Is this app actually fun, or just 'school fun'?

It's genuinely engaging for the 5-8 age group. The monster collection and world-building provide enough of a 'hook' that kids often ask to play it, which is a high bar for a math app.

Does it teach the 'New Math' (Common Core)?

Yes. It uses visual grouping and number relationship methods that align with modern classroom standards. This is great for consistency but might be confusing if you're trying to teach them the 'old school' way you learned.

Can my kid use this without an internet connection?

Yes, once the levels are downloaded, it works perfectly offline. It's an excellent 'airplane mode' choice.

What happens if my kid gets stuck on a concept?

The app has a 'Lesson Wizard' that adapts to their performance. If they miss several problems in a row, it will loop back to simpler versions of the concept to rebuild their confidence before trying again.

Math Tango – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Math Tango

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

app2024

93%

WISE Score

4.7

App Store

A math app that actually feels like a game, using monster-collecting and island-building to make long division surprisingly tolerable.

Math Tango

app

Everyone, 2024

93%

WISE Score

4.7

App Store

A math app that actually feels like a game, using monster-collecting and island-building to make long division surprisingly tolerable.

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Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

Math Tango is the rare educational app that doesn't feel like 'chocolate-covered broccoli.' It's a well-designed game that happens to require math to progress. By wrapping addition and subtraction in an island-building sim and multiplication in a space-themed starbase, it manages to keep kids engaged far longer than a standard digital worksheet.

From a safety perspective, it's about as clean as it gets. There are no ads, no chat rooms, and no shady data practices. While the subscription price might feel steep if you're not using the other apps in the Piknik bundle (like Sago Mini World), the quality of the curriculum and the lack of 'freemium' junk make it a worthwhile investment for parents who want screen time to actually count for something.

Age Fit

Perfect for kids aged 5 to 10. Once they hit middle school, the monster aesthetic will feel 'babyish,' but for the elementary set, it's the gold standard.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The tone is relentlessly positive, featuring cute monsters and celebratory 'dance parties' that reward effort rather than just speed. It avoids the high-stress, frantic pacing common in many mobile games.

Imaginative

While it's fundamentally a math curriculum, the world-building elements—constructing a monster island and a starbase—give kids a creative reason to keep solving problems beyond just getting a high score.

Safe

It is kidSAFE certified and part of the Piknik ecosystem. There are zero ads, no third-party tracking, and no manipulative in-app purchases once you're in the subscription.

Enriching

It covers a massive range of Common Core math (K-5) and uses an adaptive 'lesson wizard' to ensure kids are actually learning, not just guessing. It is widely recognized by educators for its effectiveness.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

The adaptive curriculum means the app notices when your kid is struggling and pivots, preventing the 'I give up' meltdown.
It covers everything from basic counting to division, making it one of the few apps that can actually stay on a tablet for 4 or 5 years without being outgrown.
The monster collection mechanic is genuinely engaging; kids solve math problems to earn items for their island, which feels like a fair trade for their brainpower.
It works 100% offline, making it a lifesaver for long flights or car rides where Wi-Fi is spotty.

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What to Watch For

The subscription model is now part of the 'Piknik' bundle. It's great if you use Toca Boca and Sago Mini, but annoying if you just want this one specific app.
Kids can sometimes get distracted by the world-building. If you see them spending 20 minutes arranging monster furniture and zero minutes on multiplication, you might need to set a 'math first' rule.

Conversation Starters

"Which monster on your island is your favorite, and what did you have to solve to get them?"
"Was there a math problem today that felt like a 'boss battle'?"
"If you could design a new world for the multiplication levels, what would it look like?"
"Do you feel like the game is getting harder, or are you just getting faster at the answers?"

Deep Dive

The 'Piknik' Pivot

If you haven't checked in on Math Tango lately, the biggest change is its integration into the Piknik bundle. This is basically the Disney+ of preschool and elementary apps. For one monthly fee, you get access to Toca Boca Jr, Sago Mini World, and Math Tango. If your household is already deep into those ecosystems, this is a massive win. If you're just looking for a one-off math tool, the subscription model might feel like a bit much, but the content quality justifies the 'premium' feel.

Why it Beats the Competition

Most math apps fall into two traps: they're either boring digital flashcards or they're 'games' where the math is a 2-second interruption to a 5-minute racing game. Math Tango finds the middle ground. The math is the gameplay. To build a house for a monster, you have to complete a series of puzzles that reinforce number patterns and factors. It’s Common Core aligned, which means the way they teach addition and subtraction will actually match what your kid is seeing in the classroom, reducing the 'that's not how my teacher does it' friction.

Long-Term Value

Because the app spans from Kindergarten to 5th grade, it has a longer shelf life than almost any other educational app on the market. The 'Island' focuses on the basics, while the 'Starbase' moves into the heavy lifting of multiplication and division. It’s a solid choice for parents who want to consolidate their app library into a few high-quality, high-trust titles.

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