Apps for Primary Schools

Spelling Bee Games & Tests is a homework support tool for helping kids to manage and practice the spelling lists given to them by their teachers. It includes built-in word lists to practice and makes it easy to import custom word lists. The app also has helpful arithmetic practice tools. This app is suitable for kids of any age who receive lists of words to practice spelling for homework or for parents to help kids who struggle with spelling. The app is free to download on iOS and Android devices, with extra features activated by in-app purchases. This Spelling Bee Games & Tests review uses the fully expanded app on iOS with all in-app purchases activated.

Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad

Learnt.AI is an AI-driven collection of tools to help teachers and educators create learning content quickly and effectively. The app works as an assistant and collaborator to spark creativity and assist with time-consuming content-creation tasks. Learnt.AI's tools (well over 50) are available through its web app. You can take advantage of 10 very effective tools for free and access the rest through a subscription.

Devices: Web

ScoreWind’s Classical Strings is an app available for download on iOS. ScoreWind’s Classical Strings delivers step-by-step video lessons, teaching the learner how to play and read music at the same time. Detailed, structured lessons are provided through the interactive VideoScore feature, delivered by experienced specialist teachers. When entering the app the user is guided to the relevant learning path for them by answering a few questions about their current playing ability. They are then provided with a personalised learning path based on this feedback. The learning path courses are broken down into short individual lessons to help the student master particular techniques, explore songs, advance their sight-reading and develop music reading skills.

Devices: iPhone, iPad

Smart Tales helps kids aged 2 to 6 learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) topics. It weaves the learning around child-friendly stories and builds in games and activities to encourage kids' engagement. Smart Tales is available on iOS devices with apps that respond well to the screen sizes of iPhones, iPads, and Apple TV. You can also download the app on Android devices. The app is free to download and has a seven-day free trial.

Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad

Nubba app is a Spanish audio service, directed at children, which gives you an alternative to managing screen abuse and addiction among minors. You can listen through hundreds of authentic Spanish audio content, from fairy tales to story series to radio broadcasts running twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and three-hundred sixty-five days a year. The visuals complement the lovely, endearing stories that will keep you and your children enraptured and enthralled for hours upon end. You can select tracks to relax to, to stir the imagination, to help you learn, and to sing and dance the day and night away with your loved ones. Give Nubba a download to bring a little real-world Spanish fun into your home.

Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad

"We Can Books" app is a good resource to create leveled books for beginning readers and special needs learners. It allows user's to easily make a customized book with either pictures from the user's device or pictures on the app. This is a great way to increase comprehension of sight words across 3 different levels and would be a useful supplement to any reading program or curriculum. 

Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad

SmartDreams Bedtime Stories uses AI to create unique, personalised bedtime stories accompanied by vivid illustrations. Children’s love for reading will grow through this app which has endless story possibilities. The app is safe and uses only the child’s first name to start the personalised story. They can then choose from a wide selection of fun characters, fantastical worlds and foods to generate an individualised tale to read. Each story delivers valuable morals and lessons that your child can learn from through customised, colourful artwork and animal noises.  Created stories can then be easily saved and shared with family and friends for everyone to enjoy! Children can be read to from the app by a parent or can easily navigate the app themselves due to SmartDreams Bedtime Stories simple, intuitive design.

Devices: iPhone, iPad

Otsimo AAC Tap and Talk is a symbol based alternative and augmentative communication app designed for anyone who struggles with verbal communication, including non-speaking individuals of all ages. The app allows the user the freedom and flexibility to communicate with others in an alternative manner through text-to-speech technology. It is easy to use and highly customizable to meet the individual’s communication needs. Otsimo AAC Tap and Talk comes with thousands of pre-installed unique words. In addition, the user can add or remove any card or symbol they like to further customize their communication tool. For App Store, it is available on iOS 13.2 or later, iPadOS 13.2 or later, or macOS 11.0 or later, and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.  For Google Play Store it is available on Android 10 or later. It has an offer for free trial but then there are varying subscriptions to choose from. They are either a: 1 month with 3-day free trial from 5.49 USD, 1 year with 14-day free trial from 35.99 USD and a seasonal discount with 1 year subscription with 7-day free trial for 19.99USD which is offered once a year. 

Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad

ScreenCoach is a screen time management app that uses a task and reward system to help parents balance their kids' use of digital devices. The platform has a task reward system and incorporates a pocket money/allowance management system. ScreenCoach's features include tools common in other app types, such as chore apps, pocket money managers, and screen control apps. A subscription to ScreenCoach will let parents manage tasks and rewards related to screen time on mobile devices and computers. An optional hardware solution can extend control to streaming television services and game consoles. Your first month of ScreenCoach subscription is charged at a nominal rate to let you assess the platform. The app-only service works with mobile devices and computers.

Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad

Math Playground is a free-to-use educational website featuring games, videos, and logic challenges for grades pre-k–6. Math Playground has many math games covering a wide range of math subjects and offering many play styles. Math Playground is a web app that will be compatible with any device you have. Its games reflect the CCSS but apply to kids following all math curricula at school or as part of homeschooling.

Devices:

MathPapa is a Math Solver app that provides various tools and resources to help students and learners with their math problems. It is particularly helpful for students learning algebra concepts. MathPapa is available online and can be downloaded as an app on iOS and Android devices to demonstrate algebra solutions step-by-step.

Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad

Articulation Arcade is a comprehensive app designed to support children aged 3.5/4+ years old and beyond who have reached a stage where they can benefit from targeted speech practice. The app can help children with speech sound delay, speech sound disorder and apraxia to give them practise through playing games that allow for speech sound practice at word, phrase, and sentence levels, facilitating targeted speech practice.  Articulation Arcade is compatible with iOS 11.0 or later, Mac 11.0 and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later. To access all features of the app there is a one-off payment of £49.99/$49.99. 

Devices: iPhone, iPad

BibiLand is a safe and entertaining, educational app containing over 200 games for children aged two to six years old. This app brings together all Bibi/Pet games in a single app. Through the adventure landscape of BibiLand children will learn in a fun and easy way. There are a wide variety of educational activities designed to help children begin to learn their numbers, how to write and develop their logic through puzzles and the associations between shape and colour. There are also imagination-based activities where children can develop their creativity through drawing and colouring.     The interactive animations, vivid colours and entertaining music and sound effects keep the app engaging throughout the many game options. All of the activities are safe and interactive making this app an engaging, educational tool for children.

Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad

Komodo Math is designed to build and consolidate maths knowledge for children ages 5 to 11. A maths teacher sets up each user's baseline in the app, and parents define the rewards. Children then engage in little-and-often practice to raise their maths knowledge and skill. Komodo Math works on iOS, Android, PC, Mac and Kindle Fire, and one account can work across devices. A free 14-day trial is available to assess the app.

Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad

MotyMate promotes family harmony, wellness, and getting things done! Part chore app, part journaling app, and part virtual pet app, MotyMate motivates, informs, and rewards kids for completing positive tasks and chores. At the time of this review, MotyMate was iOS-only, but it invites Android users to register their interest to find out when that version is ready. You can download and use MotyMate for free. It comes with a seven-day free trial and retains a core set of usable features even if you choose not to continue your subscription.

Devices: iPhone, iPad

Mel Science is a subscription service that offers a variety of hands-on science kits and associated learning materials for kids. Designed to supplement both homeschool and traditional school learning, Mel Science offers a curated selection of project-based STEM kits for younger kids, as well as full monthly experiment kits in chemistry , physics and medical science for older students. 

Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad Web

Pinna is an audio streaming service for kids aged between three and twelve. Thousands of podcast episodes, audiobooks, and songs cover entertainment and education. The educational topics cover history, art, music, and literacy. The entertainment includes popular computer games and sports. Kids can listen to the audio content using a downloadable app on iOS, Android, and Amazon devices or through a web browser on desktops and laptops. A limited amount of free content is available to assess Pinna, with a subscription providing much more extra listening material and resources, such as printable teaching and learning packs.

Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad

iScanner grants free access to Educators iScanner team wants to help educators take to the new hybrid system of teaching like a duck to water. We are thrilled to announce the iScanner for Educators program—our new initiative to grant free access to iScanner PRO to professional educators and support staff. At the moment, the programme only works for educational institutions within the US, UK, Canada, Germany, and France.  All you need to do is hit the JOIN button and activate your promo code that will be emailed to you.   

Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad

FamilyKeeper is a parental control app for mobile devices. You can track your kids' locations, monitor and block websites and apps, and receive notifications if risky words appear in their messaging apps. Each connected family member must be using all Android or all iOS devices to enable FamilyKeeper. The apps are free to download and come with a trial period. A monthly or yearly subscription provides ongoing access.

Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad

Leeloo AAC App - Assistive Cards app is designed to help non-verbal children to communicate with their parents, teachers and friends. It uses the AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) and PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) principles which support children with autism to communicate easily as well as other special educational needs. It has three tiers of pricing to purchase the app depending on the users needs. It works on iOS 11.0 or later, macOS 11.0 or later as well as iPad and iPad touch 11.0 or later. 

Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad

MyZone is a content-packed app which teaches kids about many topics by naturally linking between them. It allows kids to grow their subject and general knowledge while developing analytical, problem-solving, and cross-curricular understanding. Parents create MyZone accounts for kids on the website, and kids use downloadable apps on iOS and Android for their learning. The current content for MyZone is suitable for kids aged between 10 and 12. At the time of this review, MyZone is in beta and offers five substantial themes for kids to explore at no cost to their parents.

Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad

Seesaw is a robust digital portfolio and learning system where teachers can create meaningful multimedia experiences for students. The Seesaw Class and Family apps are available on iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire devices. You can also use Seesaw on the web using a computer or Chromebook via a Chrome, Firefox, or Edge browser. Seesaw helps develop organizational and productivity skills and also helps with classroom engagement.

Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad

Mathletics is an invaluable online and offline resource to reinforce math concepts introduced in school and to also help your child consolidate their understanding. Mathletics is available online and free to download on iOS and Android devices. This math app is best suited for students age 5-18 years old. Mathletics is a world-leading educational resource for mathematics, created by 3P Learning. As of this review, over 3 million students in schools across the world are a part of its global learning community.

Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad

Dictionary.com is a comprehensive dictionary app without the major name attached. Their collection of more than 2 million words includes additional learning features like quizzes, puzzles, and word of the day. This is a great option for advanced academic use as well as everyday language. Dictionary.com is available online and also available for free to download on iOS and Android.

Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad

Kidovo is a very comprehensive app aimed at children between 2-8 years old. It has a wide library of content to keep children engaged. It offers an interactive learning and watching experience which can be tailored to each individual child by creating a personalised profile. Kidovo is available for free to download on the Apple App Store, Google Play or Amazon App Store. 

Devices: Android, iPhone, iPad