Having kids means being a multitasking parent. So, some of us take the help of gadgets as kids are naturally fascinated by them.
There are some fun apps that also double as learning ones that can be a real lifesaver, but many beg the question of how to limit device usage.
Well, that’s up to a parent. An hour or two in a day is enough for kids. By doing so, you can prevent your and their dependence on a device, say an iPad.
iPad is an excellent all-rounder tool, and to take advantage of it, I have listed the 7 best toddler apps for iPad that are totally free.
These apps are fun, provide educational content, and have a kid-friendly appeal.
Best Toddler Apps for iPad Free
I understand the effort of searching through the App Store for different and useful apps, but I have done the legwork for you and found seven safe and fun apps that will prove challenging for kids – in a fun way.
1. YouTube Kids
You thought that YouTube was only for adults to learn a new language or fix a pipe? YouTube Kids will prove to be a good and fun app for your kids.
This free iPad app has a selection of kid-friendly channels that include Peppa Pig and Sesame Street, as well as music and educational videos. Like the regular YouTube app, the kids’ version has a voice-enabled search that intends to help kids perform searches and find videos without needing your help.
As parents, you’ll have complete control as there are set controls for each child’s profile. So, if your kid is too small, you can select Preschool to enable the right content settings.
YouTube Kids also features kid-friendly unboxing videos, including toys and other stuff.
This is the best toddler app that you can get on the iPad.
Main features
- Hand-picked channels for kids
- Algorithm-curated content from YouTube
- Completely kid-friendly
- Option to create an age-appropriate profile for every child
Drawbacks
- Ad-supported app
- Must monitor kids’ viewing choices
Pricing: Free
App rating: 4.7
2. PBS KIDS Video
Today’s kids love watching videos of various kinds, but that doesn’t mean you should expose them to Netflix or Disney. PBS Kids fills the gap by functioning as a kid-friendly platform that lets kids learn and have fun at the same time.
Parents can have peace of mind as kids are exposed to only kid-friendly content that includes a large selection such as Sesame Street, Curious Geroge, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, and more.
Your kids can watch these videos anytime, everywhere, or even download free episodes that can be observed while traveling.
I would suggest parents explore the educational shows from PBS KIDS Video that encourage learning for toddlers.
PBS KIDS Video is a kid-friendly, safe streaming video app for children that adds free educational clips and episodes every week.
Let your child grow, learn, and play while watching shows that are outlined to spark their curiosity and imagination.
Main features
- Wel-known PBS characters
- Options to stream either full episodes or short video clips
- Livestreams of educational videos and PBS shows
Drawbacks
- The content is ad-supported
Pricing: Free
App rating: 4.3
3. Toca Life World: Build stories
You can trust the Toca Boca suite of apps for kids as they are an interactive way to explore the world by taking care of pets, cooking, building a neighborhood, and cutting hair.
Toca Life World: Build stories is a fun and engaging app with good sounds, bright colors, and kid-friendly activities such as taking care of sick patients and pets, hairstyling, cooking, etc. There’s even chemistry for the kids to learn and enjoy.
Let your kids grow, learn, and play with this app that lets them design and build their city.
Main features
- Various games to choose from; some are free
- Suitable for beginners, budding engineers, and animal lovers
- Game bundles for discounted pricing
Drawbacks
- Some games are not as exciting or appealing as others
- Hard to know which game your child will like until you try it
Pricing: $0.99-$4.99
App rating: 4.3
Download Toca Life World: Build stories
4. Musical Me! – Kids Songs Music
Musical Me! – Kids Songs Music has won multiple awards for its fresh approach to musical learning.
The app has a variety of activities that will help kids learn foundational music, such as rhythm, notes, and pitch.
Kids can listen to the notes and copy the pattern as they wish, and this will train their ears to hear different pitches. Kids can touch the birds to play a song to learn about rhythm and short and long notes.
For a dance night, tap, drag or hold the monsters to make them dance to the beat. Kids can also learn to read notes and create their music by moving notes on a staff.
