In a world where screens are everywhere and emotions often run high, helping kids navigate their inner world has never been more important—or more possible. Social-emotional learning (SEL) is no longer confined to classrooms; it’s now in the palm of your child’s hand, thanks to a new generation of thoughtfully designed apps.
These tools do more than just entertain—they empower. From calming anxious minds to building empathy and boosting confidence, SEL apps are becoming everyday essentials for parents and educators alike.
And with the 2025 tech landscape emphasizing personalized, kid-friendly learning experiences, the best apps go beyond flashy design—they deliver real, lasting growth.
In this article, we’ve handpicked 5 of the best SEL apps that stand out for their quality, impact, and ability to help kids thrive emotionally and socially.
1. Smiling Mind
- Best For: Ages 5+, schools, families
- Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
- Price: Free
Smiling Mind is a not-for-profit mindfulness app developed by psychologists and educators in Australia. Designed specifically for young people, it offers guided meditation and emotional resilience exercises tailored for children as young as five.
With programs for different age groups and settings (like schools and families), the app helps kids develop a consistent mindfulness practice to manage stress, build focus, and develop emotional awareness.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
| Age-Specific Programs | Custom mindfulness tracks for kids aged 5–7, 8–10, 11–12, teens, and even adults. |
| School Integration | Classroom-friendly programs aligned with curriculum frameworks. |
| Easy-To-Follow Sessions | Short, engaging sessions starting from 2–3 minutes—perfect for short attention spans. |
| Emotional Regulation Focus | Modules designed to help kids name, feel, and move through difficult emotions. |
| Offline Availability | Sessions can be downloaded—ideal for limiting screen distractions and saving data. |
Why It Stands Out
It doesn’t just slap a cute interface on adult mindfulness practices—it reimagines them for the way children think and feel. The audio sessions are calming without being too “serious,” and the app speaks directly to the emotional challenges kids are facing post-pandemic: anxiety, social changes, and tech overstimulation.
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And unlike many freemium apps that hide the best tools behind a paywall, Smiling Mind is 100% free—making it one of the most accessible tools for schools and families worldwide.
Educators using Smiling Mind in classrooms report fewer behavioral disruptions and stronger student focus. Parents say it’s a game-changer for bedtime wind-down routines and helping kids verbalize big feelings.
One mom shared:
“My 8-year-old used to shut down when he got upset. Now he asks to do his ‘breathing game’ from Smiling Mind before he talks about what’s wrong. It’s been huge for our family.”
Pros & Cons
- Completely free
- Designed by mental health professionals
- Age-appropriate content
- Great for school and home use
- Offline access
- Interface is minimalist—some kids may prefer gamified features
- No live coaching or feedback loops
- Voiceover tone may not appeal to every child
2. ClassDojo
- Best For: Teachers, students (ages 5–12), and parents
- Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
- Price: Free with optional paid features (ClassDojo Plus)
What is ClassDojo?
At first glance, ClassDojo might look like a behavior tracking app—and yes, it is. But in 2025, it’s evolved into much more: a digital community hub that supports emotional learning, classroom culture, and family involvement.
Think of it as a digital bridge connecting students, teachers, and parents, with built-in SEL opportunities through positive reinforcement, storytelling, and reflection.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
| Digital Points System | Reinforces positive behaviors like kindness, teamwork, and persistence. |
| Class Story & Student Portfolios | Students share work and reflections, building self-esteem and self-expression. |
| Home-School Connection | Teachers can message parents directly and share SEL progress. |
| Big Ideas Series | Animated SEL videos teach empathy, growth mindset, mindfulness, and more. |
| Safe & Private | FERPA and COPPA-compliant, ensuring child safety and privacy. |
Why It Stands Out
With features like the “Big Ideas” video series and student-led portfolios, ClassDojo encourages children to see themselves as capable, empathetic, and resilient learners.
Its biggest strength is how it nurtures confidence through visibility—kids get real-time recognition, parents see the growth, and teachers build stronger relationships without extra paperwork.
Pros & Cons
- Reinforces SEL through everyday classroom interactions
- Engages parents in real time
- Big Ideas SEL content is student-friendly and fun
- Builds student confidence via digital portfolios
- Free core features
- Can become overly behavior-focused without intentional SEL integration
- Some teachers feel pressure to use points as discipline tools
- Paid “Plus” version marketed toward parents may feel unnecessary for some
3. Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame
- Best For: Ages 2–6
- Platforms: iOS, Android
- Price: Free
What is Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame?
Developed by Sesame Workshop, the creators behind Sesame Street, this app helps preschoolers learn basic self-regulation and problem-solving skills through an interactive experience featuring a lovable blue monster (nope, not Cookie Monster—this one’s specially made for SEL!).
Kids help the monster work through common emotional challenges—like getting ready for school, sharing, or facing frustration—by guiding it through three steps: Breathe, Think, Do.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
| Interactive Problem Solving | Children tap to help the monster calm down and solve everyday problems. |
| Emotional Vocabulary Building | Promotes naming feelings and identifying calming strategies. |
| Narration in English & Spanish | Fully bilingual for accessibility and language development. |
| Parent Tips Section | Offers guidance for grown-ups on how to support emotional learning at home. |
| Slow-Paced, Repetitive Design | Ideal for very young users who need consistency and simplicity. |
Why It Stands Out
It teaches kids not just what to do when they’re upset, but how to think through a problem using a calm, structured approach.
