Best Apps for History

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Today we’re going to continue with our Best Apps Series. We’re going to talk about the best apps for history. There are hundreds of apps available, but not all apps have real educational value. There are plenty of science and math apps available; however, when it comes to apps for history, the selection isn’t nearly as extensive. In fact, I had trouble finding 10 apps for history which fit the criteria for my list.

I did find two apps so full of information that I’ve shared them even though they are only available for iOS devices. My advice for those of us who primarily use Android and/or Kindle is to contact the publisher via the website and let them know you’d really love to see their app available for your platform. I’ve made it easy for you to do so by including links to the website for that app below.

BEST APPS FOR HISTORY

#1 STACK THE STATES

Recommended Ages: 8 & up

Stack the States is a great app for history. It makes learning about the 50 states fun for kids and adults! Kids won’t grow tired of this app as they learn about the states with 5 colorful and interactive game options. They’ll learn state capitals, shapes, geographic locations, flags, and more.

Game options include:

• Stack The States: Build tall piles with states and try to reach the checkered line.
• Map It: Tap the location of the selected state on the map. Try to complete the whole country.
• Pile Up: The states are piling up! Tap them quickly to get rid of them before they pile too high.
• Puzzler: Sit back and relax as you slide the states around and put them together like a jigsaw puzzle.
• Capital Drop: Match states with their capitals in this fast-paced bonus game. Don’t let a state fall!

There are no 3^rd party ads or in-app purchases.

Awards:

• Best Kids App for iPad! -Best App Ever Awards
• Best Educational Game App – iEAR.org

In App Purchases: No
Supports Family Sharing: Yes

iOS        Android        Kindle

#2 STACK THE COUNTRIES

Recommended Ages: 8 & up

What Stack the States is for US history, Stack the Countries is for world history! This app definitely makes learning about the world fun! Countries come to life for kids as they learn country capitals, landmarks, geographic locations, and more. What really makes both Stack the States and Stack the Countries interactive is kids can actually touch, move, and drop the animated countries anywhere on the screen. The goal is to collect all 193 countries. Learn about the different countries from flash cards and colorful interactive maps of the continents. Then, use this knowledge to play 3 different games.

Game options include:

• Stack The Countries™: Build tall piles of countries and try to reach the checkered line.
• Map It: Tap the location of the selected country on the map. Try to complete the whole continent!
• Pile Up: The countries are piling up! Identify and tap them quickly to get rid of them before they reach the top.

There are no 3rd party ads and no in-app billing.

Awards:

Editor’s Choice Award! – Children’s Technology Review

In App Purchases: No
Supports Family Sharing: Yes

iOS        Android        Kindle

#3 HISTORY QUIZ FOR KIDS

Recommended Ages: 8-11

Elementary age kids can test their knowledge of history from ancient to modern. There are over 100 quiz type questions that range from fun trivia to challenging from the following time periods:

• Early Humans
• Ancient Egypt
• Ancient Greeks
• Ancient Romans
• Medieval Europe
•  Great Adventurers of the Renaissance
• The Age of Enlightenment
• The French Revolution
• The Industrial Revolution
• World War One
• World War Two
• Modern Times

History quiz for kids is a great way to brush up on history knowledge. Or, get an idea of what kids know so you have a starting base point.

In App Purchases: No
Supports Family Sharing: Yes

iOS        Android        Kindle

#4 GEOBEE CHALLENGE

Recommended Ages: 8-13

GeoBee Challenge is a great app for kids in grades 4-8. It’s a great app for history that will prepare kids for the National Geographic Bee. Most adults could use a good challenge too. You’ll find beautiful maps from National Geographic so you can explore the world while testing your smarts. The question is, “Are you smarter than a 4^th grader?” Play GeoBee Challenge with your kids and find out!

There are three types of game play. Kids won’t get bored; and, best of all, they have lots of chances to learn and absorb new facts.

