Best Creative Apps

There's a lot of media content that kids can consume -- movies to watch, games to play, music to listen to -- but it's important for kids to balance those activities with creativity. Not only do we want kids enjoying art and music, but also we want them to see themselves as the next media creators so that they can make media that represents them and their stories. These apps allow kids to color pictures, edit photos and videos, make music, express themselves in writing, and tinker and build with digital tools. Studies suggest that using apps to create, not consume, can be a great way to turn screen time into learning time. Want more ideas to spark inspiration? Check out our Tech Creation Learning Tools for Kids, and see the creative juices flow.

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Sago Mini Hat Maker Poster Image
APP

Sago Mini Hat Maker

age 2+

Toddlers create hats freely with simple, fun tools.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android (2017)
Art Class with Dr. Panda Poster Image
APP

Art Class with Dr. Panda

age 3+

Fun, directed crafts best as inspiration for offscreen art.

Devices: Android , Kindle Fire (2015)
Beck and Bo Poster Image
APP

Beck and Bo

age 3+

Beautiful discovery app combines logic and creativity.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Kindle Fire (2012)
Crayola Create and Play Poster Image
APP

Crayola Create and Play

age 3+

Delightful creativity and game combo for subscription.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android (2018)
Dr. Panda Plus: Home Designer Poster Image
APP

Dr. Panda Plus: Home Designer

age 3+

Kids' art becomes virtual furniture; best with toy.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android (2017)
Mac, Izzy & Friends Poster Image
APP

Mac, Izzy & Friends

age 3+

Kids explore, experiment, create with fun tools and prompts.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad (2015)
DRAWNIMAL by YATATOY Poster Image
APP

DRAWNIMAL by YATATOY

age 3+

Innovative combo of paper, app, and ABCs.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad (2014)
Picture Dots Poster Image
APP

Picture Dots

age 3+

Fun, free tool ignites curiosity, creativity, and STEAM.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad (2018)
Sago Mini Monsters Poster Image
APP

Sago Mini Monsters

age 3+

Safe and silly fun for little monster-makers.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Kindle Fire (2014)
Toca Band Poster Image
APP

Toca Band

age 3+

Super cute music app lets kids mix beats and sounds.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad (2013)
Bug Art Poster Image
APP

Bug Art

age 4+

Beautiful bugs inspire creativity in well-rounded app.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad (2014)
Digitalwerkstatt Art Studio Poster Image
APP

Digitalwerkstatt Art Studio

age 4+

Simple, shape-based creative tool with murky tutorial.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android (2019)
Draw and Tell HD - by Duck Duck Moose Poster Image
APP

Draw and Tell HD - by Duck Duck Moose

age 4+

Easy-to-use story creator is also a fun art app.

Devices: iPad (2013)
Drawing Pad Poster Image
APP

Drawing Pad

age 4+

Great drawing app is a window to self-expression.

Devices: iPad , Android , Kindle Fire (2010)
Elmer's Photo Patchwork Poster Image
APP

Elmer's Photo Patchwork

age 4+

Use camera to create collages; few options for further fun.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad (2018)
HEY CLAY BUGS Poster Image
APP

HEY CLAY BUGS

age 4+

Create cute bugs from your own clay, or buy theirs.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad (2018)
Nick Jr Draw & Play Poster Image
APP

Nick Jr Draw & Play

age 4+

App promotes creation with cool tools, favorite characters.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Kindle Fire (2012)
Lipa Theater: Story Maker Poster Image
APP

Lipa Theater: Story Maker

age 4+

Create and record stories in cute digital puppet theater.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android (2016)
DIY.org – Creative Challenges Poster Image
APP

DIY.org – Creative Challenges

age 5+

How-to videos ignite curiosity and nurture key skills.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad (2019)
Faces iMake - Right Brain Creativity Poster Image
APP

Faces iMake - Right Brain Creativity

age 5+

Kids make fanciful facial art using everyday objects.

Devices: iPad (2016)