Khan Academy Kids
by Khan Academy (website )
A high-quality, free, gamified learning app for ages 2-8 covering early reading, writing, math, and social-emotional skills.
Best Fit For
Families looking for a free, high-quality digital supplement for preschool and kindergarten that encourages independent learning.
Not Recommended For
Families seeking a strictly screen-free education or a comprehensive core curriculum for students beyond the 2nd grade.
What Reviewers Say
Reviewers consistently describe Khan Academy Kids as a high-quality educational tool that offers a calm and research-informed alternative to typical children's media. Modulo notes that the app avoids the overstimulating and shallow nature of many early learning games by providing a story-rich environment focused on pre-literacy, math, and social-emotional skills for ages two to seven. The Nova School characterizes the platform as edutainment that lacks the hectic aesthetic found in many kids' shows, noting its value as a free resource created by ambitious educators.
How It Works
A child typically starts their session by tapping the 'Learning Path' button, which delivers a sequence of lessons across math, reading, and logic tailored to their progress. Alternatively, the child can browse a vast library of interactive books, videos, and creative tools at their own pace. A typical session lasts 5-20 minutes, requiring no physical materials other than a tablet or smartphone. Parents can use the dashboard to view progress or assign specific lessons from the library.
Switching to This?
There is no formal placement test; instead, the app asks for the child's age/grade level during setup and adjusts based on their initial performance. Families can start at any point in the year and easily switch from other apps like ABCmouse by simply selecting the child's current grade level. If a child finds it too easy, parents can manually adjust the grade level higher in the settings.
Curriculum Details
- Price
- $0
- Grades
- PRE-K - 2
- Available As
- Digital Mobile App Internet required
- Coverage
- Comprehensive: Art, Logic & Critical Thinking, Math, Reading/Language Arts, Science, Writing
- Pacing
- Self-paced
- Parent Time
- 5-15 min/day
- Student Independence
- Semi-independent
- Academic Level
- Grade level
- Worldview
- Neutral
- Teach Multiple Ages
- Yes
- Engaging for Reluctant Learners
- Yes
Free for families and teachers, with no ads or subscriptions. Khan Academy Kids for Schools is $5 per student for web reporting, training and rollout support.
Reviews We Consulted
Highly recommends the app as a research-backed, "story-rich" alternative to the typical overstimulating and shallow early learning games currently on the market.
"Khan Academy Kids stands out as a free, research-informed app that weaves pre-literacy, early math, and social-emotional learning into a calm, story-rich environment for ages 2–7."
Characterizes the app as high-quality "edutainment" that provides significant educational value without the hectic, overstimulating aesthetic found in most children's media.
"It’s also not as hectic as many kids’ shows. It’s also free, which is awesome, and its creators are obviously very clever and ambitious people with a genuine passion for kids’ education."
Updated: June 2026
How This Compares
ABCmouse offers a more elaborate virtual world, with a free daily selection of activities and full access by monthly or annual subscription, whereas Khan Academy Kids is entirely free. Starfall focuses more heavily on phonics and traditional aesthetics, while Khan Academy Kids uses a modern, character-driven animation style. Duolingo ABC is narrower in scope (reading only), whereas Khan Academy Kids includes math, logic, and social-emotional learning.
Getting Started
See What It Looks Like
Offers downloadable worksheets and physical activities that mirror the digital curriculum to support hands-on learning.
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