The 10 best educational websites for kids all have one thing in common: they seek to make learning fun and interactive. From dependable favorites, to new, exciting apps, check out these 10 picks to develop the curious mini-minds in your house:
1. Curious World
Brought to you by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Curious World is designed to prepare kids for kindergarten. Tiny tots learn not only math and reading readiness skills, but also social skills. A super cool feature is the flashcards you can customize by your child's age and subject area you want him to learn. Just select criteria from a pull down menu, and enjoy activities that can be done anywhere, any time.
2. PBS Kids
You watched PBS as a kid, and now your little ones can hop online with some of the same friends you remember, like Elmo and Curious George. Of course, there are new friends, too, such as Peg + Cat. Select games by character, difficulty level or latest available. The site also has a huge library of printables for your child's educational enrichment.
3. National Geographic Kids
Has your child ever asked you a question like, "What are baby penguins called?" Well, National Geographic Kids has the answer! Kids can watch videos, play games, and best of all, learn about animals, nature and the world around them. You know, in case you don't know everything!
4. ABCmouse.com
ABCMouse.com calls itself the most comprehensive learning site on Earth for kids ages 2 to 7. Your kiddos can read or listen to books and music, play games and color as they accelerate through customizable learning levels designed by teachers and experts. The site even tracks your child's progress as she learns. You can try out the site for free for a month; after that, the monthly subscription fee is $7.95.
5. Funbrain
Kids in preschool through Grade 8 will love Funbrain, a site that makes developing math, reading and literacy skills fun. Check out games like Math Baseball and Grammar Gorillas. Kids can even read books on the go.
6. Babytv.com
This site offers 24-hour television programming for little ones—because who hasn't been up at 3 a.m. with a child? In addition to always accessible educational shows, kids can play games, listen to songs and more. There's a monthly subscription fee that depends upon which platform your child will be viewing on—Kindle, iPad, etc.—and what features you plan to use.
7. Agnitus.com
Agnitus is all about the tangible learning experience. In a world where kids are told not to touch things, the Agnitus app says, "Yes! Please touch!" Kids can trace numbers, learn about size relationships, colors, consonants, read books and more, all on a tablet. A free trial is available online.
8. FarFaria
Are you sick of reading the same ol' boring stories to your kids? Then check out FarFaria, an app that offers unlimited storybooks for bedtime or any time. You can buy a monthly or yearly subscription to the site and then read to your child's heart's content.
9. BrainPOP
BrainPOP's animation brings learning concepts to life for individuals or entire classrooms. Kids learn about historical events, science and even the stock market, all with the help of a plucky robot and his friends.
10. Spatulatta
Learning takes place in the kitchen, too, according to Spatulatta. Kids can learn cooking basics and try out new recipes built around the type of meal and favorite ingredients. What better way is there to transform your picky eater into a budding chef?
Share your favorite best educational websites for kids in the comments below.
