Looking for a hand to help your child with their reading? These reading apps for kids can help develop literacy skills at every stage, from children just learning their letters to confident readers looking for something new to enjoy.
If your child is learning to read and needs a little extra support, or is ready to progress to the next level, a good reading app can make practice feel like play — which is exactly what keeps kids coming back to it.
The Best Reading Apps for Kids
Montessori Crosswords
Based on the proven Montessori learning method, Montessori Crosswords helps kids develop their reading, writing and spelling skills by building words from a set of 320 word-image-audio-phonics combinations, using a phonics-enabled movable alphabet.
Available on iTunes & Android. Paid app.
The Sight Word Adventure
The Sight Word Adventure app is a thorough, comprehensive practice system for the early-reading words every child needs to master to read fluently. Children can learn to recognise, read and write up to 320 words.
Available on iTunes. Paid app.
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The Land of Me – Story Time
This beautifully illustrated storytelling app lets children shape the story as they go — every choice leads somewhere different. Join Eric the raccoon, Buddy Boo the bear and Willow the owl on a journey through your child’s imagination, where they decide what happens next.
Available on iTunes. Free app.
Starfall Learn to Read
Learn to read with Zac the Rat. Each numbered section features a vowel sound and its related spelling, and your child will hear, touch, read and eventually master each sound through games, movies and songs. It’s a lovely, low-pressure app for emerging readers and for children learning English as an additional language.
Available on iTunes & Android. Free app.
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MeeGenius
MeeGenius turns your phone or tablet into a library of read-along picture books for children up to around age 8, with word-highlighting, illustrations and narrated stories to help build reading confidence.
Available on Android. Free with in-app purchases.
Dr. Seuss’s ABC
Learn your ABCs with Dr. Seuss in this interactive book app. Kids can explore the pictures, learn new vocabulary and even record their own narration of the story. From Aunt Annie riding an alligator to the Zizzer-Zazzer-Zuzz, it’s a fun, rhyme-filled way to build early letter recognition.
Available on iTunes & Android. Paid app.
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Kids Learn to Read (Lite)
This gentle, game-based app invites preschoolers to blend sounds into words, form simple words, identify spoken words and start recognising word families.
Available on Android in a Lite version (free) and a full version (paid).
Reading Eggs
Reading Eggs is an award-winning reading programme designed for ages 2–13, turning learning to read into a fun, motivating experience with one-to-one style lessons that match your child’s level and reward their progress along the way.
It has a strong track record helping children with autism, reluctant or resistant readers, children who are finding school tricky, and little ones who are just starting out with reading.
Available on iTunes and Android. In-app purchases.
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Phonics Genius
One of the best ways to build reading skills quickly is through phonics. Phonics Genius helps kids recognise and distinguish words by sound through fun, interactive games, with over 6,000 unique words to keep things fresh. Ideal for ages 1–6.
Available on iTunes. Paid app.
Monkey Word School Adventure
Join Monkey and his jungle friends for a fun-filled adventure through letters, sight words, phonics and spelling. The game flow makes it easy for kids to jump straight in and start playing and learning. Lessons range from letter recognition and writing through to spelling and phonics. Best for ages 3–7.
Available on iTunes & Android. Paid app.
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Elmo Loves ABCs
Packed with games, activities and videos, this app teaches letters, sounds and words the Sesame Street way — colouring pages, an alphabet song and all 26 letters from A to Z. A lovely starting point for kids who already love Elmo.
Available on iTunes. Paid app.
Learn With Homer
Learn with Homer combines strong reading research with playful game design to build over 50 skills progressively, including phonics, blending and comprehension. Best for ages 3–6.
Available on iTunes and Android. Free with in-app purchases.
Online Reading Resources
- Reading Rockets helps you find some of the best educational apps for practising essential literacy skills, including print awareness, phonics, spelling, vocabulary and writing.
- Reading Eggs is also available online, with engaging reading games and activities to make learning to read fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age should my child start using reading apps?
Many of the apps above are designed for children from around 2–3 years old, focusing on letter recognition and early phonics, right through to age 8 or older for more independent reading practice. Choose an app that matches your child’s current stage rather than their age alone.
Are reading apps free?
It varies. Some of the apps listed here are completely free, others are free to download with optional in-app purchases, and some are paid apps. Always check the current pricing and any subscription details in the app store before downloading.
Can reading apps replace reading with a parent?
No — reading apps work best as a supplement to, not a replacement for, reading together. Shared reading time builds a love of books and gives you a chance to talk about the story, which apps can’t fully replicate.
Do these apps work for reluctant readers?
Yes, several of the apps above, including Reading Eggs, are designed with rewards and game-like progress to help motivate children who are less keen on reading, or who need extra encouragement to build confidence.
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More Ways to Support Your Child’s Reading
Every child’s reading journey looks a bit different, so it’s worth trying a few of these apps to see what clicks with your child. Save this article to come back to next time you’re looking for a new app to try, and browse our learning hub for more ideas to support your child’s reading and literacy.
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Have you got a favourite reading app for kids that helped in your house? Let us know in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you!
