Fun and interactive music apps for children including free music apps 

Research has shown that music learning provides important health, social, and cognitive development benefits for kids, even at a very young age. Music is also a fun way for kids to boost their creativity, stimulate their thinking, and have free form fun. Some of the best music apps for kids make it possible to create both pleasant hummable music and a joyful cacophony as they please.  Whether you pick an app that you can use along with your children, or let them jam out unsupervised, this list features plenty of options that may provide the first step of a long musical journey.

Loopimal
Build loops, build sequences, and make music in no time with one of the most celebrated music apps for kids. Every aspect is beautifully designed and the music is sure to delight little kids and even discerning adult ears. You can choose from nine animals and start dragging and dropping shapes to form unique musical patterns. Don’t be surprised if your animals of choice start whistling and dancing along!
App Store

Sesame Street Makes Music
Sesame Street presents a music making experience that exposes kids to six different instruments and allows them to play six different popular songs with Abby, Cookie Monster, Elmo, and Ernie. Kids can hear different genres of music from around the world and explore tempo and beats by playing instruments fast and slow. These include a reggae version of “If You’re Happy and You Know It” and a jug band rendition of “Old MacDonald.”
App Store

Lullaby Songs For Sleep
It only takes one tap to start playing a soothing lullaby to help your baby fall asleep. If you’ve tried different lullaby apps before, this one may be the end of your search. Featuring 24 different well known melodies, this app won’t interrupt your experience with intrusive ads or pop up banners, and has a timer so you can set down your phone or tablet or use another app while the lullaby plays in the background.
App Store

Baby Mozart
Classical music has been shown to be beneficial for young children, which explains why parents have been known to play it in the background even before their kids were born. This app makes it as easy as possible to pick music from popular composers like Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart, plus well known nursery rhymes like Hush Little Baby. There’s even white noise options to help put your baby to sleep, plus child friendly animations and flashcards with dinosaurs, animals, numbers, and letters.
App Store

Mussila Music School
Mussila Music School offers an entire world of musical education for free that allows kids to explore and learn on their own. Kids can choose between four paths: learn, play, create, and practice. They can learn music theory fundamentals like identifying notes, tempos, and reading sheet music. They can play the piano and learn familiar nursery rhymes all the way up to more advanced pieces. They can create their own songs with easy object oriented tools. And they can also practice their instruments and sharpen their rhythm and melody skills.
App Store
Play Store

Spotify Kids
Everything you love about Spotify but for kids! Your children can enjoy kid-friendly content handpicked for them like movie hits, party jams, bedtime tunes, and audiobooks, and even soundtrack their day from playtime to bedtime. You can preselect whether they get content for all ages, for younger kids, or older kids. Plus there’s no interruptive ads that may not be suitable for children.
App Store
Play Store

Musical Me!
Another music education app that helps kids apply their imaginations with sound in as few steps as possible. Kids will learn musical fundamentals like notes, rhythm, and pitch with interactive activities led by Mozzarella the Mouse. They can listen and copy note patterns, tap and drag characters to make them dance to the beat, and move notes on the staff to create their own melodies.
App Store

Melody Jams
Melody Jams is a beautifully illustrated world of fun characters that invite your little ones to join their band. They can mix different melodies, play along with virtual instruments, get to know the different monsters, and start performing “live!” There are no in-app purchases or ads to interrupt band practice either.
App Store

Baby’s Musical Hands
Baby’s Musical Hands is perfect for the littlest music learner in your family. It features 15 brightly colored squares that your baby can touch. Red squares make drum sounds, yellow squares are piano notes, and blue squares are guitar notes. It doesn’t get simpler than that!
App Store

Sago Mini Music Box
Go on a musical adventure with three furry friends. Explore the sky with Jinja the cat, sail the seas with Harvey the dog, and play in the snow with Jack the rabbit. Each setting has unique music and art that’s perfect for toddlers. There’s also no in-app purchases or interruptive ads so your child can explore without distractions.
App Store
Play Store

Music Sparkles
If you’re looking for the most digital instruments for your little one to experiment with, Music Sparkles is the app for you. There are 14 different instruments to choose from, including percussion, string, and wind instruments. You’ll have to purchase some instruments to get the full set, but you can also disable in-app purchases on your device.
App Store

Piano Maestro
If you’re looking to hone in on just the piano and keyboard, Piano Maestro is one of the most popular and advanced piano education apps available. In fact, the app will actually recognize the notes being played on a real piano or keyboard, which makes it the perfect educational accompaniment.
App Store

Fun and interactive music apps for children including free music apps

12 best music apps for kids

Develop a love of music and learn useful skills with the best music apps for kids including free apps and some that are worth a purchase.

