8 Apps for Learning at Home: A Comprehensive Guide for Homeschooling
Let’s be honest, teaching at home isn’t always smooth, but the right tools can make learning at home a lot less stressful. This guide highlights eight trusted apps that can improve your homeschooling success.
1) Khan Academy Kids
Khan Academy Kids brings games, storybooks, and lessons built for ages 2–8 right to your device. It covers reading, math, phonics, and social-emotional skills.
Use it for learning at home or on the go, all without paying a dime. Teachers and caregivers like it too, and you won’t see ads interrupting your kid’s focus.
The app adapts as your child learns, giving you a clear sense of progress. You’ll spot which skills are growing and where a little more practice might help.
Setup is quick, and activities work for solo play or small groups. Find everything you need on the Khan Academy Kids page.
Khan Academy Kids at a Glance
| Age Range | Key Subjects | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| 2–8 | Reading, Math, Social-Emotional | No ads, adapts to pace, free |
- Short, hands-on lessons
- Progress tracking for parents
- Works offline
2) SplashLearn
SplashLearn offers short, game-based math lessons that match what your child’s learning in school. It covers number sense, addition, subtraction, multiplication, fractions, and basic geometry.
The app changes difficulty based on your child’s answers, so it stays challenging but not overwhelming. You’ll see clear rewards and progress, making it easy to spot strengths and gaps.
SplashLearn works on tablets and Chromebooks, so learning at home feels flexible. You can print worksheets or use teacher-style reports for extra practice or feedback.
If you want lessons to match school standards, SplashLearn has you covered. Try mixing short daily sessions with targeted review when your child misses a concept.
SplashLearn Quick Facts
| Grades | Subjects | Unique Perks |
|---|---|---|
| K–5 | Math | Printable worksheets, adaptive practice |
- Curriculum aligned
- Easy to set up at home
- Progress reports for parents
3) Duolingo
Duolingo brings short, game-like lessons that fit right into a busy homeschool day. You’ll practice reading, listening, speaking, and typing.
Pick from tons of languages and move at your own pace. Streaks and rewards keep motivation up, even if your child’s not a natural language lover.
Try it as a daily warm-up or a quick break after hands-on learning at home. While Duolingo covers vocabulary and recognition, you’ll want to add some real conversation practice to boost fluency.
Need help? Duolingo’s guides explain lesson structure and offer tips so you’re not left guessing. It’s a low-cost, low-stress way to add languages to your learning at home lineup.
Duolingo Essentials
| Languages Offered | Best For | Fun Factor |
|---|---|---|
| 30+ (Spanish, French, etc.) | Daily practice | Streaks, badges, games |
- Flexible for any schedule
- Works on desktop or mobile
- Quick, digestible lessons
4) Outschool
Outschool connects you to live, small-group classes for ages 3–18. You’ll find everything from core subjects to quirky hobbies and languages.
Teachers set their own schedules, so you can pick times that work for learning at home. Classes run live over video, giving your child a chance to ask questions and get feedback on the spot.
Browse by age, topic, and skill level, then check teacher bios and reviews. Pricing varies, so you can try a single session or commit to a longer course.
Outschool works well as a supplement or for parents who want flexible enrichment. Always check class descriptions for materials and policies before signing up.
Outschool Overview
| Age Range | Class Types | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|
| 3–18 | Core subjects, hobbies, languages | Live, varied schedule |
- Live interaction with teachers
- Mix of short and long sessions
- Great for enrichment
5) Reading Eggs
Reading Eggs delivers a step-by-step reading program that focuses on phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency.
The program includes thousands of e-books, so your child can read at their level and build confidence. It’s easy to switch between desktop and mobile, which helps when learning at home gets unpredictable.
Parents track progress and assign lessons that fit their child’s pace. There’s a free 30-day trial, so you can see how it meshes with your learning at home routine.
Details and trial info live on the Reading Eggs program page: Reading Eggs – Learning to Read for Kids.
Reading Eggs Summary
| Focus Areas | Device Options | Trial Available |
|---|---|---|
| Phonics, Vocabulary, Comprehension | Desktop, Mobile | 30 days free |
- Structured, step-by-step lessons
- Thousands of e-books included
- Progress tracking for parents
6) Prodigy Math Game
Prodigy Math Game turns math practice into a quest. The game adapts questions to your child’s level.
Parents and teachers control the learning path, assign topics, and track which skills need more attention. The game mixes practice with rewards, quests, and friendly competition, so kids stay interested.
It covers grades 1–8 and lines up with common curricula, making it a solid fit for learning at home. Access Prodigy on the web or mobile and let your child play wherever you are.
