Looking for fun, worthwhile apps for your child’s iPhone or iPad? We asked parents and kids to put a selection of iOS apps for kids through their paces so you don’t have to guess what’s actually worth downloading.
From simple machines and coding basics to counting games and puzzle adventures, these apps cover a wide range of ages and interests. Below, real kids share what they thought — including what they loved and what could be better.
#1. The Unstoppables
Four friends — Mai, Jan, Achim and Melissa, each dealing with a different disability such as blindness or being a wheelchair user — team up to rescue their beloved guide dog, Tofu, from a kidnapper. The friends don’t let their differences get in the way. Only good teamwork will help them overcome the obstacles in their path.
Your job is to guide The Unstoppables through a series of challenging puzzles to track down the mysterious thief.
Free to download. Rated 4+, suited to ages 9–11.
“This was a fun game trying to recover the rescue dog. I liked how each of the characters had their own strengths, and you needed to think whose talent would suit a task best. I did find that some of the characters moved a bit too slow.” Reviewed by James, aged 10.
Rating: 4 out of 5
#2. On The Farm ~ Touch, Look, Listen
Touch, Look, Listen is a series of preschool learning apps that help young children learn their first words. On the Farm introduces early learners to more than 85 animals and objects, from tractors and hay to cows, sheep and pigs. It’s a lovely app for parents and little ones to share, combining photographs, simple word labels and friendly narration — and you can even switch to a second language to turn it into a language-learning tool for older kids too.
The app works like a picture book, so it’s easy to find your way around. Each page opens with a playful rhyme, and bright, colourful scenes pop up as your child explores. Tapping a picture triggers the word and the sound, reinforcing vocabulary your child already knows while introducing new ones.
Priced around €1.09 at the time of this review. Rated 4+, suited to ages 5 and under.
“We liked the simple, clear illustrations, the good selection of words, the quiz activity, and professional narration. It’s also easy to use, with no distracting elements, and has a two-language mode (there are five language versions in all). We didn’t like that there was only linear navigation with no page selector, and we wish there were more interactive features, like the final quiz activity.” Reviewed by Appysmarts.com.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
#4. Transformers: Robots in Disguise
The Insecticons are everywhere, and the Transformers need your help to defeat them! The Transformers: Robots in Disguise app lets you take control of your favourite Transformers, collect energon, and unlock power modules to gear up for battle.
Aside from downloading and updating, the game doesn’t require an internet connection, and it has no in-app purchases.
Free to download. Rated 9+ for infrequent/mild cartoon fantasy violence, suited to ages 9–11.
“I really liked this game, as it was a good battling game, and you can change characters regularly, which other games often don’t allow. My only fault was that you couldn’t go directly from mission to mission — you had to go back to the menu each time.” Reviewed by Christian, aged 9.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
#5. Miss Hollywood Showtime – Pet House Makeover
Miss Hollywood and her fabulous friends live in an animal shelter that’s become a little run down. Just like fashion, Miss Hollywood knows a little creativity can solve any problem — it’s time to help the pets compete in talent shows and win prizes to turn the shelter from glum to glam!
In the Miss Hollywood Showtime app, kids perform in pet talent-show challenges and dress-up games, including a trampoline, singing and cannonball challenge.
Free to download, with optional in-app purchases to unlock extra features. Rated 4+, suited to ages 6–8.
“This is a cool app. I liked the different activities like dressing the pet and getting to sing into the app. Then you get points and can make your apartment even nicer. Fun to play.” Reviewed by Sarah, aged 8.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
#6. Simple Machines by Tinybop
Explore the playful side of STEM. Experiment with six simple machines, discover how they work, and investigate the invisible forces behind them in the Simple Machines app.
Kids can destroy a castle with a lever (watch out for the dragon!), make music in a pinball arcade with inclined planes, send satellites into orbit with pulleys, lift fish tanks with screws, travel with a wheel and axle, and split an iceberg of mirrors with a wedge. Along the way, they learn about force and motion, energy, mechanical advantage and trade-offs. A free companion handbook offers extra activities for demonstrating and discussing simple machines.
Priced around €3.99 at the time of this review. Rated 4+, suited to ages 6–8.
