We don’t know about you but whenever our tweens play with apps, we like to feel that they are learning something at the same time. So we asked families to review educational apps for tweens and here are 10 of the best educational apps for kids aged 8-12, according to them:

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Some guilt-free screen time is always good – the kids can have fun and you can rest assured that they are absorbing some new information, developing new skills and putting their knowledge to the test.

The apps here are some of the best educational apps for kids and tweens, ranging from math and science to languages.

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Best Educational Apps for Kids aged 8-12

#1. Learn French Mind Snacks

Learn French Mind Snacks aims to test your knowledge of French through a number of games, more of which can be unlocked through further play and/or buy buying the complete app.

Instead of snooze-worthy flashcards, there are rich and unique games designed to help memorize words, practice verb conjugation, and learn word gender.

Plus, native speaker audio clips to help make those tough French pronunciations easier.

“Having not done French since secondary school, I found it good for testing day-to-day words. Anything that helps improve even basic French is good and the pronunciation on the app is very clear which is great. My son enjoyed the app and has been trying out new words every day.” – Reviewed by Susan

Available for iOS

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#2. Squeebles Times Tables

Squeebles Times Tables is a fun, interactive way for your children to learn and practise their times tables and improve their basic maths skills.

The app features seven different game modes and a training area that teaches as well as tests, plus as a reward system that appeals to children where they rescue Squeebles characters from the nasty Maths Monster and earn turns on a fun mini game.

A parent / teacher area lets you stay in touch with your children’s progress and customise their learning experience.

“My 8 year old son thought it was easy to use and fun, and I liked that it had a parent area” – Reviewed by Sara

Available for iOS and Google Play

#3. Tappity

Imagine if your child could tell Bill Nye the Science Guy what he should do next in his science experiment—and he actually does it! That’s what Tappity is all about: learning by participation.

Currently the #1 science app for kids, Tappity covers over 100 science topics in its library—more than enough for the most curious young scientist! Plus, new content is added every week.

At the heart of each topic is Haley, your child’s fearless science guide. Together with her team, kids embark on science adventures together. As they tackle one challenge after another, she introduces foundational science concepts with kid-friendly explanations, games, activities, and endless encouragement.

And when a lesson is complete, Tappity sends you an email update containing discussion questions based on everything your child has learned and accomplished.

With content that’s teacher-approved and aligned with the latest science standards, Tappity makes learning at home fun, exciting, and engaging!

“We downloaded the app on our iPad and my 9 year old daughter has really been enjoying the videos and experiments.” Reviewed by Emily. (You can also read what ourfamily reviewers thought of Tappity)

Available for iOS. It is subscription based, but you can watch the first 30 lessons for free. To unlock all content, there are paid subscription plans. To unlock the rest, subscribe through this special MyKidsTime link and get 33% off.

#4. Math Puppy

Math Puppy is a math skills app with two game types Bingo and Challenge, an animated calculator, five game modes: Add, Subtract, Multiply, Divide, All in One.

Math Puppy is designed with 3 difficulty levels and 5 game types that provide complete coverage of basic math skills for preschool, elementary school, grade school and more.

“My 9 year old enjoyed this for a while, the Bingo part in particular, then her attention wavered a bit with it.” – Reviewed by Aoife

Available for iOS

#5. 3D Brain

With the 3D Brain app you can use your touch screen to rotate and zoom around pictures of the brain. It shows you how each brain region functions, what happens when it is injured, and gives you information on the brain works with information on studies and links to read more.

“My daughter aged 12 said she recognised it from having used it at school and said they had also used a similar app for looking at how lungs worked. She said ‘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.'” – Reviewed by Jane

Available for iOS and Google Play

#6. Long Division Touch

This app is designed to help you learn the mechanics of long division. It has a touch interface where you drag digits down, then slide the decimal into the correct position, and tap to identify repeating decimals.

So example, 8)256, you drag the 8 into ‘25’ and find the correct multiple. Then you drag the 6 down and finish the problem.

There are also lessons in topics such as Long Division Basics, Zero up top, Remainders, Decimals, Repeating Decimals and Decimals in the Divisor.

“My daughter aged 11 tried the app out and liked it but felt it was best for someone starting out with long division rather than for her class who have been doing it for 2 years.” – Reviewed by Jill

Available for iOS

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#7. Monkey Maths

Beat the evil rogue, Mean Monkey, to Banana Cradle and return the stolen ancient treasures to their rightful place. Travel to the enchanted islands of arithmetics and test your skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, with multiple levels on each island. Every equation you solve brings you closer to victory.

“My 8 year old loved the game, but you have to be quick to answer. The next level unlocks as you complete each level. He sometimes got frustrated at speed, particularly as he progressed to more difficult levels, as he needed time to work out the answer. The equations repeat regularly throughout a level particularly if you got it wrong previously. Would be nice to be able to slow down game for younger players, so they could progress though levels.” – Reviewed by Marie

Available for iOS and Google Play

#8. Cúla4

Cúla4 is an app that offers a wide range of Irish language content for young people in the pre-school and primary school age groups, ideal for helping kids learn Irish.

The Cúla4 App enables younger viewers to access Cúla4 at any time of the day that suits them (or their parents). Up to 200 hours of top-quality Irish language content can be viewed, featuring series such as Dennis & Gnasher, Peg & Cat, and Masha agus an Béar. 

In addition to these versioned series, the App also offers original Irish language content including science and nature programmes like Is Eolaí Mé and Na Dúlradóirí.

“Great good sound and photography! Makes my child laugh! All good, cúpla focal fréisin.” – Reviewed by Roísín

Cúla4 is available on iOS and Google Play

#9. Inventioneers

With the help of the Inventioneers, tiny helpers with unique characteristics, you can invent fun, creative and often quite weird inventions.

Inventions are included in the game, and the more you solve the more parts you receive for your own inventions.

Learn about physics: Inventioneers helps kids learn about real time physics and the science behind different features like air, fire, magnetism and jumping bunnies. What you can do with the tool is virtually endless.

One nice feature is that there is only 1 one-time fee to buy the full game. There are no recurring in app purchases or consumables.

“My daughter liked Inventioneers because she was playing games and I liked the invention aspect but the fact that it is teaching them about science at the same time” – Reviewed by Martha

Available for iOS and Google Play

#10. Little Alchemy

Little Alchemy is an app and online game where you start with 4 basic elements and mix them to start creating more things.

It’s all about mixing elements to create interesting, fun and surprising items. Every combination is a little puzzle to solve. Your objective is to reach 510 elements at the end.

As well as being available in app format you can play on desktop at the Little Alchemy official website and if you sign in you can sync across devices too.

“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 of 500 items.” Reviewed by Fern (10).

Available for iOS and Google Play

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