The sheer joy in our children’s faces when they unwrap gifts is something to behold. Whether it’s for a birthday, a holiday, or for something else – presents never get old. We know there are a lot of different considerations to make as parents when choosing a gift, so we put together a list that should have something for everyone. Without further ado, here are our picks for the best kids gifts of 2022, from cool birthday gifts for kids to cool Christmas gifts for kids, to everything else in between. 

Steiff Hoppie rabbit
It doesn’t get more classic than Steiff for your little one’s first plush animal friend or the newest addition to the collection.

Haba Magnetic City
This beautifully made magnetic wooden game is also a logic and fine motor skill training activity.

PlayDoh Set
We don’t think PlayDoh will ever stop being one of the cool gifts for kids any time soon. This starter pack of 8 colors makes for so many color combinations.

VTech crawling bear
This cute interactive plush toy crawls, counts, talks, and sings! It moves at the push of a button and encourages crawling, which promotes motor development.

Fisher Price animal friends song book
A popular sound toy that introduces animal sounds, encourages counting, and has a fun rhyming sing-along quality too.

Mini Steps singalong book
Meet your baby’s first singalong book. There are five well-known singalong songs for kids in German that start automatically when you flip the pages.

Green Toys fire truck
A timeless red fire truck in the vintage style that Green Toys is known for. The big wheels roll smoothly on any surface and the ladder moves up and down with ease.

Sandbox set
Don’t leave for the beach or the playground without this 14 piece sandbox cooking set for little kids.

DUPLO set
What does every kid want? From our experience, Lego is often a winner. Get your little one started on a lifelong Lego journey with this Duplo set.

Goki wagon
Once your children start walking, they’ll want to start pushing too. This wagon will move wherever their hearts desire.

Tonies Toniebox
Parents can’t stop raving about the Toniebox and the magical audio world that they unlock.

Ravensburger Tiptoi
One of those cool educational gifts for kids that has plenty of replay value that you might also find interesting as a parent.

Mucki Fingerfarbe
Kids love making a beautiful mess sometimes! They might as well do it with completely safe and bright finger paint.

Vtech 100 Word Book
You’ll be amazed at how quickly kids pick up words, and there’s 100 of them in this talking book.

LEGO classic set
Once your kids are ready to graduate to regular Lego from Duplo, you’ll want to get this classic set.

Reds Swim Academy swimming trainer
This bright red swimming trainer is a can’t-miss item with smart safety features for any body of water.

Children’s yoga picture cards
Healthy mobility is important at every age! There are 30 poses in this book with friendly illustrations.

Magnetic painting board
Encourage the budding artist in your family with this magnetic painting board that makes it easy to draw and erase.

Sachen Suchen book
Didn’t you love hidden picture books when you were a kid? This book paints a colorful portrait of life on a busy farm that’s a feast for the eyes.

Niagara Blue water track
Wondering what to give a kid who has everything? Well, you can add this impressive play set to the list. It’s a fully functional water park with multiple toys and interactive elements.

Fitbit Ace 3
We rate this wearable high on our list of cool tech gifts for kids. Why? It’s practical and they won’t outgrow it in a year.

Kearui walkie talkies
Here’s a gift with a retro flavor. Help your kids run around, hide, seek, and stay in touch instantly with these walkie talkies.

Hudora scooter
The thrill of riding a scooter never seems to get old! It’s also a great way to encourage kids to get outside.

Stabilo watercolor and wax crayon set
Inspire the inner artist with this high quality crayon set that also includes a sharpener.

LEGO Space Station set
There are so many amazing Lego sets to choose from, but we’re partial to the ones that may inspire a love of science and exploration.

Ravensburger Junior Labyrinth
We love a good board game that kids can play on their own or invite the whole family to get involved with.

Bosch tool box
There’s more to this toy tool box than meets the eye! The power drill actually rotates with realistic sound.

KOSMOS herb garden
This is more than just a toy – kids can actually grow edible herbs and see the magic of nature with their own eyes.

Der größte Schatz der Welt book
This beloved picture book is a heartwarming tale that has stood the test of time.