Game Options include:

• Multiple Choice: In the multiple-choice round, answers come from a library of more than 1,000 National Geographic Bee questions.
• Map Challenge: In the map challenge round, you zoom, pinch, and tap your way to find spots on an interactive map from a catalog of 1,000+ locations.
• Bonus Round: For an added challenge, bonus rounds include compelling National Geographic photographs where you have to locate what’s in the photo on the interactive map…you have to figure out where the photo was taken or what is in the picture!

Awards:

• MOBI Award Finalist- Best Mobile Game 2010

In App Purchases: No
Supports Family Sharing: Yes

iOS        Android

#5 BRITANNICA KIDS: ANCIENT ROME

Recommended Ages: 8-14

This app is from the Encyclopedia Britannica. That in itself made me excited because I was fairly certain I would find the content appropriate for the entire family. And I was right! With Britannica Kids: Ancient Rome, kids learn all about the rise of the Roman empire. They learn about the Caesars, the Gladiators, Roman Gods, and the Roman Republic in an interactive environment with games like Memory Match, Jigsaw Puzzles, and the Magic Square. Kids have access to lots of amazing images, videos, and informative articles. They are even able to email images they find interesting to their friends!

In App Purchases: No
Supports Family Sharing: Yes

iOS 

#6 TODAY IN HISTORY

Recommended Ages: 13 & up

Today in History gives you facts and images to over 100,000 historical items so you can set notifications to receive daily updates based on events that YOU might find interesting. Get all the important events of the day, or narrow your selection down to one specific categories: Events, Births, Deaths, Holidays, and more. If people from history inspire you, “Quote of the Day” will share a quote daily from amazing historic figures. These quotes can be shared on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media. This is definitely one of the best apps for history buffs!

Awards:

• Winner of Parents’ Choice Gold Award

In App Purchases: Yes
Supports Family Sharing: Yes

iOS 

#7 ICIVICS: ARGUMENT WARS

Recommended Ages: 12 & up

If your child wants to improve their debate skills or just gain a deeper understanding of our country’s court system, Argument Wars is the perfect app for them. In this popular app, players test their persuasive skills by arguing real supreme court cases. This educational app includes informative tidbits about each case in the database, in addition to tips on how your child can improve their argument as they continue through the trial. A variety of famous court cases are included in this free app, including Bond v. United States, Brown v. Board of Education, Gideon v. Wainwright, Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier, Miranda v. Arizona, Snyder v. Phelps, and Texas v. Johnson. The app also includes valuable learning objectives, such as:

• Analyzing the arguments presented in each of the landmark Supreme Court cases
• Evaluating the support for each argument to understand whether each piece of information is relevant and if the argument’s reasoning is sound
• Recognizing how each case connects with the Constitution and previous Supreme Court precedent

In App Purchases: No
Supports Family Sharing: Yes

iOS        Android

#8 THE PYRAMIDS

Recommended Age Range: 10 & up

Here is another app that is only available for Apple devices. But, it’s such a good app I want to share it. Maybe Touch Press Media will consider making their apps available for Android and Kindle devices in the future. It never hurts to ask.

Give your kids a chance to tap into their inner archaeologist as they discover the pyramids of Ancient Egypt. This high-quality app allows users to travel in and out of the chambers of the Great Pyramid, view the hieroglyphics on the walls of the Tomb of Meresankh and see the Sphinx up-close. With detailed 3D graphics and stunning high definition photography, your students will feel like they’re actually traveling through Egypt as they view the artifacts throughout the Giza plateau. The app also features an informative digital book, which outlines the history of the pyramids, as well an interactive gallery filled with interesting artifacts.

In App Purchases: No
Supports Family Sharing: Yes

iOS

#9 TIMELINE OF INVENTIONS

Recommended Ages: 5 to 10

From the discovery of fire to the inventors who made space exploration possible, this comprehensive history app will provide your kids with tons of information. Through fun games and puzzles, your kids will learn about innovation across history. And the cute graphics are sure to keep your kids entertained throughout the gameplay, ensuring they learn as they play.

In App Purchases: Yes

Supports Family Sharing: Yes

iOS   Android    Kindle

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAMILY’S FAVORITE APPS FOR HISTORY?

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR OTHER GREAT APPS? CHECK OUT MY BEST APP SERIES!