20 learning apps for stir-crazy kids

These fun-filled educational apps provide perfect brain food for children while schools are closed

The closure of schools across the UK has left many parents and carers in the sudden, unexpected position of being home-school teachers. Schools are providing support where they can, but there are also still plenty of smartphone and tablet apps that can be used as part of learning.

It may be tricky to get some children to see these devices as good for more than TikTok, Fortnite and (adult) YouTube, but the positive side is that the best learning apps are interesting enough to - perhaps with an initial nudge - engage children. Here are 20 apps that may get parents off to a good start. The "younger children" apps are most suitable for preschool and early primary kids, while the "older children" apps are more for later primary and early secondary age.