Khan Academy Kids Review: A Parent’s Honest Experience with Two Kids (Ages 5 and 10)
As a parent of two energetic kids — one in kindergarten (5 years old) and the other entering their tween years (10 years old) — finding the right educational apps can feel like searching for a unicorn: magical, fun, safe, and actually effective. Over the past year, we’ve tested dozens of so-called “learning apps.” Some were flashy but shallow, others too complex, and many riddled with ads or subscriptions. But Khan Academy Kids was different.
In this review, I’ll take you through how we used the app in real life, what works (and what doesn’t), how it compares to other educational tools, and whether it’s still relevant even if your child is nearing 8 or older.
What is Khan Academy Kids?
Khan Academy Kids is a free educational app developed by the nonprofit Khan Academy, designed specifically for children ages 2–8. It covers reading, math, social-emotional learning, logic, and creativity. The app is structured around a group of animated animal characters — Kodi the bear, Sandy the dingo, Ollo the elephant, Reya the red panda, and Peck the bird — who guide kids through stories, exercises, songs, and interactive games.
There are no ads and no subscriptions. Everything is accessible upon download, which is a breath of fresh air in a space filled with in-app purchases and “premium” content walls.
Our Setup: Real-Life Use Case with Two Kids
My youngest, Aanya, is five — curious, imaginative, and easily distracted. She’s in Year 1 and struggles a bit with early phonics and number sense. My older child, Aishve, is ten — academically strong, but still engaged by animated content when it’s presented well. She initially dismissed the app but ended up enjoying parts of it too.
We used the app on:
- A Samsung Galaxy Tab for Aanya
- An iPhone 13 for car learning sessions
- Occasionally on a Chromebook
Usage pattern:
- 20–30 minutes/day on weekdays
- Up to an hour on weekends
- Used as a warm-up before school homework
What Our 5-Year-Old Loved (And Learned)
1. Reading & Phonics
Aanya progressed from recognizing letters to sounding out simple words. The guided reading feature, where words are highlighted as they’re read aloud, made a huge difference.
2. Math
She improved in number recognition, counting, and simple addition. Her favorite? Feeding birds the correct number of grapes in “Peck’s Picnic.”
3. Creativity & Storytelling
The app lets kids build their own stories with drag-and-drop elements. Aanya proudly showed us a new creation every evening.
How Our 10-Year-Old Used It Differently
While technically out of the age range, Aishve used the app to reinforce concepts and help his younger sister. She enjoyed logic games and co-reading activities — and the bonding moments they created were a nice surprise.
User Experience: Design, Navigation & Engagement
Pros:
- Simple UI – Even 4-year-olds can navigate easily
- No ads, no upsells
- Characters are relatable and encouraging
- Offline access for travel is available (limited)
Cons:
- Parental dashboard is limited
- Not adaptive enough for fast learners
- Offline content could be expanded
How It Compares to Other Educational Apps
| Feature | Khan Academy Kids | ABCmouse (Paid) | PBS Kids Games | YouTube Kids |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Monthly subscription | Free | Free (with ads) |
| Age Target | 2–8 | 2–8 | 3–9 | 2–12 |
| Ads? | No | No | No | Yes |
| Math & Phonics | Strong | Strong | Light | Weak |
| Parental Dashboard | Basic | Detailed | None | None |
Social-Emotional & Mindfulness Features
The app teaches more than just ABCs and 123s. It gently introduces emotional awareness through interactive stories like “Feeling Frustrated” or “Taking Turns.” Aanya started using phrases like, “I feel mad, but I can breathe,” after watching one of these — a priceless bonus for us as parents.
Is It Really Free? Any Catches?
Yes, it’s truly free. No ads, no subscriptions, no hidden costs. Khan Academy is a nonprofit, and the app is supported by donor funding. This gives it a level of trust and transparency most apps don’t have.
What I’d Like to See Improved
- A toggle to make it more challenging for older kids
- More detailed parental reporting (weekly insights, quiz results)
- Custom lesson plans to follow school curriculum
- Broader offline content support
The Verdict: Is Khan Academy Kids Worth It?
Yes — 100%. It’s the best free educational app we’ve tried. It’s safe, intuitive, engaging, and beautifully designed for early learners. It has become a staple in our house, and we recommend it to other parents, teachers, and even our school newsletter.
Final Rating (Out of 10)
- Ease of Use: 10/10
- Educational Value: 9.5/10
- Engagement: 9/10
- Privacy & Safety: 10/10
- Value for Money: 11/10 (it’s free!)
Would We Keep Using It?
Yes. At least until our youngest turns 8. Even after, it’s a great way to review core concepts. And for our older child, it created some beautiful bonding moments with their younger sibling. For a free app, the impact has been enormous.
Highly recommended.
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