Kids today are growing up in a world where they’re surrounded by technology. Having them well-versed in logical thinking therefore provides a useful and relevant foundation for many areas of learning.

Mom Amber made sure the apps she let her kids use were educational as well as enjoyable. “My son, he plays soccer, so he played the FIFA app, and stayed entertained with that,” she said.

Many useful apps for these tasks can help establish some limits and shield the child from unnecessary online risks, and the best part is that parents don’t need to be hackers for that.

but encourages parents to make donations if they find the apps useful. The app's library includes access to thousands of kids' books, and was an Editor's Choice app for the App Store. Khan Academy ...