Prodigy Math Game Snapshot
| Grade Range | Key Features | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1–8 | Adaptive questions, game quests | Motivating daily practice |
- Parent/teacher controls
- Curriculum-aligned
- Fun, game-based approach
7) BrainPOP
BrainPOP brings short, animated lessons across science, social studies, English, math, and more. The videos break down tough ideas with simple examples and memorable examples.
After each video, you can offer quizzes and activities to check understanding. These include interactive quizzes, games, and printable worksheets for different ages.
BrainPOP works well for grades K–8, and BrainPOP Jr. uses simpler language for younger kids. Set up multiple learner profiles if you’re juggling more than one child at home.
Browse classroom-ready movies and activities to fill a learning block at home. Explore BrainPOP’s resources and at-home options at BrainPOP’s site.
BrainPOP Highlights
| Grades | Subjects | Extra Perks |
|---|---|---|
| K–8 | STEM, Social Studies, English | Quizzes, games, printable sheets |
- Short, animated lessons
- Multiple profiles for families
- Good for quick learning at home
8) Time4Learning
Time4Learning covers PreK–12 with a full online curriculum in math, language arts, science, social studies, and more. Lessons are interactive and self-paced.
The platform gives you automated planning and reporting tools, which definitely helps with record-keeping and scheduling. You’ll see completed lessons, quiz scores, and where more practice might be needed.
Time4Learning isn’t an accredited school, but you control enrollment and transcripts for your homeschool. The official Time4Learning site explains features and FAQs if you want to dig deeper.
Time4Learning Details
| Grade Levels | Subjects Covered | Standout Features |
|---|---|---|
| PreK–12 | Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies | Self-paced, automated tracking |
- Complete online curriculum
- Automated planning tools
- Flexible for learning at home
Key Features to Consider in Educational Apps
Choosing apps for learning at home can get overwhelming. You want tools that can grab attention, match your child’s age and skills, and let you see progress clearly.
User Engagement and Interactivity
Pick an app that keeps your child active, not just staring at a screen. Look for touch tasks, drag-and-drop problems, short quizzes, and mini-games that make kids apply what they’re learning.
Check for multimodal content—clear voice narration, readable text, and visuals that actually help ideas stick. Audio instructions are a lifesaver for reluctant readers, and videos should stay short and connect right to practice.
Good apps give quick, specific feedback (“Try subtracting 7, not 17”) instead of just generic praise. That’s way more helpful for learning at home. Activities should take about 5–15 minutes so they fit your daily rhythm, not drag on forever.
What to Look For: Engagement Table
| Feature | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Interactive elements | Keeps kids involved, not passive |
| Immediate feedback | Helps correct mistakes right away |
| Short activities | Fits into real-life learning at home |
- Look for apps that adapt as your child improves
- Seek out clear, friendly feedback
- Choose ones with short, focused tasks
Age Appropriateness and Curriculum Alignment
Make sure the content fits your child’s skills and matches your curriculum goals. Check grade-level tags and peek at sample lesson plans or the standards the app claims to follow.
It’s worth checking if the app aligns with state standards or common core. That can really cut down on planning headaches for learning at home.
Preview some sample lessons before you subscribe. If you’re teaching phonics, see if the app covers short vowels, blends, and sight words.
For math, does it actually help with number facts, word problems, and multi-step reasoning? Watch how the difficulty ramps up—kids need a shift from guided practice to independent work.
Can you tweak what’s taught? Look for options to set skill focus, skip topics your child already knows, or assign specific lessons.
If assessment reports are included, make sure they break down by skill area. That way, you can spot gaps during learning at home.
- Grade-level and standards alignment help with planning
- Preview lessons for skill coverage
- Customization options let you target needs
- Assessment reports should separate skill areas
Age-appropriate design matters. Go for simple navigation, clear fonts, and content that respects developmental limits.
Parental Controls and Progress Tracking
You need real tools that limit content and show progress. Parental controls should let you set time limits, block in-app purchases, and keep ads or social features away.
A solid “kid mode” keeps settings safe while your child uses the app. You want to feel confident about learning at home, not worried about surprise pop-ups.
Progress tracking should offer clear, useful info. Dashboards that show skills practiced, success rates, and time spent make it easy to spot trends.
Weekly or unit reports—especially ones you can download or email—are a lifesaver for homeschool records.
- Time limits and content filters keep kids safe
- Dashboards help you see real progress
- Downloadable reports simplify portfolio tracking
- Separate logs for each child are crucial for families
Look for apps that let you print or export reports and separate session logs by child. Email alerts for weak spots or new mastery can save you time, too.
Test the parent dashboard yourself. It should be easy to navigate and reflect what your child actually does—otherwise, what’s the point?
Maximizing the Benefits of Learning Apps
Learning at home takes more than just downloading a few apps. You’ve got to set clear daily goals, pick specific apps for each subject, and check for progress.
