Top list
The 10 best ad-free games for kids that are also good for them
Games for young children with no third-party ads, judged on safety, purchases, chat and what children get from playing.
Who wrote this
We make Jupo World, so it is on this page. We judged every app, ours included, on the same points, using each app's own store page or website. Prices and features change: check the store before you buy.
| App | Made by | Ages (as the maker states) | How you pay | Ads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jupo World | Little Grandmasters | 4 to 10 | Free to try, then a subscription | No |
| Khan Academy Kids | Khan Academy | 2 to 8 | Free, no subscription | No |
| Pok Pok | Pok Pok | 2 to 8 | Subscription | No |
| PBS KIDS Games | PBS KIDS | 2 to 8 | Free | Not stated |
| Sago Mini World | Sago Mini (Piknik) | 2 to 6 | Subscription | None for subscribers |
| Toca Boca World | Toca Boca | Not stated | Free, with in-app purchases | No third-party ads |
| Lingokids | Monkimun | 2 to 8 | Free to try, then a membership | No |
| LEGO DUPLO World | StoryToys | 2 to 6 | Free to try, then in-app purchases or a subscription | Not stated |
| Thinkrolls: Fun Kids Games 2-8 | Avokiddo | 2 to 8 | Free to try, then a subscription | Not stated |
| Fiete World | Ahoiii Entertainment | 4 and up | Free, with in-app purchases or a membership | Not stated |
The best ad-free game for your child is one that is fun first and gives them something to think about. We rank Jupo World first among ad-free games with a learning method behind them, Khan Academy Kids first among free ones, and Toca Boca World and Sago Mini World first for open, imaginative play.
How we chose
- No third-party ads, as stated on the store page or by the developer.
- No chat with strangers.
- Purchases behind a parent, or no purchases at all.
- Fun first: children want to come back.
- Something to take away: a skill, a story or a creative outlet.
The list
1. Jupo World
Learning games in a castle world for ages 4 to 10, with no ads, no chat and a parent gate before every purchase. Built on Judit Polgár's Chess Palace method, with more than 20 games.
- Best for: fun with a learning method behind it.
- Watch out for: the full world needs a subscription.
2. Khan Academy Kids
Free, no ads, no subscriptions, for ages 2 to 8, from the non-profit Khan Academy.
- Best for: families who want free and broad.
- Watch out for: less of a game world, more of a learning library.
3. Pok Pok
Calm digital toys for ages 2 to 8 with no ads, no text and no scores.
- Best for: calm, open-ended play.
- Watch out for: subscription only.
4. PBS KIDS Games
More than 280 free games for ages 2 to 8 with characters from PBS KIDS shows, plus offline downloads.
- Best for: free games with familiar characters.
- Watch out for: depth varies from game to game.
5. Sago Mini World
More than 20 play-based games for ages 2 to 6 in one subscription, COPPA and kidSAFE certified, with offline play. Subscribers see no ads and no in-app purchases.
- Best for: preschoolers who like pretend play.
- Watch out for: aimed at younger children; older ones may outgrow it.
6. Toca Boca World
A huge open play world where children make up stories with characters and places. Toca Boca says it will never show third-party ads, and it is single-player with no chat and no strangers.
- Best for: imaginative play and storytelling.
- Watch out for: many places and items are in-app purchases.
7. Lingokids
Ad-free and kidSAFE certified, with thousands of games, songs and shows for ages 2 to 8 and offline play.
- Best for: learning English through play.
- Watch out for: a membership unlocks most content.
8. LEGO DUPLO World
Open-ended play with LEGO DUPLO themes for young children, with a curriculum based on the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework.
- Best for: young LEGO fans.
- Watch out for: most packs are in-app purchases or a subscription.
9. Thinkrolls
Logic puzzles for ages 2 to 8 from Avokiddo.
- Best for: puzzle-loving preschoolers.
- Watch out for: subscription for the full game.
10. Fiete World
An open play world for children 4 and up from a small studio in Cologne, where children travel, explore and invent stories.
- Best for: open-world play for younger children.
- Watch out for: country packs and a membership are sold in the app.
Questions parents ask
How can I tell if a game has ads?
On Google Play, the listing says "Contains ads" under the title. On the App Store, read the description and the developer's site; children's apps that have no ads usually say so.
Are ad-free games more expensive?
Often they cost money up front or by subscription, because ads are how many free games are paid for. Khan Academy Kids and PBS KIDS Games are free and ad-free because non-profits fund them.
Which of these games have no chat?
Jupo World and Toca Boca World state they have no chat. Most of the others are single-player games with no online play.
Try Jupo World
Learning games in a castle world for children aged 4 to 10. No ads, no chat, and a parent gate before every purchase.
Play the first games free in your browser, or get the app for iPhone, iPad and Android.