These apps promote curiosity, exploration, and conceptual understanding of science in grades K–12. All links verified October 2025.
Everything Machine (Tinybop)
Age: 7+
price: Paid
Description: Drag-and-drop visual “machines” built from device sensors (camera, microphone, light, gyroscope, etc.). Great for cause and effect, logic and prototyping.
Star walk 2
Age: All ages
price: Free with in-app purchases
Description: Point your device at the sky to identify stars, planets, constellations and moons. Includes AR mode, time controls and event notifications.
The elements / The elements in action
Age: 9+
price: Paid (everyone)
Description: A richly visual periodic table and accompanying video app that demonstrates the elements’ properties, history, and real-world uses.
Frogipedia
Age: 10+
price: Paid
Description: Augmented reality exploration of frog anatomy and life cycle. Humana, a practical alternative to traditional dissection activities.
Earth primer
Age: 9+
price: Paid
Description: Interactive earth science sandbox – sculpt terrain, trigger volcanoes and see erosion and weathering processes in real time.
Live earth clock and time
Age: All ages
price: Free with optional upgrade
Description: Real-time 3D globe with live clouds, storms and global weather layers; also functions as a world clock – useful for terrestrial/space science contexts.
Chemist (THIX)
Age: 12+
price: Paid
Description: A virtual chemistry lab to safely mix chemicals, heat, pour and observe reactions. Useful for pre-labs and concept research.
Animal Kingdom Science for Kids
Age: 5–7
price: Paid
Description: Early elementary quizzes and simple classification activities with collectible 3D animals; a light introduction to habitats and the basics of life science.
Bitsboard Pro
Age: All ages
price: Paid (One Time) — Often shown as $42.99
Description: Create custom science vocabulary, chart and review sets with 35+ game modes and class share/sync features for teachers.
PhET simulations
Age: Elementary through college
price: for free
Description: Research-based interactive simulations for physics, chemistry, biology, earth science and math – great for querying and manipulating variables.
Life from THIX
Age: 17+
price: Paid
Description: Physiological sandbox: apply drugs and conditions to a simulated body, observe organ systems and observe responses (suitable for advanced).
Grow Garden
Age: 6–9
price: Paid
Description: A gentle introduction to sustainable gardening and composting. Caring for soil organisms, growing plants and strengthening ecosystem thinking.
Solar System for Kids – Cosmos
Age: 6–12
price: Free with in-app purchases
Description: Kid-friendly astronomy through games, puzzles, and short lessons covering planets, moons, and basic space science concepts.
The universe in a nutshell
Age: 10+
price: Paid
Description: A modern, beautifully illustrated “scale of the universe” explorer by Kurzgesagt – smooth scaling from subatomic particles to galaxy clusters with clear explanations.
