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15 free toddler games (without hidden in-app purchases!) worth downloading

Handing your tot a game on your phone can save the day at the grocery store, but accidental in-app purchases can add up. Here are a few free apps that really are free.

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15 free toddler games (without hidden in-app purchases!) worth downloading

Any busy parent or caregiver with small children will tell you that having a few fun apps on your phone can be a real lifesaver. For example, whipping out your phone and providing little ones with instant entertainment can help prevent badly timed meltdowns while you’re out running errands. But you may not know where to find free toddler games and apps that are also educational, or if toddlers should be getting screen time at all.

It’s a good idea for parents to see technology as a tool, and set boundaries around this tool. There are lots of entertaining, free toddler games and apps available, but it’s important to make sure the apps kids are using have some educational benefit, are appropriate for their age, and are completely safe.

And watch out, because free apps can have hidden costs. It’s often the case that “free” apps will sting you later through things like in-app purchases, or play advertising in lieu of charging. Such advertisements will sometimes collect data about your children.

Making your way through the different app stores in search of free, fun, and safe apps for toddlers can be challenging, so we’ve done the legwork for you. Here are 16 free toddler games and apps without in-app purchases.

Apps that teach problem-solving skills

1. Breathe, Think, Do

This Sesame Street app is great for teaching kids “chill skills” and how to think their way through a tough situation.

2. LEGO DUPLO Train

This app takes kids through a variety of tasks that build and steer a DUPLO train around a track. Kids can also decorate the landscape with fun stickers, control the train’s speed, and play with the train’s horn and headlights.

3. Baby Games

This app was developed by parents and features five games to help toddlers strategise, learn first words, practise basics like colours and animal names, and even create their own music.

Apps that help develop reading, language, and maths skills

4. Khan Academy Kids

Looking for one of the best free maths apps for preschoolers? Want your child to learn to read with phonics online for free? This comprehensive app for learning phonics and other key skills has hundreds of games and lessons to help kids get an early education in maths, reading, phonics, writing, and social-emotional development. A great free phonics learning app, you can choose lessons or let kids work through series customised to their age. The app also has music and yoga. It’s safe to say that this could also be one of the best reading apps for 1st graders, and younger kids to boot.

5. Shapes!

In this popular game, toddlers are encouraged to identify different shapes and colours and to differentiate between different sizes.

6. Fish School

Colourful little fish swim around and create different shapes, numbers, and letters for toddlers to identify. There’s even a memory matching game for older toddlers and preschool kids.

7. Peek-a-Zoo

In this adorable app, toddlers will learn about different animals and will also begin to identify different emotions and behaviours.

8. First Words Sampler

This learning game for toddlers and preschoolers helps with letter recognition and introduces them to spelling.

9. Basic Skills Preschool 

In this all-in-one app, toddlers can play 14 different interactive games to learn the basic skills they need to be ready for preschool, including basic shapes, counting and numbers, colours, letters, and more. 

10. Little Stars Toddler Games

This game asks toddlers to find the correct letter or shape. Correct answers earn virtual stickers.

11. Starfall ABCs

In this beloved free app for learning letters and sounds, kids work through engaging and interactive levels to master letter sounds and learn how to form basic words, sentences, and more.

Apps that encourage creative and imaginary play

12. Balls

This free app was rated one of the best apps for toddlers by Gizmag. Kids use the touch screen to direct brightly coloured paintballs, which produce wind chime sounds as they bounce off the walls and each other.

13. Toca Kitchen Monsters

This free-play app allows little ones to prepare food and feed a friendly monster.

14. Musical Me!

Teaching toddlers about rhythm, notes, and even pitch, this is another top-notch, creative, and free app from Duck Duck Moose.

15. Dentist 

Kids play dentist to a variety of cute, fuzzy animals while practicing fine motor skills, visual perception, and observational skills.