Favorite Educational Apps for Kids in the Kindle Store

By Leah Nieman | September 4, 2018 |

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*This post contains affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure here.

Amazon Fire devices are on wish lists for both kids and adults this holiday season. And, luckily, these family friendly tablets are inexpensive when compared to Android tablets and iPads. You’ll also find tons of great educational apps for kids in the Kindle Store.

Amazon Fire devices give users the option of using parental controls for quickly locking down a device. If your child loves apps, the Kindle FreeTime feature is an option to consider. This option is built into Amazon Fire devices. And, it gives your kids access to age-appropriate content for a small monthly fee.

Here are my favorite educational apps for kids in the Kindle Store:

#1 Dragon Box Algebra 5+

Recommended Ages: 5-9

With Dragon Box Algebra 5+, kids as young as five can easily begin to grasp the processes of solving linear equations. Best of all, they don’t even realize they are learning. Dragon Box Algebra 5+ is intuitive and fun.

Players learn how to solve equations in a game environment where they are encouraged to experiment and be creative. By manipulating cards and trying to isolate the DragonBox on one side of the game board, the player gradually learns the operations required to isolate X on one side of an equation. Over time, the cards are replaced with numbers and variables, revealing the addition, division, and multiplication operators the player has been learning throughout the game. Kids can play this game on their own; however, this is a game you can play along with your kids. You might be surprised to find yourself brushing up on some valuable math skills in the process.

Awards:

Gold Medal – 2012 International Serious Play Awards
Best Educational Game – 2012 Fun and Serious Games Festival
App of the Year – GullTasten 2012

Get Dragon Box Algebra 5+ in the Kindle Store

#2 Stack the States

Recommended Ages: 8 & up

Stack the States is a great app for history that 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

Get Stack the States in the Kindle Store

#3 Squeebles Spelling Test

Recommended Ages: 6-8

Squeebles makes learning fun. Squeebles Math Bingo made my list of 10 Best Apps for Math, so I was happy to see the same level of education and fun in their spelling app. In Squeebles Spelling Test, kids rescue Squeebles. They win stars to trade for better squeeberangs to use in the game by spelling words correctly.

Parents or teachers can set up personalized spelling tests for kids, using words you want them to learn. The app lets you set up tests, enter words, and then record audio versions of those words for kids to listen to before they spell them. You can also select one of the 150 pre-recorded tests available within the app. (These were originally created to fit with the UK National Curriculum, but they are completely customizable. Spellings or recordings can be changed to suit U.S. English or regional accents.) Unlimited players can be registered. This makes Squeebles ideal for families with kids of multiple ages, or for classroom use.

While kids earn stars and have fun playing with Squeebles, parents and teachers can view stats on each kid. This lets you know how your child (or individual kids) are doing and which words they’re struggling with so you’ll better be able to assist them. One of my favorite features is the ability to set a personalized congratulations message when your child scores full marks. This means your own rewards can be worked into the test.

There are no in-app purchases, advertisements, or links to the Internet.

Get Squeebles Spelling Test in the Kindle Store

#4 Thinkrolls 2

Recommended Ages: 3-9

Thinkrolls 2 is a clever game of logic that keeps kids on their toes. Players navigate through 235 levels of increasingly complex mazes. Along the way they’ll meet 28 spunky characters and use properties of matter and basic physics to make their Thinkrolls roll, float, glide, and teleport through a series of themed chapters. Each chapter gradually introduces a new scientific concept in a way that’s kid friendly and easy to understand. Thinkrolls 2 is COPPA compliant.

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

Awards:

Editor’s Choice – Children’s Technology Review (A+)

Get Thinkrolls 2 in the Kindle Store

#5 Scratch Jr

Recommended Ages: 5-7

Scratch Jr is an introductory programming language inspired by the popular Scratch program used by millions of kids ages 8 & up. Scratch Jr has a redesigned interface and programming language appropriate for kids 5-7. Children snap together graphical programming blocks to make characters move, jump, dance, and sing to create their own interactive stories and games. They can also modify characters in the paint editor, add their own voices and sounds, and even insert photos of themselves. They can then use the programming blocks to make their characters come to life.

What’s fun and unique about Scratch Jr is the approach. Children aren’t just learning to code; they are coding to learn. They learn how to create and express themselves with the computer, not just interact with it. Children learn to solve problems and design projects. And they develop sequencing skills that are foundational for later academic success. Math and language skills are used in a meaningful and effective way. This approach sets Scratch Jr apart from other apps for coding you’ll find on the market.

Get Scratch Jr in the Kindle Store

#6 Endless Alphabet

Recommended Ages: Under 5

Get your child ready for reading success with Endless Alphabet. Preschoolers will love learning their ABCs and building vocabulary with this interactive app. Each word features a puzzle with talking letters and a short animation illustrating the definition. The adorable monsters make learning fun. What I love most about Endless Alphabet is the fact that it was designed specifically with young children in mind. There is no high score or sounds for failures. There are also no time limits which can cause stress for young children. Do note the free app comes with 7 word puzzles and animations. A one-time in-app purchase will unlock the additional 93 puzzles, giving your child a total of 100 words to explore and learn.

If your child loves this app, and you want to continue the series, you can move on to Endless Reader after completing Endless Alphabet.

Get Endless Alphabet in the Kindle Store

#7 Writing Wizard – Kids Learn to Write Letters & Words

Recommended Ages: 5 & under

Oh, how I wish Writing Wizard was available when my son was in preschool. I would have saved a fortune on shaving cream (and that sensory table we used for letter practice couldn’t be transported everywhere). Not to mention, many days we had a huge mess to clean up. I’m not saying get rid of sensory tables, but this is a great app to add to your handy bag of learning options.

Writing Wizard is designed to help children learn how to trace letters and words. Kids can trace letters using 26 animated stickers complete with sound effects. Once they’ve completed their tracing, kids can go on to play 4 games that reinforce the letter they just traced.

What I love most about Writing Wizard is that it is customizable. You can tailor it to fit the needs of your child and you can even add your own word lists. You can see how your child is progressing because there is a detailed report with information on what your child has done, including the ability to replay and export the tracings to view your child’s progress. Once your child begins to gain skills you can set the app for 5-Stars play mode. Worried that your child’s fine motor skills won’t translate to paper? Create PDF worksheets from your word lists when it’s time to practice on real paper. Then you can directly print them from the app or email them.

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

Get Writing Wizards in the Kindle Store

#8 Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab

Recommended Ages: 5-9

We know Thomas Edison as one of the greatest inventors of all time. In this app, kids explore a secret lab and play games. But, they learn a great deal about Thomas Edison and his contributions to science. Kids are also introduced to many other great scientists including Benjamin Franklin, Marie Curie, and Sir Isaac Newton. For each scientist, players will learn about inventions and discoveries, their biography, a fun fact, and a famous quote. There’s plenty to keep kids engaged in this app.

Some of the fun features you’ll find are:

Games: Play wacky games such as Honey Bee Spree, Kafloooey Ka-Splat, and Von Bolt’s Circuit Switch.
The Secret Lab: Play with interactive laboratory equipment and discover amazing science experiments and projects you can do at home!
Library: Learn about scientists and inventors–their work, biography, discoveries, and inventions. You’ll also find an interactive animated gallery of famous scientists and inventors here.
Theater: View videos starring Thomas Edison and the Secret Lab Kids

Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab is safe for young learners! There are no social media sharing options, no in-app purchases, and no 3rd party ads.

Get Thomas Edison’s Secret Lab in the Kindle Store

#9 Geography Drive USA

Recommended Ages: 9-11

Say goodbye to boring textbook geography lessons. Instead, learn about our great United States as you take an exciting cross-country adventure playing Geography Drive USA. You’ll head out on the highway, fueling your car along the way by answering questions and learning about the fifty U.S. states. You’ll learn the shapes, capitals, nicknames, postal abbreviations, flags, key symbols, and more for all 50 U.S. states. You’ll also learn the names and locations of national rivers, mountains, parks and time zones, important trails and railroads, and major U.S. cities and attractions.

Up to 3 players can score and be tracked. So, kids of varying age levels can play. There are over 600 state and national geography questions. Your kids won’t tire of this app in 3 days.

The creators of the app have added lots of fun incentives to the game. There are trophies and newspaper recognition throughout the game. What I love most is your car can be upgraded and personalized as you earn points in the game.

There are no third-party ads, no social network links, no easy web access, and no in-app purchases.

Awards:

Gold Parents’ Choice Award Winner
Children’s Technology Review — Editor’s Choice Award Winner

Get Geography Drive USA in the Kindle Store

#10 Reading Trainer

Recommended Ages: 13 & up

Reading Trainer improves your reading speed and retention rate with 12 challenging and fun exercises. This reading app is for anyone reading more than half an hour a day. So, it’s perfect for your high school student who might need a brush up on reading skills as they prep for the ACT or SAT. Heck, it’s perfect for college students and adults who struggle with finding themselves rereading passages because something was not clear. Or, finding themselves easily distracted while reading. Reading Trainer can help.

