In today’s digital age, encouraging kids to read is essential for their development and education. Fortunately, technology has provided a variety of apps that make reading both fun and interactive. These reading apps not only foster a love for books but also improve literacy skills in an engaging way. Whether you’re looking for apps that focus on early learning or more advanced reading skills, the following list of Top 10 Best Reading Apps for Kids will help you find the perfect one for your little reader in 2025.
1. Epic!
Best For: A vast library of books for kids aged 12 and under.
Why it’s great: Epic! is often referred to as the “Netflix for kids’ books.” It offers access to over 40,000 high-quality books, audiobooks, and educational videos. The app is designed for children aged 12 and under and includes a variety of genres like adventure, fiction, and non-fiction. With personalized recommendations and the option to create custom reading profiles, Epic! encourages kids to explore different types of books at their own pace.
What to look for: A large selection of eBooks and audiobooks, personalized reading experiences, and educational videos.
2. Reading Eggs
Best For: Early literacy and phonics for children aged 2–13.
Why it’s great: Reading Eggs is an award-winning app designed to teach children the basics of reading. It uses a combination of phonics, sight words, and interactive activities to help kids build their reading skills. The app is visually appealing and provides step-by-step lessons that adapt to the child’s progress. It’s ideal for early learners and offers various levels of difficulty to grow with your child.
What to look for: Phonics-based learning, customizable levels, and progress tracking.
3. Starfall
Best For: Preschool to early elementary students.
Why it’s great: Starfall has been a staple in early literacy for years. It provides interactive stories, games, and activities that help children learn to read. The app covers letter recognition, phonics, vocabulary, and sentence structure, making it a great tool for young children. Its engaging animations and songs keep kids entertained while learning foundational skills.
What to look for: Interactive phonics and alphabet lessons, games, and songs.
4. Tales2Go
Best For: Audiobooks for kids on the go.
Why it’s great: If your child is more auditory or enjoys listening to stories, Tales2Go is the perfect app. It offers a massive library of over 10,000 audiobooks for children, from picture books to chapter books. With a focus on developing listening skills and comprehension, Tales2Go is ideal for car rides, long trips, or quiet time at home. The app also offers parental controls to ensure age-appropriate content.
What to look for: A vast selection of audiobooks, content filtering, and offline listening.
5. Hungry Little Minds
Best For: Interactive activities for early learning.
Why it’s great: Hungry Little Minds by the UK government focuses on helping children between the ages of 3–7 develop their language and reading skills through fun and interactive activities. The app is full of engaging games, videos, and tips for parents to help foster their child’s interest in reading. It’s an excellent tool for boosting early literacy with a wide range of entertaining content.
What to look for: Fun language games, activity-based learning, and resources for parents.
6. ABCmouse
Best For: Comprehensive early learning for ages 2–8.
Why it’s great: ABCmouse offers a full curriculum for kids, including reading, math, science, and art. Its reading section includes phonics lessons, sight words, and storybooks. ABCmouse is designed to be a complete educational tool for preschool to early elementary-aged kids. The app is interactive, fun, and filled with engaging characters to keep children interested in learning.
What to look for: A full curriculum, interactive activities, and progress tracking for parents.
7. Boomerang by Khan Academy Kids
Best For: A fun learning experience with no ads.
Why it’s great: Boomerang by Khan Academy Kids is a free app that provides educational stories, games, and lessons. It’s perfect for early readers and offers a wide range of interactive content that covers literacy, math, and other foundational skills. The app’s engaging animations and characters keep kids entertained while helping them learn to read and recognize words. It’s ad-free, making it a safe choice for young children.
What to look for: Interactive learning activities, no ads, and educational storybooks.
8. Epic! Books for Kids
Best For: A personalized library of eBooks and audiobooks.
Why it’s great: Epic! has one of the largest digital libraries for children, offering over 40,000 books, audiobooks, and educational videos. It covers books for all ages and interests, from beginner readers to more advanced texts. Epic! also has features like a personalized reading list, offline reading capabilities, and parent dashboards to track progress, making it an ideal app for children who are ready to dive deeper into reading.
What to look for: A massive library, progress tracking, and personalized recommendations.
9. Montessori Crosswords
Best For: Early reading and spelling for children 4+.
Why it’s great: Montessori Crosswords uses the Montessori method to teach reading and spelling through interactive crossword puzzles. Designed for younger children, this app helps them learn phonics and build vocabulary in a fun and engaging way. The app’s interactive puzzles encourage kids to match letters to sounds, helping them connect letters to words and improve spelling and literacy.
What to look for: Phonics-based crossword puzzles, spelling games, and fun graphics.
10. Storynory
Best For: Free audio stories and fairy tales.
Why it’s great: Storynory is a great app for kids who enjoy listening to classic stories and fairy tales. It offers free audio versions of a wide selection of children’s books, poems, and original stories. Storynory’s collection includes popular stories like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and The Ugly Duckling. It’s a great resource for helping kids improve their listening skills and expand their vocabulary.
What to look for: Free audiobooks, classic stories, and original content.
Conclusion
These Top 10 Best Reading Apps for Kids provide a wide variety of ways to enhance reading skills and foster a love of books. From interactive games to audiobooks and phonics lessons, each app caters to different learning styles and age groups, making it easier than ever to get children engaged with reading. Whether your child is just starting their reading journey or is ready to explore more advanced texts, these apps offer something for every young reader.