The Best Free iPad and iPhone Kids’ Apps According to Apple

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There’s a difference between popular kids’ apps and games that grab the world’s fancy momentarily, and the best kids’ apps and games that become all-time favorites, classics and “must-haves.” So which type of kids’ apps do you seek?

Either way, Apple’s got you covered. With some overlap, the App Store lists them separately. You’ll find popular kids’ apps robotically listed in Top 25 or Top Charts lists. And then you’ll find the more exceptional among them humanly curated  in the Apps for Kids and Games for Kids collections.The first collection highlights the best education and learning kids’ apps, and the second highlights the best entertainment, games and learning games for kids. Creativity and fun learning apps for kids figure prominently in both.

Ultimately, Apps for Kids and Games for Kids give you the best kids’ apps and games according to Apple. Collectively, they feature more than 250 stellar children’s apps, handpicked by its editors from more than 20,000 kids’ apps on the market. We’ve researched and age-rated these top kids’ apps for you elsewhere on this site and, in the process, uncovered a pleasant surprise.

You might also like our related post, Apple’s Top Apps and Games for Kids That You Can Try for Free. 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.

You can get nearly one-fifth of Apple’s top recommended kids’ apps and games for free

Cool beans, right? You’ll find these top free kids’ apps listed alphabetically below. To date, there are 51 of them in all (43, if you don’t count the iPad or iPhone versions of the same app). We’ve culled them from the special sections listed to the right, which comprise the App Store Apps for Kids and Games for Kids collections. We’ve also linked them to the kids’ app collections that showcase them, as well as to kids’ app reviews that helped us establish their age-appropriateness. All this to help you load up your iPad or iPhone with free quality kids’ apps that will entertain and teach your children well going forward.

But first, a few words about how to use the table below. 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. And when possible, get apps from consulted kids’ app reviewers’ sites to thank them for their indispensable insight and assessments.

Now, have at ‘em. Drum roll, please. Here are the best free iPad and iPhone kids’ apps according to Apple. Happy hunting!

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 Free Kids Apps and Games on the App Store

