“Oftentimes, those free apps will charge you later through things like in-app purchases or play advertising in lieu of charging. “Free apps don’t always mean free,” says Sara Kloek, the director of Moms with Apps. There are lots of entertaining, free toddler games and apps available for screen time, but it’s important to make sure the apps kids are using have some educational benefit, are appropriate for their age and are completely safe. But you may not know where to find free toddler games and apps (that are also educational) or if toddlers should be getting screen time at all.Ĭhristine Elgersma, a senior editor at media rating site Common Sense Media and a former teacher, says parents should view “technology as a tool, and set boundaries around this tool.” For example, whipping out your phone and providing little ones with instant entertainment can help prevent badly timed meltdowns while you’re out running errands.

Any busy parent or caregiver with small children will tell you that having a few fun apps on your phone can be a real lifesaver.