These apps encourage curiosity, exploration, and conceptual understanding in science across grades K–12. All links verified October 2025.
Everything Machine (Tinybop)
Ages: 7+
Price: Paid
Description: Visual, drag-and-drop “machines” built from device sensors (camera, mic, light, gyroscope, etc.). Great for cause-and-effect, logic, and prototyping.
Star Walk 2
Ages: All ages
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Description: Point your device to the sky to identify stars, planets, constellations, and satellites. Includes AR mode, time controls, and event notifications.
The Elements / The Elements in Action
Ages: 9+
Price: Paid (each)
Description: A richly visual periodic table and companion video app that demonstrate properties, history, and real-world uses of the elements.
Froggipedia
Ages: 10+
Price: Paid
Description: Augmented reality exploration of frog anatomy and life cycle. A humane, hands-on alternative to traditional dissection activities.
Earth Primer
Ages: 9+
Price: Paid
Description: Interactive earth science sandbox—sculpt terrain, trigger volcanoes, and see erosion and weathering processes play out in real time.
Living Earth Clock & Weather
Ages: All ages
Price: Free with optional upgrade
Description: Real-time 3D globe with live clouds, storms, and global weather layers; also functions as a world clock—useful for earth/space science contexts.
Chemist (THIX)
Ages: 12+
Price: Paid
Description: A virtual chemistry lab to safely mix chemicals, heat, pour, and observe reactions. Useful for pre-labs and concept exploration.
Animal Kingdom Science for Kids
Ages: 5–7
Price: Paid
Description: Early-elementary quizzes and simple classification activities with collectible 3D animals; a light intro to habitats and basics of life science.
Bitsboard Pro
Ages: All ages
Price: Paid (one-time) — often shown as $42.99
Description: Build custom decks for science vocabulary, diagrams, and review with 35+ game modes and class sharing/sync features for teachers.
PhET Simulations
Ages: Elementary through college
Price: Free
Description: Research-based interactive simulations for physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, and math—great for inquiry and variable manipulation.
Life by THIX
Ages: 17+
Price: Paid
Description: Physiology sandbox: apply meds and conditions to a simulated body, monitor organ systems, and observe responses (suited to advanced learners).
Grow Garden
Ages: 6–9
Price: Paid
Description: Gentle introduction to sustainable gardening and composting. Care for soil organisms, grow plants, and reinforce ecosystems thinking.
Solar System for Kids – Space
Ages: 6–12
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Description: Kid-friendly astronomy through games, puzzles, and short lessons covering planets, moons, and basic space science concepts.
Universe in a Nutshell
Ages: 10+
Price: Paid
Description: A modern, beautifully illustrated “scale of the universe” explorer from Kurzgesagt—zoom smoothly from subatomic particles to galaxy clusters with clear explanations.
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