SplashLearn Alternatives: Whole-Child Learning Apps

SplashLearn has earned its reputation in classrooms—adaptive math games that adjust to each child's level, reading activities aligned to curriculum standards, and progress reports teachers love. For academic skill-building, especially math, it's genuinely effective.

But preschool isn't just academics. While SplashLearn drills math facts and phonics rules, it doesn't teach creativity, emotional regulation, scientific thinking, or the dozens of other skills early childhood development requires. For families wanting whole-child education rather than academic workout sessions, these alternatives take a broader approach.

Why Parents Look for SplashLearn Alternatives

SplashLearn does math and reading well. The limitations are in what it doesn't do:

• Academic-only focus — No science exploration, no art activities, no social-emotional learning, no creative play. Children are more than test scores.

• Drill-based learning — The adaptive system is clever, but the experience can feel like homework. Tap the right answer, move on, repeat.

• School-like structure — Great for curriculum alignment, less great for the playful discovery that defines quality early childhood education.

• No video content — Everything requires active clicking. No option for kids to watch and absorb, which some children need.

• Older child focus — While SplashLearn includes preschool content, the experience feels designed for elementary students. Younger children may find it too rigid.

Quick Comparison: Apps Like SplashLearn

Best SplashLearn Alternatives

Kokotree — STEAM Learning Through Video and Play

SplashLearn treats learning like exercise—structured drills to build academic muscle. Kokotree treats learning like exploration—videos that spark curiosity, games that reinforce concepts, activities that let children discover.

The difference shows in what your child experiences. With SplashLearn, they tap answers to math problems. With Kokotree, they watch a video about how caterpillars become butterflies, play a game about counting garden creatures, and color a printable worksheet about life cycles. Both teach. One feels like school; the other feels like wonder.

What Kokotree adds beyond SplashLearn's academics:

• Science and nature — Exploration of the world around them, not just numbers and letters
• Art and creativity — Self-expression through drawing, music, and creative play
• Social-emotional learning — Understanding feelings, handling frustration, building empathy
• Video content — Kids can watch and absorb, not just tap and respond

The format difference matters for young children. Preschoolers aren't small elementary students. They learn through observation, imitation, and play—not primarily through drill-based practice.

Why families switch from SplashLearn: Whole-child development instead of academic drilling. At $4.99/month, it's also more affordable than SplashLearn's premium tiers.

See our full Kokotree vs SplashLearn comparison →

Khan Academy Kids — Free Comprehensive Learning

Khan Academy Kids offers what SplashLearn lacks—full curriculum coverage—at a price SplashLearn can't match: free.

• Complete subjects — Reading, math, AND social-emotional learning, creativity, problem-solving
• 100% free — No premium tiers, no locked content
• Playful approach — Characters and stories make learning feel like play
• Balance of structure and discovery — More flexible than SplashLearn's drill format

Best for: Families who want comprehensive education without SplashLearn's narrow focus or any subscription cost.

ABCmouse — Maximum Subject Coverage

If you want everything in one place and budget isn't a concern, ABCmouse offers exhaustive subject coverage.

• 10,000+ activities — Every subject imaginable
• Art, music, science — Full creative curriculum alongside academics
• Comprehensive progress tracking — See development across all areas
• More variety — Different activity types keep things fresh

Best for: Families who want maximum content variety. At $14.99/month, significantly more expensive, but also significantly broader than SplashLearn.

Homer — Reading Plus Emerging Subjects

Homer started as reading-focused (like SplashLearn) but has expanded into broader curriculum.

• Strong literacy foundation — Excellent phonics and reading instruction
• Growing subject coverage — Math, social-emotional, creativity added
• Interest-based personalization — Adapts to what your child enjoys
• Sleep stories — Bonus content for bedtime routines

Best for: Families who prioritize reading but want it wrapped in a more personalized, less drill-focused experience than SplashLearn.

Lingokids — Playful Learning with Music

If SplashLearn feels too rigid, Lingokids offers a more playful, music-forward approach.

• Music and movement — Learning through songs and physical activity
• Playlearning™ philosophy — Games feel like play, not practice
• Bilingual friendly — English and Spanish content
• Creative expression — Art and music woven throughout

Best for: Families who find SplashLearn's drill format too school-like. Lingokids is more playful but also more expensive ($14.99/month).

Free SplashLearn Alternatives

If you're using SplashLearn's free tier and want more without paying:

• Khan Academy Kids — Free complete curriculum with better subject coverage than SplashLearn's free offering
• PBS Kids Games — Free games covering various subjects with beloved characters
• Duolingo ABC — Free literacy (if reading is your focus, not math)

Choosing Beyond Academic Drilling

Think about what your preschooler actually needs:

Choose Kokotree if: You want whole-child development—science, art, social skills—alongside literacy and math. Video content lets kids watch and learn, not just drill.

Choose Khan Academy Kids if: You want comprehensive subjects for free. Less adaptive than SplashLearn, but broader and completely accessible.

Choose ABCmouse if: Maximum content variety is worth $14.99/month to you. Everything SplashLearn has plus everything it lacks.

Choose Lingokids if: The drill format feels wrong for your child and you want more playful, musical learning.

SplashLearn Alternatives FAQ

What is the best alternative to SplashLearn?

For whole-child learning beyond academics, Kokotree offers full STEAM curriculum with video content at $4.99/month. For free alternatives, Khan Academy Kids provides the most comprehensive subject coverage. The best choice depends on whether you want more subjects (Kokotree, Khan) or different math/reading approaches (Homer, ABCmouse).

Is Khan Academy Kids better than SplashLearn?

They serve different purposes. SplashLearn offers superior adaptive math practice. Khan Academy Kids offers broader subject coverage and is completely free. For math drilling specifically, SplashLearn is stronger. For overall preschool education, Khan Academy Kids provides more balanced development.

Why isn't SplashLearn enough for preschoolers?

Preschool education encompasses far more than math and reading—science exploration, creative expression, social-emotional development, physical coordination, and more. SplashLearn excels at academic skill-building but doesn't address these other developmental needs. Young children benefit from whole-child approaches.

Are there SplashLearn alternatives with science content?

Yes. Kokotree, Khan Academy Kids, and ABCmouse all include science exploration. Kokotree offers science videos and activities designed for preschoolers. Khan Academy Kids includes science concepts within its free curriculum. ABCmouse has extensive science content within its comprehensive library.

Can Kokotree replace SplashLearn?

Kokotree can replace SplashLearn for preschoolers who need whole-child development. It covers math and literacy (SplashLearn's strengths) plus science, art, and social-emotional learning. The trade-off: less adaptive math drilling. The benefit: broader developmental support at a lower price.

Ready for Learning Beyond Drilling?

Preschoolers deserve more than academic workouts. Kokotree delivers science, creativity, social skills, and yes—literacy and math—through videos and games designed for how young children actually learn.

• Try Kokotree Free →
• Get the Kokotree App →
• View Pricing →
• Discover More →

More Alternatives Guides

Looking for alternatives to other apps? These guides might help:

• ABCmouse Alternatives — If comprehensive but overwhelming isn't working
• Duolingo ABC Alternatives — If literacy-only feels too limited
• Khan Academy Kids Alternatives — If free is great but you want premium video content

← See All Alternatives Guides

Related Pages:

• Kokotree vs SplashLearn: Full Comparison
• See All Preschool App Comparisons