With a wealth of apps available for children ages 2-6, it can be overwhelming to know which apps are high-quality educational apps. How do you select digital resources that meet your child’s needs while helping them prepare for kindergarten? Children’s Digital Learning Librarian Eileen Saam is here to help!
Eileen suggests focusing on digital apps and tools that are engaging and intuitive and support specific learning priorities—such as problem-solving, expressing and understanding emotions, developing early literacy skills, and improving fine motor skills. Check out some of the digital apps and tools she suggests below.
Digital resources to help prepare for kindergarten & beyond, sorted by learning priority
Last updated 1/8/26. Availability and costs of third-party apps suggested here are subject to change.
Books | Comprehensive learning | Creation & engineering | Creative expression | Early literacy | Fine motor | Foreign language | Math | Problem solving | Social-emotional learning | STEM | Storytelling
Books
Epic! by Epic Creations
Available on: iOS, Android
Cost: Free trial; $13.99/month subscription
Hoopla by Midwest Tape
Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, browser on laptop/desktop
Cost: Free with your Oak Park library card
Libby by Overdrive
Available on: iOS, Android, Microsoft Windows 10+
Cost: Free with your Oak Park library card
Skybrary by Reading is Fundamental
Available on: iOS, browser on laptop/desktop
Cost: Free trial; $49.99/year subscription
TumbleBookLibrary by TumbleBooks
Available on: Browser on laptop/desktop
Cost: Free with an Oak Park library card
World Book Early Learning by World Book
Available on: Browser on laptop/desktop
Cost: Free with an Oak Park library card
Comprehensive learning
Homer by Homer
Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, browser on laptop/desktop
Cost: Free trial; $59.99/year subscription
Khan Academy Kids by Khan Academy
Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire
Cost: Free
Creation & engineering
Faces iMake – Right Brain Creativity by iMagine Machine Israel LTD
Available on: iOS (iPad only)
Cost: Free trial; $2.99
Toca Boca World by Toca Boca AB
Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire
Cost: Free (in app purchases)
Creative expression
Bandimal by Yatatoy
Available on: iOS
Cost: $4.99
Draw and Tell by Duck Duck Moose
Available on: iOS
Cost: Free
Music Sparkles by Tab Tale LTD
Available on: iOS
Cost: Free for basic version; $5.99 for full version
Pok Pok Playroom by Pok by Pok
Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire
Cost: Free trial; $29.99/year subscription; $59.99 lifetime subscription
Early literacy
AlphaTots Alphabet by Little 10 Robot
Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire
Cost: $2.99
Early Bird Readers by Oak Park Public Library
Available on: Subscribe to get weekly early learning tip texts
Cost: Free from your library
Encantos: Play, Learn & Grow by Encantos Media Studios, Inc.
Available on: iOS, Android
Cost: Free trial; $57.99/year subscription
Endless Alphabet by Originator
Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire
Cost: $8.99
Fine motor
Bugs and Buttons by Little Bit Studio, LLC
Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire
Cost: $2.99
The Human Body by Tinybop
Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire
Cost: $3.99
Foreign language
FabuLingua: Kids Learn Spanish Through Stories by FabuLingua, Inc.
Available on: iOS, Android
Cost: Free trial; $69.99/year subscription
Montessori Letter Sounds: English, Spanish, French, German & Italian by Edoki Academy
Available on: iOS
Cost: $3.99
Math
Bedtime Math by Bedtime Math Foundation Inc.
Available on: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
Busy Shapes & Colors by Edoki Academy
Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire
Cost: $2.99
Elmo Loves 123s by Sesame Workshop
Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire
Cost: $4.99
Problem solving
Bugs and Bubbles by Little Bit Studio, LLC
Available on: iOS, Android
Cost: $2.99
Crazy Gears by Edoki Academy
Available on: iOS
Cost: $2.99
Puzzingo Toddler Kids Puzzles by 77Sparx Studio, Inc.
Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire
Cost: Free (in app purchases)
Social-emotional learning
Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame Street by Sesame Workshop
Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire
Cost: Free
Daniel Tiger’s Grr-ific Feelings by PBS Kids
Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire
Cost: $2.99
STEM
Kodable Basics by SurfScore, Inc.
Available on: iOS
Cost: Free trial; $119.99/year subscription
Lightbot Jr. by SpriteBox LLC
Available on: iOS
Cost: $2.99
ScratchJr by Scratch Foundation, Inc.
Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire & browser on laptop/desktop
Cost: Free
Thinkrolls 2 by Avokiddo Ltd.
Available on iOS, Android, Kindle Fire
Cost: $5.99
Tynker Junior by Tynker
Available on: iOS
Cost: Free trial; $180/year subscription
Storytelling
Superhero Comic Book Maker by Duck Duck Moose
Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire
Cost: Free
Where to find more resources
- Common Sense Media is a great resource for caregivers and educators to find high-quality apps and games that support their child’s learning, development, and engagement.
- Many apps include parent tips. Look on the home screen of each app.
- If you like an app, search by the app developer in the app store to find more apps created by that developer.
- Want books too? Check out our “New Experiences” picture book section in the Children’s Services area at the Main Library to find books about getting ready for kindergarten.