PBS Parents Play & Learn – Overview
UPDATED VERSION features a summer background and new stickers for lots of summer fun! Go to the beach! Make patterns with seashells! Play in the sand with Dee and Del! Fly a kite or sail a boat!
Parents' Choice Silver Award Winning App!
PBS’ first app designed specifically for parents, PBS Parents Play & Learn provides more than a dozen games parents can play with their kids, each themed around a familiar location – including the garden, the grocery store, a restaurant, the kitchen, and many more.
The bilingual (English/Spanish) PBS Parents Play & Learn app makes it easy for parents to seize upon those daily “teachable moments” through theme-based interactive games and simple hands-on activities that connect math and literacy skills to everyday experiences.
The app is designed to build on a child’s natural curiosity about his or her everyday world and to encourage dialogue between kids and parents.
Each game comes with a parent note that provides information about the math and literacy skills woven into the game and suggestions for effective ways to interact with a child while playing the game to maximize the learning experience.
Key Features
- 13 interactive games that automatically adjust to a child’s level
- A variety of proven methods used to build early math and literacy skills
- Completely bilingual (English/Spanish)
- Over 100 everyday and seasonal stickers in free-play area
- Parent ‘teachable moments’ tips associated with each game
- Easy hands-on activities and game-related resources updated regularly
- New activities and resources added weekly
- Social sharing feature
For more parent resources, tips and information visit pbs.org/parents. For more apps from PBS KIDS, visit pbskids.org/apps.
About PBS KIDS
PBS Parents Play and Learn is part of PBS KIDS’ ongoing commitment to helping kids build the skills they need to succeed in school and in life.
PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers all children the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital media, as well as community-based programs.
Privacy Across all media platforms, PBS KIDS is committed to creating a safe and secure environment for children and families and being transparent about what information is collected from users. To learn more about PBS KIDS’ privacy policy, visit pbskids.org/privacy.
Ready To Learn
The contents of this app were developed under a cooperative agreement #PRU295A100025, from the U.S. Department of Education. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
PBS Parents Play & Learn – App Overview and Experience
PBS Parents Play & Learn is a fun and educational app designed to help parents engage their kids in learning activities. Available on both Android and iOS, this app is created by the trusted folks at PBS, known for their quality children's programming.
Interactive Learning at Its Best When I first opened the PBS Parents Play & Learn app, I was immediately struck by its bright and inviting interface. It’s like stepping into a world where learning is fun and limitless.
The app is divided into different themed games, each focusing on a specific skill such as math, literacy, or science. This makes it easy for parents to choose activities that suit their child’s interests or educational needs.
Easy Navigation for Both Parents and Kids The app’s design is intuitive, allowing even the youngest users to navigate through the options with ease. As a parent, I appreciated the simplicity. It’s not cluttered with unnecessary features, which means my kids can focus on the games without getting distracted. Plus, the instructions are clear and concise, ensuring that learning objectives are met without any confusion.
A Treasure Trove of Activities One of the highlights of the PBS Parents Play & Learn app is the sheer variety of activities available. From counting games that help with math skills to storytelling exercises that boost literacy, there’s something for every child. Each game is designed to be interactive, engaging, and, most importantly, educational. I noticed my kids were not only enjoying themselves but also picking up new skills along the way.
Parent Involvement is Key What sets this app apart is its focus on parent involvement. Each activity includes tips on how parents can extend the learning experience beyond the app. This feature is fantastic because it encourages us to take an active role in our children’s education, turning everyday moments into learning opportunities. Moreover, the app includes a section where parents can track their child’s progress. This is a great way to see how your child is doing and identify areas where they might need a little extra help. The app acts as a bridge between digital and real-world learning, making it a valuable resource in any household.
A Few Thoughts to Wrap Up All in all, PBS Parents Play & Learn is a fantastic educational tool that combines fun with learning. It’s an app that not only entertains but also educates, making a win-win for both parents and kids. The focus on parent involvement and the wide range of activities ensure that it caters to various learning needs and preferences. Whether you’re a parent looking to enhance your child’s learning or just want an app that provides quality content, this app is definitely worth checking out. I highly recommend giving it a try. Who knew learning could be this much fun?
PBS Parents Play & Learn — Feature Description
PBS Parents Play & Learn is a trusted, bilingual educational app designed to support parents in guiding early learning moments with their kids. Available on Android and iOS, this PBS KIDS creation blends playful interaction with foundational math and literacy skills, turning everyday activities into teachable opportunities.
The app centers around theme-based games set in familiar environments—garden, grocery store, restaurant, kitchen, and more—making it easy for families to incorporate learning into daily routines. With more than a dozen engaging activities, parents can select activities aligned with their child’s interests and developmental needs, promoting sustained curiosity and confidence.
A standout feature is its complete bilingual support (English/Spanish), enabling households with diverse language needs to engage in meaningful conversations about math concepts and early literacy in both languages. This accessibility broadens reach and enriches family learning experiences, encouraging dialogue and joint problem solving between kids and caregivers.
Interactive play is complemented by thoughtful parent notes included with each game. These notes describe the math and literacy skills embedded in the activity and offer practical tips for guiding conversations, prompting questions, and extending learning beyond the screen. This emphasis on parent involvement helps families turn screen time into rich, collaborative learning moments.
The app also highlights real-world readiness skills through its weekly updates of activities and resources, ensuring the content stays fresh and aligned with early education standards. A growing library of stickers and free-play materials adds a tactile, creative layer to the digital experience, encouraging travel-ready exploration during car rides or at home.
Parents can track progress and observe growth in numerical sense, counting, and early literacy abilities, making the app a practical educational companion. The blend of guided activities and independent exploration supports both guided learning and child-led discovery, a powerful combination for cultivating curiosity and foundational skills.
Overall, PBS Parents Play & Learn offers a thoughtful, kid-friendly, multi-sensory approach to early education. Its bilingual design, variety of interactive games, and strong emphasis on parental involvement make it a compelling choice for families seeking quality, research-informed learning opportunities that fit seamlessly into daily life.
Whether you’re a busy parent aiming to reinforce classroom concepts or a caregiver looking to foster early math and literacy in a fun way, this app stands out as a high-quality resource. Its ongoing updates, user-friendly interface, and social sharing options further enhance its appeal, turning every moment into a potential learning breakthrough.
Pros
- Engaging educational games.
- User-friendly interface.
- Free to download and use.
- Offers bilingual options.
- Encourages parent-child interaction.
Cons
- Limited game variety.
- Requires internet for updates.
- Some content locked behind paywall.
- Occasional app crashes.
- In-app ads may disrupt play.
