Best Baby Sign Language Apps
Best baby sign language apps for parents, babies, and toddlers
A good baby sign language app should make everyday communication easier: milk, more, eat, all done, help, sleep, bath, book, mom, dad, and feelings. The best choice depends on whether you want real child signing videos, songs and shows, animated baby signs, or a parent-focused ASL lesson app.
- Start with a few routine signs instead of a huge vocabulary list.
- Say the word while you sign, and keep speaking, reading, and singing.
- Use an app as a visual model, then practice during real meals, diaper changes, bedtime, and play.
Quick answer
For many ASL Kids families, the best first baby sign language app is ASL Kids because it is free to download on iOS and Android, uses real kids signing, includes beginner and baby signs, has quiz-style practice, and is designed for young children and family beginners. If your child responds best to songs and shows, compare My Signing Time. If your child likes animated baby characters and dialect options, compare Baby Sign and Learn.
For adult parents who want to learn fuller ASL grammar and conversation, use ASL Kids for baby routines, then compare a parent course or adult ASL app separately.
Best baby sign language apps by family need
ASL Kids
Best when you want child-friendly signing videos, a simple app, baby signs, ASL alphabet practice, and a low-pressure first step for family routines.
My Signing Time
Best when your family wants baby signing through songs, recurring video episodes, and a subscription-style library built around Signing Time content.
Baby Sign and Learn
Best when you want animated baby sign demonstrations, flashcards, quizzes, and the ability to choose from several signed-language dialects.
Baby sign language app comparison
| App or resource | Best for | Why families consider it | Watch out for | Best next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASL Kids | Babies, toddlers, preschoolers, siblings, parents, teachers, and family beginners | Real kids sign in short videos; the app is built around beginner signs, baby signs, the ASL alphabet, quiz practice, simple navigation, and family use. | It is a practical first-sign app, not a full adult ASL curriculum or live-feedback course. | Start with ASL Kids |
| My Signing Time | Families who like songs, shows, and repeated video episodes | The App Store listing describes baby communication benefits and 58+ videos, while the provider site describes Baby Signing Time and Signing Time content. | Check the current subscription, trial, platform, and family-device setup before relying on it as your daily tool. | View on the App Store |
| Baby Sign and Learn | Families who want animated baby signs and multi-dialect options | The App Store listing says it uses animated video demonstrations, quizzes, flashcards, and signed-language dialect options including ASL. | Check current app support, in-app purchases, and whether animated signs are enough for your child compared with real video models. | View on the App Store |
| The ASL App | Older family members and adult beginners who want a larger conversational sign library | The provider describes a Deaf-designed app with 2,500+ signs and phrases, favorites, slow mode, and video controls. | It is useful for adults, but not necessarily the simplest first interface for babies or toddlers. | Compare The ASL App |
| ASL Bloom or Lingvano | Parents who want adult lessons while modeling a few baby signs at home | These are more structured learning apps with lessons, vocabulary, grammar, practice, and progress features. | They can help adults learn, but they may be more than a baby or toddler needs for first signs. | Compare ASL apps |
Use ASL Kids with one simple baby-sign routine
Do not start by trying to learn every sign. Pick one routine and one app video source. For example, start with meal signs for one week: milk, more, eat, drink, help, and all done. Watch the signs, model them while saying the word, and respond warmly when your child tries to communicate.
What to look for in a baby sign language app
- Useful first signs: milk, more, eat, drink, all done, help, sleep, bath, book, mom, dad, hurt, happy, and tired.
- Clear visual models: real signing videos or animations that make handshape and movement easy to copy.
- Routine fit: signs should be easy to use during meals, bedtime, diaper changes, bath time, play, and feelings.
- Speech-friendly practice: the app should support talking, reading, and singing with your baby, not replace them.
- Caregiver sharing: grandparents, daycare staff, babysitters, and siblings should be able to use the same few signs.
- Privacy and purchase clarity: check data safety, ads, in-app purchases, subscriptions, parental gates, and store ratings before choosing.
A 7-day baby sign app plan
| Day | App action | Real-life routine | Next ASL Kids resource |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Watch milk, more, and all done. | Model each sign during meals without asking your child to perform. | Mealtime signs |
| Day 2 | Add eat, drink, and help. | Use the same words and signs with every snack or bottle. | First 25 signs |
| Day 3 | Watch sleep, tired, book, and bath. | Model one sign during bedtime and one sign during bath time. | Bedtime signs |
| Day 4 | Review signs your child sees most. | Invite grandparents, siblings, or daycare staff to use the same signs. | Baby sign chart |
| Day 5 | Watch feelings signs such as hurt, happy, sad, and scared. | Use feelings signs calmly when naming what your child may be experiencing. | Feelings signs |
| Day 6 | Replay favorites instead of adding many new signs. | Respond to attempts, even if the sign is imperfect. | Routine tracker PDF |
| Day 7 | Choose the next routine. | Keep three to five signs active and add one new sign only when the routine feels natural. | Baby sign hub |
Optional baby sign starter materials
Affiliate disclosure: Some links below are Amazon affiliate links. ASL Kids may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
You do not need a big kit. If you want a physical reminder for grandparents, daycare, or a classroom wall, keep it small and use the same signs you practice in the app.
Responsible baby sign guidance
Baby signs can support early communication, but they are not a cure or a replacement for speech, hearing care, AAC, Deaf-community language access, or professional guidance. If you have concerns about hearing, speech, language, feeding, development, or communication access, talk with your pediatrician, audiologist, SLP, Deaf educator, or care team.
Sources and app pages checked
- ASL Kids on the App Store
- ASL Kids on Google Play
- My Signing Time on the App Store
- My Signing Time provider page
- Baby Sign and Learn on the App Store
- Baby Sign and Learn provider page
- The ASL App provider page
- ASL Bloom provider page
- Lingvano ASL provider page
- HealthyChildren.org baby sign language guidance
- ASHA baby signs handout
- NIDCD: American Sign Language
Best baby sign language apps FAQ
What is the best baby sign language app?
For many beginner families, ASL Kids is the best first baby sign language app because it is free to download, uses real kids signing, includes baby signs and beginner signs, and is simple enough for family routines. My Signing Time is stronger for song-and-show learning, and Baby Sign and Learn is useful for animated baby signs and dialect options.
Can a baby sign language app replace teaching during routines?
No. Use the app to check the sign, then model it during real routines. Babies learn from repeated, responsive interaction with caregivers more than from screen time alone.
Will baby sign language delay speech?
Baby signing is usually used alongside speech. Say the word while you sign, keep talking, reading, and singing, and ask a pediatrician or SLP if you have concerns about speech, hearing, or development.
What baby signs should I learn first in an app?
Start with signs that solve daily communication needs: milk, more, eat, drink, all done, help, sleep, bath, book, mom, dad, hurt, happy, and tired.
Should parents use an adult ASL app too?
Parents can use an adult ASL app or course if they want fuller ASL grammar, conversation, Deaf-culture context, and a longer learning path. For baby routines, keep the child’s first signs simple and consistent.
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.