Khan Academy Kids and TaleTykes
Khan Academy Kids describes itself as a free app of books, videos and activities for ages two to eight (as of September 2026). TaleTykes costs money, and writes each book for one child.
What each one is for
The right-hand column is limited to what Khan Academy Kids says about itself on its own site, and each line is sourced and dated at the foot of this page.
| What | TaleTykes | Khan Academy Kids, in its own words |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | A paid plan after a free trial. | Free, with no ads and no subscriptions, as of September 2026. |
| What is in it | Books, each one written and illustrated for your child when they ask for it. | Books, videos and creative activities across early literacy, maths and social-emotional growth. |
| Ages | Four bands, from first picture books to chapter books. | Ages 2 to 8. |
What a plan here pays for
Each book is written and illustrated when your child asks for it, at the level they are reading. We measure sentence length and word familiarity before any picture is drawn, and a person reads every book before anyone outside your family can see it. That work happens every time, and it is what the price covers.
What TaleTykes costs
Every new family gets 3 days free with 2 books included. If you cancel before it ends, we charge nothing.
Sprout
$12.99 a month
For one or two young readers.
Grove
$24.99 a month
For a houseful.
Questions
Why pay when Khan Academy Kids is free?
If a free app of books, videos and activities is what your child needs, you may not need to. What a plan here pays for is writing: every book is new, about what your child chose, and held to the sounds they have been taught. That costs money to make each time, which is why it is not free.
Can we use both?
Yes. Nothing here stops you.
Where these facts come from
- Khan Academy Kids describes itself as a free learning app for ages 2 to 8, with no ads and no subscriptions, as of September 2026. khanacademy.org, read on 25 September 2026.
- It says it has hundreds of books, videos and creative activities, covering early literacy, reading, writing, language, maths and social-emotional growth. khanacademy.org, read on 25 September 2026.
- It is made by Khan Academy, which describes itself as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. khanacademy.org, read on 25 September 2026.
Also worth reading
Last checked on 25 September 2026.
Product and company names on this page belong to their owners and are used to say which product is meant. TaleTykes is not affiliated with any of them, none of them has endorsed TaleTykes, and this page is not an endorsement of any product. Prices and offers change: any quoted here are as of the month shown, and the company’s own site has the current ones. If anything here has gone out of date, tell us at support@taletykes.com and we will correct it.
Try a book written for your child
You get 3 days free with 2 books included, and we charge nothing if you cancel before the trial ends.