Best ASL Apps for Kids and Beginners
Best ASL apps for kids, parents, teachers, and beginner families
Choosing a sign language app is easier when you match the app to the learner. Young children usually need short videos, real signing models, simple signs, and a grown-up who practices with them. Older beginners may need a structured course, feedback, or a larger dictionary.
- Start kids with short, visual signs they can use today.
- Use apps for practice, not as the only ASL teacher.
- Pair app videos with printables, routines, and real people.
Quick answer
For children, babies, preschoolers, and family beginners, start with the free ASL Kids app because it is built around real kids signing, simple beginner signs, fingerspelling, and quiz-style practice. If the adult or teen learner needs a deeper curriculum, compare ASL Kids with a structured course or app such as SignSchool, Lingvano, ASL Bloom, The ASL App, My Signing Time, or a guided online ASL course.
Best ASL apps by learner type
| App or resource | Best fit | Why families consider it | Watch before choosing | Start here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASL Kids | Young kids, babies, families, preschool, classroom practice, and first signs | Uses kid-friendly sign videos, simple beginner signs, quiz games, fingerspelling, and a family-friendly practice style. | It is a starting tool for practice and lookup, not a full adult ASL curriculum. | Open the ASL Kids app page |
| SignSchool | Free vocabulary lookup, sign categories, fingerspelling practice, and older beginners | SignSchool describes its app as a free way to browse thousands of signs, learn categories, use slow motion, and practice fingerspelling. | Dictionary-style learning still needs routine practice, feedback, and real conversation. | Visit SignSchool |
| Lingvano | Older teens, parents, teachers, and adult beginners who want structured lessons | Lingvano emphasizes bite-sized lessons, Deaf teachers, vocabulary, grammar, quizzes, dictionary lookup, and sign-recognition tools. | Check subscription terms and whether the lesson style fits your child or adult learner. | Visit Lingvano |
| ASL Bloom | Structured app lessons, a sign library, and beginner-to-advanced practice | ASL Bloom positions itself around app-based lessons, a visual dictionary, a large sign library, and lessons from native and Deaf instructors. | Best for learners ready for a lesson path, not necessarily toddlers who need very short sessions. | Visit ASL Bloom |
| The ASL App | Conversational ASL, everyday phrases, older kids, teens, and adults | The ASL App says it focuses on conversational ASL, signs and phrases, slow mode, favorites, and signers in a Deaf-designed app. | Younger children may still need simpler routines and grown-up guidance. | Visit The ASL App |
| My Signing Time | Babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and families who like songs and video shows | My Signing Time and Signing Time content is built around baby sign, songs, animation, real signing children, and vocabulary for children. | It is more of a video subscription/show ecosystem than a quick dictionary app. | Visit My Signing Time |
| Small Talk ASL | Curious beginners who want animated, rotatable signing practice on supported devices | Small Talk ASL is a newer free app with an animated Deaf character, multiple viewing angles, speed controls, and a stated goal of supplementing Deaf-teacher learning. | As of this review, the App Store listing is Mac-only and has device requirements, so it may not fit phones, tablets, or classrooms. | View Small Talk ASL |
Best first setup for most families
Use ASL Kids as the daily visual practice tool, then add one printable or routine at a time. A child does not need a complicated app stack to begin. They need a few useful signs, a short video model, and adults who use the same signs during real life.
How to choose an ASL app for a child
Young kids need short practice
Look for simple signs, clear videos, a friendly pace, and signs that fit meals, play, cleanup, feelings, family, and classroom routines.
Watch real signing carefully
ASL is visual and physical. Choose apps that show handshape, movement, facial expression, and enough repetition to practice without guessing.
Dictionary, practice, or course?
A dictionary helps lookup. A practice app helps repetition. A course helps with grammar, culture, feedback, and a longer learning path.
Children need a signing partner
The best app is the one parents, teachers, and caregivers will actually use with the child during normal routines.
