Looking for free apps for kids that are actually worth downloading? We asked MyKidsTime parents and children to share the free apps and games they genuinely play again and again — the ones that survive past the first week on the home screen.
Below are 20 free apps for kids, tested by families, covering everything from puzzle games and pet-care apps to creative tools and a bit of Irish language learning. As always, take a look at each app’s age rating and any in-app purchase settings before handing over the tablet — a few notes on that are included where it matters.
Free Apps for Kids
#1. Pou (Android)
Perfect for all ages — kids take care of their own alien pet! Feed it, clean it, play with it, and watch it grow up, while unlocking levels, wallpapers and outfits for your pet. You can also play games with Pou and record yourself talking to it.
“My 5 year old loves this app and loves taking care of Pou.”
#2. Talking Tom (iPad, iPhone & Android)
Tom is a pet cat that responds to your touch and repeats everything you say back in a funny voice. You can pet him, poke him, or grab his tail.
“Both my 6 and 10 year old loved this game — everybody, including Mum and Dad, was in fits, especially hearing Dad’s voice repeated!”
#3. Tozzle Lite (iPhone, iPad)
This puzzle app is built for children from age 2 to 99. It keeps toddlers entertained while helping them build shape recognition and fine motor skills. The full version includes 44 different puzzle pictures, each with fun sound effects.
“My toddler loves this app.”
#4. Temple Run & Temple Run 2 (iPhone, iPad & Android)
One of the most exhilarating running games around. Test your reflexes as you race down ancient temple walls and along sheer cliffs. Temple Run 2 is the sequel, with even more obstacles to dodge.
Please note: rated 9+.
“We all love this game in our family — kids and parents!”
#5. Smurfs’ Village (iPhone, iPad & Android)
Please note: Smurfs’ Village is free to play but offers in-app purchases with real money. You can lock out in-app purchases by adjusting your device’s settings.
You might also like: 7 Tips for Parents on Managing Kids Screen Time
#6. Kids Socks (Android)
Your kids will enjoy matching socks! Simply drag the sock with the matching colour and pattern to make a pair.
“My 4 year old loves this game.”
#7. Subway Surfer (iPhone, iPad & Android)
Navigate your way around the subway, dodging trains while collecting coins and other items. You’ll cross bridges, run up ramps and slide under trains, with the scenery changing country every so often.
Please note: rated 9+.
“It’s like Temple Run — it’s fun because it has loads of scenes, and I like it because it’s exciting.” — 9 year old
#8. Lego Instructions (iPhone and iPad)
Note: this app was created by LEGO fans and is not an official LEGO product. It’s a fan-built app for anyone who loves building with their LEGO pieces.
“I like the frog best, and it’s good to have it tell you what to do step by step.” — 8 year old
#9. LEGO® Movie Maker (iPhone, iPad)
Help your child bring their LEGO characters to life with this fun, kid-friendly stop-motion app. Simple tools and guides make it easy to shoot, edit and even score a custom LEGO movie with music. Younger kids may need a little parental help to get the most out of it.
“My 8 year old LEGO-mad son loves this app — a must for any kid who loves LEGO and LEGO movies.”
#10. Cúla Caint (iPhone, iPad & Android)
This app introduces over 100 fun Irish language words and images for pre-schoolers or beginners, covering topics like weather, animals, vehicles and parts of the body.
“Great sound and photography! Makes the little ones laugh! All good — cúpla focal freisin.”
#11. Doodle Jump (Android)
Journey up a sheet of graph paper, jumping from one platform to the next, picking up jet packs, avoiding black holes, and blasting baddies with nose balls along the way.
“I love this game.” — 6 year old
#12. Poke a Penguin (iPhone, iPod touch and iPad)
See how many penguins you can poke in a race against the clock!
#13. Tiny Tower (iPhone, iPad & Android)
Build a tower and manage the businesses and people inside it.
“Really enjoyable — it’s cool to build the tower and watch the people.” — 10 year old
#14. Pocket Frogs (iPhone, iPad & Android)
Discover, collect, trade and breed thousands of unique frogs, anytime, anywhere.
“It’s fantastic — it’s exciting to see the results of breeding a yellow frog with stripes with a blue frog with spots.” — 10 year old
#15. Peg Solitaire (iPhone, iPad & Android)
The classic board game Peg Solitaire, now on your phone or tablet. Move pegs around the board and try to leave just one peg remaining.
#16. Dinosaurs: The American Museum of Natural History Collections (iPhone, iPod touch and iPad)
A mosaic of 1,000 images, each one interactive, with information on the fossil shown — where it was found and who discovered it.
#17. Toca Doctor Lite (iPhone, iPod touch and iPad)
Let your kids be a doctor for a day! Examine a patient and solve fun puzzles and mini-games set inside the human body, with lovely artwork and sounds guiding kids through five different puzzles.
#18. Doodle Sprint! (iPhone, iPad & Android)
A running and jumping game where the aim is simply to beat your own high score.
#19. Tom & Ben News (iPhone, iPod touch and iPad)
You’ll need a microphone for this one. Tom and Ben repeat back whatever you say in a strange accent, and you can get them to perform different actions too.
#20. Cupcake Maker (iPhone, iPad & Android)
Create irresistibly yummy cupcakes in the original Cupcake Maker game — bake them, decorate them, then “eat” them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these apps really free to download?
Yes, every app on this list is free to download. A small number, such as Smurfs’ Village, offer optional in-app purchases with real money, which we’ve flagged so you can decide whether to allow them.
How do I stop my child from making in-app purchases?
Most devices let you switch off in-app purchases or require a password for any purchase in your settings menu. It’s worth checking this before handing over a tablet or phone, especially with freemium games.
What ages are these apps suitable for?
It varies by app — some, like Tozzle Lite and Kids Socks, are designed for toddlers and pre-schoolers, while others, like Temple Run and Subway Surfer, carry a 9+ rating. Always check the age rating in the app store before downloading for younger children.
Do these apps work on both iPhone and Android?
Many do, and we’ve linked both versions where available. A few are iOS-only or Android-only, so check the links above for your device.
Related Articles
If you enjoyed this roundup, you might also like:
- 7 Tips for Parents on Managing Kids’ Screen Time
- 5 Tips for Parents on Tablet and Smartphone Online Safety
- Our pick of the best learning apps and games for kids
Save This for Later
Not ready to download them all right now? Bookmark this page or share it with another parent who’s hunting for free, family-tested apps — it’s an easy one to come back to next time the “can I download something new” question comes up.
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