18 Great Apps for Homeschooling & Unschooling

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Technology can be a great tool for homeschoolers and unschoolers. Apps for homeschooling and unschooling can enhance self-directed learning and make it easier for busy parents to support their child’s learning. Tablets and mobile devices also encourage learning on the go.

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Spring is here and although we spend most of our days outdoors, my five-year-old still enjoys time on her iPad.

I mainly give her free access to the tablet during my youngest’s nap time so that I can have an hour and a half to work in the office uninterrupted. Hey, I could use the help, and at least I know there are options on her iPad to support her learning and encourage exploration.

Here you will find my most recommended apps to consider adding your your early and/or school-aged learner’s tablet.

APPS FOR HOMESCHOOLING & UNSCHOOLING AS RESOURCES

For a long time, I struggled to embrace modern technology and its role in educating young children. These feelings were rooted in fear of the unknown.

I believe wholeheartedly that children benefit greatly from spending time outdoors playing. Richard Louv discusses the importance of nature in his book, the Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder.

Setting healthy limits and boundaries around screen use has allowed me to embrace the benefits of apps and other technologies for my children growing up in a digital world.

So, here are 18 great apps for homeschooling and unschooling:

General Apps for Homeschooling & Unschooling

1. Khan Academy Kids – this app is one of my favorites. Not only is this app a comprehensive program, but it is also able to track multiple children. There are over 700 leveled early reading, math, and logic activities; along with ebooks and videos. There is also the Khan Academy app which I recommend for school-aged children and parents that need background knowledge on a certain subject. Apple’s App Store link and Google Play Store’s App link.
2. ABC Mouse – I hesitated to purchase the ABC Mouse app and subscription because it was always overly advertised (silly, I know), the website overwhelmed me, and there was a monthly fee. However, after doing the free trial, we decided to keep the app. Our oldest has learned so much from the activities and enjoys choosing what subject she wants to explore. There are 10 levels with over 850 lessons in Reading and Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies, and Arts and Colors. Subscribe to ABC Mouse here.
3. Osmo – we have the Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit from the Osmo Learning Game System. Compatible with iPad, iPhone, and Fire Tablet. The reason we chose the Osmo system is that it is a hands-on learning experience with tangible pieces that our daughter uses to play the learning games. The system offers coding, math, drawing, spelling, physics, spatial relational skills, and world geography. Once you have the Osmo system, you can download the list of apps that go along with the kit you purchased.

Reading and Languages Apps

4. Reading Eggs – a research-based program designed by educators with over 30 years of experience. Parents can log in and access detailed reports and if you like to utilize assessments and worksheets in your child’s homeschooling, you can access these tools as well. There is a fee for this app, but you can do a free trial to decide if your learner enjoys the app and would benefit or not. We highly recommend it and my daughter often uses this app. Apple users can download it here. Android users can download it here.
5. Teach Your Monster to Read – a free phonics and reading game that is recommended by many homeschool moms and so I want to include it in this list. This app goes over letters, letter sounds, and reading full sentences. The computer version of this app is free. You can learn more here.
6. Endless Alphabet – is an interactive app for learning the alphabet and building vocabulary. There are over 50 interesting words early learners can learn through play. Purchase the Endless Alphabet here for Apple users. Google Play has the app here.
7. Endless Reader – school-aged learners will use this app as a follow-up to the Endless Alphabet app. Endless Reader focuses on sight words that are commonly used in school, library, and children’s books. Sight words help with reading fluency. To download from Google Play, click here. Apple users can download it here.

Learn another language…

8. Duolingo – if your homeschooler or unschooler is interested in learning another language, this app is a great resource and alternative to a box curriculum. While we do not currently use this app, I have used it as an adult and highly recommend it for children or anyone looking to explore a foreign language. This is a completely free app as well. To learn more, visit their website.
9. Mindsnacks – a fun and interactive way to learn another language. Mindsnacks is an educational app designed to have children learn essential vocabulary and conversation skills. The app is also for adults too, so why not learn alongside your kiddo? To purchase this app as an Apple user, visit here. Google Play has it available here.

Digital library & documentary apps for homeschooling

10. Vooks – not like any other digital library, Vooks brings storytime to life with animated storybooks. There are new books added to the library weekly and each story is read at a read-along pace. You can stream, ad-free (so it’s safe), with many devices. Learn more about Vooks here and try the 30 Day Free Trial.
11. Epic – another paid application but one that is commonly recommended in the homeschooling community. Easily access digital books from anywhere. This app is a great resource and you can subscribe here.
12. Netflix – I must say, we use Netflix quite often with unschooling. There are so many amazing documentaries, shows, and interactive series (You vs. Wild) on Netflix. TheFallCoFamily, a YouTube channel, suggests pre-screening and downloading content you want on your child’s device. This is a good way to strew new topics if you are unschooling.

Mathematics Apps

13. Endless Numbers – is a follow-up app to Endless Alphabet. Children learn to recognize numbers, sequences, quantity, numerical patterns, and simple addition according to the developers. There are 100 lessons and each number comes alive to engage your child and assign meaning to each number. iOS users can get this app here. Goodle Play has it available here.
14. Splash Math – is another great computer app for learning math skills. There are different grade levels beginning with Kindergarten through Grade 5. You can visit the website to see how the lessons are categorized. Each lesson is aligned with Common Core.

Science and Discovery Apps

15. Hello Atlas – designed for iOS, this app is a neat way to take the book, The Hello Atlas, and bring it to life. This is a great way to explore different languages from all over the world. You can download this app here.
16. Tiny Bop Explorer – this explorers library consists of multiple apps that are interactive and lets kids explore “invisible and awesome wonders of our world”. From the human body, plants, weather, and simple machines to space, mammals, states of matter, and the coral reef. Great app for developing knowledge of science and I recommend it for all children ages 4+. Each digital toy app from TinyBop is an open-ended construction kit which is why this is amazing for self-directed learners and unschoolers. Learn more.
17. Meet Science – is an iOS app for children in”grades” 3-5. This app focuses on boosting a child’s understanding of physics. Note: there is a short quiz at the end of each lesson. This app can be a great instructional support tool for homeschool parents. Get this app here.
18. Google Earth – is probably not an app you would think to add for your kids, but it is a wonderful resource detailing the world’s globe. There is so much you can do with this app. Homeschoolers can document their travels here, visit places around the world, and see more than the walls in their home. Download the app here on the Apple App Store.

I hope that this list gives you a few digital resources you can include in your homeschool and unschool. I know that in my research for this blog post, I see a few apps I will be adding to my daughter’s iPad right now!

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Tell us which apps you use for homeschooling or unschooling have been game-changers in your child’s experience.