Khan Academy Kids
Free early-learning app for ages 2–8 from the nonprofit Khan Academy, with an adaptive path of reading, phonics, math, writing and social-emotional activities, books and videos. No ads, no subscriptions and no in-app purchases.
What is Khan Academy Kids?
Khan Academy Kids is a free learning app for children ages 2 to 8. It comes from Khan Academy, the nonprofit behind the free K–12 learning site, and it was built with early-learning experts. Content is aligned to the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and Common Core standards.
The headline is simple: no ads, no subscriptions and no in-app purchases. That is rare for a kids' app this polished.
How it works
A friendly cast of animal characters guides your child through an adaptive learning path. The app picks the next activity based on how your child is doing, so a preschooler might trace a letter, sort shapes, hear a story, then do a movement break. Kids who want to explore can open the library and pick books, videos or games on their own.
Parents set up a free account, add child profiles and choose a starting level. Some activities use the microphone, so you will be asked for permission. A typical session is 10 to 20 minutes. You can sit with a younger child for read-alouds, but most kids can tap through on their own.
What it covers
| Level | What your child practices |
|---|---|
| Preschool | Letters, sounds, counting, shapes, colors, feelings and self-control |
| Kindergarten | Phonics, sight words, writing letters, addition and subtraction, measurement |
| 1st grade | Reading comprehension, word families, place value, problem solving |
| 2nd grade | Some math and ELA lessons; coverage is thinner here |
Beyond the core subjects, the app includes social-emotional learning, executive function games, creative drawing and a library of leveled books. Some nonfiction titles come from National Geographic.
Who it's best for
It is ideal for families who want one safe, free app for the preschool and kindergarten years, and for homeschoolers building a gentle early-learning routine. It also works well in the car or the waiting room because some activities run offline.
Look elsewhere if your child is in 2nd grade or beyond, or if you need detailed reports or an explicit, systematic phonics program for a struggling reader. Older kids can move up to the main Khan Academy site.
Pricing at a glance
Free. There are no tiers, trials or upsells for families. Schools can buy a paid plan that adds a school login dashboard, but parents never need it.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
There is nothing to pay for. Families who use ESA and scholarship funds usually spend them on the paid programs they pair with an app like this, such as phonics curriculum or a full preschool program; each program decides what counts. Check your state, for example Arizona or Florida. Save Khan Academy Kids and the paid programs you are considering to your wishlist, then apply once on Edulist.
How it compares
- ABCmouse is a paid subscription with more structured levels and rewards. See ABCmouse vs Khan Academy Kids.
- Starfall is a classic phonics site with a free tier.
- PBS Kids offers free games built around favorite shows.
- Pok Pok is open-ended Montessori-style play with no scores.
Browse more early learning programs, phonics programs and preschool homeschool curriculum. See Khan Academy Kids reviews, compare apps like Khan Academy Kids, or read our list of the best learning apps for kids.
Who Khan Academy Kids is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Families who want a free, ad-free app for ages 2–6
- Preschool and kindergarten readiness at home
- Parents who want one app covering reading, math and social skills
Look elsewhere if
- Kids past 2nd grade
- Families who need detailed progress reports
- Children who need a systematic, explicit phonics program for dyslexia
Khan Academy Kids pros and cons
Pros
- Free with no ads, subscriptions or upsells
- Huge library of games, books, songs and videos
- Adaptive path means little parent setup
- Includes social-emotional and creativity activities, not just drills
- Some activities work offline
Cons
- Content tops out around 1st grade with some 2nd-grade math and ELA
- Progress feedback for parents is basic
- Phone and tablet only; no full web version for families
- Some parents report occasional glitches
What’s included
- Adaptive learning path plus a free-browse library
- Phonics, sight words, reading, writing and early math
- Social-emotional learning and executive function activities
- Leveled books, read-alouds and nonfiction titles
- Up to five child profiles under one parent account
- No ads, no subscriptions and no in-app purchases
How much does Khan Academy Kids cost?
Khan Academy Kids is free to download and use, with no ads and no in-app purchases, because it is made by the donor-funded nonprofit Khan Academy. A separate paid school plan unlocks a school login dashboard; families never need it.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khan Academy Kids app | Free | Monthly | Free |
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 gives Khan Academy Kids top marks for educational value and calls it a breath of fresh air for pre-K to 2nd grade. Parent reviews call it engaging and are grateful it is free. Complaints center on technical glitches, basic progress reports, and the app running out of new material for older kids.
Common praise
- High-quality books, videos, songs and games
- Free with no ads or in-app purchases
- Broad mix of topics without feeling overwhelming
Common complaints
- Occasional technical glitches
- Basic progress feedback
- Thin content past 1st grade
Sources: commonsensemedia.org · khan academy kids · commonsense.org · khan academy kids · commonsensemedia.org · adult
Khan Academy Kids family reviews
Be the first to review
Loading…
Khan Academy Kids FAQs
Is Khan Academy Kids really free?
Yes. The app has no ads, no subscriptions and no in-app purchases for families. Khan Academy is a nonprofit funded by donations, and only an optional school plan costs money.
What ages is Khan Academy Kids for?
Khan Academy says ages 2 to 8. In practice, the sweet spot is ages 3 to 6, since content runs through 1st grade with some 2nd-grade math and reading.
Can you use Khan Academy Kids on a computer?
Khan Academy Kids is built for phones and tablets and is available on the Apple App Store, Google Play and the Amazon Appstore. Families who want a browser-based option for older kids can move to the main Khan Academy site.
Does Khan Academy Kids teach kids to read?
It covers letters, phonics, sight words and early comprehension with leveled books. It is a solid supplement, but children who struggle with reading usually need a more systematic phonics program as well.
Is Khan Academy Kids good for homeschool preschool?
Many families use it as a free preschool and kindergarten supplement because the adaptive path needs little setup. Pair it with read-alouds, hands-on play and a phonics program for a fuller day.
Khan Academy Kids or ABCmouse?
Both cover early reading and math. Khan Academy Kids is free and ad-free, while ABCmouse is a paid subscription with a bigger rewards system. See our ABCmouse vs Khan Academy Kids comparison for details.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: