BrainPOP
Short animated movies with Tim and Moby, followed by quizzes, games, vocabulary and creative projects across science, social studies, math, English, arts, health and tech. BrainPOP covers grades 3–8 and BrainPOP Jr. covers K–3.
What is BrainPOP?
BrainPOP is a library of short animated movies that explain school topics, hosted by Tim and his robot friend Moby. Each movie is followed by quizzes, vocabulary practice, games and creative projects. It is used widely in US classrooms, and it sells family and homeschool plans for home use.
There are two sites. BrainPOP Jr. serves kindergarten through 3rd grade with about 300 topics. BrainPOP serves grades 3 to 8 with more than 800 topics.
How it works
Your child picks a topic, such as photosynthesis, the Bill of Rights or fractions, and watches a three to five minute movie. Then they take a quiz, play a related game, build a concept map or make their own short movie. A typical session is 10 to 20 minutes.
Family plans are made for kids exploring on their own. Homeschool plans add a teacher dashboard where you assign topics, see quiz results in Insights reports and use lesson plans. The dashboard and creative tools run on a computer; the iOS app handles movies and quizzes only.
What it covers
| Site | Grades | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| BrainPOP Jr. | K–3 | Science, social studies, reading and writing, math, health, arts and technology |
| BrainPOP | 3–8 | Science, social studies, English, math, arts and music, health and SEL, engineering and tech |
Coverage is broad, not deep. A movie on the Civil War introduces the key ideas, but you will want books, discussion or a full course to go further.
Who it's best for
BrainPOP shines for visual learners, reluctant readers and curious kids who love a funny explainer. Homeschool parents use it to kick off a unit, review a concept, or fill in science and social studies around a core curriculum.
Look elsewhere if you want a complete, sequenced program or deep math practice. Families who need a full online curriculum often choose Time4Learning or Miacademy instead.
Pricing at a glance
As of October 2026, family plans run $119 to $159 a year with two child profiles. Homeschool plans run $350 to $430 a year for up to four students and add assignments and reports. Every plan starts with a two-week free trial, and BrainPOP says annual billing saves more than 30% over monthly.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Possibly. Online learning subscriptions are often allowable in education savings account programs that cover curriculum and software, but each program decides and some require purchases through a set marketplace. Start with our guide to scholarships and ESAs, then check your state, such as Arizona, Florida or Utah. Save BrainPOP to your wishlist and apply once on Edulist to programs that may cover it.
How it compares
- Generation Genius offers longer, standards-based science videos with lesson guides.
- Mystery Science is a deeper, discussion-led elementary science program.
- Education.com pairs games with printable worksheets for pre-K to 5th grade.
- Khan Academy is free and deeper for math, though less playful.
Browse more science curriculum, enrichment programs and learning apps. Read BrainPOP reviews from parents, compare BrainPOP alternatives, or see our list of the best educational websites for kids.
Who BrainPOP is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Visual learners and reluctant readers in grades 3–8
- Introducing science, history and civics topics before deeper study
- Homeschool families who want quick checks for understanding
Look elsewhere if
- Families wanting a complete, sequenced curriculum
- Budget-minded families who need detailed progress reports
- Advanced middle schoolers who need more depth
BrainPOP pros and cons
Pros
- High-quality, humorous animated movies that hold attention
- Huge range of topics, from fractions to the Supreme Court
- Creative tools let kids make movies, maps and code
- Ad-free, with Immersive Reader and multilingual players
- Two-week free trial on every plan
Cons
- Supplement only; videos are 3–5 minutes
- Family plans have just two profiles and no assignment tools
- Homeschool plans cost $350–$430 a year
- Some topics, such as war and puberty, need a parent preview
- Full features need a computer, not the iOS app
What’s included
- 800+ BrainPOP topics for grades 3–8 and 300+ BrainPOP Jr. topics for K–3
- Animated 3–5 minute movies followed by quizzes and activities
- Creative tools such as Make-a-Movie, concept maps and coding projects
- Homeschool plans with a teacher dashboard, assignments and Insights reports
- Microsoft Immersive Reader and multilingual movie players
- Ad-free, with a free daily featured movie
How much does BrainPOP cost?
As of October 2026, BrainPOP family plans cost $119 a year for BrainPOP Jr. (K–3), $129 a year for BrainPOP (3–8) and $159 a year for the K–8 combo, each with two child profiles. Homeschool plans add a teacher dashboard, assignments, lesson plans and Insights reports for up to four students: $350 a year for grades 3–8 and $430 a year for the K–8 combo. BrainPOP also offers monthly billing; it says annual billing saves more than 30%.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrainPOP Jr. Family (K–3), annual | $119/yr | Yearly | $9.92/mo |
| BrainPOP Family (3–8), annual | $129/yr | Yearly | $10.75/mo |
| BrainPOP + Jr. Combo Family (K–8), annual | $159/yr | Yearly | $13.25/mo |
| BrainPOP Homeschool (3–8), annual | $350/yr | Yearly | $29.17/mo |
| Homeschool + Jr. Combo (K–8), annual | $430/yr | Yearly | $35.83/mo |
Free trial: Two weeks free on family and homeschool plans. Your card is charged automatically when the trial ends.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
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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 calls BrainPOP a standard-bearer for quality self-directed educational content, and homeschool roundups describe it as the go-to supplemental video library. Parents and reviewers repeatedly flag the price relative to short videos and quizzes, shallow coverage for older or advanced students, subscription and access hiccups, and sensitive topics that younger kids should watch with an adult.
Common praise
- Engaging, memorable characters and humor
- Accurate, standards-aligned content across many subjects
- Creative tools and inventive games
Common complaints
- High cost for short videos and quizzes
- Not deep enough for honors-level middle school
- Subscription and access problems, dated graphics
Sources: commonsensemedia.org · brainpop · commonsensemedia.org · adult · homeschooltools.net · brainpop · topconsumerreviews.com · brainpop.php
BrainPOP family reviews
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BrainPOP FAQs
How much does BrainPOP cost for families?
As of October 2026, family plans are $119 a year for BrainPOP Jr., $129 a year for BrainPOP and $159 a year for both. Homeschool plans with a teacher dashboard run $350 to $430 a year.
What is the difference between BrainPOP and BrainPOP Jr.?
BrainPOP Jr. is built for kindergarten through 3rd grade, with simpler language and about 300 topics. BrainPOP covers grades 3 to 8 with more than 800 topics. The combo plans include both.
Is BrainPOP good for homeschool?
It is a popular supplement, especially for science and social studies, but it is not a full curriculum. The homeschool plan adds assignments, lesson plans and reports for up to four students, which the family plan lacks.
Does BrainPOP have a free trial?
Yes. BrainPOP offers a two-week free trial on family and homeschool plans. Your card is charged automatically when the trial ends unless you cancel in Manage Subscription.
Is any of BrainPOP free?
BrainPOP posts a free featured movie each day and some free games. Full access requires a subscription.
Is BrainPOP appropriate for young kids?
Common Sense Media rates BrainPOP 8+ and BrainPOP Jr. 5+. Some BrainPOP topics, like 9/11, war and puberty, are handled carefully but are best previewed or watched together.
Who owns BrainPOP?
BrainPOP was founded in 1999 and was acquired by Kahoot! in 2022. It is widely used in US schools.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: