The best ad-free offline learning games for preschoolers similar to Splash Jr are Meet Anvi, Khan Academy Kids, and PBS KIDS Games.
All three teach early math and reading through play without third-party advertising. Khan Academy Kids is the only fully free option and has a downloadable offline library. Meet Anvi runs 100% on-device on iPhone and iPad, with zero ads and a PIN-protected parent area. PBS KIDS Games suits children who love the TV characters.
Splash Jr (SplashLearn's preschool app) is a guided, game-based curriculum, but its App Store listing shows a free download with in-app purchases and a membership at $11.99 per month or $69.99 per year. Families who want a no-subscription alternative usually start with the apps below.
Last reviewed and updated on October 11, 2026. Prices and features change, so confirm on each App Store listing.
Quick comparison: Splash Jr alternatives at a glance
| App | Ads | Works offline | Price | Best for | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meet Anvi | None; no third-party tracking | All learning activities offline; internet only to sign in and sync | Free core activities; optional Anvi Plus | Ages 3 to 8, one calm screen for letters, numbers, tracing and stories | iOS (iPhone and iPad) |
| Khan Academy Kids | None | Offline library; download while on Wi-Fi first | Free | Ages 2 to 8, broad free curriculum | iOS, Android, Amazon Fire |
| PBS KIDS Games | No third-party ads | Downloaded games play offline | Free | Fans of PBS KIDS characters | iOS, Android, Amazon Fire |
| Splash Jr (reference) | See App Store listing | Check before travel | Free download with in-app purchases; membership $11.99/month or $69.99/year | Guided PreK and kindergarten path (listed for ages 4 to 6) | iOS |
What "ad-free and offline" should actually mean
Many apps market themselves as "kid-safe" while still showing banners, video interstitials, or cross-promotion. Check four things before you install:
- No third-party advertising. Look for an explicit "no ads" statement on the App Store page, not just "kid-friendly".
- A real airplane-mode test. Download, switch to Airplane Mode, and open three activities. If any spins or errors, the app is not truly offline.
- No surprise paywall mid-session. Read the in-app purchase list on the App Store listing before handing over the device.
- A parent gate. Settings, purchases and external links should sit behind a PIN or an adult-only challenge.
1. Meet Anvi: best for a calm, offline-first, no-ads home screen
Meet Anvi is an iOS learning app for ages 3 to 8 that keeps letters, numbers, tracing, drawing, Math Wizard missions and 60 read-aloud stories on one simple grid.
- Ads and tracking: zero third-party ads and zero behavioral tracking. Grown-up settings are behind a PIN gate.
- Offline: every letter sound, counting activity, tracing exercise and story runs on the device with no Wi-Fi or cellular data; a connection is only needed to sign in and sync progress.
- Curriculum: counting 1 to 100, Math Wizard missions, spoken phonics A to Z, guided letter and number tracing.
- Stories: 60 narrated stories with synchronized word highlighting in 11 languages.
Where Meet Anvi is not the best pick: it is iOS only (iOS 17.6 or later), so Android and Fire tablet households need an alternative. It also has no licensed TV characters.
See also: the best offline iOS apps for preschoolers to learn ABCs and reading.
2. Khan Academy Kids: best free all-rounder
Khan Academy Kids is a nonprofit app for ages 2 to 8. It is 100% free with no ads, no subscriptions and no in-app purchases.
- Offline: an offline library holds books and games. Open it on Wi-Fi first so the content is saved.
- Curriculum: early reading, phonics, math, social-emotional learning and creative tools.
Where it is not the best pick: the breadth can overwhelm a 3-year-old, and anything outside the saved offline library will not load on a flight.
3. PBS KIDS Games: best for character-driven play
PBS KIDS Games bundles mini-games featuring characters from shows such as Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood and Peg + Cat. It is free and non-commercial, and downloaded games play offline.
Where it is not the best pick: it is a set of standalone games rather than a structured curriculum, and difficulty varies between games.
Why families look for Splash Jr alternatives
- Subscription cost. Membership pricing adds up over a year, while Khan Academy Kids is free and Meet Anvi's core activities are free.
- Age fit. Splash Jr's PreK and Kindergarten app is listed for ages 4 to 6; separate Splash Jr toddler titles exist for ages 2 to 4. Meet Anvi and Khan Academy Kids cover a wider span in one app.
- Offline reliability. If a trip is coming, pick an app whose offline behavior you have tested yourself.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free ad-free offline app for preschoolers?
Khan Academy Kids is the best fully free option: no ads, no subscriptions, and an offline library you load while on Wi-Fi.
Is there an offline preschool app with no subscription pressure?
Yes. Meet Anvi's core activities are free and run entirely on-device, and Khan Academy Kids is completely free.
Does Meet Anvi show ads?
No. Meet Anvi has zero third-party ads and zero behavioral tracking, and settings are protected by a parent PIN.
Does Meet Anvi work on Android?
Not yet. It runs on iPhone and iPad with iOS 17.6 or later.
How do I test whether a kids' app really works offline?
Install it, open it once on Wi-Fi, switch to Airplane Mode, then try several activities. Any loading spinner or error means it depends on the network.
Related guides: safe offline iPhone app to read and draw numbers and top offline games for ages 2 to 4.
Sources
- Splash Jr: PreK & Kindergarten, Apple App Store listing (pricing and age range as shown in October 2026).
- Khan Academy Kids, App Store listing and Khan Academy's early-learning app roundup (free, no ads, offline library).
- Hirsh-Pasek, K., et al. (2015). Putting Education in "Educational" Apps. Psychological Science in the Public Interest.
- American Academy of Pediatrics (2026 update). CHOC summary of the AAP's 2026 update: high-quality content, co-viewing, and caution about heavily advertising-driven apps for young children.