Warum Quiz
This is an age when your kids will be information sponges, and this is the perfect game full of facts and information to satisfy their curiosity.

LEGO BOOST creative toolbox
Another one of our favorite tech gifts for kids and yet another Lego item on our list – this creative toolbox is an amazing opportunity for older kids to dig into their imagination. It’s also a healthy introduction to STEM ideas.

Bop It
Yes the Bop It is still around! It’s a durable and timeless toy that kids still never get bored of.

Tamagotchi
Largely unchanged for decades, the Tamagotchi is as addictive as it’s ever been.

Kosmos bath experiment set
Here’s a cool science gift for kids. A versatile experiment set that you can safely play with at home.

Hudora big wheel scooter
Once your kids are big enough, it’s time to level up to a bigger scooter.

Trivial Pursuit family edition
Family game nights never go out of style! Trivial Pursuit is one of the all time classics.

Kriogor children’s digital camera
This camera’s easy to use, takes great pictures, and provides an outlet besides a smartphone or tablet.

Settlers of Catan board game
Inspire a competitive and creative streak with this cult classic game.

RC truck
Remember wishing for one of these when you were a kid?

Nintendo Switch Lite
It’s on the pricier side, but studies keep showing the benefits of video games, and there are plenty of great titles to choose from on the Switch.

The coolest kids gifts you can find in 2022

Cool kids gifts for every occasion

Whether it’s for a birthday, Christmas, or any other occasion, these are the best gifts for kids in 2022.

Do you remember the first time you were taught how to type? Or depending on your age and where you grew up – do you remember your first time using a computer in school at all? It might have felt a little silly at the time. If you were learning how to type, you might have looked down and wondered why the letters were scrambled all over the keyboard and not in an order you were used to. You might have wondered what difference learning how to solve math problems in a game would make in the long run. The truth is that typing quickly and accurately is an essential skill today, and so is understanding how to solve problems on a device.

Our kids are also using devices and figuring out tech at a young age. If we wonder why kids need to learn about technology at all, the answer is as simple as it was in the situations above. This education will pay huge dividends in the future. Here are 5 reasons why kids need to learn about technology.

Support for different types of learning
Not every child learns the same way, and the devices and apps available today are well equipped to support many different types of learning. Kids get excited about learning differently, and they absorb information the best through various teaching methods. If your child is a visual learner, there are obviously benefits to learning through visually stimulating experiences on a screen. If your child is a kinesthetic learner, there are haptic technologies and device interactions that are touch-based. If your child is an auditory learner, there are interactive music and sound-based programs that keep kids engaged with their ears. The possibilities are greater with devices than with only traditional classroom facilities.

Socialization and collaboration
Being fluent in tech and social media gives kids the ability to stay connected with their peers, family, and friends, to collaborate and solve problems together online, and to choose which platforms or social activities to participate in. Beyond the obvious capacity to communicate and share content on social media and messaging apps, learning about technology gives kids the knowhow to decide how they fit best into the tech landscape throughout their lives. Do they know everyone who they talk to online? Do they want to participate in social media trends? Do they know how to use emerging technologies? Tech literacy from an early age helps them make informed decisions when answering these and other questions.

Digital preparedness and safety
Developing a healthy relationship with technology from an early age helps kids to hone skills unique to “digital natives.” They’ll speak the language of tech, stay on top of new opportunities, and practice device and Internet safety. When you think about how to teach kids about technology, consider the benefits of starting the conversation at an early age so kids develop an intuitive and personal understanding of tech in their lives. Internet safety becomes more complex as kids grow into their teen years, so it’s beneficial to build an understanding sooner than later. We went into detail about the best time to introduce kids to tech in this article.

Tech literacy and professional development
Jobs will increasingly require some device, app, or other tech literacy, even outside of the traditional STEM industries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics in the US has projected that STEM jobs will grow by 8.8% from 2017 to 2029. Software development jobs in particular are projected to grow by 22%. But we know that careers that have nothing to do with writing code will still require tech literacy. A healthy understanding of devices and programs will be beneficial in any number of industries moving forward. For example, we learned that quick and accurate typing is a useful skill in many professions, and we’ll see many more examples like this from our current tech usage in the future.

Greater interest in STEM
Learning about technology may help foster a long-term interest in science and technology that matures into a pursuit of computer science, engineering, or other related disciplines. If your child shows interest in any of the STEM fields, then there are many obvious next steps in both educational and career development. However, even if your child doesn’t decide on software engineering as a career, for example, there are still many benefits of a STEM education. The critical thinking and problem solving skills that are constantly reinforced in STEM education will find many useful applications in other careers as well.

