App Store. Each app is linked to corresponding kids’ app showcases, as well as to kids’ app reviews that helped us establish its age-appropriateness.
To get the free lite version of a kids’ app, simply tap or click the small “App Store” button under the app’s name in the second column. Use the search box to find an app by kids’ age, type, genre or name. To find apps by age, simply key in your child’s age in the search box. Use double-digits for single-digit ages; for example, type “07″ instead of “7.” Then use our iKidsAge “Age Gauge Guide” below to help you make age-appropriate choices. Toggle the “Search Entries” box to see more than 10 kids’ apps at a time. To buy paid apps, tap or click the “View” button within the App Store description, or get them from consulted kids’ app reviewers’ sites to thank them for their indispensable insight and assessments.
KIDS’ APP AGE GAUGE GUIDE
- Mild age rating = Age typed plainly (ex., 04) — Only one consulted kids’ app reviewer recommends the age for an app.
- Medium age rating = Age underlined (ex., 04) — Two or more consulted kids’ app reviewers recommend the age.
- Strong age rating = Age underlined and bold (ex., 04) — The majority of consulted kids’ app reviewers recommend the age.
Top Recommended Kids' Apps and Games with Free Lite Versions
Updated November 2012| App Store Kids App Collection | Featured iPad and iPhone Apps for Kids | App Store Description (View = Get ratings & other info on the App Store) | Cost | iPad | iPhone | Kids App Reviewers Consulted * | Age Rating (Consensus) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games (iPhone) Pure Games (iPhone) | Angry Birds SpaceArcade Game Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | iPhone | CSM | 08 | |
| Games (iPad) Pure Games (iPad) | Angry Birds Space HDArcade Game Rating: 4+ Free lite version:  | Paid | iPad | CSM | 08 | ||
| Creativity (iPad) | BallFallDown DeluxeEntertainment app Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | ||||
| Fun Learning (iPad) | Bats! Furry Fliers of the NightBook app Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | NCT, MME, SLJ, DS | 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11 | ||
| Games (iPad) Games (iPhone) Pure Games (iPad) Pure Games (iPhone) | Bean's QuestAction Game Rating: 9+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | iPhone | |||
| Games (iPhone) Pure Games (iPhone) | City of SecretsAdventure Game Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | iPhone | CSM | 08 | |
| Games (iPad) Pure Games (iPad) | City of Secrets HDAdventure Game Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | CSM | 08 | ||
| Games (iPhone) Pure Games (iPhone) | Cut the Rope: ExperimentsAction Game Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | iPhone | CSM, SAK, ASMI | 06,07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12 | |
| Games (iPad) Pure Games (iPad) | Cut the Rope: Experiments HDAction Game Free lite version: Rating: 4+ | Paid | iPad | CSM, SAK, ASMI | 06,07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12 | ||
| Creativity (iPad) Creativity (iPhone) | Dibu's Monster MakerEducational game app Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | iPhone | BAK, AP, SA | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10 | |
| Creativity (iPad) | Fishdom H2O: Hidden Odyssey HD (Premium)Adventure game app Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | ||||
| Games (iPad) | Food Processing HDAction Game Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | CSM | 08 | ||
| Games (iPhone) Pure Games (iPhone) | Fruit NinjaArcade Game Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | iPhone | CSM, BAB, BKA, RED, LBR | 03, 04, 05, 06, 07 | |
| Games (iPad) Pure Games (iPad) | Fruit Ninja HDArcade Game Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | CSM, BAB, BKA, RED, LBR | 03, 04, 05, 06, 07 | ||
| Fun Learning (iPhone) | GeomasterEducational game app Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | iPhone | CSM | 13 | |
| Fun Learning (iPad) | GeoMaster Plus HDEducation app Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | CSM | 13 | ||
| Fun Learning (iPad) | Injini: Child Development Game SuiteEducation app Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | CSM, SAK, BKA, PC, CTR, AP, TWA | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 | ||
| Letters & Words (iPad) Letters & Words (iPhone) | iWriteWords (Handwriting Game)Education app Rating: 4+ Free lite version: Also in Fun Learning | Paid | iPad | iPhone | CSM, A4K, ST, IF, PAR, ED, LBR, ML, RR | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09 | |
| Games (iPad) Games (iPhone) | KinectimalsSimulation Game Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | iPhone | AS, CTR | 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10 | |
