17 Animation Apps for Kids (Popular in 2025)

Kids and animation apps combo is kinda wild. 

Like, you hand a kid an iPad and five minutes later they’re making a stick figure backflip across the screen or turning their toys into little movie stars. 

And honestly, it’s fun to watch because they get so into it. Now, yeah, not every app out there is made for kids — some are way too complicated, some are just boring, and some are just cash grabs. 

But, I went down the rabbit hole to find the good ones… the ones that actually keep kids busy, spark some creativity, and don’t make you feel like you wasted storage space. 

Some of these apps are all about drawing little cartoons, some are about stop-motion with LEGOs or dolls, and some mix in a bit of coding in a way that even kids can wrap their heads around. 

Basically, whatever your kid vibes with, there’s an app for that. 

So yeah, here’s the list — 17 animation apps for kids that actually hit the sweet spot between fun and creative.

1. Toontastic 3D

Why I Picked It: Because it’s literally the easiest way for kids to feel like mini Pixar directors without getting lost in complicated menus.

So, this one’s kinda legendary in the kids’ animation space. 

Toontastic 3D is all about letting kids dream up characters, draw them, and then bring those doodles to life with simple drag-and-drop tools. 

The coolest part… They can even record their own voices and turn the whole thing into a narrated cartoon. 

It’s not about perfect frame-by-frame animation, it’s about storytelling — and kids go crazy with it because it feels like playtime, not homework. 

I’ve seen kids build entire adventures with spaceships, pirates, and random cats in one go. 

If your kid is around 6–10, this app’s a no-brainer.

Also Read: 21 Best Animation Apps for Every Creator

2. FlipaClip

Why I Picked It: Because it’s that classic “cartoon flipbook” vibe but on a phone or tablet, which makes kids feel like real animators.

This app is a little more advanced than Toontastic, so it’s perfect if your kid’s already into drawing and wants more control. 

FlipaClip gives them layers, onion-skin (so they can see their last frame faintly while drawing the new one), and even audio tools to sync up sounds with their animation. 

It’s basically how a lot of YouTubers start out, so it has that “cool” factor too. 

Yeah, the interface might take a minute for younger kids, but once they get it, they’ll spend hours sketching little cartoons and watching them move. 

Just a heads up — some of the fancy features need in-app purchases, but the free version is still plenty fun.

Also Read: 14 Best Animation Apps for iPad

3. Stop Motion Studio

Why I Picked It: Because if your kid loves LEGO, dolls, or literally any toy lying around, this app turns them into movie directors overnight.

This one’s more hands-on than the drawing apps, and that’s why kids love it. 

Stop Motion Studio lets them take a picture, move the toy a little, take another picture, repeat… and boom, you’ve got an animation. 

It even has onion-skin and a grid, so they can line things up and make it look smooth. 

Parents actually love this app too, because it’s one of those rare activities that pulls kids away from just tapping the screen — they’re setting up scenes, thinking about camera angles, and learning patience without even realizing it. 

Sure, it takes time to get something smooth, but once they see their LEGO minifig walk across the screen? Totally worth it.

Also Read: 15 Best Animation Apps for Windows

4. ScratchJr

Why I Picked It: Because it sneaks coding skills into animation without kids even noticing, and that’s honestly brilliant.

ScratchJr isn’t really about drawing frame-by-frame — it’s about teaching kids how to make characters move, jump, and talk by snapping little coding blocks together. 

It feels like digital LEGO, but instead of building towers, kids are building mini-cartoons. 

The app’s designed for the really young crowd (like 5–7), and the characters are bright and fun enough to keep their attention. 

And the best part… No reading required. 

They just drag blocks around, and suddenly the cat is dancing across the screen. 

It’s the kind of thing that plants seeds for problem-solving and logic early on, but in a way that’s pure play.

Also Read: 12 Animation Apps for Amazon Fire

5. Animation Desk

Why I Picked It: Because it gives older kids that “real animator” vibe while still being beginner-friendly.

Animation Desk feels a bit more serious, like something you’d imagine an art student using, but the developers made it simple enough for kids, too. 

They get all the cool animation tools: multiple layers, onion-skin, customizable brushes, and even the ability to import pictures or videos as backgrounds. 

So if your kid’s into art and wants more than just doodling stick figures, this app feels like a natural upgrade. 

The interface might look a little overwhelming at first, but kids pick it up fast, and once they do, they’ll be experimenting like crazy. 

