Best Apps for Kids to Learn Science in 2026: 8 Apps Compared

Khan Academy Kids is our pick for most families because it removes every barrier that usually complicates a kids app. There are no ads, no subscriptions, and no in-app purchases, and the content was developed with early learning experts. Science appears through stories, games, and activities that build observation and curiosity, alongside reading and math, which makes it easy to fit into a daily routine.

The limit is age and depth. Children past second grade will outgrow the science content, and older kids need BrainPOP Jr. or NASA content for real depth. For preschool and early elementary children, though, Khan Academy Kids is the safest, simplest, and cheapest place to start. Parents can also track progress through the app dashboard.

Toca Lab: Elements turns the periodic table into a playground. Children collect elements, mix them in lab tools, and watch reactions, which builds familiarity with element names and properties before any formal chemistry arrives. The app needs no reading to start, so younger children can experiment freely, and the playful tone keeps failed experiments fun rather than frustrating.

Parents should know what it is not. This is an introduction, not a chemistry course, and it does not teach formulas, equations, or lab safety in a formal sense. It works best as a spark for curiosity, paired with books or classroom learning later. For a child who loves mixing and guessing what happens next, it is a delightful first chemistry app.

The Human Body by Tinybop lets children explore the skeletal, muscular, nervous, circulatory, digestive, and respiratory systems by tapping, dragging, and interacting with a friendly model. A child can see a heart beat, watch food move through digestion, or trace nerves, which makes abstract body systems concrete. The design is calm and clear, without graphic detail that might unsettle younger children.

The scope is narrow by design. This app teaches anatomy well, but it will not cover plants, space, or chemistry, so families need other apps for those topics. It is also a paid download, so check the current store price before buying. As a focused anatomy explorer for curious children, it earns its place on this list.

BrainPOP Jr. is the most school-like app on this list, and that is its strength for families who want structured learning. Short animated movies explain science topics such as habitats, weather, and the human body, followed by quizzes, games, and activities that check understanding. Teachers use BrainPOP widely, so the topics align well with what children meet in class.

The price is the main drawback for home use. At $29.95 per month for a homeschool plan, or $295 per year, it costs far more than the free apps here, and some parents may find certain topics need guidance. Check whether your school or library already provides access before paying. If you want curriculum-aligned science with quizzes, BrainPOP Jr. is the most complete option.

PBS KIDS Games collects free games from PBS KIDS programs, many of which teach science through play. Children can explore nature with characters they already know, build simple machines, or run virtual experiments, all without a subscription or account. The PBS KIDS brand gives parents a reasonable trust baseline, and the games suit a wide age range within early childhood.

Quality is uneven, as with any large game collection. Some games teach a clear science idea, while others are mostly entertainment with a science theme. Parents should try a game alongside their child first and steer toward the ones that prompt questions and discussion. As a free, safe starting point, PBS KIDS Games is hard to fault.

The NASA App brings real space science to a phone or tablet, with mission news, images, videos, and live coverage that no classroom app can match. An older child fascinated by rockets, planets, or astronauts will find genuine material here, from Artemis updates to images from telescopes and rovers. It is free, with no subscription, and the content is authoritative.

It is not a kids app in design, though. Navigation and reading level suit older children and teens better than preschoolers, and younger kids will need an adult to pick videos and explain terms. Used together, with a parent choosing a mission video and discussing it afterward, the NASA App turns screen time into real science conversation. For space-obsessed children, it is essential.

Play and Learn Science, from PBS KIDS, takes a different approach from game collections: it encourages children and parents to explore science together in everyday life. Activities cover topics such as weather, shadows, and living things, with prompts that help parents ask good questions. The app is free and designed for early learners, which makes it a gentle introduction to scientific thinking.

Older elementary children will find it too simple, and it works best when a parent joins in rather than handing the device over alone. That joint use is actually the point, since early science learning grows from conversation and observation. For families with preschoolers, it is a thoughtful free companion to PBS KIDS Games.

Toca Lab: Plants applies the same playful formula as Toca Lab: Elements to the plant world. Children grow plants, clone them, and experiment with light, water, and tools to see how plants respond. The trial-and-error play builds observation skills and plant vocabulary without requiring reading, which suits younger children well.

As with its sister app, the science is introductory. Children will learn plant parts and growth ideas, but not formal botany or life-cycle diagrams. It is also a paid app, so families should check the store price first. Paired with a real plant on a windowsill, Toca Lab: Plants turns abstract growth into something a child can watch, test, and talk about.