Looking for a fun way to entertain your little ones while giving their brains a boost? Here’s a great list of interactive book apps that make reading extra fun!
Getting kids to read on an iPad or phone is something most savvy parents are already familiar with. But the apps we’ve rounded up here take things up a notch. They’re fully narrated, so you can set them up, and the app will read the story aloud to your child. Plus, all these apps feature extra cool interactive elements—animations, sounds, and mini-games—that will keep little fingers busy while you get some work done (or finally sip that coffee in peace!).
Unlike many apps kids play with, these ones are ad-free, so there are no pop-ups to interrupt the fun. While this means there’s a cost involved, we think it’s well worth it to avoid all those annoying ads.
Bonnie Blob in Shapeville
A happy pink blob called Bonnie is the main character in this collection of four charming story books that follow Bonnie’s adventures in the town of Shapeville, and in her imagination. Each page is bursting with bright colours and interactive animations, sounds, and music that come to life when tapped. These books are the most interactive of the bunch, with nearly endless things to discover on every page.
The app was developed in Brisbane so all the voices have great Aussie accents, which is a refreshing change from the typical American and British narrators in most books.
The first story book is free through the Lite version of the app and the other books are great value at $3.99 for all three.
Get it on iOS, Android and Steam.
Dr. Seuss Treasury Kids Books
Who doesn’t love Dr. Seuss? His books have been beloved for generations, and this app gives you access to over 50 of his most popular stories. Each book is faithfully recreated, but with animated pages, excellent narration, and fun sound effects. Tapping on words and objects throughout the pages brings additional learning opportunities, as the narrator reads out what they are—great for building vocabulary.
The app requires a subscription to access, ranging from $2.50-$4.50 a month, depending on your subscription period. There is a 7-day free trial to see if it’s for you.
Get it on iOS
PIBOCO: interactive kids books
PIBOCO offers a collection of dozens of books from featuring award-winning authors, artists, and composers. You’ll find a huge variety of beautifully illustrated stories, many of which have animations and interactive things for little fingers to tap on and explore. All the books have superb narration, and some even offer multiple language options. Along with funny kid’s stories, there are also books with good positive messages and ones to make kids think deeply.
The app offers a 7-day free trial, but after that, a subscription is required. Prices range from $5.15 to $10.49 per month, depending on the plan.
The Flying Squid
This set of four storybooks features a child’s adventures with Chopito, a flying squid. The unique twist here is that the child in the stories can be customised and named to resemble your own kids! This allows them to see themselves as part of the adventure.
The illustrations are quirky and delightful, with small animations that bring the pictures to life. The books are available in both English and Spanish, and each page includes suggested activities for parents and kids to do together. You can even record your own narration, so your child can hear you read the story, even when you’re not around.
The best part? All the books are completely free, with no ads or pop-ups! We don’t really know why, but we know we like a freebie when we see it! Each of the four books comes in a separate app, but they’re easy to find and download.
Get it on iOS
Fairy Tales ~ Books Collection
This app offers over 50 classic fairy tales, including favourites like Cinderella and The Three Little Pigs. The books are beautifully illustrated in a colourful, modern style and are available in six different languages. Every few pages, the book turns into a pop-up page featuring fun mini-games for kids to play. While some of the games may be tricky for younger kids, you don’t need to complete them to move on to the next page.
The app comes with one free book, Puss in Boots, and the others need to be bought with “coins” that can be purchased or earned in the app. It’s about $4 per book if you are buying the coins.
Interactive Book Apps
Interactive book apps are a fantastic way to engage little ones while fostering a love for reading. Whether it’s exploring colourful adventures with Bonnie Blob, diving into Dr. Seuss classics, or customising their own character in The Flying Squid, these apps make storytelling exciting and educational. With options for every budget, including free books and affordable subscriptions, there’s something here for every family. Why not download a couple and watch your child’s imagination come alive? These apps are sure to keep them entertained while giving you a moment to relax—win-win!
