10 Best Apps for Kids in the Philippines 2022 | Buying Guide Reviewed By Early Childhood Educator

Och Gonzalez has been an early childhood educator in Manila for over 20 years. As a preschool teacher and grade school academic coach, she has worked with young children and their families to achieve learning goals and address developmental concerns. She has created reading programs that aim to develop literacy skills and a love for reading in young children.

She holds a master's degree in Education from the Ateneo de Manila University and is also the author of the children’s book, “Every Sunday.”

Curious about Och Gonzalez' recommendations for apps for kids? See some of them below and know why they are her top picks! 

The products we introduce below were carefully curated by the mybest team from the best and highly rated apps in the App Store and Google Play, plus the points mentioned in our detailed and thoroughly researched buying guide.

**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period**

To give you a rundown, here are our top 3 picks for the best apps for kids you can download online:

1. Khan Academy Kids
2. YouTube Kids
3. Lingokids – Kids Playlearning™

Check out the table below to further compare the characteristics of these three apps for kids as well as the other seven that made it to our list.

When approached correctly, kids' apps can be helpful to your child's development. As this study suggests, educational and interactive apps can support their cognitive development. Plus, they can work as additional learning tools. Using these applications can also help your little one develop their social skills and encourage them to think outside the box. 

Fortunately, many of the kids' apps are developed in collaboration with experts and consultants in the educational field. This ensures that your little one is getting child-friendly content that's right for their age. There is also a wide selection of apps available for download, from entertainment apps such as YouTube Kids to educational ones like Khan Academy Kids. 

Here are some key points to consider:

1. Check the app's usability and its compatibility with your device.
2. Before downloading the app, take into account your child’s age and maturity.
3. Look into apps that are in line with your child’s interests.
4. Select one that has colorful graphics to capture your kid's attention.
5. Know about any possible in-app purchases and ads.
6. Read up on the app’s reviews and ratings.
   

For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.

Before settling on an application, there are two main things to consider. First, you must check if it is compatible with your device and is easy to use. Fortunately, most kids' apps are compatible with both iOS and Android. You'll also find screenshots and previews on the App Store and Google Play which allow you to see the features of the app.

Knowing about the User Interface (UI) of the app is also an integral part of its usability. The better developed the UI, the more straightforward its features are, and the easier it is to understand and navigate. The experience should be fuss-free, with all the vital elements like the app's settings being easily accessible and always in view.

When choosing an application for your child, you must check whether it is appropriate for their age and maturity. Luckily, most apps come with an age recommendation. This is to avoid introducing ideas and themes that may be difficult to understand or are unsuitable for younger groups.

The maturity of your kid will also come into play. Some 8-year-olds may get bored if you let them play with an app with overly cute cartoons. On the other hand, there are apps for pre-teens with mature themes that may require parental guidance.

To get the most out of a kids' application, we recommend getting one in line with your child's interests. You want to make sure that your little one enjoys using it so that they wouldn't see it as a chore. Try to observe what they like to do so that you can choose an app that will hold their attention and develop their skills. Learn more by scrolling down below!

Whether your kid is interested in coding, literature, science, or math, there is surely an app for them! Educational apps help your child hone their skills in their field of interest. For instance, there are some applications that teach kids to solve math problems using colorful graphics. 

There are also others that present scientific concepts in a fun and interesting way. If your little one likes reading and writing, most apps have interactive features and audiobooks to help them develop their skills. And if they're already interested in coding, some applications offer just that!

If your little one is interested in the arts, we suggest downloading art-related applications that can help them hone their craft at an early age. For younger children, there are coloring apps and drawing apps that allow them to unleash their creativity. On the other hand, some apps offer virtual museum tours that older children would probably like.

If your child loves to sing or dance, we suggest downloading entertainment apps for them. There are tons of karaoke and dance applications that you can download online. Apps like Karaoke for Kids and Just Dance Now encourage your little one to get up and move. You can even get the whole family involved to add to the fun!

Besides keeping your child active, entertainment apps can also enhance their social skills and teach them good sportsmanship. However, if your little one prefers to sit down and relax, you can download streaming apps such as YouTube Kids and GoNoodle to keep them entertained.

