Free, ad-free learning apps and books for young kids

Trusted free learning for ages 2 to 8: Khan Academy Kids, PBS KIDS apps, and free books in the mail from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. No ads, no subscriptions.

⏱ About 10 minutes · 5 steps
What you'll need
  • A phone, tablet or computer
  • Your Apple or Google account password (for parental approval)
  • About 10 minutes

  1. Pick from the trusted free options

    OptionAgesWhat it costs
    Khan Academy Kids2–8100% free, no ads or subscriptions (a nonprofit)
    PBS KIDS Games and PBS KIDS Video apps2–8Free from public TV, ad-free games
    pbskids.org2–8Free games and videos in a web browser
    Dolly Parton's Imagination LibraryBirth–5One free book a month by mail, where a local program exists
    Khan Academy Kids web page saying 100% free learning program for kids ages two to eight
    Khan Academy Kids says it's 100% free. Screenshot of the official page, October 2026. It may look a little different now.

  2. Install the real apps

    1. Open the App Store or Google Play and search for the app's exact name.
    2. Check the developer: Khan Academy for Khan Academy Kids, PBS KIDS for the PBS apps.
    3. The price should say Get or Install (free). Don't pick look-alikes with "Pro" or extra words.

  3. Turn on purchase approval

    Even free apps can show other paid apps. On iPhone, family organizers can turn on Ask to Buy. On Android, set purchase approval in Google Play so every download needs your OK.

  4. Sign up for free books by mail

    1. Go to imaginationlibrary.com and choose Check availability.
    2. Enter your address. If there's a program in your area, register your child (birth to age 5). Books come addressed to your child each month, free, regardless of income.
    3. No program near you yet? Your public library still has free kids' e-books and story times.
    Dolly Parton's Imagination Library United States home page
    The official Imagination Library site. Screenshot of the official page, October 2026. It may look a little different now.

  5. Skip the copycats

    ⚠️ Watch out: Look-alike "learning" apps often start free, then push weekly subscriptions or show lots of ads. If an app asks for a card for a "free trial", it isn't one of these. The real Imagination Library never charges families and never asks for payment details.

🎉 All done! Your child has trusted free learning on your device and maybe free books on the way. These stay free; there's no paid tier to upgrade to.

Related game: Safe or Risky?. Related explainer: AI, kids and homework: a plain-English guide for parents .

Official help pages

Steps checked against these pages in October 2026. If a button looks different, look for a similar label.