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 (iPad) Pure Games (iPad)	4 Elements HD (Premium) Adventure game app Rating: 4+		Free (temp)	iPad		CSM	08
Games (iPhone) Creativity (iPhone)	Albert Kids game app Rating: 4+		Free (temp)	iPad	iPhone	IKB, CSM	03, 04, 05, 06, 07
Games (iPad) Creativity (iPad)	Albert HD Kids Games Rating: 4+		Free (temp)	iPad		IKB, CSM	03, 04, 05, 06, 07
Letters & Words (iPad)	Articulation Station Education app Rating: 4+ Paid full version:		Free	iPad	iPhone	CSM, AFH, TA4, TIM, SLC, SAK, AM	01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Fun Learning (iPad) Fun Learning (iPhone)	Awesome Eats™ Game app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad	iPhone	I4K, COM, TIPT, USAT, TOM, BKA, KT	01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06
Stories (iPad)	Booksy: Learn to Read Platform for K-2 Education app Rating: 4+ Paid full version:		Free	iPad		DEV, CTR, SAK, TA	00, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08
Fun Learning (iPad) Fun Learning (iPhone)	BrainPOP Featured Movie Education app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad	iPhone	ASMI, SMA, IEAR, EM, LBR, TWA, CSM, SAK, TSM, YAP	03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Fun Learning (iPad)	Color Uncovered Education app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad		CMS, RED, DS, CMT	04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12
Creativity (iPad) Creativity (iPhone)	Crayola Lights, Camera, Color! Game app Rating: 4+ Paid full version:		Free	iPad	iPhone	DEV
Letters & Words (iPad)	Crayola: Ruckus Reader Book app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad		DS, KBIA, AP	03, 04, 05, 06
Just for Fun (iPad)	Disneyland Explorer Entertainment app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad		KAW, SAK	04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11
Creativity (iPhone)	Doodle Buddy - Paint, Draw, Scribble, Sketch - It's Addictive! Productivity app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad	iPhone	TA4, CSM, LBR, CTR, SLJ	02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Creativity (iPad)	Doodle Buddy for iPad – Paint, Draw, Scribble, Sketch – It’s Addictive! Productivity app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad		TA4, CSM, LBR, CTR, SLJ	02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Just for Fun (iPad) Just for Fun (iPhone)	Easy-Bake Treats! Lifestyle app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad	iPhone	GB, SLJ, CLC, CC	03, 04
Letters & Words (iPhone)	Feel Electric! Game app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad	iPhone	CSM, PC, RK, GA	02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10
Fun Learning (iPhone)	Flat Stanley Social networking app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad	iPhone	IC, CSM, CTR, NYT	03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10
Stories (iPad) Stories (iPhone)	Goodnight Safari Book app Rating: 4+		Free (temp)	iPad	iPhone	AS, DS, CTR, KR, KT, IK	01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06
Fun Learning (iPad)	Happly Education app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad		DEV
Games (iPhone)	Kick Buttowski: Loco Launcho Arcade game app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad	iPhone	CSM	07
Fun Learning (iPhone)	Kiko: The Last Totem Game app Rating: 4+		Free (temp)	iPad	iPhone	CSM	12
Fun Learning (iPad)	Kiko: The Last Totem [HD] Game app Rating: 4+		Free (temp)	iPad		CSM	12
Creativity (iPhone)	LEGO® Super Heroes Movie Maker Entertainment app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad	iPhone	DEV, BEH
Creativity (iPad) Creativity (iPhone)	Magic Piano Music app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad	iPhone	CSM, TTP, USAT, LBR, CTR	03, 04, 05, 06, 07
Numbers & Math (iPad) Numbers & Math (iPhone)	Motion Math: Hungry Fish Education app Rating: 4+ Paid full version:		Free	iPad	iPhone	PC, A2U, CSM, KT, TA, IK, CTR, EDS, ML, ED, TWA, C&C, IEAR	04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13
Numbers & Math (iPad)	Motion Math: Wings Education app Rating: 4+ Paid full version:		Free	iPad	iPhone	AS, PC, CSM, IK, CTR, NYT, KT, DEV, ED, EM, ML, C&C, TECH, IK	04, 05, 06, 07,08, 09, 10, 11, 12
Numbers & Math (iPad)	Motion Math Zoom Education app Rating: 4+ Paid full version:		Free	iPad	iPhone	CSM, TA, CTR, EDS, PC, NYT, ML, TIPT, DEV, TPM, IEAR	04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13
Fun Learning (iPad) Fun Learning (iPhone)	NASA App HD Education app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad		CSM, ML	07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13
Fun Learning (iPhone)	Patchworkz Puzzle game app Rating: 4+ Paid full version:		Free	iPad	iPhone
Fun Learning (iPad)	Patchworkz - HD Puzzle game app Rating: 4+ Paid full version:		Free	iPad
Just for Fun (iPhone)	PBS KIDS Photo Factory Education app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad	iPhone	TSPG, SOF, RED, LBR, STB	01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08
Just for Fun (iPad) Just for Fun (iPhone)	PBS KIDS Video Education app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad	iPhone	ASMI, SMAT, GA, MW, CSM, MSN, LBR	02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10
Fun Learning (iPhone)	PLAY123 for iPhone Education app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad	iPhone	AS, KT, A4K, KAW, COM	01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06
Fun Learning (iPad)	PLAY123 Education app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad		AS, KT, A4K, KAW, COM	01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06
Creativity (iPad) Creativity (iPhone)	Pocket Frogs Simulation game app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad	iPhone	LBR, RED, CSM	03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08
Creativity (iPhone)	Puppet Pals Pocket Education app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad	iPhone	CTR, ML, TA, ASMI, CSM, SCH	03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Creativity (iPad)	Puppet Pals HD Education app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad		CTR, ML, TA, ASMI, CSM, SCH	03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Fun Learning (iPad) Fun Learning (iPhone)	Qvoid Game app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad	iPhone	BKA	05, 06, 07, 08
Fun Learning (iPad)	Science360 for iPad Education app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad		CSM, USAT, MIE	08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Fun Learning (iPad) Fun Learning (iPhone)	Shadow Move Educational game app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad	iPhone
Games (iPhone) Pure Games (iPhone)	Snuggle Truck Racing game app Rating: 9+		Free	iPad	iPhone	CSM	08
Games (iPad) Pure Games (iPad)	Snuggle Truck HD Racing game app Rating: 9+		Free	iPad		CSM	08
Just for Fun (iPhone)	StarTeeth		Free	iPad	iPhone	CSM, A4K, LBR, BAK	01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07
Stories (iPad)	Starring You Storybooks (formerly JibJab Jr.) Book app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad		BKA, DS, CTR, CSM, SAK, TONY	01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11
Numbers & Math (iPad)	Sushi Monster Education app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad	iPhone	CSM, KT, ED, CTR, PC, BAK, CO	05, 06, 07,08, 09, 10, 11
Just for Fun (iPhone)	Talking Tom Cat 2 Entertainment app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad	iPhone	LBR	03, 04, 05, 06, 07
Just for Fun (iPad)	Talking Tom Cat 2 for iPad Entertainment app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad		LBR	03, 04, 05, 06, 07
Letters & Words (iPad) Letters & Words (iPhone)	The Opposites Education app Rating: 4+		Free (temp)	iPad	iPhone	GA, ED, TWA, AIE, AOT, TA, RR	05, 06, 07,08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Creativity (iPad)	TinkerBox HD Puzzle game app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad		SAK	06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12
Games (iPad) Games (iPhone) Pure Games (iPad) Pure Games (iPhone)	To-Fu 2 Arcade game app Rating: 4+		Free	iPad	iPhone	CSM, NYT	04, 05, 06, 07
Creativity (iPad)	Toontastic Education app Rating: 4+ Paid full version: App Store Hall of Fame		Free	iPad	iPhone	AFH, IA, KT, IK, RR, SAK, PC, CTR, MIE, ED, YP, EM, LBR, ML, TIP, GA, IEAR, CSM	02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Games (iPad) Games (iPhone)	Whale Trail Action game app Rating: 4+ App Store Hall of Fame		Free	iPad	iPhone	CSM, TOM, BKA	02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12