The Ultimate Guide to the Best Reading Apps for Kids
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I never knew how much an app could change my life until I became a mom. With tablets and smartphones becoming prevalent among kids today (and let’s face it, screen time is a fact of modern-day parenting), I knew it was about time that I found some good reading apps for my little one.
As a self-proclaimed bookworm, I believe that reading is not just a habit, it’s a way of life.
Do you remember those days when we couldn’t wait to show off how many books we finished at the library, right? or was it just me ? Ok.
I wanted my child to experience the same joy of reading that I did. But where do I begin?
After countless late-night research sessions, I came across a variety of apps to give my kid the best reading experience. Here’s what I learned.
The Importance of a Great Reading App
Before diving into my favorite apps, let’s talk about what makes a good reading app for kids. I believe a great reading app should:
- Foster a love for reading
- Keep kids engaged and excited about learning
- Be easily accessible and simple to use
- Offer suitable and diverse content for various age groups and reading levels
Why Regular Books Just Didn’t Cut It
As much as I adore the smell of paper and flipping pages, I saw a different reality with my kid. Lugging around physical books, keeping track of them, and the constant fear of losing them was just too much. Plus, my little one found it more appealing to interact with an app on the device they were already using.
So I made it my mission to find the best reading app to help my child fall in love with reading. And folks, I found it! Below are my top picks, based on personal experience. I’ll also share some helpful tips and resources related to these apps so you can choose the one that best fits your family’s needs.
My Favorite Reading Apps for Kids
ABCmouse
This app offers a comprehensive reading curriculum tailored to each child’s individual needs.
With over 10,000 learning activities, including interactive storybooks, puzzles, songs, and more, ABCmouse is perfect for children aged 2-8.
This app has been an absolute life-changer for us! With its colorful and interactive design, my little one is always excited to hear the next story. The app offers:
- Thousands of age-appropriate books and audiobooks
- Personalized recommendations based on reading level and interests
- Fun quizzes and activities to enhance reading comprehension
Personal Tip: Take advantage of their free trial, and if your family loves it, don’t forget to check for discounts on longer subscription plans.
Starfall Learn to Read
This app is designed to help children learn to read by teaching them phonics and letter recognition. It features engaging games and activities that make learning fun.
What I love about this app is its compatibility with both iOS and Android devices. It’s also perfect for families with multiple children since it accommodates different age groups and reading levels. Some key features include:
- Read-along narration for younger readers
- Progress tracking and rewards system to keep kids motivated
- Customizable avatars, making the reading experience even more engaging
Reading Eggs
Reading Eggs is another great app for kids who are learning how to read.
The app offers a comprehensive reading program that includes phonics, sight words, and comprehension. T
The app is designed for kids aged 2-13 and offers a free trial before requiring a subscription.
This is my go-to app for teaching my child early literacy skills, as it’s designed specifically with preschoolers in mind.
What makes it stand out?
Reading Eggs is designed specifically to help kids aged 2-13 learn to read through engaging activities and lessons. It’s structured with a step-by-step learning path to cater to both beginners and more advanced readers.
Why did I fall in love with Reading Eggs?
The moment I saw my son’s face light up while navigating through Reading Eggs, I knew we’d found a winner. The app’s playful characters, catchy songs, and fun rewards had him hooked and motivated. The best part? His reading skills have drastically improved, and he’s never been more excited to learn!
Tip: Take advantage of their 4-week free trial to see if Reading Eggs would be a great fit for your child’s learning journey. After that, it’s $9.95/month or $59/year for unlimited access.
Epic
I remember the first time I discovered Epic! it was like finding a hidden gem. This app truly changed the game for my family’s reading habits, and it’s been a household favorite ever since.
What makes it stand out?
Epic! boasts an impressive library of over 40,000 kid-friendly books, videos, and quizzes. It also allows you to create personalized recommendations based on your child’s age and interests. Plus, it’s available on all major devices so we can take it with us on the go.
Why did I fall in love with Epic!?
My daughter has a wild imagination, so finding an app that can match her boundless curiosity was at the top of my priority list. Epic!’s vast collection of books ensures that she is constantly discovering new worlds, while their read-to-me feature is perfect for bedtime stories.
Epic! offers a 30-day free trial so you can explore their endless library before committing. After that, it’s only $7.99/month for unlimited access.
Students Ages 6 to 16
For students in this age group, the best reading apps are those that offer a wide range of books and reading materials. Some of the best apps for this age group include:
- Epic! Books for Kids – This app gives kids unlimited access to an outstanding library of books, videos, quizzes, and more. These are books kids actually want to read, with lots of cool extra features like personalized recommendations and motivational badges and rewards.
- Reading Eggs – This app is designed to help children aged 7-13 learn to read by teaching them phonics, sight words, and more. It features engaging games and activities that make learning fun.
- Homer – This app is perfect for children who are learning multiple skills, including reading. It features a wide range of books and reading materials, as well as games and activities that help children learn.
App Features to Look For
Personalized Recommendations
Personalized recommendations are a great feature to look for in a reading app.
These recommendations are tailored to your child’s reading level, interests, and preferences. This feature ensures that your child is engaged and motivated to read, which can help improve their reading skills.
Reading Level
It’s important to find a reading app that matches your child’s reading level. A good reading app should have a wide range of reading levels, from beginner to advanced. This ensures that your child is challenged but not overwhelmed, which can help improve their reading skills.
Interests
A reading app that caters to your child’s interests is a great way to keep them engaged and motivated to read. Look for apps that offer a wide range of genres, from adventure to mystery to science fiction. This feature can help your child discover new books and authors, which can help foster a love of reading.
Creative
A reading app that encourages creativity is a great way to keep your child engaged and motivated to read. Look for apps that offer creative activities, such as drawing or writing prompts, that are related to the stories they are reading. This feature can help your child develop their imagination and creativity, which can help improve their reading skills.
Quizzes
Quizzes are a great way to test your child’s comprehension and understanding of the stories they are reading. Look for reading apps that offer quizzes or interactive activities that are related to the stories they are reading. This feature can help your child retain what they have read and improve their reading skills.
Skill Levels
A good reading app should have a variety of skill levels that cater to your child’s needs. Look for apps that offer a range of activities, from phonics to vocabulary to comprehension. This feature can help your child develop their reading skills at their own pace.
