17 Best STEM Apps For Kids
The best STEM apps for science? Wait, isn’t science best hands-on? Well, I am a big hands-on science advocate, but we are in the age of coding, computer technology, and apps! For our children to be competitive in the workplace, they need to be familiar with apps and the technical skills they help develop.
I used to hate it when my oldest played so many video games. Now that he is grown and a mechanical engineer, we have talked about kids, computers, gaming, etc. He was that generation that had the first Game Boys. His recent comments on kids, screen time, and gaming, “Screen time has to be in moderation. Kids still need Legos. And the software engineers I know say the best in their field spent time gaming as a kid…and still do enjoy it.”
So, we list these with the disclaimer…All in moderation, review the apps first by using them yourself for awhile, use parental controls, and stay on top of what’s going on when your child is using an app or on a website.
Plus, apps have the ability to extend learning for kids who love science, technology, engineering and math. And, kids who don’t naturally love STEM can benefit from the additional learning activities fun STEM apps can offer.
If you are looking to extend STEM learning, here are my favorite STEM apps for kids.
We have listed more than 10 too!
Related post: 6 Apps To Help Inspire The Love Of Astronomy
Best STEM Apps For Kids
Crazy Gears
Recommended Ages: 6-8 years
In Crazy gears kids must learn to manipulate chains, pulleys, and gears to pull themselves to the next level. And, if there is more than one solution, they must find the most efficient one. Crazy Gears is based on the theories of Seymour Papert.
Thinkrolls 2
Recommended Ages: 4-9 years
Kids guide their colorful Thinkrolls through a vertical maze with objects moving around them. The game encourages kids to think critically, and learn through trial and error.
Codeable Crafts
Kids write and animate their own stories. This app not only builds STEM skills, but writing and language skills. It does help students learn early coding skills. The tools within the app are easy to use for younger students.
Trainyard
This is a critical thinking app for third grade and up. Players have to navigate trains from one place to the other, while encountering obstacles. Students build the tracks from one station to the destination station. There are various levels to this puzzle game, so young children can use it, but adults will be challenged by the higher levels in the game. So, this definitely can be used with multiple ages in your home or classroom.
It is no longer available for Android. iOS
Ozmo Tangram
Tangrams have always been a favorite in our homeschool. They are an engaging break from math lessons that help build critical thinking and spatial skills. You can create an online account and use lesson plans to go along with this app. There are a lot of puzzles on a number of skill levels, so this is a good choice for families, homeschools, or teachers with multiple age/grade levels.
Busy Water
Recommended Ages: 4-9 years
Busy Water is a critical thinking puzzle game that lets kids think creatively. Based on amazing water physics, kids must help Archie the fish get back to his tank. To do so they use pipes, spray, paddle wheels and blocks.
Go CAR Go
Recommended Ages: 10+
Go CAR Go is a challenging physics game in which kids build a car and race it on a course. There are a variety of materials for building your car. Kids select materials to make the faster and most stable car for the course. This game is great for kids who love a challenge.
The Robot Factory
The Robot Factory is only available on ios. Children build, collect, and navigate robots. The Robot Factory was voted the iPad app of the year in 2015 and is still a popular and highly-recommended app.
The Robot Factory by Tinybop on the App Store (apple.com)
World of Goo
Recommended Ages: 8+
The popular physics puzzler video game is now available in a mobile app! In World of Goo, kids must connect the goo balls to a pipe that allows the goo to flow. Kids can build using scaffolding, towers, and bridges to solve the puzzles.
Odd Bot Out
Recommended Ages: 4+
Kids get practice with physics and puzzle solving skills as they help Odd the robot escape the recycling bin. Each level in this contraption puzzle game presents a new challenge.
Inventioneers
Recommended Ages: 2-8
Kids learn about real time physics by creating their own crazy inventions with Inventioneers. There are inventions to solve or kids can create inventions of their own. There are lots of options for fun!
Monster Physics
Recommended Ages: 10+
In Monster Physics, kids build contraptions from wood, metal, plastic, rubber, rope, chains, and more. Then, they see how their contraptions works with the built-in physics machine. There are 30 different missions from beginner to advanced so kids won’t get bored quickly with this game. Students use critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they advance through the missions.
Move the Turtle
Recommended Ages: 10+
Move the Turtle teaches programing skills to older kids. Kids start with Chapter 1 and move progressively through the game. Kids can also create their own programs from scratch and view examples of pre-written programs.
Hopscotch
Recommended Ages: 8+
Hopscotch introduces kids to coding in a fun, engaging way. Using the app kids can create games, animation and art. Hopscotch has been awarded the 2013 Parent’s Choice Award and the 2014 Best Educational Technology Award. So, kids learn some serious STEM skills all while having fun.
For older students and adults, here are some coding apps:
CodeGym for learning Java
Of course, Kahn Academy
Other Science Apps For Kids
6 Apps To Inspire A Love Of Astronomy
Best Math Apps and Manipulates For Teaching Math Skills
Do you have a favorite STEM app for kids? Share it with us in the comments section below!
