Most of us rely on technology in our daily lives, and toddlers and preschoolers are no exception.
Whether it’s 20 minutes of watching cartoons while you prepare dinner or playing games on a tablet during long car journeys, technology for toddlers can be a sanity saver for parents.
As parents, though, you want to make sure the technology your kids are viewing is appropriate and of good quality. You don’t want to be worrying that games will not be good for them or wondering if they will learn from them.
There are games designed specifically for babies and those for older children, too. If you are looking for entertaining games, take a look at our list of toddler games that are free.
Are there any free online games?
Yes, there are lots of free online games available. You’ll find games for babies, for three year olds, for preschoolers, and for any age. It might seem as though most online games either cost money, include in-app purchases, or have annoying ads, but there are free online games out there.
Make sure you pick the best ones. Keep reading to discover our favorite educational apps and interactive online games that we think your child will love.
What are good toddler games apps?
There are so many apps to choose from. You might see a lot of them from PBS kids. It can be challenging to know which ones are worth downloading. You should avoid those with in-app purchases and clickable adverts. Here are some great options for toddler entertainment apps:
GoNoodle
If you’re worried about your child turning into a couch potato, you’ll love GoNoodle. This app will get your child up and moving in no time. GoNoodle teaches activity, movement, and mindfulness, making it the perfect app for toddlers who need help to let off steam. These kinds of games are interactive and will be sure to create learning information those aged three years and up.
The app features 300 videos showcasing dances, yoga routines, mindfulness, and more. It’s the perfect app for some family quality time; why not have a family dance-off or try out a deep breathing exercise together? Remember that the love language of all toddlers is playing, so this will be a great way for your little ones to feel loved.
Download GoNoodle for iOS and Android today.
Learn & Play by Fisher-Price
Fisher-Price is a well-known and trusted brand, so it’s no wonder their app has made it to this list. Learn & Play is a fun and interactive educational app for kids aged 0-3 years. This play-based app is packed to the brim with games, activities, and songs, and covers ABCs, colors, shapes, and more. Learn & Play will delight and entertain your toddler. Designed by academics and researchers and tested by kids, this app is ready for your little learner. Your little ones will surely be entertained and learn lessons at the same time.
Download Learn & Play by Fisher-Price today.
Free toddler educational games
Little Stars Toddler Game
Little Stars is a fantastic educational app for toddlers and preschoolers. It covers first words, letter sounds, and recognizing numbers, shapes, and colors. Your toddlers will love racing into space, and they’ll be learning core skills along the way. Designed for kids, this app is easy to use and can be played in a two-player mode so they can share the fun. This game is an enjoyable one for preschoolers.
Download Little Stars for your smartphone or tablet today.
Shapes!
Brightly colored and engaging, this fun game will quickly grab your toddler’s attention. Shapes! will be teaching your cute little ones about the main colors, shapes, and sizes. Your child will learn how to distinguish between the different options and how to pronounce their names. Easy to use and great for developing motor skills, this app will aid your child’s development.
Free toddler games
We’ve included all our favorite free educational games for toddlers with descriptions of each game. We’ve also separated the recommendations by age to make it even easier so you know they’ll be ideal for your toddler. Keep reading to find out which educational games for toddlers we think your kids will love.
Best free games for two year olds
The term ‘toddler’ is used to describe kids from the ‘just walking stage right up until they start school.
Read more in BellyBelly’s article Toddler Age Range | What Age Is Considered A Toddler?
We’ve broken it down so we can recommend apps based on your toddler’s skills and understanding. Here are some free apps we think are great for two-year-olds:
LEGO DUPLO Train
It should come as no surprise that the gods of play at Lego have devised toddler apps for learning fun. If you have train-mad two-year-olds, they will love this action-packed game. Your toddlers will try their hand at everything from train driving and bridge building, to cargo loading and refueling. The game is bright and fun and will capture your child’s attention.
LEGO DUPLO Train is available to download free today.
Potty Time With Elmo
Potty training? There’s a mobile app for that. This free app by Sesame Street will help your children figure out potty training. This app is a fun way to transition your toddler from nappies to big-kid pants. Elmo helps his toy, Baby David, figure out how to use the potty.
The app features fun games, including jigsaw puzzles and a bubble-popping counting game. In addition, the app’s songs are an entertaining way to learn good bathroom habits and will help make this transition fun.
The app even features a potty progress chart so you can track your child’s development. Helpful for all parents, right? This app is available to download free from the Apple and Android stores.
Best free interactive online games
First Words Sampler
First Words Sampler is a great app to introduce your three-year-old to letter recognition and sounds. The app prides itself on being a powerful educational tool. The game will provide hours of fun while giving your child a head start with letters. Kids can play by themselves or take their favorite adults along for the ride. This is an excellent introduction to letters, words, and even how to spell! This mobile game entertains your toddlers with videos and teaches them as well.
You can download the app for free today.
LEGO’s Emmet Vision
The LEGO Movie star, Emmet, stars in this enjoyable online game. Emmet Vision is a fun scavenger-hunt-inspired game. Emmet needs to pack his suitcase, and your four-year-old is just the person to help him. The player needs to find and scan real-life objects to pack in Emmet’s suitcase. This one is great for them to have their happy clicks.
Find LEGO’s Emmet Vision game for free on the Lego website today.
Best free games for four year olds
Now that you’ve got preschool kids, you’re probably looking for apps to prepare them for starting school. You are your child’s teacher so make sure you pick the best games to suit your child’s learning. The following free apps are great for kids aged four and over:
Fish School
Fish School has won numerous awards thanks to its brilliance. This free educational app uses colorful fish to teach users all about numbers, basic shapes, and colors. Kids can match fish and point out their differences. Young children can touch, tap and drag the fish to make them move around on the screen. This one will be an example of their happy clicks.
Enrol your toddler in Fish School today.
Khan Academy Kids
Khan Academy Kids delivers a top-notch education to its users. This feature-packed mobile app is filled with educational content, a built-in library, and games to entertain your child. Your child will enjoy learning maths, reading and writing. The app also features creative tasks like colouring, drawing and storytelling. Featuring fun animations, this app is sure to entertain your toddler’s attention.