ABCmouse
Early learning app and website for ages 2–8 from Age of Learning, with a step-by-step learning path of games, books, songs, puzzles and videos in reading, math, science, art and more, from preschool through 2nd grade. Paid subscription, plus a newer free-to-play mode.
What is ABCmouse?
ABCmouse is an early learning program for ages 2 to 8, made by Age of Learning in Glendale, California. It launched in 2010 and now advertises more than 13,000 learning activities across reading, math, science, art, music and coding. It runs on the web and in mobile apps.
The core idea is a guided Step-by-Step Learning Path that walks a child from preschool basics through 2nd grade. Kids can also roam freely through books, games, puzzles, songs and videos.
How it works
Parents set up an account with up to three child profiles and pick a starting level. Your child follows the learning path, completing a few short activities at a time, or explores on their own. Each finished activity earns tickets to spend on a virtual room, pets and avatar items.
Parents can set the learning level and time limits and see what each child has done. A typical session is 15 to 20 minutes for a preschooler. Younger kids may need help with menus at first, since the screen is busy.
What it covers
| Stage | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Toddler and preschool | Letters, sounds, counting, shapes, colors, songs and art |
| Pre-K and kindergarten | Phonics, sight words, early reading, addition and subtraction |
| 1st and 2nd grade | Reading comprehension, word families, place value, early science and social studies |
Common Sense Media describes the path as 10 levels from preschool through 2nd grade, with Spanish navigation and some Spanish activities.
Who it's best for
ABCmouse suits preschoolers who love a clear path and plenty of rewards, and parents who want one app spanning several subjects. Families with two or three young children get the most from one account.
Look elsewhere if your child is past 2nd grade, if virtual shopping rewards bother you, or if you want a free option. Khan Academy Kids covers similar ground at no cost, and Starfall is a simpler phonics-first choice.
Pricing at a glance
ABCmouse is a paid membership with a free trial, and Age of Learning now offers a limited free-to-play mode. Prices shift with promotions, so confirm the amount and renewal date at sign-up. See ABCmouse cost and cancellation details before you subscribe.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Sometimes. Education savings account programs that serve pre-K or allow educational software may treat an early learning subscription as an eligible expense, but many programs start at kindergarten and each one decides. Read how scholarships and ESAs work, and check states such as Arizona or Florida. Save ABCmouse to your wishlist and apply once on Edulist.
How it compares
- Khan Academy Kids is free and ad-free with a gentler design. See ABCmouse vs Khan Academy Kids.
- Starfall focuses on phonics with a free tier. See ABCmouse vs Starfall.
- Reading Eggs goes deeper on reading.
- Adventure Academy is the same company's game for grades 3–8.
Browse more early learning programs and preschool homeschool curriculum. Read ABCmouse reviews, compare ABCmouse alternatives, or see the best learning apps for kids.
Who ABCmouse is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Preschoolers who like a guided path with lots of rewards
- Parents who want one app covering reading, math, science and art
- Families with up to three young children
Look elsewhere if
- Kids past 2nd grade, who often find it too easy
- Families who dislike virtual shopping rewards
- Parents who want a free option with no upsell
ABCmouse pros and cons
Pros
- Huge activity library with a clear learning path
- Covers many subjects, not just reading and math
- Up to three child profiles on one account
- Ad-free with no external links
- Some Spanish-language content
Cons
- Busy interface can overwhelm young kids
- Rewards center on buying virtual items
- Activity quality varies; some feel dated
- Many past complaints about billing and cancellation
What’s included
- 13,000+ learning activities across reading, math, science, art, music and coding
- Step-by-Step Learning Path from preschool through 2nd grade
- Large library of digital books, including leveled readers
- Up to three child profiles with parent controls and time limits
- Ticket-based rewards for a virtual room, pets and avatar
- Ad-free, kidSAFE COPPA certified
How much does ABCmouse cost?
ABCmouse is a subscription product from Age of Learning. Its current price is shown during sign-up and varies with promotions and platform, so we could not confirm a single list price from the official site as of October 2026. Age of Learning now advertises a free-to-play mode alongside the paid membership. In 2020, Age of Learning agreed to a $10 million FTC settlement over how it disclosed auto-renewal and handled cancellations in 2015–2018, and it must now disclose renewal terms and offer simple cancellation.
Free trial: ABCmouse offers a free trial; Common Sense Media notes it requires a credit card, and it converts to a paid plan unless you cancel.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
Applications are not open on Edulist. Saving a product does not subscribe you or establish eligibility. Visit your wishlist to opt in for updates.
View wishlistWhat parents say
A summary of public parent feedback we read on forums, app stores and review sites. It is not a set of Edulist family reviews.
Common Sense Media parent reviews say ABCmouse engages young kids, but many describe billing and cancellation problems, poor customer service and doubts about value. Common Sense notes those complaints were most common before 2018. Kid reviewers say it is best for preschoolers and gets repetitive or too easy for older kids.
Common praise
- Engaging for preschoolers
- Huge variety of activities with clear learning goals
- Guided path and parent time limits
Common complaints
- Unexpected charges and hard-to-cancel subscriptions
- Repetitive or too easy for older kids
- Cluttered interface and dated design
Sources: commonsensemedia.org · abcmousecom · en.wikipedia.org · ABCmouse.com
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ABCmouse FAQs
Is ABCmouse free?
ABCmouse is mainly a paid subscription with a free trial. Age of Learning now also advertises a limited free-to-play mode. Full access to the learning path requires a membership.
How much does ABCmouse cost?
ABCmouse shows its current price at sign-up, and offers change by season and platform. Check the price and renewal date before you enter payment details, and set a reminder before the trial ends.
How do I cancel ABCmouse?
If you subscribed through Apple or Google, cancel in your device's subscription settings. If you signed up on the website, cancel from your parent account settings and save the confirmation.
What ages is ABCmouse for?
ABCmouse is designed for ages 2 to 8, from preschool through 2nd grade. Older kids usually move to Adventure Academy, Age of Learning's game for grades 3–8.
Did ABCmouse settle with the FTC?
Yes. In September 2020, Age of Learning agreed to a $10 million judgment over FTC charges that it did not clearly disclose auto-renewal and made cancellation hard from 2015 to 2018. It did not admit wrongdoing and agreed to clear disclosures and simple cancellation.
Is ABCmouse good for homeschool preschool?
Many families use it as part of preschool or kindergarten at home. Pair it with read-alouds, hands-on play and, for reading, a systematic phonics program.
ABCmouse or Khan Academy Kids?
Both cover early reading and math for similar ages. Khan Academy Kids is free with no ads or purchases, while ABCmouse is paid and has a bigger rewards system. See our ABCmouse vs Khan Academy Kids comparison.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: