18 best learning games for preschoolers

Free, ad-free games with Daniel Tiger, Elinor and other characters. Each one targets a skill like counting or feelings. There is also a free app.

A free app with a guided path through letters, numbers, shapes and feelings. No ads and no subscription. It adapts to each child, so it grows from toddler games to kindergarten reading.

Short games about letters, shapes and emotions with Elmo and friends. Sesame also lists its apps for families. Games are short and gentle, and many come with songs.

Letter sounds, songs and early math from a nonprofit. Many kindergartens use it. Many US kindergartens use it, so kids may see it again at school, which helps them feel ready.

Watch for: Some activities need a paid membership.

Phonics and number games where kids help a monster they designed. Free in the browser. Kids can practice letter sounds at their own pace, and it was built with reading researchers.

Watch for: The iOS app costs money.

Talking letters and goofy monsters teach letter sounds and big words. No scores, no time limits. Kids hear each letter sound as they drag it, then watch the word's meaning acted out.

Watch for: Paid app; some word packs cost extra.

The same monsters teach number sequences, quantity and simple addition. Kids see each number as a group of objects, and the playful animations make number ideas easy to grasp.

Watch for: Paid app; some packs extra.

Short phonics and tracing lessons with cute characters. Free and ad-free. Lessons take about five minutes, so they fit a short attention span and a busy morning.

Roll characters through mazes that teach simple physics and logic. Lots of levels and no reading needed. It grows with the child, with harder levels later.

Watch for: Paid app; check the price in your app store.

A bundle of Toca's open-ended pretend-play apps for little kids, like cooking and doctor play. No winning, just exploring. It is great for pretend play.

Watch for: Subscription after a free trial; it renews automatically.

Gentle play apps with cute animals, built for very small hands. Good for open-ended play. There are no scores, ads or timers, so it stays calm for small kids.

Watch for: Subscription for the full set.

Tap the barn door and an animal pops out with its sound and name. The simplest first app. It teaches animal names and sounds, and toddlers love guessing which animal is hiding.

Watch for: Paid app; very young kids still need very little screen time.

Free games from BBC preschool shows like Hey Duggee and Numberblocks. Instructions are spoken aloud, so kids can play without reading, and games are short enough for small attention spans.

Watch for: Some content is limited outside the UK.

Snap picture blocks to make characters move and talk. A first taste of coding, and free. Kids can record their voices and draw their own characters.

A version of Lightbot with simpler puzzles for young kids. Program a robot to light up tiles. It teaches sequencing. It teaches sequencing and planning ahead, and a parent can solve levels side by side.

Picture-and-word bingo with a slider kids love to push. Screen-free and good for siblings. It builds early word recognition and matching skills, and rounds take about five minutes.

A cooperative mystery board game. Everyone works together, so little ones do not lose to big siblings. It teaches gentle deduction, and rounds take about 20 minutes.

Wooden-block logic puzzles with a knight and princess. Starts very easy. The puzzles start with very few pieces, and the solutions are in the back for a parent to check.