Kids' attention spans aren't as long as adults'. So, if you're hoping to download an app that can keep your little one entertained, we suggest getting one that is aesthetically pleasing. Select an application with colorful graphics and sounds to capture your child's attention and make them learn at the same time.

One example is Lingokids, which has fun activities that center on critical thinking and problem-solving. There are also apps like GoNoodle that encourage children to play and actively participate. If your child is a visual learner, they will definitely enjoy watching educational videos on YouTube Kids.

There are several kids' apps that you can download for free. But more often than not, they also come with optional in-app purchases and premium accounts. Paid accounts often come with additional features that offer more games and video content or even an ad-free experience. 

If it is possible, we recommend downloading paid applications. Paying for an app can prevent advertisements from popping up and leading to accidental purchases. However, we know that this may not be possible for everyone. Instead, we suggest teaching your kid to be wary of in-app purchases and how to exit ads.

When searching for kids' apps on the App Store or Google Play, the results can be biased since those at the top of the list are likely the ones with the most downloads. That is why we recommend considering the app's ratings and reading up on reviews.

Learning more about the app through the perspective of others can help you see if it is the right fit for your child and their needs. Thankfully, there are plenty of parenting forums and organizations like Common Sense Media, which are filled with TV shows, movies, and app reviews by parents, teachers, and guardians.

You want to avoid making your kids dependent on technology, and that means setting screen time limits and letting them try other activities. So check out this video from TheDadLab and start doing some fun science experiments at home with your kids! We've listed down one of the 15 activities that he shares in the video.

Materials:

• Turmeric Powder
• Detergent Powder
• Water
• Lemon Juice
• Cotton Pad
• 2 Cotton Buds
• A Piece of Bond Paper

Steps:

1. In a container, add a spoonful of turmeric powder and some water.
2. Using a cotton pad, spread the mixture on a piece of bond paper.
3. In a separate container, add a spoonful of detergent powder and some water. Then, in another container, add the juice of half a lemon. 
4. Place one cotton bud each on the detergent powder mixture and lemon juice and use them to draw on the bond paper.

If you're still a bit confused as to which app to download for your child, don't fret! Early Childhood Educator Och Gonzalez answers some of the most asked questions on the Internet below.

For children between 2 to 5 years old, an hour of screen time or less per day is enough. It's also recommended to impose a 20-20-20 rule: instead of staying online for a full hour, divide the time into 20-minute periods with breaks in between to rest their eyes. 

For older kids, it's best to give them a maximum of 2 hours per day. More than that, and it can be detrimental to their health and cause disruptions in sleep patterns, behavior, and attention spans.

It's best to wait until your child is at least preschool age before exposing them to tablets or phones. Toddlers learn best with hands-on explorations and having them sit quietly in a corner with a device greatly limits their learning. And when the time comes for your child to use a tablet or phone, always make sure to supervise them, even if they are engaging with child-friendly apps.

Both methods have their own pros and cons, and the bottom line is, it all depends on how they are used. Apps offer individualized learning and immediate feedback with the tap of a finger, while workbooks and worksheets require more time and effort. 

However, there's also something to be said about effort in terms of developing grit and perseverance. Traditional modes of learning still have value in terms of instilling work ethic and teaching patience.

With the wide range of educational apps today, screen time can be used as wisely as possible. However, take care not to give your child free rein over their device and be firm when imposing time limits. 

And as with everything else when it comes to parenting, healthy role modeling is crucial. Make sure your child sees you unplugging as well and spending time doing real-life activities.

Is your kid's birthday coming up? Or are you looking to surprise them with a couple of gifts? Well, you're in luck! We've included links to products that we think your little one will enjoy and appreciate.

When it comes to apps for kids, there is no lack of variety and choices. From educational apps to recreational ones, children of all ages will benefit from using them, especially with the proper guidance. We hope we've made the process easier for you and that you were able to find an app for your little one from our list.

Author: Mariah Hannah Beatrice G. Caga

Re-editor: Aprille Jarcia

Reviewed By: Early Childhood Educator, Och Gonzalez

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