Use time limits, scheduled breaks, and regular check-ins to keep learning at home steady and focused. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it.
Establishing a Structured Routine
Build a weekly plan that lists subjects, apps, and time blocks. Example: 9:00–9:30 — math with a practice app; 10:00–10:30 — reading with a guided-reader app.
Post the plan somewhere your child can see it. Let them tick off each block as they finish—kids love that sense of progress.
Short, consistent sessions work best. Aim for 20–40 minutes of focused app time, depending on age and attention span.
Always schedule a 10–15 minute active break after each session. It helps avoid screen fatigue during learning at home.
- Weekly plans keep everyone on track
- Visible checklists add motivation
- Short, focused sessions prevent burnout
- Active breaks support healthy habits
Set daily goals you can actually measure. Instead of “read more,” try “complete two reading lessons and summarize the main idea in 3 sentences.”
Track scores, badges, or time-on-task in a simple chart. Update it every week so you can see progress at a glance—especially helpful for learning at home.
Encouraging Engagement and Independence
Let your child help pick which learning apps to use. If they feel a bit of ownership, they’re more likely to stick with it.
Celebrate small wins—badges, new levels, or just finishing a tough lesson. Learning at home should feel rewarding, not just like schoolwork in disguise.
- Involve kids in choosing apps
- Celebrate progress and effort
- Encourage self-paced exploration
Gradually encourage your child to work independently. Give them choices, but check in regularly to keep them on track.
Balancing Screen Time and Offline Activities
It’s easy to let learning at home turn into endless screen time. Mix in hands-on projects, outdoor play, or reading physical books.
Try using the app as a launchpad—do a quick lesson, then follow up with a related craft or science experiment.
- Alternate screen and offline activities
- Use apps as a springboard for real-world learning
- Monitor total daily screen time
Don’t stress about perfection. Some days will be more balanced than others, and that’s okay. The point is to keep learning at home engaging and manageable.
Blending Digital and Offline Activities
Mixing app-based lessons with hands-on follow-ups makes learning at home more engaging. Try wrapping up a science simulation by running a 15-minute home experiment or sketching a quick diagram on paper.
Just finished a language lesson? Jump into a 10-minute chat using the new words. It helps way more than you’d think.
- Pair digital lessons with short, real-world tasks
- Reinforce learning at home through conversation and drawing
Printable or physical materials can really cement skills from apps. After a math app, solve 10–12 problems on cards with a pencil—no screens needed.
For coding apps, ask your child to sketch out the program flow on paper before even touching the keyboard. It’s surprisingly effective.
- Use printables to support digital skills
- Sketching before coding encourages deeper understanding
| Activity | Offline Follow-Up |
|---|---|
| Science App | Home experiment, diagram drawing |
| Language App | Conversation using new words |
| Math App | Pencil-and-paper problem cards |
| Coding App | Sketch program flow on paper |
Switch up activities so things don’t get stale. Limit passive watching inside apps—lean into interactive work and try to include one offline project for each subject every week.
It’s a good idea to review progress together. Adjust which apps you use based on which offline tasks seem to boost learning at home the most.
Review and adapt based on offline progress
Rotate tasks for variety and balance
Conclusion
The right apps can make the whole experience smoother, but no single tool fits every child or family.
| App Name | Why Try It? |
|---|---|
| Khan Academy Kids | Free, playful, no ads |
| SplashLearn | Game-based, adaptive |
| Duolingo | Fun, flexible |
| Outschool | Unique topics, real teachers |
| Reading Eggs | Step-by-step, lots of e-books |
| Prodigy Math | Quest-based, engaging |
| BrainPOP | Short, animated, easy to use |
| Time4Learning | Self-paced, automated tracking |
So, which app will actually help your learning at home routine stick and maybe even make you look forward to tomorrow’s lesson?
References
BrainPOP. BrainPOP. https://www.brainpop.com/
Duolingo. Duolingo. https://www.duolingo.com/
Khan Academy. Khan Academy. https://www.khanacademy.org/
Khan Academy Kids. Khan Academy Kids. https://www.khanacademy.org/kids
Prodigy. Prodigy Math. https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en
Reading Eggs. Reading Eggs: Learning to Read for Kids. https://readingeggs.com/
SplashLearn. SplashLearn. https://www.splashlearn.com/
Time4Learning. Time4Learning. https://www.time4learning.com/
JetLearn. Best Educational Apps for Homeschooling in 2025. https://www.jetlearn.com/blog/best-educational-apps-for-homeschooling-enhance-learning-on-the-go
Kandukoori, Aarush, et al. “Comparative Analysis of Digital Tools and Traditional Teaching Methods in Educational Effectiveness.” arXiv Preprint, Aug. 2024, https://arxiv.org/abs/2408.06689
