NewHomeschool ELA courses for K-5 — a voiced daily English lesson
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Best Apps for Summer Learning (2026)

Keep kids engaged and prevent summer slide with these fun, educational apps.

STSpellingJoy Team
•Last Updated: March 30, 2026
Children learning outdoors in summer

Our top picks

Our pick
1

SpellingJoy ELA

Best guided summer plan

SpellingJoy ELA is a voiced, interactive English Language Arts curriculum for ages 5-10. The child plays a ~20-minute daily lesson alone — the AI tutor reads aloud, the child builds words with tappable tiles, reads back (speech recognition), and writes with AI feedback. Phonics-first, standards-aware, a full 36-week year per grade. Parents review the week's work. It is an AI tutor, not a state-accredited program, and is not COPPA/FERPA certified — parental consent and supervision are the parent's responsibility.

Best for:A complete homeschool English year to beat summer slide (ages 5-10)Price:$19/monthGrades:K-5Platforms:Web

Pros

  • 7-day free trial — try the full course before you pay
  • A full 36-week guided ELA year per grade (K-5)
  • Phonics-first and mapped to Common Core standards

Cons

  • Card required up front; $19/mo after the 7-day free trial
  • Web-only (no native mobile app yet)
  • AI tutor, not a state-accredited program
Our pick
2

SpellingJoy

Best free

SpellingJoy is a 100% free spelling practice platform for K-6 students. Unlimited spelling games, unlimited tests, 134+ word lists, custom list creation, and progress tracking - all completely free with no subscriptions and no hidden costs.

Best for:Free unlimited spelling & vocabulary practice all summerPrice:100% FreeGrades:K-6Platforms:Web

Pros

  • 100% free - unlimited games, tests, and lists
  • No subscription or hidden costs ever
  • K-6 curriculum with 134+ word lists

Cons

  • Web-only (no native mobile apps yet)
  • Classroom features coming soon
3

Khan Academy Kids

Best all-in-one

Khan Academy Kids offers free, comprehensive early learning content covering reading, math, and more for children ages 2-8.

Best for:Free comprehensive learning across subjectsPrice:FreeGrades:Ages 2-8Platforms:iOS, Android, Amazon

Pros

  • Completely free
  • Comprehensive curriculum
  • No ads

Cons

  • Only goes to age 8
  • Not specialized for spelling
  • No web version
4

Prodigy

Best math game

Prodigy uses game-based learning to teach math, with a newer English/ELA component.

Best for:Game-based math practice that feels like playPrice:$59-180/yrGrades:Grades 1-8Platforms:Web, iOS, Android

Pros

  • Engaging game format
  • Free basic version
  • Curriculum aligned

Cons

  • In-game purchase prompts
  • Premium expensive
  • Primarily math-focused
5

ABCmouse

Best for younger kids

ABCmouse offers a full early learning curriculum with thousands of activities for children ages 2-8.

Best for:Full early learning curriculum for ages 2-8Price:$45-59/yrGrades:Ages 2-8Platforms:All platforms

Pros

  • Comprehensive curriculum
  • Engaging content
  • Progress tracking

Cons

  • Requires subscription
  • Only to age 8
6

Epic!

Best reading library

Epic! provides access to a library of 40,000+ children's books, audiobooks, and educational videos. $84.99/year or $13.99/month.

Best for:Massive digital library to keep kids readingPrice:$84.99/yrGrades:Pre-K-6 (Ages 2-12)Platforms:iOS, Android, Web, Apple TV

Pros

  • 40,000+ books from quality publishers
  • Read-To-Me and audiobooks
  • Offline reading available

Cons

  • Free tier very limited (1 book/day)
  • Price increased recently
  • Not spelling-focused
7

Reading Eggs

Best phonics + reading

Reading Eggs provides a comprehensive reading program for children ages 2-13 with lessons, games, and books.

Best for:Structured reading program for emerging readersPrice:$70-100/yrGrades:Ages 2-13Platforms:All platforms

Pros

  • Wide age range
  • Comprehensive program
  • Includes spelling component

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Can be overwhelming
8

SplashLearn

Best adaptive math

SplashLearn offers game-based math and ELA practice for Pre-K through 5th grade. Known for engaging gameplay that keeps kids motivated.

Best for:Adaptive math & ELA practice with rewardsPrice:$80/yrGrades:Pre-K-5Platforms:Web, iOS, Android

Pros

  • Strong math AND reading content
  • Game-based learning kids love
  • Personalized learning paths

Cons

  • Premium features require subscription
  • Reading is newer than math content
  • Can be addictive for some kids
9

Starfall

Best for pre-K

Starfall teaches reading through systematic phonics with engaging activities for Pre-K through 5th grade.

Best for:Free foundational skills for the youngest learnersPrice:$35/yrGrades:Pre-K-5Platforms:Web, iOS, Android

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Good for early readers
  • Systematic phonics approach

Cons

  • Limited for older students
  • Dated interface

Frequently asked questions

How can I prevent summer slide?

Summer slide — the learning loss that happens over break — can be prevented with just 15-20 minutes of daily practice. Mix reading, math, and spelling apps to cover core skills. Consistency matters more than duration, so build a short daily routine rather than long occasional sessions.

What are the best free summer learning apps?

SpellingJoy (unlimited free spelling practice), Khan Academy Kids (comprehensive K-8 learning), and Starfall (early reading and math) are all completely free with no subscriptions. Prodigy also offers a generous free tier for math practice.

How much screen time should kids have in summer?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends balancing screen time with physical activity. For educational apps, 20-30 minutes per day is effective without causing fatigue. Many parents find splitting this into two short sessions works best — one in the morning and one after lunch.

At what age should kids start using learning apps in summer?

Children as young as 3-4 can benefit from age-appropriate apps like Starfall and ABCmouse. For focused academic practice, ages 5 and up tend to get the most benefit. Always supervise younger children and look for apps designed specifically for their age group.

Should summer learning apps be different from school-year apps?

Summer apps should prioritize fun and engagement over rigid curriculum. Look for game-based learning, reward systems, and variety to keep kids motivated without the structure of school. Apps like Prodigy and SpellingJoy turn practice into play, which helps maintain consistency over the break.

Our Verdict

SpellingJoy ELA is our top pick for families who want summer to actually move the needle: a complete homeschool English year — reading, phonics, grammar & writing for ages 5-10 — voiced so your child does a short daily lesson on their own while you get a weekly report. It's the most reliable way to beat summer slide. See the homeschool English year. (An AI tutor, not a state-accredited program.)

SpellingJoy is the best free option for summer spelling practice — unlimited games, tests, and word lists with zero cost. Pair it with Khan Academy Kids for a well-rounded summer learning routine that covers reading, math, and more.

For math-focused practice, Prodigy turns equations into an adventure game that kids actually want to play. And if your child is an avid reader, Epic provides thousands of books to keep them turning pages all summer long.

ST

About the Author

SpellingJoy Team

The SpellingJoy team is dedicated to creating free, high-quality spelling resources for K-6 students and their families. We test every app we review and provide honest assessments to help parents make informed decisions.

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