By Tanni Haas, Ph.D.
As families settle in at home, parents are actively seeking ways to keep their children engaged in meaningful activities. Why not encourage them to explore apps focused on mental and physical well-being? Below is a curated list of some of the top free apps that can help your kids stay fit and active.
Eat & Move-O-Matic
(Platforms: Apple Appstore; Suitable for ages 9-18)
To help your children understand the impact of their food selections, Eat & Move-O-Matic is an excellent choice. Developed by the Learning Game Lab at New Mexico State University, this app educates kids about their eating habits. It allows them to compare the caloric content of various foods with the physical activities—like biking, running, or walking—they would need to perform to burn off those calories.
Nature Melody
(Available on: Apple Appstore, Google Play; Suitable for ages: 5-18)
For children to maintain a healthy lifestyle, quality sleep is essential, and the Nature Melody app can assist in achieving that. Functioning as a soothing alarm clock, it features over 30 natural sounds designed to wake your children gently in the morning. Additionally, it offers nap and sleep timer functions for a calm transition into bedtime.
NFL Play 60
(Platforms: Apple Appstore, Google Play; Suitable for ages: 5-18)
For children enthusiastic about sports, especially football, NFL Play 60 is perfect for getting them excited about physical activity. Developed by the NFL alongside the American Heart Association, this app allows kids to immerse themselves in the fantasy of being professional football players. Unlike typical games, players must engage in real-life movements—running, jumping, catching—to control their on-screen characters while tracking their steps during playtime.
Space Chef
(Platforms: Apple Appstore; Suitable for ages: 5-12)
To promote healthy eating habits, encourage your children to download Space Chef. This app, designed by the Lawrence Hall of Science—also known for the Monster Heart Medic app—teaches kids valuable information about nutrition while offering over 60 easy and nutritious recipes that make healthy eating an enjoyable responsibility.
Super Stretch Yoga
(Available at: Apple Appstore; Suitable for ages: 9-18)
Yoga serves as an excellent method for children to relax their minds and bodies, and Super Stretch Yoga is a great app to guide them through this practice. Developed by renowned yoga instructor Jessica Rosenberg, it teaches yoga to children via video demonstrations from peers, emphasizing breath control and movement. Narrated by a character named Super Stretch, the app features 12 yoga poses that cater to varying skill levels and allows kids to take photos of themselves practicing the poses.
Three Good Things: A Happiness Journal
Fostering a sense of well-being can significantly enhance mental health. For children who enjoy writing, suggest they try Three Good Things: A Happiness Journal. This app encourages kids to reflect more positively by documenting three positive experiences each day. It also allows them to share their entries on social media, promoting connection and positivity.
Editor’s Note: Tanni Haas, Ph.D., serves as a Professor within the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences, and Disorders at the City University of New York – Brooklyn College.
