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Digging for the best reading apps for kids that actually work? Recent studies show that over 70% of parents of kids under 12 years old are at least somewhat worried about excessive screen time because of its influence on health, sleep, and family bonds. Today, reading apps are powerful tools for enhancing literacy, motivation, adaptive learning, and shared reading.
Quality learning apps for kids transform your device into a powerful learning tool, combining entertainment with education to build phonics skills, expand vocabulary, and spark a genuine love for stories. However, here's what most parents miss: while your child develops their reading habit through top reading apps for kids, you can build your own learning routine too.
You are the apps you keep, what do you think? They reflect what you find interesting and valuable, what you dedicate your time to. So, why not keep one that helps you grow a little daily? With Headway, you get bite-sized knowledge, audio and text options, and an experience that over 50 million users love. Your app drawer just got a lot more inspiring.
Add the Headway app to your daily mix!
Quick picks: 5 Best reading apps for kids
Epic! – A huge digital library with thousands of kid-friendly books and audiobooks.
Reading Eggs – Phonics-focused lessons that adapt to young readers' reading levels.
Starfall – Free phonics activities, perfect for preschoolers and kindergarteners.
Vooks – Animated storybooks that bring characters to life on screen.
Duolingo ABC – Simple, practical phonics lessons with zero cost to parents.
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Best reading apps for kids (by theme and age)
Finding the perfect educational apps for kids depends on your child's age, interests, and learning style. Whether your child studies at school or homeschools, modern reading apps open up new opportunities for developing a love of books.
Remember that an iPad is better than a smartphone for preschoolers and younger schoolchildren because it has a large screen, which is convenient for reading. For older children, an e-book is similar to a paperback, doesn't overload the eyes, and can be a suitable reading device, not distracting like a smartphone.
Here are the top reading apps for kids in different categories:
Phonics and early reading apps
1. Reading Eggs (Ages 2-13)
Based on scientific research and created by experienced educators, this app turns phonics into a game that adapts to the child's own pace. The core course covers phonemic awareness, word recognition, reading comprehension, and spelling. It contains over 4,000 e-books appropriate for different levels.
Cost: $12.99 monthly
OS: iOS, Android, Web
What makes it special: Adaptive learning that grows with your child.
2. Teach Your Monster to Read (Ages 3-8)
This award-winning app gamifies phonics learning by letting kids create a monster character and guide it through reading adventures. The three-game series covers learning letters and sounds, first words, and champion reader levels.
Cost: Free on computers, $4.99 (mobile version)
OS: iOS, Android, Amazon Appstore, Web
What makes it special: Without ads or in-app purchases.
3. Phonics Hero (Ages 3-9)
Phonics Hero breaks kids' reading into bite-sized lessons with immediate feedback. Kids practice letter sounds and spelling through interactive games that feel more like play than study.
Cost: $9.99 per month
OS: i andS, Android, Web
What makes it special: The phonics method, which teachers approve of.
Story collections and read-aloud apps
4. Epic! (Ages 2-12)
This vast digital library houses over 40,000 books, audiobooks, and educational videos. Children can explore picture books and graphic novels, with professional narration bringing stories to life.
Cost: $9.99 monthly
OS: iOS, Android, Amazon, Web
What makes it special: Limitless access to premium children's books.
5. Skybrary (Ages 2-9)
This app is an interactive library of e-books and video explorations designed to engage young readers and foster a love of reading. For each book, you can choose between "Read to Me" and "Read by Myself." It’s designed to improve reading comprehension through purposeful interactivity.
Cost: $5.99 per month
OS: iOS, Android, Web
What makes it special: Video field trips that expand imagination.
6. ABCmouse (Ages 2-8)
An educational app for early development that covers reading programs, math, science, and art through interactive lessons, games, and songs. The app offers over 10,000 activities. The reading program includes interactive books, phonics games, and printable worksheets for offline practice.
Cost: $12.99/month
OS: iOS, Android, Amazon Appstore, Web
What makes it special: Complete curriculum beyond just reading.
Gamified reading apps
7. Homer Learn & Grow (Ages 3–8)
Homer Learn & Grow helps develop reading skills and a love of books. Its main idea is personalized learning, as the program adapts to the child's age, level, and interests. The app helps toddlers gradually move from letter recognition to confident reading.
Cost: $12.99/month
OS: iOS, Android, Web
What makes it special: It's a customized reading pathway.
8. Vooks (Ages 2-8)
A digital library that brings favorite children's books to life through animation and professional voiceovers. Children can listen and watch stories simultaneously, which helps develop reading skills and text comprehension.
Cost: $4.99 per month
OS: iOS, Android, Web
What makes it special: High-quality animation of famous children's books.
