Free educational games can be some of the best screen time a child gets, but “free” often means ads, purchase prompts or chat with strangers. The picks below are all free, most come from nonprofits, public media or a government agency, and we say what each one is for. After that, here’s how to check any free game yourself.
Fast Facts About Free Learning Games
- Khan Academy Kids is free for ages 2 to 8, with no ads and no subscriptions.[1]
- The PBS KIDS Games app is free and built for kids ages 2 to 8.[3]
- ScratchJr is a free coding app for ages 5 to 7.[2]
- In ESRB ratings, “In-Game Purchases” flags items sold for real money, and “Users Interact” flags possible contact with other players.[7]
- A US law called COPPA requires apps for children under 13 to get a parent’s permission before collecting a child’s personal information.[8]
Free Learning Games by Age
| Game | Ages | What kids learn | Why it’s a safe pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khan Academy Kids | 2 to 8 | Early literacy, reading, writing, language and math[1] | Free from a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with no ads and no subscriptions[1] |
| PBS KIDS Games | 2 to 8 | Science, math, creativity and more with characters like Daniel Tiger and the Wild Kratts[3][4] | A free app from public media[3] |
| Duolingo ABC | Early readers | Phonics, reading and handwriting[5] | Free, built by education experts[5] |
| ScratchJr | 5 to 7 | Coding: kids snap together blocks to make their own stories and games[2] | A free app for iPads, Android tablets and Chromebooks[2] |
| NASA Space Place | Upper elementary | Space and Earth science through games, activities and short videos, in English and Spanish[6] | A NASA website for kids, running since 1998[6] |
| CodeAI (formerly Code.org) | School age (K to 12) | Computer science and AI[9] | Free and ad-free from a 501(c)(3) nonprofit[9] |
Pediatricians point to educational programs like PBS KIDS shows as good choices for young children, and suggest playing or watching together when you can.[10] For how much screen time fits each age, see screen time for kids by age.
What Makes a Free Game Safe?
Before your child plays any free game, check five things:
- Chat with strangers. In an ESRB rating, “Users Interact” means a game may expose players to unfiltered messages and content from other users.[7] For young kids, choose games without it.
- Purchases. “In-Game Purchases” means the game offers items, currency, subscriptions or upgrades for real money, including paying to remove ads.[7] “Includes Random Items” means some purchases are loot boxes or mystery items.[7]
- Ads. Many free games make money from ads. Try the game yourself for a few minutes to see how often ads appear and where they lead.
- Privacy. Under COPPA, apps and websites for children under 13 have to notify parents and get approval before collecting, using or sharing a child’s personal information. You can also review that information, take back your consent and have it deleted.[8]
- Age fit. Check the age range the maker gives, and the App Store or ESRB rating.
Free Games That Need More Care
Many popular free games, like Roblox and Fortnite, earn money by selling items inside the game and let kids play with people they don’t know. They aren’t automatically off-limits, but they need settings in place first. See our guides to Roblox and Fortnite, and to loot boxes and game spending.
Take the 2-Minute Game Danger Check
Pick the game your child plays most and answer a few questions about chat, voice and spending. You’ll get a risk score and the settings to change. Start the Game Danger Check
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best free educational games for kids?
Khan Academy Kids and PBS KIDS Games are strong choices for ages 2 to 8, ScratchJr teaches coding to ages 5 to 7, and NASA Space Place covers science for older elementary kids.[1][2][3][6]
Is Khan Academy Kids really free?
Yes. It’s free, with no ads and no subscriptions, from a nonprofit.[1]
Are free games safe for kids?
Some are, and some aren’t. Check for chat with strangers, in-game purchases, ads and how the app handles your child’s information.[7][8]
What does “Users Interact” mean on a game rating?
It means the game may expose players to unfiltered content and messages from other users, including chat.[7]
Do educational apps count as screen time?
Yes, but quality matters. Slower, educational content you choose, ideally shared with you, is a better use of the time.[10]
Related Guides
- Screen Time for Kids by Age
- iPad Kids: Signs and What to Do
- Best Nintendo Switch Games for Kids by Age
- Safe Video Games for Kids by Age
- ESRB Ratings Explained
Sources
- Khan Academy. (n.d.). Khan Academy Kids. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- ScratchJr. (n.d.). About ScratchJr. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- PBS. (2016, April 28). New app offers free access to PBS KIDS games anytime, anywhere.
- PBS KIDS. (n.d.). PBS KIDS Games app. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Duolingo. (n.d.). Duolingo ABC. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- NASA Space Place. (n.d.). About us. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- Entertainment Software Rating Board. (n.d.). Ratings Guide.
- Federal Trade Commission. (2026, May). Protecting your child’s privacy online. Consumer Advice.
- CodeAI. (n.d.). About CodeAI. Accessed October 4, 2026.
- American Academy of Pediatrics. (2024). Kids and screen time: 5 C’s questions for toddlers and preschoolers. HealthyChildren.org.
About this information
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