How to Choose an Educational App for a Preschooler

Choosing an educational app for a preschooler can be harder than it sounds. An app may be labelled “educational,” but that does not necessarily tell you what your child will actually do inside it, how often they will be interrupted, whether extra purchases appear, or whether the experience fits the way your family wants to use screen time.

Before downloading or buying an app, it can help to look beyond the store category and ask a few practical questions.

This guide walks through what to check when comparing preschool learning apps, from the type of interaction and content to ads, purchases, parent controls and everyday usability.

1. What does your child actually do in the app?

Start with the activity itself.

Does your child:

• answer simple questions
• make choices
• match or sort
• tap objects to explore
• listen and respond
• solve small puzzles
• interact with characters or scenes

Or is most of the experience passive watching?

There is nothing automatically wrong with either format, but they create very different experiences. If you are specifically looking for an interactive educational app for preschoolers, look for one where your child has opportunities to participate rather than simply watch content unfold.

Screenshots, preview videos and the app description can often give you a good sense of what a typical session looks like before you buy or download anything.

2. Is the content easy for a preschooler to follow?

Preschool apps do not need to be visually boring, but the experience should still be understandable.

Look for clear screens, simple instructions and activities where it is reasonably obvious what your child is supposed to do next. Too many buttons, menus, pop-ups or competing elements can make an app harder to navigate.

It is also worth looking at how much reading is required. If the app is meant for children who are still developing early literacy skills, voice guidance, clear visuals or simple prompts may make it easier for them to use.

When possible, preview several screenshots instead of judging the app by its icon or first promotional image.

3. What is your child actually learning or exploring?

“Educational” is a broad category.

One app might focus on:

• letters and early reading
• numbers and counting
• animals and nature
• matching and memory
• problem solving
• music
• vocabulary
• shapes and colours

Think about what you want the app to add to your child’s day.

You do not necessarily need an app that tries to teach everything at once. A focused app built around a topic your child enjoys may be easier to understand and more appealing to return to.

For example, a child who loves animals may be more interested in exploring animal sounds, facts and simple animal-themed games than completing unrelated learning activities just because they are labelled educational.

4. How does the app make money?

Before installing an app, check the payment model.

A preschool app might be:

• free
• paid upfront
• subscription-based
• supported by advertising
• free to download with in-app purchases

None of these models automatically determines whether an app is good or bad. What matters is knowing what to expect.

For example, a free app may include advertisements or locked activities. A subscription may give access to a large library but create an ongoing expense. A paid-upfront app may have a higher initial cost but no recurring payment.

Looking at the pricing model ahead of time makes it easier to compare apps based on the experience you actually want.

5. Are there third-party ads?

If avoiding advertising inside a children’s app matters to you, check this specifically.

Do not assume that an app designed for young children is automatically ad-free.

Look at the app store listing or developer information for details about advertising. This can be especially useful if your child may use the app independently for short periods.

For some families, an ad-free environment is an important part of choosing a preschool educational app because it keeps the experience more contained and reduces unrelated interruptions.

6. Are there in-app purchases or frequent upsells?

It is also worth checking whether the app contains purchases after installation.

Some apps may offer:

• additional levels
• characters
• activity packs
• subscriptions
• virtual items
• premium upgrades

Again, this does not automatically make an app unsuitable. The important question is whether that purchasing structure matches what you want.

If you prefer paying once and knowing exactly what your child can access, look for apps that clearly state that there are no in-app purchases.

If an app does include purchases, look at how those areas are separated from the child-facing experience.

7. How are parent-facing areas protected?

Children’s apps sometimes include sections intended for adults, such as settings, external links, purchasing information or links to other products.

Look for information about how those areas are handled.

Some apps use a parent gate, which requires an additional action before a child can access parent-facing sections.

If this matters to you, check the app description or developer information rather than assuming all children’s apps handle these areas in the same way.

8. Does the app work for the situations where you actually need it?

Think about when your family is most likely to use the app.

An app used during a quiet afternoon at home may have very different practical requirements from one you want for:

• a flight
• a road trip
• a restaurant
• a waiting room
• an appointment
• a few quiet minutes while you prepare dinner

For short sessions, it can be helpful if the app is easy to open, easy to understand and easy to pause without needing a long setup each time.

This is one reason it helps to think about how the app fits your family routine, not just whether the content looks educational.

9. Does the theme genuinely interest your child?

A thoughtfully designed learning activity still needs to hold your child’s attention.

Some children are fascinated by animals. Others may prefer vehicles, music, stories, puzzles, numbers or pretend play.

When comparing apps, consider your child’s existing interests.

An app that connects learning to something they already enjoy may feel more inviting than one chosen only because it covers a particular academic skill.

This does not mean every activity needs to be completely child-led. It simply means interest is worth considering alongside educational content.

10. Does the app encourage interaction rather than constant stimulation?

Bright animation, sound effects and rewards can make an app entertaining, but more stimulation does not automatically mean more learning.

Look at whether those elements support what the child is doing or constantly compete for attention.

A useful question is:

“If I removed some of the flashing rewards and sound effects, would there still be a meaningful activity underneath?”

Ideally, the answer is yes.

For a preschool learning app, the interaction itself should be understandable and engaging, rather than depending entirely on constant visual rewards.

11. Can you understand the experience before paying?

Before purchasing, look for enough information to understand what is included.

Useful places to check include:

• app store screenshots
• preview videos
• the developer’s website
• age recommendations
• descriptions of activities
• information about ads and purchases
• privacy information

You do not need to investigate an app like you are buying a house 😅, but a quick look at these details can prevent surprises after installation.

Animal Pals: Learn & Play as One Example

Animal Pals: Learn & Play is Artemora Learning’s paid educational app for young children built around exploring animals through play.

Children encounter animals through introductions, animal sounds, simple facts, questions and playful mini-games or interactions.

The app is paid upfront, with no third-party ads and no in-app purchases. Parent-facing areas are protected with a parent gate.

For families looking for an animal-themed learning experience, it offers children opportunities to explore animals and interact with simple educational content rather than moving through unrelated advertisements or purchase prompts.

Animal Pals: Learn & Play is available through the Apple App Store, Google Play and Amazon Appstore in supported countries.

Explore Animal Pals: Learn & Play →

A Quick Checklist Before Choosing a Preschool Learning App

Before downloading or buying an app, ask yourself:

• What will my child actually do?
• Is the experience easy for a preschooler to understand?
• What kind of learning or exploration does it offer?
• Is the app free, paid or subscription-based?
• Are there third-party ads?
• Are there in-app purchases?
• Are parent-facing areas protected?
• Does it work well for the situations where we will use it?
• Is the topic something my child is likely to enjoy?
• Can I understand what I am getting before paying?

You may not care equally about every item on the list. The point is to decide which features matter most to your family before choosing an app.

Choose the App That Fits Your Family

There is no single educational app that will be right for every preschooler.

One family may prioritize an ad-free experience. Another may care most about a specific learning topic. Someone else may want an app that is easy to use while travelling or waiting for an appointment.

Instead of choosing an app simply because it says “educational,” look at the experience as a whole: what your child does, what they encounter, how the app is paid for, and whether the content fits their interests and your family routine.

That gives you a much better basis for deciding whether an educational app deserves a place on your child’s device.