How kids do better when they're tech literate

Why do kids need to learn about technology?

See our top 5 reasons why kids do better when they’re tech literate.

The relationship between children and technology is one of the most important topics we face as parents today. We know that we’re surrounded by devices, between our smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and laptops. We consume content and engage with social media on a daily basis. We see emerging technology in the news like the metaverse and social trends that come and go out of nowhere. How do we make sense of all of this technology, and how do we weigh the benefits and risks of technology for our children?

There are no simple answers for these questions, but we’ve dug into the research and our own experiences to arrive at a few concrete recommendations. Technology has become an indispensable feature of our children’s home and school lives, and something we’ve learned to use consciously to help our kids participate in the digital world in a healthy, constructive way.

The number of children with access to the internet and to electronic devices has been steadily increasing. The percentage of households with internet access in the EU rose from 55% in 2007 to 87% in 2017, and households with dependent children were more likely to have internet access than those that did not at 96% to 82%. Research from the UK revealed that 50% of children in sampled households had access to 4-10 devices, 32% had access to 11-20 devices, and 9% had access to 20+ devices.

The age at which children first experience technology is also getting lower, with some research suggesting that this happens before the age of two. In the UK, 52% of 3-4 year olds and 82% of 5-7 year olds were already online. Similar studies in the UK found that 73% of parents of 0-4 year olds said their child had been online on a tablet within the past month, 41% had used a smartphone, and 24% had used a laptop or desktop computer.

Finally, some statistics about how competent children have become at using devices. A study in the UK of 0-5 year olds revealed that 65% were able to swipe a touchscreen unassisted and 60% were able to trace shapes and drag items on the screen. However, only 14% were able to purchase items and 61% were unable or unaware of how to do so.

These statistics published by the OECD in 2019 demonstrate the range of activities and the sheer ubiquity of online activity in the world of technology and young children.

96% watch TV (for 14 hours a week, on average)

52% go online (for nearly 9 hours a week)

97% watch TV (for 13.5 hours a week, on average)

67% go online (for nearly 9.5 hours a week)

94% watch TV (for 13 hours a week, on average)

93% go online (for nearly 13.5 hours a week)

40% who own a mobile device are allowed to take it to bed

90% watch TV (for 13.5 hours a week, on average)

99% go online (for nearly 20.5 hours a week)

71% who own a mobile device are allowed to take it to bed

We went into the role of screen time in depth in another article, outlining recommendations for each age and helpful dos and don’ts. Both children’s education and entertainment are increasingly screen-based, so screen time can play an essential and beneficial role in our children’s lives as long as we encourage a healthy relationship with our devices from an early age. The key point to keep in mind is to make screen time an intentional and purposeful event in a child’s day and avoid having it idly in the background.

We may not know what every new trend is on social media, but we do know that consuming content and engaging with social media is the main thing young kids are doing online. In our screen time recommendations by age, we suggested that co-viewing and curating content is essential for younger children. However we know that as kids get older, it’s more difficult to supervise exactly what content they’re viewing. That’s why it’s more effective to provide reasonable guidelines that make sense for your household, rather than trying to control everything kids view online. We wrote a separate article that dives deeper into how children are using the internet today, including safety tips for kids and teens.

Kids experience the benefits of technology when they have a healthy relationship with their devices. Some benefits include:

Access to information
High quality content can widen a child’s perspective with information that’s delivered more immediately than from other mediums. The right information can help children improve their critical thinking skills and learn more about the world.

Digital preparedness 
We live in an increasingly digital world, and early exposure to tech means children can mature alongside their devices over time and stay prepared for whatever comes next.

Educational value
Educational apps, games, and content are popular and have instructive value, but all age-appropriate tech usage can help kids develop their fine motor skills, improve problem solving and critical thinking, and learn any number of topics like math, spelling, reading, and art in lockstep with their formal education.

Career and school opportunities 
Tech literacy and familiarity with devices is useful in school and in STEM jobs, which are projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to grow by 8.8% from 2017 to 2029, and specifically software development projected to grow 22%..

Social engagement and participation 
Technology helps keep kids connected to their family and friends on a daily basis.

However we can’t forget the risks, which are most common when screen time and device usage exceed healthy limits. Some risks include:

Dependence and addiction 
The OECD statistics from above show how much time our children are spending with their devices, so there’s clearly some addiction potential there.

