In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, savvy parents have turned to mobile apps to entertain (read: occupy and distract) children. However, apps can also serve as learning tools. In the spirit of on-the-go enrichment, we’ve come up with our top 15 educational apps for children.

GENERAL APP

Sesame Street: The Playground: Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street? Now everyone’s favorite place is easily accessible via this kid-friendly app. Elmo must catch a lost puppy in this fully illustrated original Sesame Street story. The app includes a coloring book, Elmo’s Everyday Words and Big Bird’s Big Ideas, which teaches your little one new vocabulary. Ages: 4 and up

SPELLING APPS

Alphabet Animals: This fully animated, interactive app is perfect for toddlers who are just beginning to learn their ABCs. Each letter of the alphabet features a colorful animal flashcard that moves and makes sounds. Alphabet Animals is an easy way to teach tots their letters, while monkey-ing around. Ages: 3 and up

WordGirl Word Hunt: By Scholastic Inc., this hunt builds children’s vocabulary skills in a new and exciting way. In this creative app, evil villains have taken over the city and your child must save the day by collecting the correct words. With 20 Wordgirl stories and over 100 definitions to learn, this vocab tester is sure to challenge. Ages: 4-8

MATH APPS

Tally Tots: Teaches toddlers how to count to 20 in an easy-to-use format. Each number is explained using sound and animation. The number 7 is introduced with a seven-layered sandwich, the number 2, by two racecars speeding on a racetrack. Guaranteed to keep little ones occupied for hours! Ages: 3-6

Park Math: Teaches pre-school through first grade children basic arithmetic skills, like sequencing and addition, via seven entertaining animal-based games in the great outdoors. This app features two stages of difficulty (three for iPad users) so kids can play at their own skill level. It also includes the music of popular nursery rhymes like “This Old Man” and “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush.” Ages: 3-7

WRITING APPS

Super Why!: Based on the hit PBS kids show, this versatile app includes a variety of literacy games. Kids can choose from selections such as Wonder Red’s Rhyming Time, in which Wonder Red must find the missing rhyming words from her basket, and Super Why’s Story Saver, where children can help Super Why select words that complete the sentences in the story. Players are rewarded with virtual stickers that can be collected in their very own “sticker book.” Ages: 3-6

iWriteWords: Kids can improve their handwriting with this unique game. Using their finger to trace the dotted lines of 70 words and 20 numbers, iWriteWords enhances writing skills and coordination. For added interactive fun, turn your iOS device and watch as the current word slides off the screen to reveal the next one. Ages: 4 and up

SCIENCE APPS

8 Planets Pro: Outer Space never looked so good. 8 Planets Pro lets little scientists explore space without leaving the couch. They can choose from an array of activities like placing the planets in their correct order and filling in the missing letters in each planet’s name. Parents can also view a report card detailing their child’s “out of this world” progress. Ages: 5 and up

National Geographic Kids: Introduce your kids to the worlds of natural science and world culture. Purchasing this app gains access to National Geographic Kids magazine and its fascinating articles. But the fun doesn’t stop there! Additionally, there are “weird-but-true facts,” games, puzzles, jokes and quizzes for the whole family. Ages: 6 and up

HISTORY APPS

American Museum of Natural History: Dinosaurs: Watch dinosaurs come to life! In the app’s Dinosaurs Mosaic section, children can view more than 800 images from the Museum’s extensive fossil archive. Each photo includes information about the paleontologist who unearthed the fossil, as well as facts about individual dinosaurs. In the Stories section, kids can listen to tales detailing even more dino-ventures. Ages: 8 and up

Revolutionary War: Combining historic paintings, multimedia presentations, and first-hand accounts, this app takes kids back in time to the days of the American Revolution. A “revolutionary” new app with sections like Causes of the War, Major Battles and Events, and Myths and Stories, there are also 200 biographies of the key players. Plus, you and the kids won’t want to miss your peek at the past reading letters between John and Abigail Adams. Ages: 12 and up

FOREIGN LANGUAGE APP

Global Roos Elementary Translation: A great learning tool for children who are becoming familiar with a second language. The app features 10 fundamental phrases in 8 languages including: French, German, Korean and Sign Language. Budding linguists will be able to learn key words like “hello,” “goodbye,” “thank you,” and “friend.” Ages: 4 and up

MUSIC & MUSIC THEORY APPS

Drum Circle Kids: A percussion game that allows youngsters to bang on five instruments including the conga, Chinese drum and Caribbean steel pan. Little ones can simply jam out to dozens of sound combinations or touch each instrument to learn about its history. They can also uncover ambient sounds hidden in the scenery. Ages: 3 and up

Pianist: Your little one will thoroughly enjoy this music app that transforms your iPhone into a full-size keyboard. Pianist features lifelike graphics including keys that depress at the touch of a hand and a metronome to keep track of the rhythm. The best part? Kids can record their own compositions and play them back for all to hear. Ages: 3 and up

BONUS APPS FOR PARENTS

iKidNY: Parents can access tons of pertinent NYC info using this handy app. Created by a New York City mother, iKidNY offers directions and information on indoor activities, outdoor adventures, subway elevators and family restaurants. Perfect for moms and dads on-the-go! 

MyCityWay: Designed to make life a little easier by helping parents locate the nearest wireless hotspot areas, purchase movie tickets and check live traffic cams to ensure fast traveling. With apps for cities like New York, London and Paris, this is a must-have guide for busy urban families. 

All apps are available for purchase on the iTunes website.

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Five Websites For Worldly Wisdom

Nick Jr. Boost: A new website from Nickelodeon where, for a small monthly membership fee, children can play fun, educational games. Featuring kids’ favorite Nick Jr. characters such as Dora and the Backyardigans, the games engage math, literacy, science, computer skills and more. Plus, there is a Parent Center where adults can check on (and encourage!) their children’s progress in each category. Ages: 3-6

TIME for Kids: The magazine’s website specifically designed for intellectually curious juniors. It features games and articles on national news and entertainment stories. There’s even a Homework Helper that provides educational links for children in subjects like science, math, social studies, and language arts. Also, kids should check out the Writing Help section for tips on how to write top-notch papers. Ages: 7 and up

Wonderopolis: Children with curious minds will love Wonderopolis, a website founded by the National Center for Family Literacy, that answers head scratchers like, “How Do Dinosaurs Get Their Names?” and “How Can You Talk Without Speaking?” Every day features a new “wonder,” a short article on anything from history to government and food to the weather. Ages: 7 and up 

DOGO News: This website offers kid-friendly news articles on various topics like sports, the environment, and international affairs. DOGO (meaning “young” in Swahili) News provides an enriching platform for children to stay informed on the latest of the web in a safe, friendly environment. They can even post comments on the site’s monitored message board. Ages: 8 and up

Kids Post: Kids Post is the Washington Post’s youth news website where children can read up-to-date articles, play games, complete jigsaw puzzles, and vote on polls. It is a terrific tool for school or a way for idle minds to pass some time with web enrichment. Ages: 8 and up