All kids love apps, but tweens in particular are eager to use them, especially when they get their first phone or device. This is just one of the many reasons why it pays to ensure that they use safe, age-appropriate apps. Here’s what to try.
Some of the best apps for 9 - 12 year old:
-
Marble Maths
-
Monster Physics
-
Toca Lab: Elements
-
Brainfeed
-
Box Island
-
GoHenry
-
Savings Spree
-
Khan Academy
-
Memrise
-
Nike Training Club for kids
-
Headspace
-
Chill Panda
-
Monster Heart Medic
-
Alto's Adventure
-
GarageBand
-
Minecraft
-
The Infinite Arcade
Educational apps for 9 to 12 year olds
Maths
Marble Maths - IOS and Google Play
Marble Math is an engaging way for 9 - 12-year-olds to practise their mental maths. They can earn new marbles and collect bonuses while reinforcing key concepts in maths. The app covers addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, sequencing decimals, number values, factoring and simple equations.
Science
Monster Physics - iOS only
A unique building app that lets your child play with physics! Kids can build intricate, working contraptions with over sixty-eight parts, including wheels, rockets, propellers, cannons, magnets, claws, wings and more. Once their invention is complete, Monster Physics will create it with its built-in physics engine and let your child operate their creation in real time.
Toca Lab: Elements - iOS and Google Play
A great app from Toca Boca, your child can explore the world of science and meet all 118 elements from the periodic table. Kids can also discover elements by experimenting with the lab tools!
General knowledge
Brainfeed - iOS and Google Play
Designed to inform, entertain and inspire, Brainfeed provides tweens and even adults with a place to explore a universe of educational videos. Find answers to all those intriguing questions, such as How does the brain work? Does space go on forever? How can you outrun a cheetah? And how big is the ocean?
Coding
Box Island - iOS only
This coding app teaches kids the basics of coding through a series of challenging puzzles. The app is designed to be fun and engaging, and it's an excellent way for kids to learn valuable skills and still have fun.
Life skills and financial education apps for 9 to 12 year olds
Money Management
GoHenry - iOS and Google Play
GoHenry teaches kids about budgeting and financial responsibility. With our prepaid kids' debit card, kids can learn all about budgeting safely and responsibly. They can also use in-app Money Missions to learn more about budgeting via fun quizzes, videos, and bite-sized lessons for every age. All missions are tailored to your child's age and level of understanding.
Spending and saving
Savings Spree - iOS only
Savings Spree is a fun app with a serious lesson for kids. It teaches kids how the choices they make each day can add up to big savings or expenses, depending on how they decide to spend (or not spend) their money. The game also teaches kids how their daily lifestyle choices can add up to big savings or big expenses, depending on how they choose to spend (or not spend) their money.
Building more skills and knowledge
Khan Academy - iOS and Google Play
Learn anything for free. This app has thousands of interactive exercises, videos, and articles; study maths, science, finance, grammar, history, and much more. Kids can also sharpen their skills with practice exercises, quizzes, and tests with instant feedback and step-by-step hints.
Learn a language
Memrise - iOS and Google Play
Speaking a new language is 20% about "learning" and 80% about the right practice. Memrise helps kids learn with its user-friendly interface and helpful video clips with the spoken dialects in action to help you master real-world scenarios. With over twenty languages offered, Memrise is one of the best language-learning apps for kids aged 12 and upwards.
Health and wellness apps for 9 to 12 year olds
Fitness
Nike Training Club for kids - iOS and Google Play
One of the best free fitness apps for kids and families that comes with free guidance from trainers, athletes, and wellness experts. With a wide selection of workouts and programs designed for all ages, this app makes it easy to get your kids up and exercising.
Mindfulness
Headspace - iOS and Google Play
Headspace is an award-winning app with a kids mode specifically designed for younger users and is one of the best apps on the market and is fantastic for teaching kids how to focus and relax with easy-to-watch fun videos. The app also helps kids to understand how to calm their minds, allowing them to process their feelings better and improve their focus.
Anxiety
Chill Panda - iOS and Google Play
A fun app that helps kids learn to relax, manage their worries and understand different emotions. By helping the Chill Panda manage its fear and anxiety, the app introduces kids to skills to help calm down in times of stress.
Healthy eating
Monster Heart Medic - iOS and Google Play
A great adventure game where your child has to help diagnose a friendly monster named Ragnar and guide him on his path to a healthier life. Through animations, simulations, and achievements, kids will learn about cardiovascular conditions and the steps that can be taken to keep you and your monster healthy.
Entertainment and gaming apps for 9 to 12 year olds
Pure fun
Alto's Adventure - iOS and Google Play
This endless runner game follows the story of Alto, a snowboarder who tries to escape a rising avalanche. The game has fantastic visuals and a calming soundtrack to help kids unwind as Alto and his friends journey across beautiful alpine hills, ancient woodlands, and long-abandoned ruins.
Make Music
GarageBand - iOS and Google Play
GarageBand turns devices into a collection of Touch Instruments and a full-featured recording studio — so your kids can make music anywhere they go. Use multi-touch gestures to play keyboards and guitars and create beats that make your child sound like a pro — even if they've never previously played a note.
Building and creativity
Minecraft - iOS and Google Play
If your tween has yet to try this, give it a go. Explore infinite worlds and build everything from the simplest homes to the grandest castles. Creative mode gives your child unlimited resources and free-flying and lets you get as creative as possible. With block-like graphics, a lack of rules and no way to win or lose, it's a creative win-win for your child.
Classic games
The Infinite Arcade - iOS and Google Play
This educational app by Tinybop brings classic arcade games to life. The app features a variety of games, including Space Invaders, Pac-Man, and Asteroids. The educational games teach kids about different subjects, such as maths, science, and history. As with other Tinybop apps, kids are free to figure things out for themselves, which helps with problem-solving while having fun.
How can GoHenry help
GoHenry's mission is to make every kid smart with money. The debit card and app are packed with great features that help kids safely and securely learn about money, from saving to smart spending. In-app Money Missions make learning about money fun and engaging with videos and quizzes covering everything from saving to budgeting. Parents can set flexible parental controls in the GoHenry app, and receive real-time spending alerts whenever their kids use their GoHenry kids’ prepaid debit card. You can also create savings goals and recurring pocket money payments.
Related articles:
Best budgeting apps for kids & teens
Best parental control apps to manage screen time