It’s especially great for older kids (8–12) who want to push past the basics and try making something that looks polished.

Also Read: 17 Best AI Animation Generators

6. TupiTube

Why I Picked It: Because it’s totally free and gives kids a taste of what real animators use, without overwhelming them.

TupiTube is this cool open-source app that’s made for beginners but still feels legit. 

It’s not all flashy with characters already built in — kids actually get to draw and build things themselves, which makes it perfect for kids who love to sketch.

The tools are simple, the interface isn’t too messy, and because it’s free, you don’t have to worry about a bunch of hidden costs. 

It works on multiple platforms, too, so if your kid starts on a tablet and later wants to use a laptop, it’s still there. 

It’s best for older kids, like 8 and up, who want more control and don’t mind figuring things out as they go.

7. Doodle Buddy

Why I Picked It: Because little kids just want to scribble and see fun stuff happen — and this app nails that.

Doodle Buddy isn’t a full-on animation app in the sense of complex cartoons, but for really young kids, it’s a blast. 

They can doodle, stamp little images, and play with colors on a blank canvas. 

The creativity is endless, and it’s more about expression than polished animation. 

The app feels playful, like finger painting, but on a screen. 

If your kid’s still in that preschool or early elementary stage, this is one of those apps that makes them laugh while keeping them busy. 

Sure, it doesn’t have frame-by-frame animation like FlipaClip, but honestly, at that age, they don’t need it — they just want to see what happens when they tap, draw, and drag.

Also Read: 14 Best Animation Apps with Keyframes

8. PBS KIDS ScratchJr

Why I Picked It: Because kids already trust PBS characters, and this app makes learning feel like playtime with friends.

PBS KIDS ScratchJr takes the whole ScratchJr idea and adds in familiar faces from PBS shows, which makes it instantly more engaging for younger kids. 

The concept is the same — drag and drop little coding blocks to animate stories — but the built-in characters and themes make it easier for kids to get started without staring at a blank screen. 

It’s perfect for 5–8-year-olds who need a little nudge to start creating. 

It’s safe, simple, and it ties into shows they already know, which means they’re more likely to stick with it instead of getting bored.

Also Read: 15 Best Animation Apps with Tweening

9. Life Lapse Stop Motion

Why I Picked It: Because it makes stop-motion look professional without being too hard for kids to figure out.

Life Lapse is all about turning pictures into smooth little animations, and the app really helps kids line things up so their stop-motion doesn’t look choppy. 

There’s an overlay tool, timers, and even editing options that make the final product feel polished. 

The interface is clean, so kids won’t feel lost, and it’s a great option if they’re the type who loves lining up toys, taking photos, and creating little scenes. 

The learning curve is short, but the results can look surprisingly good, which gives kids a big confidence boost when they see their final animation play out.

10. iMotion

Why I Picked It: Because it’s one of the easiest ways for kids to dip their toes into stop-motion without a lot of extra fluff.

iMotion is pretty straightforward: snap pictures, adjust, repeat, and then watch as everything comes together in motion. 

The app supports HD output, which makes the end product look way better than you’d expect from something so simple. 

Kids like it because they don’t get stuck in complicated menus, and parents like it because it doesn’t take a long time to figure out. 

It works great for quick little projects like making LEGO cars race or dolls “walk” across the floor. 

It doesn’t have as many advanced features as some others, but for a kid just starting out, that’s actually a plus.

Also Read: 13 Best Animation Apps with Voiceovers

11. Stop Motion Factory

Why I Picked It: Because it gives kids that little extra creative freedom with stop-motion, like green screen effects, without being too complex.

Stop Motion Factory feels like a step-up version of the usual stop-motion apps. 

Kids can still line up toys, snap photos, and create their little movies, but here they also get some fun tools to make it feel fancier. 

There are green screen options, effects, and some editing features that make the final video stand out more. 

It’s still simple enough for kids to learn on their own, but it definitely makes them feel like they’re doing something “big.” 

It’s especially nice if your kid has already tried the basics and wants to experiment more with adding backgrounds or making their animations feel like real mini-movies.

Also Read: 15 Best Animation Apps with Rigs

12. PicPac Stop Motion & TimeLapse

Why I Picked It: Because it mixes two cool ideas — stop-motion and time-lapse — into one app kids can actually use.

PicPac is pretty underrated, but kids who like snapping tons of photos will enjoy this one. 

