PBS Kids – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

PBS Kids

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

app2016

95%

WISE Score

4.3

App Store

The unicorn of kids' apps—educational, ad-free, safe, and actually fun. PBS nailed it.

PBS Kids

app

Everyone, 2016

95%

WISE Score

4.3

App Store

The unicorn of kids' apps—educational, ad-free, safe, and actually fun. PBS nailed it.

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Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

This is the app you can hand to your preschooler without guilt. PBS Kids Games is what every kids' app should be but almost none are: genuinely educational, completely safe, ad-free, and designed by people who actually understand child development.

The 250+ games aren't just digital candy—they're curriculum-based activities that teach math, reading, science, and social-emotional skills through characters kids already love. No predatory monetization, no chat features, no surprise content. Just Daniel Tiger teaching feelings, Wild Kratts exploring animals, and Alma solving problems.

The offline download feature is clutch for travel, and the bilingual support is a nice bonus. Yes, it's still screen time, and yes, balance matters. But if your kid is going to use an app, this is the one to choose. PBS continues to be the MVP of children's media.

Age Fit

Perfect for preschool through early elementary (ages 2-8). The content is explicitly designed for this developmental stage, with games scaffolded for different skill levels. Older kids will find it too young, but within this age range, it's spot-on.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

PBS Kids Games delivers the gold standard of wholesome content for young children. Every game features beloved educational characters modeling kindness, cooperation, and emotional intelligence (Daniel Tiger, Rosie, Alma). The interface is designed specifically for kids with no chat features, no web browsing, and zero commercialism. Games explicitly teach social concepts like mindfulness, emotions, and healthy routines. This is as emotionally healthy and age-appropriate as digital content gets.

Imaginative

The app offers 250+ games spanning creative activities (art, dress-up, coloring), exploration (mazes, puzzles), and STEM challenges. Shows like Wild Kratts and Elinor Wonders Why encourage curiosity about nature and science. Games are designed to spark creativity and imagination according to the description. However, these are ultimately guided mini-games rather than open-ended creative tools—kids follow prescribed activities rather than building entirely from scratch. Still, for the preschool/early elementary set, the variety and character-driven play invite solid imaginative engagement.

Safe

Multiple independent sources confirm this is exceptionally safe. Bark.us explicitly states 'no chat or web browsing features' and '100% wholesome and educational games.' Common Sense Media calls it 'safe, kid-friendly.' PBS Kids has a transparent privacy policy and has won multiple Kidscreen and Webby awards. The app is free with no ads, no in-app purchases, no social features, and downloadable for offline play. Parents have full control over device storage. This is about as safe as a kids' app can be.

Enriching

This is curriculum-based educational content designed by PBS, the number one educational media brand for kids. Games cover math, science, reading, art, and social-emotional learning for ages 2-8. Common Sense Education praises 'strong learning design and attention to kids' cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.' New games added weekly keep content fresh. Bilingual support in English and Spanish adds language enrichment. Parent resources include learning goals for each show. The app is explicitly designed to build STEM skills, creativity, and healthy habits while being genuinely entertaining with characters kids already love.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

250+ curriculum-based games covering math, science, reading, art, and social-emotional learning—all completely free
Zero ads, zero in-app purchases, zero chat features, zero commercialism. Just pure educational content from Daniel Tiger, Wild Kratts, Alma, and more
Downloadable for offline play, perfect for road trips, flights, or anywhere without Wi-Fi
Bilingual support lets kids play in English or Spanish, with 17 games fully in Spanish
New games added weekly with accessibility features, plus parent resources to understand learning goals

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What to Watch For

This is designed for ages 2-8, so older elementary kids will likely outgrow it
Screen time is still screen time—even educational content benefits from balance with physical play and books
Some kids might want more open-ended creative play than these guided mini-games provide

Conversation Starters

"Which PBS Kids character is your favorite to play with? What do you like about them?"
"What did you learn in that Wild Kratts game about animals? Want to look up more about that animal together?"
"Can you show me how to play one of the games? I'd love to see what you're working on"
"Do you want to try playing some of the games in Spanish? It could be fun to learn new words together"

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