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Finding just the right app for your toddler is a tricky business: Toddlers are naturally curious and want to learn, but their attention spans are generally too short for education-only games, puzzles, and activities. They need a lot of play mixed in, too, especially since play is one of the primary ways that toddlers learn about the world around them.

In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics feels so strongly about the link between play and child development, that they recommend pediatricians write a “prescription for play” at well-visits for kids up to age 2!

As parents, we want to see our kids learn through play, and the best apps for toddlers seamlessly combine simple, interactive playtime with subtle opportunities for education. Because toddlers are fickle, the best apps are affordable (in case your little one gets bored quickly), and since toddlers are still working on mastering their fine motor skills, these apps should also be created with little hands in mind. 

If you’re looking for a way to build up some of your toddler’s literacy and math skills without forcing them to sit down with an “educational” program, these apps are the perfect blend of learning and play.