Main features
- Kids get to learn about cymbals, drums, egg shakers, maracas, and triangles
- Unique games that teach musical principles
Drawbacks
- Some songs are too addictive
Pricing: Free
App rating: 4.2
Download Musical Me! – Kids Songs Music
5. LEGO® DUPLO® Connected Train
TLEGO® DUPLO® Connected Train is the best kids’ adventure app that takes them through various tasks that build and steer a DUPLO train around a track.
Kids can have fun controlling the train’s speed, playing with the train’s horn and headlights, decorating the landscape with fun 30 plus stickers, placing them in the inspirational DUPLO train landscape, and enjoying the color-changing light button.
Your kids can assist the driver while on adventures and complete age-appropriate activities. The app also has easy connection instructions so that you don’t always have to be around.
Teach your kids: Launch the app > choose a train of their choice in the main menu > turn on the physical train. The connection will happen automatically.
Main features
- Easy and intuitive interface for children
- Toddler-friendly visuals and interactions
- Fun trigger events with physical action bricks
Drawbacks
- In some cases, when activities are disabled in the app, the light functions don’t work
Pricing: Free
App rating: 4.4
Download LEGO® DUPLO® Connected Train
6. The Wheels On The Bus Musical
The Wheels On The Bus Musical is a free iPad app that is a fun combination of activities, games, and entertainment for toddlers. However enticing they sound, many toddlers would choose the coloring book, and kids can tap a color and then tap the drawing to paint an area automatically.
The app has over 12 fantastic games that include the whole song. Kids can also find 11 beautiful verses of the classic ‘The Wheels on the Bus’ song.
Peekaboo Letters is the best activity to train and practice your kid’s cognitive skills.
The graphics and sounds are fun and adorable.
I like the app, but many of the fun activities require in-app purchases, which are worth it.
Main features
- 12 fun-filled games
- Interactive sing-along sessions
- Puzzles, coloring books, and memory matches make for significant learning tasks.
Drawbacks
- Most of the games require in-app purchases
Pricing: Free; in-app purchases
App rating: 4.2
Download The Wheels On The Bus Musical
7. Trucks HD – by Duck Duck Moose
Trucks HD has won parenting and industry quality awards, and I can see why. Even though this is the last app on this list, don’t assume it won’t be fun for your kids.
This free and excellent iPad app introduces your toddler to different trucks that highlight each truck’s activities with games that are excellent at teaching sorting, problem-solving, sequencing, and more.
Trucks HD has five engaging and delightful activities: carwash, tow truck, garbage and recycling, bulldozer and dump truck, and a car and truck parade.
What’s more? The app includes instrumental music recorded, especially with drums and guitar. ‘Wheels on the Bus,’ ‘Yankee Doodle,’ ‘I’ve Been Working on the Railroad,’ ‘When the Saints Go Marching In,’ ‘If You’re Happy and You Know It,’ and ‘Hurry Hurry Drive the Fire Truck’ are some of the popular nursery rhymes that your kids will love.
Main features
- Engaging music makes this app suitable for kids as well as adults
- Toddlers will be hooked on the music
Drawbacks
- iPad-only version
Pricing: Free
App rating: 3.1
Download Trucks HD – by Duck Duck Moose
FAQs
What is the best free educational app for toddlers?
YouTube Kids and PBS Kids are the best free educational apps for toddlers.
What is the best learning app for a three-year-old?
PBS Kids Games, ABCmouse, Elmo Loves 123s, Epic!,
The best learning apps for a three-year-old are hungry Caterpillar Play School, Starfall ABCs, Goodness Shapes, GoNoodle, etc.
Is an iPad suitable for a two-year-old?
A 2-year-old can have an iPad if they are video chatting with their relatives. A game or two here and there is fine but strictly limit their screen-on time.
Conclusion
Try out these 7 best toddler apps for iPad the next time you need a few distraction-free moments.
These apps are free, fun, entertaining, and educational so that you can hand them over to your child. I would suggest caution with YouTube Kids as it’s an open area, and you can’t go wrong with PBS Kids or Toca Boca.
Whichever app you choose, your kids will have a good time!
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