Whether you homeschool, travel often as a family or just want to give your kids extra support after school, having the right learning tools can make a difference.
Today, there are more options than ever—from interactive apps and online programs to printable worksheets and on-demand tutoring—that can help give kids flexible ways to learn and grow at their own pace.
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up five online learning tools designed to help kids stay curious, motivated and ready to learn year-round.
1. IXL for Personalized Academic Support
Traditional educational tools often take a one-size-fits-all approach. But education platforms like IXL use adaptive technology to personalize practice for each child.
For example, IXL looks at how your child is performing in subjects like math and language arts, and then recommends practice lessons based on the skills they need to work on. Instead of repeating lessons they’ve already mastered, kids can spend more time on subjects where they need extra support.
Here’s how IXL stands out:
- Adapts as your child learns: Questions adjust in difficulty based on your child’s performance, helping them stay challenged but not overwhelmed.
- Covers all core subjects: Offers K-12 learning across several key subjects, including math, language arts, science, social studies and Spanish.
- Used in schools: Used by one in four U.S. students and 96 of the top 100 U.S. school districts, according to IXL Learning.
- Progress tracking for parents: You can monitor where your child excels and how they’re improving over time.
2. Rosetta Stone for Family-Friendly Language Learning
Learning a new language can help strengthen memory, boost multitasking skills and help kids connect with other cultures. Just as important, it’s one of the few subjects families can truly explore together, turning practice time into something meaningful and shared.
Rosetta Stone builds on this idea with a platform designed for intuitive, immersive language learning. It offers lessons in over 25 languages, including Spanish, French, Mandarin and German—blending listening, speaking and reading activities in a way meant to feel natural for learners of all ages.
The program uses a technique called the Dynamic Immersion method. That means instead of memorizing vocabulary lists, you build understanding through images, context and story-based lessons. Native speakers provide the audio to guide each lesson, and tools like TruAccent give real-time pronunciation feedback along the way.
Rosetta Stone works offline and on multiple devices, making it easier to fit short lessons into your family schedule.
3. Wyzant for On-Demand Tutoring Support
When your teen’s trigonometry homework gets tricky or test prep starts causing tension, even the most involved parent can feel out of their depth. But on-demand tutoring support like Wyzant can help connect you to over 65,000 vetted tutors for one-on-one support in over 300 subjects.
You can filter tutors by subject, price, availability, reviews or credentials, and sessions are held online via video chat, a shared whiteboard and file-sharing tools for real-time collaboration.
Whether your child needs last-minute help with a tough assignment or ongoing support for SAT prep, Wyzant offers the flexibility to schedule tutoring around your family’s week.
4. ABCya for Fun and Interactive Learning
Play-based learning can be helpful for young students, reluctant readers or those who struggle with attention in a traditional setting. Turning lessons into games can make it easier for kids to stay engaged, and sometimes, that’s all it takes to flip the switch from resistance to curiosity.
With over 300 games designed by educators for pre-K through sixth grade, ABCya games cover subjects like math, reading, spelling, typing, logic and early literacy. Many games also align with the Common Core State Standards, complementing what your kid may already be learning in school.
The platform sorts content by grade and subject, making it easier to find activities that match your child’s level. Some games focus on building core skills like math or phonics, while others encourage problem-solving and strategy, giving kids multiple ways to develop critical thinking skills.
It’s available on both web and mobile, with a paid version that removes ads and gives access to extra features like the ability to save favorite games and access to the full game library across devices.
5. Education.com for Hands-On Learning
While screens and digital tools are a useful part of modern education, printable or paper-based activities can still be powerful—especially for young learners developing handwriting, coordination and focus.
Education.com supports a more hands-on approach with more than 37,000 downloadable and printable worksheets, games, lesson plans and STEM projects for pre-K through eighth grade. Many of the materials align with the Common Core State Standards and include themed or relevant monthly activities tied to topics like Earth Day or Black History Month.
For traveling families, it’s an easy grab-and-go option for car rides, waiting rooms or screen-free afternoons that still feel purposeful. Parents can choose between a free plan with limited downloads or a paid membership with unlimited access and extras like interactive guided lessons through Brainzy, an interactive learning platform for math and reading.
Building a Learning Routine That Works for Your Family
The best learning routines are often the ones that fit naturally into your day—not just another chore or task on the to-do list. Consider building a steady, flexible structure that matches your child’s energy levels and interests.
For instance, try blocking off short chunks of time based on focus levels. Mornings might be ideal for math because it requires more focus, while afternoons could be better for reading or hands-on worksheets. Then, you can end the day with something lighter, like a game from ABCya or a quick Wyzant session if extra support is needed.
It doesn’t have to be perfect to be effective—consistency matters more than perfection. Even 20 to 30 minutes of focused learning each day can make a noticeable difference and help your child feel more motivated, capable and curious.