Best Apps for Toddlers
We’re the first to admit—we’d rather see toddlers stacking blocks, splashing in puddles, or flipping through books than staring at a tablet. They can quickly become a source of power struggles, taking away from the countless opportunities toddlers have to explore and learn through real-life, hands-on activities.
However, when used intentionally, with the right structure and thoughtfully chosen content (both of which we’ll cover in this post), screen time has its place.
As pediatric speech-language pathologists (and moms of six kids between the two of us!), our mission is to help families navigate early language development in ways that feel realistic and effective.
We know there are moments when a high-quality, educational app can be a lifesaver—whether it’s on a long travel day, during a particularly exhausting season, or simply when you need a few uninterrupted minutes.
But with so many apps out there, how do you know which ones are high quality and the best for your child?
That’s exactly what we’re here to help with. In this post, we’re sharing our top picks for toddler-friendly apps—ones that support learning, encourage interaction, and help you feel good about saying “yes” to screen time when you choose to.
Locking the Screen with Guided Access
Before you dive into these app recommendations, here’s a pro tip: use Guided Access on your iPad or iPhone to lock your toddler into an app. This feature ensures they can’t accidentally navigate out of the app or open something you didn’t intend.
Here’s how to set it up:
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access.
Turn it on and set a passcode.
Open the app you want your toddler to use.
Triple-click the home or side button, adjust settings as needed, and start Guided Access.
This is a game-changer and eliminates the frustration of your toddler clicking off the app onto something you didn’t choose for them to be on. It’s super helpful to keep little ones from jumping around from thing to thing on a tablet!
The Best Apps for Toddlers by Age
Apps for 1 year old to 18-MOnths-OlD
For one-year-olds, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend screen time, and we tend to stick to those recommendations. However, we do see value in using technology in very simple, intentional ways—like creating a photo album on your phone or tablet, featuring important people in your child’s life (e.g., mom, dad, grandpa, teacher).
As you or your child swipe through the pictures, you can name each person or say, “Hi, (NAME)!” This helps your child understand (and eventually say) the names of people important to them. You can also use the photos as a way to chat about past experiences together—“Remember when we visited Grandma? You played with her dog!” Talking about past events builds early storytelling skills and strengthens vocabulary in a natural, meaningful way.
This kind of interactive use of technology supports language learning without relying on passive screen time, making it a great option for little ones at this stage!
We also recommend our music playlists for kids at this age! We find music can really turn the whole day around.
Apps for 2 year olds
In addition to creating a photo album mentioned in the 1-year-old section and putting on some fresh tunes, we also like these apps.
Free Apps:
Khan Academy Kids
This is a really comprehensive app that provides a treasure trove of free educational content, tailored for ages 2 to 8, but engaging for younger toddlers too. Activities focus on letters, numbers, and early problem-solving skills, with interactive stories and songs. The app adapts to your child’s progress, ensuring content is always age-appropriate and challenging without being frustrating.
Songs+Stories
Essentially like a library story time, except on the go! If you’re looking to encourage your toddler’s language development and you’re picky about what your child listens to and watches, you’ll love our virtual Songs + Stories videos! It’s educational, age-appropriate, and it helps to support toddler language development in a fun way. Your little one will want to watch these classes again and again— and you’ll feel great saying yes. You can watch 3 videos from the membership for free (+ a fun podcast episode), and if you want access to the entire library of storytime videos and podcasts, you can sign up for the paid subscription.
Paid Apps:
Pok Pok Playroom ($5.99/month)
This is honestly such a dreamy app and at the top of our list! Pok Pok Playroom offers an open-ended digital playground with beautifully illustrated scenes and simple interactive elements. From drawing and puzzles to pretend play activities, it’s designed to foster creativity and cognitive skills. Unlike many apps, it avoids flashy animations and loud sounds, making it a soothing experience for little ones (and YOU as a parent). Montessori-inspired and ad-free, it’s a favorite for its calming approach to screen time. Our kids love it! One really nice feature is that there are no in-game objectives, point system or levels so it doesn’t have the casino-like additing quality some apps for kids have 😵💫We reached out to them for a discount and secured a special offer for you—a 7-day free trial plus 25% off an annual subscription! 25% off the an annual subscription!
Peekaboo Barn ($2.99)
Peekaboo Barn is a fun introduction to animals and their sounds. Your toddler taps on a barn door to reveal the animal behind it, complete with a friendly narration and sound effects. The animations are engaging but not overstimulating, making it perfect for young learners. We like practicing the words “hi”, “bye”, “open”, and animal sounds with this app.
Daniel Tiger’s Play at Home ($2.99)
Based on the beloved PBS Kids show, this app focuses on emotional and social learning, making it a good tool for kids learning about how to navigate big feelings. Through interactive songs and games, children practice everyday routines like brushing teeth, sharing, and calming down. It’s a gentle, thoughtful way to reinforce life skills while keeping kids entertained. It promotes social-emotional development through relatable scenarios, sings songs related to routines (so many of these songs from the show have become a part of our families’ lives). And we love that it’s ad free.
Related Post: Best TV Show for Young Children
Apps for 3-Year-Olds
In addition to Songs+Stories, Khan Academy Kids, and Pok Pok (all discussed above), we recommend the following:
Free Apps:
Draw and Tell
The Draw and Tell app lets little ones draw, color, add stickers, and record their voices to bring their pictures to life! A creative, playful way to encourage storytelling, self-expression, and conversation.
PBS KIDS Games App
The PBS KIDS Games App is packed with fun, educational games featuring favorite characters like Daniel Tiger and Elinor Wonders Why! Designed to support problem-solving, early literacy, and more—all in a safe, ad-free space.
Paid Apps:
Sago Mini World ($6.99/month or $35/year)
We prefer Pok Pok (above) to this, but it’s still a pretty good option. A collection of over 40 mini-games that encourage exploration, creativity, and early learning. From piloting a rocket ship to crafting underwater adventures, the app offers endless scenarios for pretend play. With its safe, ad-free environment and vibrant graphics, Sago Mini World is perfect for curious 2-year-olds ready to explore.
Tips for Parents
Set Clear Limits: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screen time of no more than one hour per day for children aged 2–5. For younger toddlers, keep screen time minimal and always supervised.
Use Guided Access: Lock your toddler into an app to prevent accidental navigation. On iPads or iPhones, go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access to enable this feature.
Prioritize Quality Over Quantity: Choose apps that encourage learning, creativity, and interaction rather than passive consumption.
Play Together: Whenever possible, engage with your child while they’re using the app. It strengthens learning and helps them feel connected.
Balance with Real-Life Play: Screen time should complement, not replace, hands-on play, movement, and conversation. Encourage your toddler to explore their environment and engage in activities like building blocks, pretend play, and outdoor adventures.
Prepare for Transitions: Use a timer or give verbal warnings when screen time is ending. This helps avoid meltdowns and makes transitions smoother. We find following through with this and having screen time at a consistent time of day helps SO MUCH!
Consider Free vs. Paid Apps: While free apps are great, paid options often provide higher-quality content, no ads, and more educational value. We’ve noted whether each app is free or paid to help you decide.
While screen time should always be balanced with plenty of real-world play, movement, and conversation, these apps offer options you can feel good about during those moments when a little screen time is helpful. We hope this guide helps you navigate technology with your little one!
Related Post: Healthy Screen Time for Toddlers
Looking for a way to make screen time meaningful and fun?
Try our free Songs+Stories videos! Designed to support your toddler's speech and language development, these engaging activities are perfect for fostering connection and learning. You can access them easily through the free Kajabi app and enjoy quick, simple ways to turn screen time into a valuable experience for your little one.