A few things I love about Reading Trainer:

The eye exercises are said to boost your mental capacity. I’m sure that’s true. What I notice is that for those of us working in front of a screen for long periods, eye exercises are a needed daily exercise to avoid eye strain and fatigue.
The app takes around 15-20 minutes to go through a full cycle. It then lets you know it’s time to rest and gives you a countdown before you begin again.
Questions about the text are used as a secondary test to assess your retention ability. So, it’s not checking to see if you can read quickly but if you can read and comprehend the material. That’s important!
The software immediately recognizes your strengths and weaknesses and begins giving exercises based on your needs.
You always know your progress. The statistics function lets you see and track your progress. And, the results of each training exercise are charted.

Get Reading Trainer in the Kindle Store

#11 Toca Lab

Recommended Ages: 6 to 10

Give your elementary schooler a chance to explore an electrifying world of science in Toca Lab, where they’ll get a chance to meet all 118 of the elements on the periodic table. This fun game-style app has tons of learning opportunities, all centered around chemistry concepts. Your child can spin an element in the centrifuge, warm it on a Bunsen burner, cool it with a cooling agent, mix elements using test tubes, or make them magnetic with an oscilloscope. This app gives kids a safe place to experiment and discover the various properties of the elements, which could be a jumping off point for further scientific exploration. Toca Lab is created by Toca Boca, an award-winning app developer which creates fun apps that spark kids’ imaginations while they learn.

Get Toca Lab in the Kindle Store.

#12 Tongo Music – For Kids

Recommended Ages: 2 to 4

Introduce your preschooler to music with this educational app aimed at making learning fun for kids and families. The app provides colorful imagery to complement the classical music ranging from Mozart to Tchaikovsky. Kids can learn about instruments and music structure through 15 short samples of popular classical songs or play with 12 different musical instruments. They are also able to interact with a selection of instruments, like a keyboard, percussion instruments, and voices in a choir, right on the screen. On top of learning about instruments, your preschooler will also be introduced to music theory elements like notes, clefs, and rests. Parents can also get in on the fun by reading the parents’ guide for information on how they can assist in their child’s learning of musical concepts. No ads or in-app purchases appear in the app and it does not collect or share data about its users.

Awards

Best of 2016 (AppStore)
Parents’ Choice Gold Award 2017

Get Tongo Music for Kids in the Kindle Store.

#13 Khan Academy Kids

Recommended Age Range: 12 & under

Khan Academy is known for providing quality educational material for adults, but until now, kids were mostly left out. But with Khan Academy Kids, your little ones can access thousands of educational activities, books, songs, and games right on their Kindle. The app a great curriculum filled with activities in reading, language, math, and executive function and logic.

The app was created by a team of experts at the Stanford Graduate School of Education. Each of the activities aligns with Head Start Early Learning Outcomes and Common Cor Standards.

And in addition to a huge selection of amazing educational content, Khan Academy also gives parents piece of mind by providing you with reports on your child’s progress within the app.

Get Khan Academy Kids in the Kindle Store.

#14 Reading Eggs

Recommended Ages: 4 to 13

Help your young reader practice their sight words with this fun app that was designed by literacy experts. This app, which is used in thousands of classrooms around the world, is proven to help young children improve their reading skills through guided lessons, activities, and e-books. Each lesson is self-paced and users are perfectly matched to their beginning lesson each time. The one-on-one lessons offered in this reading app are based on scientific research and cover the five essential elements of reading (phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension). A subscription to the Apple version of this popular app includes access to:

Reading Eggs Junior for ages 2 to 4: Pre-reading skills like alphabet knowledge and letter sounds for toddlers
Reading Eggs for ages 3 to 7: Sight words and phonics are introduced, in addition to spelling and vocabulary skills
Reading Eggspress for ages 7 to 13: Continues to build upon reading foundations outlined in the previous levels
Mathseeds for ages 3 to 9: Covers early math skills, including understanding numbers, measurement, shapes and patterns

The Android and Kindle apps only include the sight words package, which comes with a fun game made up of 10 levels with 25 sight words in each level.

Awards

Parent and Teacher Award 2018
Homeschool Review Crew 2017 Blue Ribbon Awards
The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval
Academics Choice Smart Media Award Winner

Get Reading Eggs from the Kindle Store.

There are several affordable Amazon Fire devices for families. All of them come with easy-to-use, kid-friendly features and parental controls. There are tons of great educational apps for kids in the Kindle Store. And, you can take advantage of the Kindle FreeTime option to access an entire library of apps.

Looking for more great educational apps for your kids in the Kindle Store? Check out this list of 50 favorite Kindle Fire Apps over at my friend Homeschooling with Training Wheels.