PBS KIDS Reviews (2026): What Parents Say, Pros & Cons
- Price
- Free
- Grades
- Pre-K–2
- Type
- App
Updated · By Edulist · 5 sources
PBS KIDS review summary
Free, curriculum-based games, videos and apps for ages 2–8 starring characters from PBS KIDS shows like Daniel Tiger, Wild Kratts and Alma's Way. The PBS KIDS Games app alone has 280+ free games in math, reading, science, art and social-emotional skills.
PBS KIDS pros and cons
Pros
- Completely free with a huge game library
- Curriculum-based games from trusted shows
- Safe, kid-friendly interface
- Spanish-language games and accessibility features
- New games added often
Cons
- No learning path or progress tracking
- Game quality and difficulty vary
- Young kids may need help choosing age-appropriate games
- Downloaded offline games can occasionally disappear
Who PBS KIDS is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Free, safe screen time for ages 2–6
- Kids who are motivated by favorite PBS characters
- Bilingual families who want some Spanish games
Look elsewhere if
- Families who want a structured learning path
- Kids past 2nd grade
- Parents who want progress reports
What parents say about PBS KIDS
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 PBS KIDS Games a great choice for preschoolers, praising familiar characters, clear instructions and a wide range of skills, while noting some games have uneven messaging or stray mouse-based instructions. App Store reviews praise that it is free, safe and ad-free; some parents report offline downloads disappearing.
Common praise
- Free and safe with beloved characters
- Wide range of skills and simple controls
- No ads or outside links, per parent reviews
Common complaints
- Uneven or heavy-handed educational messaging
- Some instructions do not fit touchscreens
- Offline downloads sometimes vanish
Sources: commonsensemedia.org · pbs kids games · apps.apple.com · id1050773989
PBS KIDS family reviews
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Is PBS KIDS worth the price?
PBS KIDS games, videos and the main PBS KIDS Games and Video apps are free, funded by public broadcasting.
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View wishlistPBS KIDS alternatives
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.
Hundreds of free, teacher-created educational games for pre-K through 6th grade, sorted by grade and skill in math, reading and logic.
A long-running nonprofit website and app that teaches phonics, early reading and math through short animated activities, songs and games for pre-K to 5th grade, with some free content and a $35-per-year home membership.
Sources
Questions
Is PBS KIDS good for homeschool preschool?
It is a great free supplement for preschool at home, especially paired with the shows and read-alouds. For a guided path, pair it with Khan Academy Kids or a phonics program.
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