Best Apps for Kids to Learn English in 2026

Duolingo ABC teaches children to read English through phonics, letter sounds, blending, sight words, and short stories. Lessons are short and game like, with tracing, listening, and reading tasks that suit preschool to first grade. It works offline for many lessons, which helps for car rides and travel.

The limit is age and scope. Duolingo ABC is not a general English course for older kids, and it does not teach grammar or conversation at a higher level. For a young child learning to decode English, though, it is the best free starting point, and it pairs well with a play based app such as Lingokids.

Lingokids teaches English through games, songs, videos, and stories for ages 2 to 8, with content developed with Oxford University Press on some activities. Children learn vocabulary and everyday phrases by playing, rather than by drilling lists. Parents can track progress and set profiles for more than one child on paid plans.

The free version limits daily activities, so families who use it daily will likely need a subscription. Prices vary by app store and promotion, so check the current Lingokids site or store listing before you subscribe. For young English learners who learn best through play, Lingokids is a strong paid choice after the free trial.

Khan Academy Kids is a free early learning app for ages 2 to 8, with books, phonics games, language activities, maths, and social learning. It is not an English only course, but its reading and language sections are strong, and the whole app is free with no ads or purchases. That makes it the best no cost companion to Duolingo ABC.

Children who need focused English as a second language practice may still need Lingokids or Studycat for vocabulary and speaking. For a free, safe, and broad early learning app that includes English, Khan Academy Kids is hard to beat.

ABCmouse offers a structured curriculum for ages 2 to 8, with a step by step path through reading, phonics, vocabulary, and early maths. Activities include books, games, songs, puzzles, and art, and parents can follow progress by subject. That structure suits families who want a clear path rather than open play.

The free trial is limited, and full access requires a subscription, with prices that vary by promotion. Some children may find the school like structure less fun than Lingokids. If your child likes completing levels in order, ABCmouse gives that sense of progress.

Buddy.ai is a voice based English tutor for kids, where an AI character listens to the child speak and responds in conversation. That speaking practice is rare in kids apps, which often focus on tapping and listening only. Lessons are short, which suits daily practice without long screen sessions.

Buddy.ai is not a full reading curriculum, so pair it with Duolingo ABC or Khan Academy Kids for phonics and reading. For a child who understands English but needs confidence speaking it, Buddy.ai fills a gap that most other apps leave open.

Studycat English, formerly Fun English, teaches everyday English for ages 3 to 8 through games, songs, stories, and speaking tasks. Voice recognition gives instant feedback on pronunciation, which helps children practise saying words, not just recognising them. The design is bright and game led, with no ads in the paid version.

A subscription is needed for full access after the trial, and the content is aimed at younger learners. For a child who likes games and needs listening and speaking practice, Studycat is a good alternative to Lingokids, especially if pronunciation feedback matters.

LearnEnglish Kids Playtime, from the British Council, offers animated stories, songs, and games for ages 6 to 11, with a focus on listening and vocabulary. The content is made for English learners, with clear native speaker models and comprehension activities. It is a good free option for school age children.

The app is less structured than ABCmouse, so parents may need to guide which activities to try. For listening practice and songs, especially for children in the 6 to 11 range, it is a useful free addition to a paid app or a school programme.

Monkey Junior offers structured English courses for young learners, covering listening, speaking, reading, and writing through lessons, games, and stories. Its phonics and sight word work suits children moving from spoken English to reading, and it supports several languages for instructions.

Full courses require purchases, so check what is included before you buy. For families who want a course like structure for reading, Monkey Junior is a solid option alongside Duolingo ABC, which is free but narrower in scope.

EWA Kids offers adapted books, animated speaking lessons, and flashcards for young English learners. Stories help children learn vocabulary in context, rather than as isolated words, and the cartoon style keeps younger learners engaged. A free download lets families try the format before subscribing.

EWA Kids is stronger for vocabulary and reading confidence than for structured grammar. Pair it with a phonics app for younger children, or use it as a reading supplement for older kids who already know basic English.