9 of the best back-to-school apps

After a summer filled with splash pads, slip 'n slides, and sweet, sweet sunshine, it can be hard to think about getting back to the classroom. Fire up your little ones with these kid-approved apps that will get them in mood for school.

Read more: Get tips, tricks and our fave products for back to school>

This app combines colour, music, and art into one lively download. Kids can choose from a number of colourful musical instruments that they can play on the screen (and when they get older, they can draw their own instruments in the app then play them). Each of the colours represents a different sound when paired up with instruments. There's even a pink bunny named Lalabee who will guide kids through the process of learning how to use the app, and maybe annoy Mom in the process!

Ages: 3-6
Price: iOS, Free

This sing-along app is the perfect companion for your preschooler. There are more than 100 different interactive elements and a number of classic songs, including Old MacDonald and London Bridge. Kids show off their musical side, and get lost in the colourful artwork.

Ages: 3-6
Price: iOS/Android, $3

This one-on-one reading tool works great for kids who are just starting to read in school. Each lesson starts with a video clip to introduce learning basics, such as the sound that certain letters make together. The narrator in the app will then ask a series of questions, so your job as a parent is to encourage your child to answer. It's also simple to skip forward or back in a lesson depending on your child's progress.

Ages: 3+
Price: Windows, $5

While your school-aged children start to learn about language, why not download an app that will help them along? This mini tool includes nine fun grammatical games and 25 lessons, so it's educational and fun.

Ages: 6-12
Price: iOS, $2

For the little ones at home, there is nothing more enjoyable than messing around with digital monkeys and other cute animals. In this app, they'll learn about various plural nouns while they tap and play with their favourite furry friends.

Ages: 4-8
Price: iOS, $2

Sure, preschoolers might know their alphabet, but when you introduce the letters out of their traditional order things can get confusing. Don't fret, this app can help! Aside from an easy click-and-drag interface to practice their ABCs, your kids will learn about lowercase and capital letters, too.

Ages: 3-6
Price: Android, $4

Repetition is the key to learning well. With this daily educational quiz in the form of an app, your kids will watch animated movies while learning lessons. If you buy the premium version, there are an additional 750 quizzes for more educational fun.

Ages: 6-12
Price: iOS/Android, Free

Once your child finishes elementary school, math problems can be problems indeed. Within this app, there are more than 2,800 math problems with instant feedback and detailed solutions so students can enhance everything from their geometry knowledge to simple fractions.

Ages: 10-12
Price: iOS, Free

Once your child enters any type of school, he or she is bound to feel a range of new emotions. With this fun little app, kids can discover all about feelings through quirky-looking animals. There are also 100 different props so your wee ones can get creative and play around.

Ages: 4-8
Price: iOS, $3

Check out more awesome apps for kids!