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 2/23/22. Availability and costs of third-party apps suggested here are subject to change.
Books | Coding | Comprehensive learning | Creation & engineering | Creative expression | Early literacy | Fine motor | Foreign language | Math | Problem solving | Social-emotional learning | Storytelling
Books
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Epic! by Epic Creations Available on: iOS, Android Cost: Free for basic version, one book/day; $79.99/year subscription |
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Hoopla by Midwest Tape Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, browser on laptop/desktop Cost: Free with your Oak Park library card |
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Libby by Overdrive Available on: iOS, Android, Microsoft Windows 10+ Cost: Free with your Oak Park library card |
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Skybrary by Reading is Fundamental Available on: iOS, browser on laptop/desktop Cost: Free trial; $4.99/month, $39.99/year subscription |
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TumbleBookLibrary by TumbleBooks Available on: Browser on laptop/desktop Cost: Free with an Oak Park library card |
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World Book Early Learning by World Book Available on: Browser on laptop/desktop Cost: Free with an Oak Park library card |
Coding
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Kodable by SurfScore, Inc. Available on: iOS Cost: Free trial; $59.99/year subscription |
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ScratchJr by Scratch Foundation, Inc. Available on: iOS, Android Cost: Free |
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Tynker Junior by Tynker Available on: iOS Cost: Free trial; $108/year subscription |
Comprehensive learning
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Homer Learn & Grow by Homer Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire Cost: Free trial; $59.99/year subscription |
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Khan Academy Kids by Khan Academy Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire Cost: Free |
Creation & engineering
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Easy Stop Motion Studio by Edoki Academy Available on: iOS Cost: $3.99 |
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Faces iMake – Right Brain Creativity by iMagine Machine Israel LTD Available on: iOS (iPad only) Cost: Free trial; $2.99 |
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Toca Builders by Toca Boca AB Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire Cost: $3.99 |
Creative expression
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Bandimal by Yatatoy |
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Draw and Tell HD by Duck Duck Moose Available on: iOS (iPad only) Cost: Free |
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Music Sparkles by Tab Tale LTD Available on: iOS Cost: Free for basic version, $3.99 for full version |
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Pok Pok Playroom by Pok by Pok Available on: iOS Cost: Free trial; $29.99/year subscription |
Early literacy
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Early Bird Readers by Oak Park Public Library Available on: Subscribe to get weekly early learning tip texts Cost: Free from your library |
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Encantos: Play, Learn & Grow by Encantos Media Studios, Inc. Available on: iOS Cost: Free |
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Starfall: Learn to Read by Starfall Education Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire Cost: Free |
Fine motor
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Bugs and Buttons by Little Bit Studio, LLC Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire Cost: $2.99 |
Foreign language
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FabuLingua: Kids Learn Spanish through Stories by FabuLingua, Inc. Available on: iOS, Android Cost: Free trial; $31.99/year subscription |
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Montessori Letter Sounds: English, Spanish, French & Italian by Edoki Academy Available on: iOS Cost: $4.99 |
Math
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Busy Shapes by Edoki Academy Available on: iOS Cost: $2.99 |
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Elmo Loves 123s by Sesame Workshop Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire Cost: $4.99 |
Problem solving
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Bugs and Bubbles by Little Bit Studio, LLC Available on: iOS Cost: $2.99 |
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Crazy Gears by Edoki Academy Available on: iOS Cost: $2.99 |
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Peg+ Cat: The Tree Problem by PBS Kids Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire Cost: $2.99 |
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Kids Puzzles Games Puzzingo by 77Sparx Studio, Inc. Available on: iOS, Android, Kindle Fire Cost: Free |
Social-emotional learning
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Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame Street by Sesame Workshop Available on: iOS, Android Cost: Free |
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Daniel Tiger’s Grr-ific Feelings by PBS Kids Available on: iOS (iPad only), Android, Kindle Fire Cost: $2.99 |
Storytelling
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Superhero Comic Book Maker by Duck Duck Moose Available on: iOS Cost: Free |
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Tell About This by RSA Group, LLC Available on: iOS (iPad only) Cost: $2.99 |
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 Apple App Store or Google Play 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.