Attention span 
Passive engagement with devices and content can cause attention problems in kids and teens.

Sedentary activity 
The hours of watching content on devices in a sedentary position can add up, causing physical and mental strain.

Safety and privacy 
Inappropriate ads, in-app purchases, content recommendations, and online interactions can be questionable or even hazardous.

Open the conversation about technology with your kids early

Have a long term plan about the role of technology in your children’s lives

Don’t forget to make conscious usage of technology a priority

Don’t rely on technology as an idle time filler or babysitter

Don’t ignore warning signs of overuse or dependence

The benefits, risks, and statistics

Everything you need to know about children and technology

Learn more about the risks and benefits, and see technology usage rate statistics by age.

Fun, cool, and unique gifts for Easter 2022

Kids love Easter for the festive colorful decorations and the upbeat springtime mood as it signals a welcome change of season. It’s the first major children’s holiday of the year in Germany and Easter gifts for kids rarely go unnoticed. Many of us have fond memories of our own posing with the Easter bunny, searching for Easter eggs in the yard, eating lots of chocolate, opening presents, and spending time with the family. Whether you’re looking for fun Easter gifts for kids or unique Easter gifts for kids, we put together a list that will help you find the right gift for your child. 

Wooden rabbit decoration
It isn’t Easter for kids without rabbits, bunnies, and hares. This handsome wooden decoration is the perfect accompaniment to an Easter wreath or birthday ring setup. If the rabbit’s not your thing, there are several other animals to choose from that are also wooden and hand painted, like a fox, monkey, sheep, and horse.

Finger paint set
Easter is one of the most colorful holidays of the year, so kids will love expressing themselves with finger paints, especially if they’re organic and non-toxic. This set of four paints is made from natural raw materials in Germany. 

Wooden farm train set
This beautiful 25 piece wooden train set will delight any child who’s curious about moving vehicles and putting pieces together. It’s the kind of toy that a child can enjoy for years as they reconfigure the pieces and reimagine the world that the train is in.

Wooden construction set
Play, build, and learn with this 70 piece construction set that will inspire kids to create. The pieces are made in Austria and certified with the PEFC seal for sustainable forestry.

Meri Meri’s Stacking Bunnies
Kids and adults will adore these stacking bunnies crafted from wood with felt ears and tails, plus gold details. 

Easter Bunny paper cups with ears
Don’t forget to decorate! These playful paper cups will help set the stage on any dining table or countertop.

My First Easter onesie
Your littlest one will be able to enjoy their first Easter in this adorable onesie.

Ochre felt bunny basket
There’s no better place to store your Easter eggs than this soft felt basket in the shape of a cheeky bunny.

Easter Bunny face bunting decorations
Take care of Easter decorations with one item – this bunting hangs easily on the wall or over doorways to greet family and friends.

200 piece dinosaur puzzle
Easter doesn’t have to be all about bunnies! This 200 piece dinosaur puzzle is sure to be a hit, and the fact that it’s educational is a welcome bonus.

20 piece animal puzzle
Get to know some forest animals with this easy-to-complete puzzle that has special pieces with different textures.

Elephant pull along toy
This cute wooden elephant will make for a friendly companion to your little ones, plus it’s made of sustainable wood and water-based paint.

30 piece wooden wagon
The best Easter gifts for kids are ones that can be used long after the holiday, and this wooden wagon is a great example. 1-2 year olds will love playing with this thing for months.

10 piece wooden wagon
If 30 pieces is overwhelming, you can always go with this 10 piece option.

Wooden balance game
This balance game is fun for one or two players, and is best for kids between 3 and 6 years old.

Tomy Squeaky Eggs
Hide and squeak! These toy eggs squeak when you break them open. Perfect for Easter playtime.

Vegetable growing set
Everything you need to grow 5 colorful vegetables – tabby tomatoes, two-tone carrots, radishes, chard, and beets. Each kit comes with seeds, the soil, and detailed instructions that kids can follow along with. You can harvest the first radishes after just 4 weeks! 

Animal poop bingo
This one’s fun for the whole family. It’s the bingo that you know with the added twist of learning fun facts about animals and their… digestive systems.

200 Easter sticker book
This set of 200 restickable Easter stickers will keep your kids entertained for hours.

Playmobil farm set
Kids 18 months and over will love playing with this inviting farmhouse set from Playmobil.