Start free, then upgrade carefully
Begin with free app practice and printables. Upgrade to paid lessons only when the learner needs more structure or feedback.
Apps are not the whole language
Use apps as a bridge to real signing, Deaf community resources, qualified teachers, school teams, and family communication.
Recommended app paths
| Learner | Start with | Add next | When to use a course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby or toddler | ASL Kids app plus first baby signs | Baby sign routine tracker | Use a parent course only if adults need more ASL confidence. |
| Preschool or classroom | ASL Kids app and classroom signs | Preschool ASL curriculum | Use a teacher or adult course when staff need a stronger foundation. |
| Family beginner | ASL Starter Pack and app videos | 7-Day Beginner ASL Challenge | Use a course when the family wants grammar, conversation, and a long-term path. |
| Older child or teen | ASL Kids for review plus a structured lesson app or course | ASL 1 Course Online | Use a course for ASL 1, high-school credit planning, or guided feedback. |
| Parent, teacher, or adult beginner | ASL Kids for child-facing practice and a course-style app for adult study | Best Online ASL Course | Use a course when you need grammar, Deaf culture, sentence practice, and accountability. |
Affiliate disclosure: ASL Kids may earn a commission from some course or Amazon links on related pages, at no extra cost to you. This app comparison page is written to help families choose a useful learning path. Always check each app store or provider page for current features, pricing, platform support, and privacy details.
When an app is not enough
An app can help a family begin, but ASL is a real language with grammar, facial expression, Deaf culture, regional variation, and real conversation. If your child is deaf or hard of hearing, has speech delays, uses AAC, or needs school support, use app practice alongside guidance from qualified professionals, Deaf community resources, teachers, SLPs, audiologists, or your child’s school team.
ASL Course for Parents
Choose a parent-friendly course path when adults need more structure than an app can provide.
ASL Course for Teachers
Use a teacher path when classroom staff need shared routines, basic ASL confidence, and carryover practice.
ASL Course for Teens
Compare app practice, kids courses, adult courses, and high-school-credit planning for teen learners.
Best ASL apps FAQ
What is the best ASL app for kids?
For many young children and family beginners, the best first choice is ASL Kids because it uses kid-friendly signing videos, simple signs, fingerspelling, and short practice. Older learners may need a structured app or course in addition to ASL Kids.
Can my child learn ASL only from an app?
An app can help with first signs, review, and daily practice, but it should not be the whole learning plan. ASL is a language used by real people, so children benefit from family practice, Deaf community exposure, teachers, courses, and school or care-team support when needed.
Are free ASL apps good enough?
Free apps are often enough to start first signs, fingerspelling, and simple vocabulary. A paid app or course may be useful when the learner needs grammar, conversation, feedback, cultural context, or a structured ASL 1 path.
What app should a parent use with a baby?
Start with ASL Kids for short visual practice, then use the baby sign routine tracker and first 25 baby signs during real routines like milk, more, all done, sleep, bath, help, and book.
Should a teen use an app or an online ASL course?
A teen can use an app for daily review, but a structured course is usually better when the goal is ASL 1, high-school credit, grammar, conversation, or steady progress.
Sources checked
This page was prepared from current official app pages and provider pages where possible, including ASL Kids on the App Store, ASL Kids on Google Play, SignSchool, Lingvano, ASL Bloom, The ASL App, My Signing Time, and Small Talk ASL on the App Store.
Supporting a deaf or hard-of-hearing child?
Use the ASL for Parents of Deaf Children guide to start a family ASL path with first signs, app practice, parent course options, and trusted support resources.
Print the 30-day family ASL plan
Use the free printable to choose first signs, build a daily ASL habit, share signs with caregivers, and support a deaf or hard-of-hearing child at home.
Choosing a baby sign language app?
Start with the Baby Sign Language App page if you want the fastest ASL Kids download path, or use the Best Baby Sign Language Apps guide to compare ASL Kids, My Signing Time, Baby Sign and Learn, and parent-focused ASL app options.