Looking for science apps that will actually hold your child’s attention? You’re in the right place. Apps are a brilliant way to get kids interacting with science topics they might not meet in the classroom — from mixing virtual elements to exploring the human brain in 3D. Below are our favourite free science apps for kids, all tested and enjoyed by real families.
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Free Science Apps for Kids
Tappity
Imagine your child telling a science guide what to try next in an experiment — and watching it actually happen. That’s the idea behind Tappity, an app built around learning by participation.
Tappity covers a large and growing library of science topics, with new content added regularly. At the heart of each topic is Haley, a friendly on-screen science guide who leads kids through science adventures, introducing concepts with kid-friendly explanations, games, activities and plenty of encouragement along the way.
When a lesson is finished, parents get an email update with discussion questions based on what their child has learned — a handy way to keep the conversation going at the dinner table.
Content is teacher-approved and aligned with current science standards, so it’s a solid pick for learning at home.
You can try out a good number of lessons for free before deciding whether to subscribe for full access. MyKidsTime readers can also get a discount through our special sign-up link.
Download it on the App Store and try it free, or subscribe through our special MyKidsTime link for a discount.
Available for iOS. It’s subscription-based, with a free trial of lessons before you need to pay.
Read what our family reviewers thought of Tappity
Little Alchemy
With Little Alchemy, kids explore what they can create by mixing simple elements. Starting with just four basic items, they combine them to discover everything from dinosaurs to unicorns to spaceships.
There are hundreds of elements to find, and mixing them together produces surprising and often funny results — it’s the kind of app kids come back to again and again.
Available for iOS and Android.
Once you’ve exhausted the original, there’s a Little Alchemy 2 available for iOS and Android.
STEM Kids
STEM Kids is packed with articles, videos and pictures to kick-start your child’s interest in STEM subjects. Kids can explore by themselves or sit down with parents, grandparents or older siblings to learn together.
Browse by topic, watch short videos and pick up fun facts as you go.
Available for Android.
DK Quiz
Love a good quiz? Test your knowledge with DK’s Quiz app, which offers thousands of free questions across a range of topics.
Mum Naomi told us: “My daughter found the app a little too hard — she is only 5 — so it’s probably better suited to older kids or teenagers. I found it an interesting app, and it’s challenging — I tried some of the quizzes on easy and I struggled! But I’d say it’s good for testing your knowledge.”
Available for iOS and Android.
Cargo-Bot
Cargo-Bot is a puzzle game where you teach a robot to move crates. It sounds simple, but it’s genuinely challenging — you’re essentially writing a small programme for the robot using arrows and function keys. There are five levels of play, ranging from easy to seriously tough, plus a set of tutorials that are well worth starting with.
Mum Jennifer told us: “My 8 year old son got through half the tutorials before they became too complicated. I found I had to sit down with him and we worked on them together. I’d say it’s best suited for older kids, adults, or kids who enjoy a bit of basic programming. That said, it’s quite addictive once you start — and the background music is very pleasant!”
Available for iPad.
3D Brain
The 3D Brain app lets kids use the touchscreen to rotate and zoom around detailed images of the brain. It shows how each region functions, what happens when it’s injured, and links out to further reading for curious minds.
Jane, aged 12, told us: “It’s cool because it’s very visual — you can see all the different parts of the brain and it has lots of information. I like how you can move the image around.”
Available for iPhone and iPad and Android.
Earth School
Earth School teaches young children about how the universe began, in a fun way pitched at just the right level. Through a series of mini-games, kids explore the big bang, black holes, planet formation and galaxies. It’s aimed at ages 2–6.
Sarah told us: “My 5 year old really enjoyed it! The free levels and mini-games are beautifully illustrated, and learning happens through simple games so the kids don’t even realise they’re learning. There’s an option to purchase additional levels if your child races through the free ones — and based on how quickly my son got through them, it’s probably worth it.”
Available for iOS and Android.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these science apps really free?
Yes — every app on this list offers free content to start. Some, like Tappity and Earth School, offer a set of free lessons or levels with the option to unlock more through a paid subscription or in-app purchase.
What age group are these apps suitable for?
It varies by app. Earth School is designed for ages 2–6, while apps like DK Quiz, Cargo-Bot and 3D Brain tend to suit older children, teens, and even curious adults. Family reviews above give a good sense of which age each app worked best for.
Do these apps work on both iPhone and Android?
Most do, though a couple are platform-specific — Cargo-Bot is iPad only, and STEM Kids is currently Android only. Check the availability note under each app before downloading.
Are these apps suitable for kids to use without supervision?
These are educational, well-regarded apps, but as with any screen time, it’s a good idea for a parent to have a first look together, especially with younger children, to see how the content and any in-app purchase prompts work.
You May Also Enjoy
Have a favourite science app your kids love that didn’t make the list? Let us know in the comments below — we’re always adding to our family-tested app recommendations.
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