7 in 1 sand building set
Get ready for beach season early with an accessible sand building set that will help your kids become expert builders.

Cork boat kit
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly gift, this is one of the cooler options! This virtually unsinkable cork boat can be combined with natural materials to build a sail.

My Big Book of Animal Sounds
Get to know the animals by learning their sounds. There are 50 different animal sounds in all.

Little Blue Truck’s Spring Time
Kick off this spring season with the beloved Little Blue Truck as it goes on a new adventure.

The Tale of Peter Rabbit
The original Beatrix Potter story is none other than Peter Rabbit – it’s a tale kids will love considering the bunny-filled atmosphere of Easter.

Der Hase mit der roten Nase
This classic German kid’s book has an important lesson about diversity to tell.

Der Kleine Hase
Join the little bunny in a colorful world of grass, trees, and other animals in this beloved children’s book.

Lego Easter Bunny
Easter bunnies come in all shapes and sizes, and sometimes even in Lego form. There are 293 pieces so we recommend this for older kids.

Lego Easter Rabbits Display
Create an entire Easter scene with this 288 piece Lego set with two bunnies and multiple eggs.

Lego Still Life with Bricks: 100 Collectible Postcards
Make a statement with collectible Lego postcards – great for sending thank you notes or for spring and summer travels. 

Milka Easter plush and chocolate
It’s not Easter without chocolate! This gift includes a friendly plush toy plus a mix of chocolates filled with cream and cocoa biscuits.

Paw Patrol Easter nest
If an Easter basket won’t make a big enough impression, how about an Easter nest? This one features a plush toy and several chocolate treats. 

Fillable Easter egg set
These beautiful decorative eggs aren’t just for show. They’re perfect for containers for smaller gifts that will surprise and delight your little ones.

Rabbits and teddys gift wrapping paper
Maximize the Easter effect that every gift will have with this adorable wrapping paper featuring teddy bears and bunny rabbits.

Bunny night light
This bunny’s body illuminates to become the cutest night light, and will bring joy well beyond Easter weekend.

Bunny plush toy
Remember your first plush toy? This gentle bunny is the perfect candidate to be the first plush toy for the youngest in your family.

Garden playground set
Introduce some arts and crafts to the party with this beautiful silk clay and foam clay modeling set where kids can build their own garden playground.

Baby chicks model set
Add to the decor with baby chicks made of silk clay that are simple enough for kids to help build.

Wildflower bouquet card set
This spectacular paper flower bouquet is perfect for kids to build as another piece of Easter decor or as a gift for kids to take with them.

Happy Easter pop up card
Finally, an Easter greeting card with character! Celebrate the season with a dynamic popup card that kids can use as thank-you notes.

40 best Easter gifts for kids

Celebrate Easter in 2022 with the best Easter gifts for kids, including toys, games, crafts, decorations, and chocolate.

How to explain today's tech lingo to your kids

Technology and language are both constantly evolving – the name we used for something when we were kids may be different for our kids today. This article will spell out some of the most common technology terms for kids in ways that they’ll understand, plus some terms that we need to know as well as parents of older kids.

Device
Any piece of electronics equipment, usually something handheld.

Tablet
A portable computer with a screen you can touch and interact with. It’s usually larger than a phone but smaller than a laptop.

Smart (device)
A device is “smart” when it’s connected to other devices in some way. A smartphone is smart because it connects to the internet, and can connect to other smartphones.

Hardware
All the physical parts of a computer or piece of electronic equipment.

Software
All the non-physical parts that make a computer or device run properly, including all the instructions to make it work.

Internet
What we connect to when we go online. It’s everything that’s available when many computers are connected together.

WiFi
Wireless internet! This is available in a specific area where computers and other devices can connect to use the internet without plugging in a cable.

Bluetooth
A way for different devices to connect wirelessly like connecting your phone to a speaker to play music.

URL
A web address, or the name of a website you put in to access it.

OS
Operating system, or a piece of software that forms the link between a computer or device’s hardware and all its other functions.

App
Any piece of software on a device that’s for a specific purpose, like a camera app, instant messaging app, or anything else.

Social media
All the communication and content in online communities, usually on different apps like TikTok, Instagram, and others.

Content
All the videos, images, and text that we see or create online, whether that’s on YouTube, Netflix, Wikipedia, or others.

Streaming
When content is broadcast directly to your device through the internet.

