Let’s Review ABCmouse.com
YouTube has been all but banned from our home.
I got tired of my kids watching ridiculous YouTube videos of other families playing games together.
First of all, it’s creepy.
Second, those parents need to quit acting like that’s how they’d live their lives if they weren’t getting cash from the YouTube powers-that-be. No parent has that much energy, or is that excited about going on a 2nd-grade classroom tour.
So if my kids must stare at a screen, instead of watching stalky YouTube videos, they get to play fun, interactive, sometimes-educational games. And I can feel like I’m contributing to their growth and development, even during screen-time.
What is ABCmouse.com?
I’m a self-proclaimed online course junkie, so I am totally on board with any app or online program that will support and enhance my kids’ education. I am writing a review of ABCmouse so you have all the information you need before signing up.
ABCmouse.com is an early learning academy with an online curriculum for kids aged 2-8. They offer more than 850 lessons across 10 levels that teach reading and language arts, math, science and social studies, and art.
Your child starts at the level that you choose for them and progresses through lessons by completing puzzles, learning new songs, visiting their virtual zoo and farm, reading books, coloring, and more.
“We named our site ABCmouse.com because here children can learn important educational basics (often referred to as “the ABCs”) through the use of a computer mouse. At ABCmouse.com, the computer mouse comes to life as ABC Mouse, who serves as our site ambassador and guide to early learners everywhere.” Source: ABCmouse.com
Features of the ABCmouse.com Curriculum
Here is our review of the fun features of ABCmouse.com’s online curriculum:
Games
The curriculum features hundreds of interactive games that each focus on a specific educational concept.
Books
There are more than 450 traditional and original stories and nonfiction books available in ABCmouse.com’s library.
Songs
My favorite feature! ABCmouse.com’s music collection is unbeatable, featuring original songs about every letter of the alphabet and other curriculum topics.
Animations
The curriculum includes hundreds of animated activities that teach specific learning topics.
Puzzles
The curriculum includes hundreds of jigsaw puzzles designed to help develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Art
Art activities include coloring pages, dot-to-dots, paint-by-numbers, traceables, and printables.
Printables
There are over 2,000 printable activities available across the subjects of reading, math, art, and more.
Tickets and Rewards
Children earn tickets when they complete activities and lessons. The tickets can be used to “buy” virtual items to decorate and personalize their dashboard.
Progress Tracking
ABCmouse.com makes it easy to track your child’s progress with their Progress Tracker.
Customizable Avatar
Your child gets to choose his or her own avatar and can add to their customizable collection of accessories by buying extra items with their tickets.
Interactive Zoo
The interactive zoo allows your kids to learn facts about zoo animals by reading books, playing games, and completing fun activities specific to each animal.
Aquarium
Children can choose tropical fish and other fun items to put in their classroom aquarium while learning some fishy facts.
Interactive Farm
The interactive farm has cows, horses, chickens, and more. Your kids can watch farm animal animations while they learn facts about each animal and complete farm activities.
ABCmouse.com Review of their Plans and Subscriptions
Right now, ABCmouse.com is offering your first 2 months for $5.
After your first free month, a subscription costs $9.95 per month. You also have an option to take 49% off with an annual subscription!
With a subscription, up to three children can use the app at the same time.
ABCmouse.com Pros
Some of the cool things about ABCmouse.com are:
- Their curriculum is award-winning
- The curriculum covers reading and language arts, math, science and social studies, and art and colors
- The complete system is available on computers, tablets, and smartphones
- They offer excellent value at a low cost
- The system is subscription-based, and there’s no advertising or links to other sites
- You can be involved in the lessons, or kids can learn on their own
- Members have unlimited access to ABCmouse.com’s 10,000+ learning activities
- There are different payment options to choose from — each account includes up to three student profiles
ABCmouse.com Cons
Some things about ABCmouse.com that you should keep in mind are:
- They use incentivized learning, which can be distracting for some kids
- Depending on a payment option means you’ll need to budget for long-term use
- The Progress Tracker requires an additional subscription
- The interface is a bit busy and can be distracting
- ABCmouse.com does not offer refunds (start with the free month to test it out)
- There have been reports of system crashes and poor customer support
Competitors
Of course, ABCmouse.com isn’t the only player on the field. Here are two of ABCmouse.com’s alternatives:
Adventure Academy
From the creators of ABCMouse, this program is geared towards older kids at elementary- and middle-school levels. Kids who want to brush up on their math, science, and language arts skills may find Adventure Academy to be just their cup of tea. Adventure Academy introduces students to an interactive world of educational activities. Kids are sent on missions, which include lessons on reading comprehension, writing strategies, and vocabulary development. Kids will also practice math operations, the scientific method, and more. Subscriptions start at $9.99 a month. Like ABCmouse.com, Adventure Academy offers the first month free.
Time4Learning
Time4Learning is more specifically geared towards homeschooling families. They offer a full homeschooling curriculum, including multimedia lessons and activities. Time4Learning’s standards-based homeschool curriculum is available for kids all the way up through high school and offers foreign language lessons. Because Time4Learning is a complete homeschool curriculum, price-points are higher. There’s no up-front purchase required though, and members can cancel at any time.
ABCMouse Review Verdict
I discovered ABCmouse.com when my eldest was three. We became obsessed with the alphabet songs, and now seven years later, we can still sing all 26 songs together. With harmonies.
I recommend ABCmouse.com to parents of 2-8 year-olds who are looking for an alternative to the mind-numbing apps and videos that your kids might otherwise be playing. ABCmouse.com shouldn’t be used to replace your child’s formal education, but I think it does a great job of enhancing and supporting early learning.