The app lets them either capture photos right from the camera or pull in pictures they already have, then turn them into an animation. 

The fun part is they can also create time-lapse videos, which feels a little different but just as creative. 

It’s not as polished as some of the bigger-name apps, but it works well on Android devices, and it’s perfect for kids who like experimenting with different styles of animation. 

It’s simple, flexible, and doesn’t take long to get something working.

Also Read: 14 Animation Apps Without Watermark

13. I Can Animate

Why I Picked It: Because it gives older kids more control and feels like a “serious” tool without being intimidating.

I Can Animate has this vibe where kids feel like they’re using something professional, but it’s still designed with a clean layout so they don’t get lost. 

They can take control over frame rate, use onion-skin features, and even polish up their clips a bit. 

It’s a great choice for kids who’ve already dabbled in animation and now want to take it up a notch. 

The results can look surprisingly smooth if they stick with it. 

Sure, it takes a little more patience, but it’s one of those apps that grows with them — the more they learn, the more they can do.

14. Onion Cam2

Why I Picked It: Because sometimes kids just need something super minimal that gets the job done.

Onion Cam2 is kind of barebones compared to some of the other apps, but that’s actually the charm. 

It’s literally just a tool for lining up frames and snapping photos for stop-motion. 

The onion-skin feature helps kids see exactly where their last frame ended, which makes everything flow smoother. 

There aren’t tons of extra effects or complicated tools, but that’s why it’s great for younger kids who just want to focus on moving their toys little by little and seeing the magic happen. 

It’s simple, fast, and does exactly what it promises.

Also Read: 11 Best Animation Apps with Audio

15. Catroid

Why I Picked It: Because it mixes coding with animation in a way that feels like play, not homework.

Catroid is an open-source app that’s kinda like Scratch but built for phones. 

Kids can create little animated stories and even build simple games by snapping together visual coding blocks. 

It’s not just about drawing or moving toys — it’s more about making characters act out whatever the kid imagines. 

It’s perfect for slightly older kids who want to feel like they’re “programming” their own cartoon without actually typing out lines of code. 

The interface isn’t the fanciest, but once they get used to it, they’ll have a blast turning their ideas into mini animations.

16. Kubrio (Recommended Set)

Why I Picked It: Because it’s like a shortcut list of trusted apps kids can start with, all in one place.

Kubrio isn’t exactly a single app — it’s more of a hub that points kids (and parents) toward some of the best beginner-friendly animation tools out there. 

Think of it like a curated starter pack for kids who want to learn animation without getting overwhelmed. 

The cool part is, these suggestions cover a mix of styles: stop motion, drawing-based animation, and even storytelling apps. 

So instead of scrolling endlessly through app stores, you can just lean on this list and pick what fits your kid’s style. 

It’s kind of like having a teacher whisper, “start here, this one works.”

17. Built-in Drawing + Video Tools

Why I Picked It: Because sometimes you don’t need fancy apps — just a bit of creativity with what’s already on the device.

This one’s the sneaky option most people forget about. 

Every tablet or phone already has a drawing app and some kind of video editor. 

Put those two together, and suddenly, kids can make their own animations without downloading anything new. 

For example, they can draw a series of pictures, save them, and then stitch them together in the video editor. 

It’s obviously not as smooth or powerful as the dedicated animation apps, but for kids who just want to play around, it totally works. 

Plus, it teaches them the basics of how frame-by-frame animation works — and all without costing a dime.

My Final Take

So yeah, that’s the whole list.

Solid animation apps for kids that actually let them create instead of just tapping aimlessly on YouTube or some random game. 

And honestly, that’s the big win here. 

Like, you hand your kid one of these apps and suddenly they’re not just staring at a screen, they’re making something, they’re telling stories, they’re figuring stuff out without even realizing it.

Now, is every app on this list for every kid? Nope. 

Some are super simple, some are a little more advanced, and some sneak in coding, which not every kid’s gonna vibe with. 

But that’s kinda the point — there’s something here for the little scribblers, the LEGO lovers, and even the older kids who want to feel like “real animators.”

If I had to pick just one for younger kids, I’d say Toontastic 3D or ScratchJr is where you start. 

For older kids who are ready to level up, FlipaClip and Animation Desk are no-brainers. 

And if your kid’s the type to line up toys and take a million pictures, then yeah, Stop Motion Studio is the way to go.

End of the day… Just pick one that matches your kid’s vibe and let them run with it. You’ll be surprised at what they come up with.

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