Best Apps for Summer Learning and Fun!

Parents need fun and interactive ways to keep the learning going all summer! While keeping kids engaged with hands-on learning and outdoor fun is essential, we’re realistic and understand kids will want their electronic time, too! Plus, sometimes, when our kids veg out and play with electronics, parents get a much-needed sanity break during school breaks. 

Teachers refer to the summer slump as a regression in learning that occurs during the summer months when kids are not actively engaged in learning. Of course, we at Kneebouncers know that the best learning happens through play! When used correctly, many educational apps offer learning benefits to your kids! 

We’ve compiled the ultimate list for kids home from preschool or elementary school on summer break who need engaging apps to enhance summer learning and fun!

So here is our list of the five top apps to boost your child’s summer learning while having fun!

Best App for Preschoolers – Homer

The ancient Greek poet Homer lends his name to this early childhood app. Home is for children ages two through eight. It teaches core subjects and concepts like literacy, math, and cognitive skills and enhances social-emotional development.

Homer is an app that grows with your child from a young age. It supports their skills from the initial letter and number recognition to reading with fluency and mathematical computations.

Best App for Toddlers – KneeBouncers

KneeBouncers. Of course, we have to promote our app, but we also believe in the quality of our games and videos. All of our games are designed with learning through play at the forefront. And when parents sit and interact with their toddlers as they play, a deeper level of learning occurs!

Playing KneeBouncer games engages your tot in summer learning fun that lays the foundation for preschool and beyond!

Best App for Budding Gamers Adventure Academy

If you have budding gamers at home, check out Adventure Academy. It’s perfect if you aren’t quite ready to let them embark into the worlds of Minecraft and Roblox. You can try it out with a free 30-day trial and then it’s $12.99 a month. The site can be used on a desktop or mobile device and has over 4,000 social studies, reading, and math. It’s designed for learners aged 8-13.

Gamers are tasked with hatching, caring for, and raising a dragon. It teaches them basic computer skills and responsibility and is one of the highest-rated augmented reality games for kids.

Best STEM App – Monster Physics

Monster Physics will enhance your little one’s summer learning through its interactive STEM-based games and learning. Designed for kids 4-12, the app teaches physics via problem-solving, creativity, and imagination.

The game is currently only available on Apple devices and costs $1.99 to download.

Best Language App – Duolingo

You may be surprised to see a language-learning app here. However, research supports that the younger children begin a second language, the more benefits it offers! Duolingo is fun, has a free option, and goes at the learner’s pace, so it’s perfect for kids of all ages.

Children who speak more than one language are more empathetic, better at problem-solving, can concentrate and pay attention, and have more cultural understanding. Duolingo also has a reading and writing app designed for young readers ages 3-7 called Duolingo ABC.

Best Free App – Khan Academy

Khan Academy is free for all users but to keep it free they ask for a one-time donation when signing up (completely optional). This is a well-rounded app designed for kids from preschool through college. What we really love about this app (besides being free) are the social emotional and life skill activities included. 

Khan academy also provides access to printables and interactive circle-time videos. You can download Khan Academy from the Apple Store and Google Play. 

Updated June 14, 2025, by L. Elizabeth Forry