It’s also fully free with no ads, which is practically unheard of in children’s apps. That alone makes it parent-approved in 2025.
Pros & Cons
- Perfectly tailored for toddlers and preschoolers
- Created by trusted educational experts (Sesame Workshop)
- Promotes calm, reflective problem-solving
- Completely free and ad-free
- Bilingual support
- Limited number of scenarios—kids may outgrow it quickly
- Repetition may not engage older kids
- Not customizable or updated frequently
4. Emotional ABCs
- Best For: Ages 4–11 (Elementary School)
- Platforms: Web-based (Desktop, Tablet), iOS (limited app version)
- Price: Free for educators, Paid for parents (starts around $69/year)
What is Emotional ABCs?
Emotional ABCs is an award-winning, research-backed SEL curriculum that teaches children how to understand, identify, and manage their emotions through interactive lessons, games, videos, and activities. It’s like a school for feelings—except way more fun.
The program breaks emotional learning into digestible steps: Pause → Name the Emotion → Make a Plan.
It’s structured, consistent, and rooted in psychology, making it one of the most respected SEL tools in education today.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
| Step-by-Step SEL Curriculum | 100+ sequential lessons covering emotional awareness, empathy, self-control, and problem-solving. |
| Interactive Games and Characters | Fun, animated lessons that teach kids how to identify and respond to emotions. |
| Printable Workbooks and Worksheets | Ideal for classroom use or offline learning at home. |
| Real-World Scenarios | Focuses on school stress, friendship issues, self-confidence, and more. |
| Parent and Teacher Dashboards | Track progress and reinforce learning at home or in the classroom. |
Why It Stands Out
With mental health challenges on the rise among children, especially post-pandemic, this structured approach gives both kids and adults a common SEL language.
Plus, with free access for educators, it’s making a big impact in underfunded schools.
Pros & Cons
- In-depth, structured SEL curriculum
- Used and trusted by educators worldwide
- Combines fun with serious skill-building
- Progress tracking for home/school coordination
- Research-supported and award-winning
- Home version is paid, which may be a barrier for some families
- Requires consistent use to see long-term benefit
- Web-based experience is richer than mobile version
5. The Social Express
- Best For: Ages 7–13 (Elementary to early middle school)
- Platforms: iOS, Windows, Mac (Web-based platform recommended)
- Price: Paid (Starts around $10/month for individual families; school pricing available)
What is The Social Express?
The Social Express uses animated, scenario-based lessons to help kids build social skills, emotional regulation, and confidence. It’s designed to feel more like a TV episode or a video game than a traditional educational app—engaging kids with relatable characters in real-life emotional and social dilemmas.
By making decisions and watching the outcomes, children learn how to handle peer pressure, conflict, disappointment, and more.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Animated SEL Episodes | Interactive episodes present real-life social situations and let kids choose responses. |
| Virtual Characters with Real Emotions | Engaging 3D characters express a range of emotions kids can learn to recognize and respond to. |
| Role-Playing Scenarios | Kids practice empathy, perspective-taking, and problem-solving. |
| Progress Reports for Educators | Teachers and therapists can monitor SEL development over time. |
| Used in IEP/504 Support Programs | Particularly effective for kids with ASD, ADHD, or social anxiety. |
Why It Stands Out
Unlike flashcard-style apps, this one mirrors how kids actually encounter social and emotional challenges—in dynamic, unpredictable ways. It’s especially useful for neurodivergent children who benefit from structured, visual-based SEL instruction.
Pros & Cons
- Interactive and story-driven
- Builds real-life decision-making and social confidence
- Ideal for visual and neurodivergent learners
- Trusted by therapists and educators
- Progress tracking for professionals
- Paid subscription required
- Web interface better than mobile app
- May not appeal to older teens or very young children
FAQs
What’s the best app here for a non-verbal child?
Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame is best—it relies on visuals, touch interaction, and minimal text.
Can I use any of these apps without creating an account?
Yes, Smiling Mind and Breathe, Think, Do work fully without requiring a login.
Which app has actual progress tracking for parents?
Emotional ABCs and The Social Express offer dashboards to track your child’s SEL development.
Do any of these apps send notifications or reminders to use them?
Smiling Mind allows optional daily reminders. The others don’t send notifications by default.
Is there a way to print or export anything from these apps for offline use?
Emotional ABCs includes printable workbooks and worksheets. The other apps do not offer print/export features.
Which app is most effective for shy kids who avoid talking about feelings?
The Social Express—it lets kids explore emotions through characters and choices without needing to talk.
Are any of these apps used in public schools?
Yes, ClassDojo, Emotional ABCs, and The Social Express are all widely used in schools across the U.S. and internationally.
The Bottom Line
Helping kids build emotional resilience and confidence doesn’t have to be overwhelming—or expensive. The right SEL app can turn daily moments into powerful learning opportunities. Whether your child needs help calming down, navigating friendships, or simply understanding how they feel, there’s an app on this list that meets them where they are.
Each tool offers something unique, but they all share one goal: helping kids grow into emotionally strong, socially smart, and self-aware humans.
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