| Fun Learning (iPad) Fun Learning (iPhone) | Kiwi and Pear's World AdventureKids game app Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | iPhone | LBR, KT, GA, CSM, DS | 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10 | |
| Creativity (iPad) Creativity (iPhone) | Little Fox Music Box – Kids songs – Sing alongBook app Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | iPhone | IK, IAR, TWA, KR, BKA, TA, CTR, NYT, AP | 00, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10 | |
| Numbers & Math (iPad) Numbers & Math (iPhone) | Math Blaster HyperBlast 2 HDKids game app Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | iPhone | BAK, WE, CSM, CTR, KBIA, DEV, USAT, FFV | 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12 | |
| Creativity (iPad) Numbers & Math (iPad) Numbers & Math (iPhone) | Mathmateer™ (formerly Rocket Math)Education app Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | iPhone | ASMI, AFH, CSM, NYT, SAK, KT, BKA, ED, MIE, EM, ML, TA, MI, GA, RM, CTR, IF, FEA, DEV, IKB | 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 | |
| Creativity (iPad) Creativity (iPhone) | Max and the Magic MarkerGame app Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | iPhone | CSM | 07 | |
| Games (iPad) | Megaplex Madness - Now PlayingStrategy Game Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | CSM | 08 | ||
| Just for Fun (iPad) Just for Fun (iPhone) | Monster Coloring BookFamily game app Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | iPhone | CSM, AS, ASMI, KC | 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11 | |
| Games (iPad) | My Kingdom for the Princess IISimulation Game Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | IF, CSM | 06, 07, 08 | ||
| Letters & Words (iPhone) | Peekaboo BarnEducation app Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | iPhone | CSM, AS, PAR, ASMI, TFT, BAB, OC, SAK, A4K, LBR, USAT, IKA | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 | |
| Letters & Words (iPad) | Peekaboo Barn for iPadEducation app Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | CSM, AS, PAR, ASMI, TFT, BAB, OC, SAK, A4K, LBR, USAT, IKA | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 | ||
| Games (iPad) Games (iPhone) | Pizza Vs. SkeletonsAction Game Rating: 9+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | iPhone | |||
| Games (iPad) Games (iPhone) | Saving YelloAction Game Rating: 9+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | iPhone | |||
| Games (iPhone) Pure Games (iPhone) | Skee-BallSports Game Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | iPhone | CSM, LBR | 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08 | |
| Games (iPad) Pure Games (iPad) | Skee-Ball HDSports Game Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | CSM, LBR | 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08 | ||
| Games (iPhone) Fun Learning (iPad) Fun Learning (iPhone) | Slice It!Strategy game app Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | iPhone | BAB, CSM, ASMI, BKA, TA, ML, LBR | 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13 | |
| Fun Learning (iPad) | Smash Your Food HDEducation app Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | KT, GA, BAK, A4K, AS, TA | 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13 | ||
| Games (iPhone) Pure Games (iPad) Pure Games (iPhone) | SpongeBob Marbles & SlidesPuzzle Game Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | iPhone | CSM, SAK, KAW | 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12 | |
| Stories (iPad) Stories (iPhone) | The Cat in the Hat - Dr. SeussBook app Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | iPhone | BKA, DEV, CSM, DS, USAT, AS, LBR, ASMI | 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10 | |
| Fun Learning (iPad) | Tick Bait's UniverseEducation app Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | KR, MIE, TA, CTR, GA | 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 | ||
| Games (iPad) | Time Geeks: Find All! HDFamily Game Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | ||||
| Fun Learning (iPhone) | Toca DoctorKids game app Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | iPhone | SAK, APPD, BKA, CTR, KT, A4K, DEV, CSM | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08 | |
| Fun Learning (iPad) | Toca Doctor HDKids game app Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | SAK, APPD, BKA, CTR, KT, A4K, DEV, CSM | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08 | ||
| Games (iPhone) Fun Learning (iPad) Fun Learning (iPhone) | U ConnectPuzzle game app Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | iPhone | CSM | 07 | |
| Games (iPad) Games (iPhone) Pure Games (iPad) Pure Games (iPhone) | Where's My Water?Family Game Rating: 4+ Free lite version: | Paid | iPad | iPhone | CSM, USAT, TTP, SAK, IKB, IK | 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12 | |
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