My Favorite Educational Apps for Kids

(and exactly how I make them count for homeschool)

Picture this scene: We're out to eat with the kids and they finish before us. My kiddo busys herself with the activities she packed in her backpack for a while. As our conversation runs long (because we can talk for HOURS!), she places her hand on my shoulder. I put mine on hers and, when there's a break in the conversation, I ask her what's up. She says, "Can I play on your phone?"

I ask, "What do you want to play?" She says she wants to play Boddle. I happily hand over my phone, asking which subject she's going to play as she happily opens the app. Once she's settled, our conversation resumes — and it naturally turns toward screen time and worthwhile apps for our kids. You ask me what my favorite apps are and I’m SO EXCITED you asked! I have specific screen time guidelines in my house that you are welcome to use if they work for you and your family AND I have a bunch of favorite apps I would love to share with you!

First of all, the majority of my kiddo's app time comes when I'm fixing her hair — it’s so nice for her to play games on my phone while I create art with her hair because it keeps her still and happy, creates conversation as we talk about what she's playing, and I get to supervise everything that happens on my phone. This is where we break out new apps I get her because the supervision and conversation level is unparalleled!

The other time she gets app time is when we're out to eat, she has already finished all her activities and schoolwork, and has been patient and kind. When she asks, I always ask what she wants to play. To gain approval, we have to agree on an app I have experience with, that I feel comfortable with her playing without supervision, and it has to fit the time and place - some apps are just too loud without headphones.

Next, I try to always ask a specific question about the app. It's an extra touch point that tells her I am invested and care about what she is doing and a subtle reminder that I have expectations for her behavior on my phone. Sometimes, instead of a question I will remind her of an expectation with the app she wants to play in, especially if it's a newer app.

Second of all, I have time limits set on all of her apps. After the time limit she has to gain permission to keep playing or she can ask to switch apps. Regardless of how long she plays, I always expect her to ask before switching apps. 

Thirdly (is that a thing?), I’m picky about the apps she uses. I have my own rating system in my mind for what kind of apps I’ll allow her on. I call it the Seatbelt System, and I’ll use this system in this blog to talk about the apps I love. It goes like this:

Seatbelt Safety Rating

Quick Tracking Tip for Apps That Cover Multiple Subjects

Some apps could count for more than one subject depending on your vibes — for example, the Bible App for Kids could be Reading or Social Studies. Here’s the rule: you can only log the time once.

This keeps your records accurate.