Free and budget-friendly reading apps
9. Starfall (Ages 2-8)
Starfall has been a trusted free resource for phonics learning since 2002. The website and app offer systematic phonics instruction through songs, animations, and interactive activities.
Price: Free with optional premium features
OS: iOS, Android, Web
What makes it special: Time-tested phonics curriculum at no cost.
10. Duolingo ABC (Ages 3-8)
From Duolingo, this free app teaches phonics through short, game-like lessons. Kids practice letter sounds, sight words, and early reading skills without ads or hidden costs.
Cost: 100% free
OS: iOS, Android
What makes it special: No ads, no subscriptions, no catches.
11. Reading Raven (Ages 2-7)
An interactive reading app that uses a playful approach to phonics, letter recognition, word building, and simple sentence reading. Reading Raven is structured as mini-tasks and exercises that help children gradually build confidence in their reading skills.
Cost: $2.99 one-time purchase
OS: Just iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch)
What makes it special: Affordable one-time cost with no subscriptions.
Learn with your child, use the Headway app
Be a role model for your child as they build their reading skills and use reading apps. Headway is a book summary app that offers 15-minute audio or text versions of best-selling nonfiction books and daily self-improvement tasks. It’s perfect for parents who value lifelong learning.
Try this: Your child spends 20 minutes with Reading Eggs, and you spend 15 minutes with a Headway parenting or productivity book summary. Both of you develop daily learning habits that compound over time. Model lifelong learning for your child and watch them grow!
Make reading time a powerful family habit with the Headway app
Reading apps for kids spark joy and growth when chosen thoughtfully and used consistently. They transform tablets and phones from mindless entertainment into powerful learning tools that build the foundation for lifelong literacy.
Pair them with your own microlearning companion — Headway — to make reading time a lifelong family growth habit. When both you and your child develop daily learning routines, you're not just improving literacy skills; you're building a family culture that values growth, curiosity, and continuous improvement.
Use reading apps effectively with these practical tips
Getting the most from reading apps for kids requires more than just downloading and hoping for the best. Here are proven strategies that turn screen time with reading apps for kids into meaningful experiences:
Start with mini reading sessions: Begin with 10-15 minute sessions to avoid overwhelming your child. Short, focused practice sessions work better than lengthy, unfocused ones. As their attention span grows, gradually extend reading time.
Make co-reading a good time for memories: Use the app with your child. Ask clarifying questions about the characters and mark progress together. This shared experience strengthens your reading skills and friendship.
Track progress without pressure: Most apps include progress bars that show tasks completed, reading level improvement, and time spent studying. Celebrate victories rather than creating pressure in the reading and learning process. Focus on effort, not perfection.
Combine physical and digital books: Reading apps are a supplement for kids, but they don't replace physical books. Balance screen-based reading apps for kids with bedtime stories, library visits, and books around the house. This combination builds different types of reading skills.
And while your child builds a reading habit, you can grow your own microlearning habit simultaneously. Apps like Headway let you absorb key insights from parenting books, productivity guides, or any topic that interests you — all while your child completes a reading lesson.
FAQs on the best reading apps for kids
What are the best free reading apps for preschoolers?
Starfall and Duolingo ABC lead the free category for preschoolers. Starfall offers systematic phonics instruction through songs and animations, while Duolingo ABC provides reading game-like lessons with zero ads or costs. Both apps focus on letter recognition and early phonics skills, perfect for ages 3-5.
Which reading app helps most with phonics?
Reading Eggs and Teach Your Monster to Read excel at phonics instruction. Reading Eggs uses adaptive learning to match your child's pace, while Teach Your Monster to Read gamifies phonics through monster-themed adventures. Both apps provide systematic phonics progression from introductory letter sounds to advanced reading skills.
What reading app offers the best parent-tracking features?
Epic! provides comprehensive parent dashboards showing reading time, books completed, and reading level progress. ABCmouse also offers detailed progress reports across all subjects, including reading activities. These tracking features help parents celebrate wins and identify areas needing support.
Can parents learn while kids use reading apps?
Absolutely! While your child practices phonics or explores stories, you can use microlearning tools like Headway to absorb key insights from parenting books, productivity guides, or any nonfiction topic. This parallel learning approach models lifelong growth and makes screen time work double duty for your family.
How long should kids spend on reading apps daily?
Start with 10-15 minutes daily for young children, gradually increasing to 20-30 minutes as attention spans grow. Quality beats quantity — focused practice sessions work better than long, distracted ones. Balance app time with paper books and real-world reading activities.
Which reading apps work offline?
Many premium apps like Reading Eggs and ABCmouse allow content downloads for offline use. This feature helps during travel or in areas with poor internet connection. Check each app's offline capabilities before subscribing, especially if you use reading apps away from reliable WiFi.