“It was fun to see how the different levels worked, but wasn’t always obvious what you were meant to be doing at each level. Don’t think I would come back and play this app time after time.” Reviewed by Jack, aged 8.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
#7. Little Alchemy
Little Alchemy is an app and online game where you start with four basic elements and mix them to create new things. Every combination is a little puzzle to solve, and the goal is to work your way through hundreds of possible elements.
It’s also available to play on desktop at the Little Alchemy official website, and signing in lets you sync your progress across devices.
“It’s a bit addictive. It’s fun to experiment and see what each pair of elements makes. I liked trying to reach the goal.” Reviewed by Fern, aged 10.
Rating: 5 out of 5
#8. The Foos Coding
Get your child excited about the ABCs of computer science with the Foos Coding app, an award-winning problem-solving game. The Foos is designed for complete beginners and is genuinely all-ages friendly — anyone from 5 to 105 can play, have fun, and pick up real programming logic.
Kids code their way through puzzle adventures using a cartoon cop, builder, ninja, astronaut and chef, working across 42 levels and three “Toy Box” creative play areas. Along the way they build skills in logic, sequencing, pattern recognition, and problem solving.
Free to download. Rated 4+, suited to ages 6–8.
“It took me a while to work out how to play it, but once I got it, I thought it was good.” Reviewed by Sean, aged 8.
Rating: 4 out of 5
#8. Prehistoric Mystery
In the Prehistoric Mystery app, your child joins mankind’s very first criminal investigation alongside Lucy, a young detective, and her funny pet bird, Darwin the dodo. Lucy and Darwin live with Lucy’s old uncle, Hermit, far from the warring tribes nearby — but Lucy will have to step in to solve a string of thefts happening in the camps.
Kids read, learn and play at the same time as they help Lucy and Darwin crack the case.
Priced around €3.99 at the time of this review. Rated 4+, suited to ages 6–8.
“I liked this app — it had cute pictures and sounds, and puzzles on each level. But I found I got through most of it pretty quickly, so I’m not sure how often you’d come back to play again. Might be better for younger kids, around 5–6 years.” Reviewed by Carol, aged 8.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
#9. LOOPIMAL
LOOPIMAL is a building kit of handcrafted animations and sounds, letting kids build loops, create sequences, and compose their own music. The possibilities are endless, and there’s no goal, no wrong answers and no right answers — just a safe, playful space for creation, built around melody, rhythm and movement.
Priced around €4.49 at the time of this review. Rated 4+, suited to ages 6–8.
“This app is cool. You can get the animals to do different tunes and sounds. Very fun.” Reviewed by Adam, aged 7.
Rating: 4 out of 5
#10. Caillou Search & Count
The Caillou Search & Count app combines the excitement of hide-and-seek with the education of counting, helping little ones build observation and numeracy skills. With Caillou as their guide, preschoolers develop hand-eye coordination while hunting for hidden objects in colourful scenes around town, alongside a handful of mini-games.
Free to download, with optional in-app purchases to unlock extra features. Suited to ages 5 and under.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are all of these apps still available to download?
These apps were tested and reviewed by families, but app availability changes over time — some may have been updated, renamed or removed from the App Store since this review was written. It’s always worth checking the App Store directly before downloading.
Do these apps work on both iPhone and iPad?
Most apps designed for kids, including those featured here, are built to work across iPhone and iPad. Always check the app’s store listing for specific device compatibility before downloading.
How were these apps chosen and reviewed?
Each app was tried out by real families — parents and kids — who shared honest feedback on what they enjoyed, what worked well, and what could be improved.
Are these apps safe for young children to use?
Age ratings and suitability are noted for each app above based on the developer’s own guidance. As with any app, it’s a good idea for parents to try it out first or play alongside younger children, and to check current privacy and in-app purchase settings before handing over a device.
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If your kids enjoyed these picks, they might also like:
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar Is Now a Free App
- 10 Free Science Apps for Kids Reviewed by Families
- 10 of the Best Educational Apps for Kids Reviewed by Families
Save This for Later
Not ready to download them all right now? Bookmark this page or save it to your parenting folder so you can come back to it next time you’re looking for a new app to try with the kids.
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