Data
All the information on a computer, and depending on what we’re talking about, all the information about you on the internet.

Cloud
This is where all the data “lives” on the internet so it can be accessed easily from your phone or computer without plugging anything in.

Username
A name that you use to create an account or log in to any service online.

Password
The secret key to get into any of your accounts that’s made up of letters, numbers, and symbols. Sometimes it’s a word or phrase, and sometimes it’s a jumble of characters.

Encryption
This is a way to make data safer by securing it with a kind of secret code.

Cookie
Not just a delicious treat – this is a piece of data on a website that serves many functions like remembering your password from last time or tracking certain activities while you browse.

Browser
This is an app that you use to browse the internet! Popular browsers include Safari, Chrome, and Firefox.

Tab
This is a window in a browser that’s tucked into an existing window so you can have multiple pages open at once on the internet in one window. We have too many of these open sometimes!

Algorithm
This is a special set of instructions used to determine some next step while using a piece of software. For example, an algorithm on YouTube determines what video will play next if you don’t choose one yourself.

Code
This is how we make computers and devices do what we want them to do. It’s a language we use to give instructions to computers.

Programming
This is another word for writing code.

ISP
This is short for internet service provider, or the company that provides internet to your house or wherever you are.

Search engine
A website or online tool that searches the internet for information, usually in the form of another website, images, or videos. For example, Google is the most common search engine, so we often say we “Google” something to search for it online.

Cyberbullying
This is when bullying or harassment happens online. For example, someone could say something mean or inconsiderate about someone else over instant messaging or post something hurtful on social media.

AR
This stands for augmented reality, which is when there’s a computer-generated experience placed on top of the real world. Basically it’s when we use a device to see additional things from a computer on top of what we see with our eyes

VR
This stands for virtual reality, which is when we engage with a completely computer-generated world by using devices like VR goggles over our eyes.

Metaverse
This is the whole universe of all the virtual reality worlds out there.

Meme
Any piece of content from the internet that gets copied and spread quickly and/or becomes a part of culture.

Crypto
Short for cryptocurrency, or a type of money or monetary value that exists entirely online.

UI
This stands for user interface, or all the space where we interact with things on computers and devices.

UX
This stands for user experience, which is how we interact with computers and devices.

IM
Short for instant messaging, which is when you’re talking directly to someone or a group of people online.

DM
Short for direct message, or when you send a private message directly to one person on an app.

Hashtag
A word or phrase with # attached to it on social media, which labels content with a certain topic.

Influencer
Someone on social media who promotes products or services to their followers.

Viral
This is how we describe something that becomes super popular super quickly online.

Top technology terms for kids

This list of common technology terms includes definitions that are easy for kids to understand.

We’ve covered the topic of screen time from many angles on this blog already, so this article is going to focus specifically on the positive and negative effects of screen time on children. We’ll examine the effects of screen time on attention, sleep, learning, and other areas of development in a list of 10 different ways that screen time affects kids. For a more general overview of the relationship between screen time and children, check out this helpful guide.

Access to online resources
Our screens are the portal to so many incredible resources online that are just a few taps clicks or taps away. Kids can benefit from an ever-growing library of kid-centric educational content including games and videos, plus other content that parents can carefully curate for them to enjoy. Screen time can often be about learning, but doesn’t always have to be, and there are websites, apps, platforms, and games that complement the way kids grow up in 2022. Screen time shouldn’t necessarily replace reading time or time spent with other tools, but it’s still an essential part of growing up.

Balanced lifestyle
Much of modern youth culture is related to events online or emerging tech, and it’s important for kids to be able to relate to their peers and stay up to date with the culture. As long as kids have a healthy relationship with screens, they’ll be well equipped to process tech and internet culture, stay safe, and reap the benefits of a balanced lifestyle that takes place online and offline. 

School readiness
Screens are becoming more commonplace in schools and kids have to be familiar with these devices to make the most out of those educational experiences. The prevalence of remote learning from the past few years expedited the need for device and digital literacy among younger kids, and showed how screens can complement, but not replace in-person and analog learning.

Social connectivity
Staying connected to friends, family, and classmates may be the most important benefit of screen time. Video calling is one of the few examples of screen time that experts say is safe for even the youngest children, and it may help set the stage for healthy screen use in the future. Additionally, social media is becoming increasingly common for older kids and teens, and a thoughtful introduction to safe online engagement will pay dividends as kids grow older and become more involved in the digital world.