10 Science Apps and Websites For Kids
Compared to even ten years ago, the amount of technology children have access to is incredible. Long gone are the days where scientific learning was heavily learned through hefty textbooks. Nowadays, there are near countless resources, websites and apps that help support scientific learning.
Science apps and websites give kids a fun, hands-on way to explore ideas that might otherwise seem abstract in the classroom. Whether it’s identifying plants on a nature walk, exploring the night sky or experimenting with coding, these platforms can spark curiosity and build foundational skills.
With so many choices, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together a list of 5 of each: 5 apps and 5 websites that offer different science-led experiences for your little ones.
In this post:
Key Takeaways
Digital science tools make learning interactive and engaging, inspiring children to explore and experiment
Top science apps and websites blend fun with real learning, supporting key outcomes
Research shows educational tech boosts early literacy and numeracy with adult guidance
Combining digital tools with real-world exploration, like outdoor experiments or museum visits, deepens learning
Top 5 Science Apps for Kids In The UK
If your child enjoys learning through play, these five apps are a great place to start. They make science fun, hands-on, and easy to explore anywhere. From the garden to the night sky, there’s something here for every curious mind.
1. Tappity
Tappity makes science stories come alive with real presenters, colourful animations, and lots of interactive choices. Kids can dive into topics like space, dinosaurs, or the human body, while quizzes and mini experiments help reinforce what they’ve learned.
This helps children stay engaged and excited about the next class, and helps parents feel confident thanks to the curiosity that continues offline. After watching a lesson, children can explore real-life experiments or ask questions about how the world works. It’s a great partner to everyday, at-home science ideas.
2. PlantSnap
How many of us have been out walking in nature with our child, unable to answer their questions about the different plantlife around us? PlantSnap turns a walk in the park into a mini science adventure. Kids can take photos of plants and instantly find out what species they are, where they grow, and even fun facts about them. It’s a clever mix of technology and nature that encourages children to explore the outdoors.
For families, it’s a lovely way to connect science with everyday life. Children can learn about plant habitats, ecosystems, and biodiversity in a practical way. It can even lead into broader discussions about water quality and environmental science, such as how distilled water is used in lab experiments.
3. Night Sky
Point your device at the stars and watch constellations appear right on screen. Night Sky is perfect for budding astronomers and families who love to explore the outdoors after dark. The app shows real-time views of planets, constellations, and satellites, making astronomy approachable for all ages.
It’s a simple way to make stargazing more exciting and educational, starting conversations about the solar system, gravity, or even the chemistry of stars.
4. STEM Buddies
STEM Buddies introduces young children to key science and engineering ideas through colourful characters and story-driven lessons. Each topic, from gravity to sound, is presented through short, fun animations and mini-games that reward curiosity and persistence.
The app’s friendly tone and vibrant visuals make it ideal for children who are just starting to enjoy science. It helps build confidence and problem-solving skills in a way that feels like play. It can even lead to creative hands-on experiments, such as exploring pulleys or simple machines, linking nicely with practical learning that reflects the work carried out across different industries in real life.
5. Everything Machine by Tinybop
If your child enjoys building things or figuring out how they work, Everything Machine is a must-try. It lets children design and code their own digital “machines” using sensors, lights, and sound. The app teaches basic coding and logic through trial and error, so kids learn by doing.
It’s especially good for older children who are curious about how devices and circuits work. The app can inspire real-world tinkering too, such as recreating simple inventions with kits or materials at home. It’s a great bridge between digital play and hands-on engineering skills.
Top 5 Science Websites For Children
If your child prefers exploring on a bigger screen, or you prefer to keep them away from mobile phones, then these websites are full of experiments, activities, and science facts. They’re ideal for home learning, school projects, or simply feeding a curious mind.
1. BBC Bitesize Science
BBC Bitesize is one of the most trusted educational platforms in the UK. Its science section offers lessons, quizzes, and videos for all key stages, making it perfect for both primary and secondary school students.
Because it’s aligned with the UK curriculum, parents can be confident the content supports what their children are learning at school. It’s also a great starting point for exploring related science topics in real-world industries, such as chemical manufacturing and blending.
2. Science Sparks
Science Sparks is packed with fun, easy-to-follow experiments for kids. Each activity uses everyday items, showing that science is all around us. From making homemade lava lamps to exploring static electricity, it brings science to life in a simple, hands-on way.
The site is perfect for parents looking for activities that build confidence and creativity. It also supports deeper learning by linking digital experiences with physical experiments, echoing research from ScienceDirect on the importance of combining screen and tactile learning.
3. Science Museum
The Science Museum’s website is full of fascinating online exhibits, videos, and learning resources for kids. From space travel to robotics, it’s a fantastic way to explore the history and future of science.
Children can take virtual tours of galleries and learn about major scientific breakthroughs, all from the comfort of home. For families planning a trip to London, it’s also a great preview of what they’ll see in person.
4. National Geographic Kids
This site brings nature, animals, and geography to life with bright photos, quizzes, and articles written just for children. Kids can read about everything from endangered species to the latest space discoveries, helping them understand how science connects to the world around them.
With its global focus, National Geographic Kids encourages curiosity about the environment and conservation. It complements apps like PlantSnap by deepening children’s understanding of the natural world.
5. Science Toy Maker
Science Toy Maker is all about building and experimenting. The website lets children explore virtual and real-world projects, from simple aerodynamics to optics. It’s designed to make kids think creatively about how everyday materials can be used to demonstrate scientific principles.
By encouraging problem-solving and imagination, it helps children see science as something they can touch, test, and play with. It’s also a fun resource for parents or teachers who want to bring more hands-on experiments into learning.
Why Science Apps and Websites Are Great for Kids
Science apps and websites make it easier for children to explore and understand complex ideas through interactivity, play, and instant feedback. Studies, such as one from Nesta, show that educational technology can improve cognitive skills and engagement when combined with adult support.
They’re also incredibly accessible. With over 90% of UK children aged 3 to 11 having access to tablets at home, it’s never been easier to blend learning into daily life. The key is choosing purposeful, interactive educational content rather than passive consumption, and integrating it with offline exploration and discussion.
When used alongside outdoor exploration or real-world examples such as industrial contract manufacturing, these tools can help children make stronger connections between theory and practice.
Conclusion
Science apps and websites give children the freedom to explore, question, and discover in a way that feels exciting and natural. Whether they’re learning how machines work, spotting constellations, or identifying plants, these tools help make science part of everyday life. Used alongside real-world experiences, they can turn curiosity into confidence and spark a lifelong love of learning.
