Osmo
Learning games that turn an iPad or Fire tablet into a hands-on play system: a base and mirror let the camera see physical tiles, blocks and drawings on the table. Kits cover early literacy, math, spelling, drawing and coding for ages 3–12.
What is Osmo?
Osmo is a set of learning games that mixes a tablet with real objects. You stand an iPad or Amazon Fire tablet in the Osmo Base, clip a small red reflector over the camera, and the camera watches the table in front of it. Kids spell with letter tiles, solve puzzles with tangram pieces, or code with magnetic blocks, and the game reacts to what they do.
Osmo was created by Tangible Play, founded in 2013 by two former Google engineers. It was named one of Time's best inventions of 2014. BYJU'S bought it in 2019, and after BYJU'S bankruptcy proceedings, a small team bought Osmo in December 2025 and relaunched its core products.
How it works
- Buy a starter kit, which includes the base and the pieces for its games.
- Download the free Osmo apps for those games.
- Set the tablet in the base, attach the reflector and play on the table.
- Add more games later; each add-on uses the same base.
Sessions are short and game-like. Younger kids benefit from a parent nearby at first, but many play on their own once set up.
What it covers
| Kit or game | Ages | Skills |
|---|---|---|
| Little Genius Starter Kit | 3–5 | Letters, shapes, early creativity |
| Genius Starter Kit | 6–10 | Math, spelling, problem solving |
| Creative Starter Kit | 5–10 | Drawing and doodling |
| Coding Starter Kit | 5–10 | Sequencing and coding with blocks |
| Math Wizard games | 5–10 | Math through story adventures |
| Pizza Co., Detective Agency | 3–12 | Running a business, money and world geography |
Despite its STEM reputation, Osmo has little dedicated science content. It is strongest for early literacy, math and coding.
Who it's best for
Osmo is a great fit for preschool and early elementary kids who learn by doing, and for families who want screen time that is active. It's popular as a hands-on add-on for preschool and kindergarten learning.
Skip it if you don't have a compatible tablet, or if you need a full curriculum. Older kids often outgrow it by about 10.
Pricing at a glance
As of October 2026, starter kits list at $49.99 to $89.99 and add-on games at $29.99 to $59, with frequent sales on Osmo's site. There is no subscription, free US shipping starts at $30, and returns are accepted within 30 days. Check Osmo's device list before you buy.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
It depends. Some education savings account programs allow educational games and supplies, but many exclude devices and hardware, and Osmo includes a base. Each program decides. See how scholarships and ESAs for homeschool families work and check your state, such as Arizona. Save Osmo to your wishlist and apply once on Edulist.
How it compares
For screen-free building, KiwiCo is the usual alternative. For free early learning apps, Khan Academy Kids covers similar skills at no cost, and ABCmouse offers a full early-learning path. For coding, Tynker and Code.org go further than Osmo's coding games.
See the best learning apps for kids for more options.
Who Osmo is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Preschool to early elementary kids who learn by touching and moving pieces
- Families who want tablet time that isn't just tapping
- Kids practicing spelling, math facts or early coding through games
Look elsewhere if
- Families without a compatible iPad or Fire tablet
- Parents looking for a full science or math curriculum
- Older kids 10 and up, who may outgrow the games quickly
Osmo pros and cons
Pros
- Physical pieces make screen play active and social
- One-time cost with no subscription
- Wide range of games from letters to coding
- Works with tablets many families already own
- Award-winning design, including a Time Best Inventions pick in 2014
Cons
- Device compatibility is complicated; Math Wizard doesn't work on newest iPads or any Fire tablet
- Small pieces are easy to lose
- Company ownership changed after the BYJU'S bankruptcy, which raises long-term support questions
- Not a full curriculum in any subject
What’s included
- Starter kits include the Osmo Base and reflector that work with your own tablet
- Physical pieces such as letter tiles, number tiles, tangrams and coding blocks
- Add-on games like Pizza Co., Detective Agency, Monster and Math Wizard
- Works with many iPad models (iOS 15+) and Fire tablets (Fire OS 7+)
- One-time purchase, with no subscription required
How much does Osmo cost?
Osmo is a one-time purchase. As of October 2026, starter kits list at $49.99 to $89.99 and are often on sale: the Genius Starter Kit lists at $89.99 and was on sale for $57.99, and the Little Genius Starter Kit lists at $79.99 and was on sale for $59.99. Add-on games list at about $29.99 to $59 each and need a base from a starter kit. There is no subscription.
| Plan | Price | Billed | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Genius Starter Kit (iPad), list | $79.99 | One-time | — |
| Genius Starter Kit (iPad), list | $89.99 | One-time | — |
| Coding Starter Kit (iPad), list | $59.99 | One-time | — |
| Creative Starter Kit (iPad), list | $49.99 | One-time | — |
Free trial: No free trial. Osmo offers 30-day returns.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
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Osmo FAQs
How much does Osmo cost?
As of October 2026, starter kits list from $49.99 to $89.99, and add-on games list at about $29.99 to $59. Sale prices on Osmo's site are often lower. It's a one-time purchase with no subscription.
Does Osmo work with iPhone?
Osmo's compatibility page lists only iPads and Amazon Fire tablets. You need iOS 15 or Fire OS 7 or later, and newer models need the 2021 reflector.
Which Osmo kit should I buy first?
For ages 3 to 5, Osmo recommends the Little Genius Starter Kit. For ages 6 to 10, the Genius Starter Kit covers math, spelling and problem solving. Kids interested in coding can start with the Coding Starter Kit.
Is Osmo still in business?
Yes. Osmo's parent BYJU'S went through bankruptcy proceedings in 2024, and in December 2025 a small team bought Osmo and relaunched its core products on its own site and Amazon. The store is active as of October 2026.
Can I return Osmo?
Osmo offers 30-day returns on orders from its store. Keep the packaging and contact Osmo support to start a return.
Is Osmo good for homeschool?
It works well as a hands-on supplement for early reading, spelling, math facts and coding. It doesn't provide a scope and sequence or assessments, so pair it with a core curriculum.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: