As a parent, there are so many learning apps out there that it can feel overwhelming – especially when we know too much screen time isn’t good for our children.
That’s why it’s important to choose wisely when it comes to the games, programs, and apps you allow your kids to access.
In this review, we’ve taken a deep dive into LingoKids, an award-winning educational app aimed at users ages 2-8.
As a teacher myself, my LingoKids review will touch on how the app works and explore what we love about this program, as well as the things we might want to change.
Read on to see if LingoKids might be a good experience for the young learner in your life.
What is LingoKids?
Lingokids: The Playlearning App for Kids
Lingokids uses interactive play and cutting-edge technology to provide dynamic learning experiences, helping children excel in our rapidly evolving world.
LingoKids is an educational app that first launched in 2016.
Created by Cristobal Viedma of Madrid, Spain, LingoKids was initially designed to help non-native speakers learn English.
The app is still ideal for teaching newcomers how to speak. In fact, the program includes a whole section devoted to learning English (that even has lessons for babies!).
Lingokids is much more than just a language-learning destination, however.
LingoKids now includes interactive lessons for all kids across a wide variety of school subjects and life skills.
Learning objectives run the gamut from math, reading, grammar, and science, to socioemotional abilities like identifying feelings and practicing empathy.
There are also Lingokids lessons centered around artistic endeavors, like drawing, coloring, and creating music.
Lingokids is a huge portal of rich educational content, all created to keep even the most reluctant users engaged, excited, and focused on learning.
How Does LingoKids Work?
Parents and caregivers can download the LingoKids app for free to access the basic version.
To unlock premium features, families can then choose a subscription option that works best for them.
LingoKids provides potential users with a seven-day free trial, so you can take it for a test drive before making a commitment.
This is a great way to see if the premium LingoKids games and content are a good match for your child before investing any money.
Once you’ve gotten access to the app, you’ll create a learning profile for your child (or children). You can then help them log in and get started.
The app features dozens of interactive characters. These cute pals will guide your kids as they work through lessons, play games, listen to stories, and watch animations designed to teach them new skills.
You’ll also be able to access printable worksheets, coloring pages, eBooks, and activities, as well as resources designed to help parents encourage their kids’ love of learning.
What We Love About LingoKids
Now that we’ve covered what LingoKids is and given you a basic idea of how it works, let’s get into what makes this app special. Read on to learn the top five things we think really stand out about the LingoKids app.
It’s Safe
Online safety is one of the biggest concerns we have as parents. Any time our kids are using a device, it’s essential to know that they’re not going to be exposed to inappropriate ads, pop-ups, viruses, or malware.
LingoKids has earned some esteemed safety certifications, including the federal government-issued “COPPA Certified Kid Safe” badge and the independent “Astro-Safe Approved” label.
The company is also certified by Oxford University Press, and has earned the “Teacher Approved” rating on Google Play.
All of this essentially boils down to peace of mind for you as a parent or caregiver.
You can rest assured that when your little one is using LingoKids, they’re not seeing any of the digital junk that unfortunately litters so many children’s programs.
Instead, they’ll only be engaging with wholesome and educational learning experiences – so you can breathe easy while they’re having fun.
It’s Effective
If safety is first, a program that actually works is a close second when it comes to priorities for educational apps.
After all, kids might love watching silly cartoons or playing mindless games online, but that doesn’t mean they’re learning any valuable skills.
Thankfully, LingoKids features an expert-designed curriculum that actually delivers results.
Whether you’re hoping to expose your child to new vocabulary, give them extra math practice, let them discover new science skills, or help them improve their socioemotional skills, LingoKids lessons are sure to help them reach their goals.
Learning material is scaled to your child’s age, and lessons are designed to be quick and effective without being overwhelming.
The app is based on a concept the designers called “Playlearning™” that’s designed to make mastering new skills feel as effortless as play.
Lingokids focuses on increasing motivation, building confidence, celebrating successes, and fostering a lifelong curiosity about the world around us.
It’s Kid-Friendly
Of course, if an app is really going to be effective at teaching your child new skills, they’ve got to actually want to use it.
That’s no issue with LingoKids. We loved how intuitive it is for kids to use, as well as how appealing all of the content and characters are.
The site is updated with new games, stories, podcasts, and videos every month, so there’s always something new to look forward to.
With over 1,200 activities to choose from, there’s sure to be something that appeals to your child.
From literacy building blocks and foundational math skills, all the way up to coding and robotics, there’s bound to be something that sparks your child’s interest and gets them hyped about learning.
It’s Parent-Friendly
LingoKids also stands out because of its strong inclusion of the folks behind the little ones having fun on the app.
Parents and caregivers are given a lot of cool stuff to explore on LingoKids too.
First and foremost, you can easily check in on your child’s use of the app with convenient progress reports. These will also indicate areas where your child is succeeding, so that you can celebrate their growth!
There’s also a Parents’ Playground online blog that’s chock full of relatable topics, expert insights, and useful solutions.
There are even LingoKids eBooks you can download that offer ideas on everything from at-home science experiments to community service projects to simple ways to review key concepts after school.
Plus, LingoKids gives you a huge selection of printable materials that your kids can enjoy for off-screen learning time, too.
From coloring pages to stories to scavenger hunts and workbook activities, you’ll have plenty of things to keep them busy when screen time is over for the day.
It’s Budget-Friendly
LingoKids is an extremely affordable option when you consider everything you’re giving your child for the cost.
For one thing, LingoKids is one of the few highly-rated apps that includes a basic version at absolutely no charge.
The free version does not allow access to all of the app’s content, however, and does not encompass offline mode. It’s also limited to one user profile, so it might not be ideal if you’ve got more than one child at home.
LingoKids Plus will give you access to everything the app has to offer (including offline learning mode, printable resources, multiple child profiles, and more) for $14.99/month.
You can enjoy a whopping 60% discount when you opt for a yearlong subscription, too!
This breaks down to a couple cents a day for unlimited access to curated, secure, engaging material designed to nurture your child’s skills across a wide range of subjects.
LingoKids is an excellent way to ensure that any time your child is using a device, they’re getting something valuable out of it!
What You Should Know Before Trying LingoKids
There are a lot of things to like about LingoKids, but we’d also like to point out two things you need to be aware of before you sign up:
It’s Really Only for Younger Audiences
The cute critters and fun games on LingoKids are sure to draw in your younger children, but this app is not really for the upper elementary school or middle school crowd.
Past the age of eight or nine, users might find the LingoKids format a bit too juvenile for their tastes.
Of course, every child is different, and some of the skills offered on LingoKids are sure to be useful to older kids too. They just might not be as invested in the app as their younger siblings.
It’s English Only
LingoKids started as a language-learning app, so you might be hopeful that it could teach your child a second language.
As of right now, though, LingoKids is only offered in English. While the app is ideal for both native speakers and English language learners, it does not include any content for teaching your little one a foreign language.
We’d love to see this as an option in the future – who knows!
Final Thoughts
This is a great and budget-friendly option for enriching your child’s understanding of language, math, science, and much more.
LingoKids is highly rated for a reason. It provides safe, engaging, and productive screen time for your child.
Instead of mindlessly scrolling, they’ll be enjoying fun lessons to improve their understanding of educational, emotional, and artistic concepts.
LingoKids is not a great fit for your upper elementary or middle schooler, and it’s not the way to go if you’re hoping to immerse your child in a language other than English.
For all other learning needs, though, this innovative and wholesome option is a great way to provide your child with a fun reward that boosts their literacy and math skills at the same time.
With a free trial option available, it’s definitely worth a look if you’ve got a little one at home.
Have you ever used LingoKids? Have any other questions about our LingoKids review? We’ve love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!