Hey Guys! Let me be honest with you for a second, some days, I feel like I’m not just juggling apples in the air, I’m also tripping over them as they hit the floor. And trust me, I’ve heard all the advice about “letting things go form my home girl Elsa” but come on, we all know it’s not that simple. When you’re a parent, letting go usually means chaos later, and who has time for that?
At any given moment, my brain is a whirlwind of:
Sound familiar? Yeah, I thought so. That’s why I’m here to help. As a stay-at-home dad who’s been through the wringer (and lived to tell the tale), I’ve made it my mission to find the best parenting apps out there, the ones that actually make life easier, not just fancier. And let me tell you, there are some gems out there.
In this article, I’m sharing my top picks for the best apps for parents. If you’re stressing over meal planning, budgeting, or just keeping track of who needs to be where and when, there’s an app for that. And trust me, these apps are game-changers.
So, grab a coffee (or a glass of wine, no judgment here), and let’s dive into the eight apps that’ll help you keep your sanity, and maybe even have a little fun while you’re at it.
Let’s start with Cozi. If your family life feels like a never-ending game of “Who forgot what?” then this app is about to become your best friend. Seriously, it’s one of the best parenting apps out there, and here’s why.
Cozi’s whole vibe is “Stop the Chaos Before It Stops You”, and honestly, that’s all I needed to hear to give it a shot. It’s available on iPhone and Android, and it’s basically a one-stop shop for family chaos.
The star of the show is the shared, color-coded calendar. Everyone in the family gets their own color, so you can see at a glance who’s doing what. Soccer practice? Pink. Doctor’s appointment? Blue. Date night? Green. (And if you miss that one, you’re on your own.)
You can also create shared grocery lists, to-do lists, and even chore lists for the kids. (Bonus: Watching them groan about chores is weirdly satisfying.) Plus, it sends reminders so you’re not scrambling at the last minute because someone forgot about the school play.
Oh, and it pulls all your family’s activities, practices, and games into one place. No more digging through texts or flipping between apps. It’s all right there.
Cozi also has some extra goodies, like camping checklists, book recommendations, and recipes. (Because meal planning is the worst, and we all know it.)
If you’re looking for one of the best apps for parents to keep your family life from falling apart, Cozi is it. Trust me, you’ll wonder how you ever survived without it.
Now, let’s be real, getting kids to do chores is like pulling teeth. But what if I told you there’s an app that actually makes it kind of fun? Enter Our Home, one of the best apps for parents who are tired of nagging their kids to empty the dishwasher for the hundredth time.
This app is perfect for older kids because it turns chores into a game. Yep, you heard me, a game. It taps into their competitive side (you know, the one that comes out during Mario Kart matches) and lets you assign tasks, track progress, and even rotate jobs so no one can complain about always being stuck with the trash duty. (We see you, kid who “hates” unloading the dishwasher.)
You can set due dates for chores and reward or penalize based on completion. Rewards are totally customizable, think screen time, pocket money, or even credits toward a family vacation. (Pro tip: Bribes work. Let’s not pretend they don’t.)
Our Home also has a shared calendar, grocery lists, and messaging tools, so it’s basically your family’s command center. The app’s creators say it helps kids become more responsible and sets them up for success later in life. I say it’s a lifesaver for parents who just want the house to stay clean for more than five minutes.
Oh, and it works across multiple devices, so everyone can stay in the loop. If you’re looking for one of the best parenting apps to ease the chore wars and maybe even teach your kids a little responsibility along the way, give Our Home a try.
Okay, let’s talk about something we all worry about as parents: keeping our kids safe. Whether it’s online or out in the real world, it’s a constant balancing act between giving them freedom and making sure they’re not getting into trouble. That’s where Picniic comes in, it’s one of the best apps for parents who want to keep tabs without being that helicopter parent.
First off, Picniic has this awesome real-time locator tool. Basically, you can see where everyone is at a glance. So, when your kid says they’re “at the park” but you’re pretty sure they’re actually at the mall, you can check without being obvious about it. (We’ve all been there, right?) It’s perfect for when your kids are starting to explore their independence but you still want that peace of mind.
Picniic also helps keep them safe online. It’s got parental controls that promote healthy internet use, like a secure no-track VPN and the ability to restrict internet access during homework time or bedtime. (Because let’s be real, TikTok is not helping anyone finish their math homework.)
And get this, it’s not just about safety. Picniic also has a family newsfeed, a shared calendar (great for big families), and even a place to store important files like medical records or school stuff. Plus, you can assign chores and create shopping lists, because apparently, we’re all running a mini corporation here.
Oh, and it’s free to use, with an option to upgrade if you want extra features. So, it's hands down one of the best parenting apps to keep your family safe and organized, give Picniic a try and see how it goes.
I’m literally obsessed with Classlist. It’s one of the best apps for parents who want to stay updated about their kid’s school stuff without losing their minds.
Classlist helps you connect with other parents, chat in class or interest groups, and manage your school diary all in one place. You can pay for tickets, volunteer for events (or find volunteers if you’re the one organizing), and even set up carpool groups. Oh, and it’s perfect for buying and selling pre-loved uniforms or planning birthday parties. Basically, it’s a lifesaver for parents juggling their kid’s social and extracurricular chaos.
The best part? It’s free for schools or PTAs to set up. You’ll see some ads in the newsfeed, but if that bugs you, there’s a premium option to go ad-free. If your school isn’t using it yet, suggest it to your PTA chair. The Classlist team will even walk you both through a free demo to show how easy it is to set up.
Let’s be real now, mealtime with picky eaters is basically a battlefield. You didn’t plan to raise a kid who only eats beige food, but here we are. If you’re tired of the nightly dinner drama, let me introduce you to Mealime, one of the best apps for parents who just want to get through dinner without a meltdown (from the kids or themselves).
Here’s how it works: Mealime is a family meal planner that’s super easy to use. You scroll through a list of tasty meal options and pick what you want to make for the week. The best part? You can involve your kids in the decision-making process. Let them choose a meal or two, and suddenly they’re way more interested in eating it. (Parenting hack unlocked.)
Once you’ve picked your meals, the app creates a grocery list for you. Just check off the items you already have at home, and you’re good to go. You can even click through to your favorite online supermarket to get everything delivered. Oh, and every meal can be cooked in about 30 minutes, because who has time for complicated recipes?
If your kid plays sports, you know the drill: endless group chats, forgotten practice times, and that one parent who always replies to the wrong thread. It’s chaos. That’s why I’m a huge fan of Spond, one of the best apps for parents trying to keep up with their kid’s sports schedule without losing their minds.
Spond is basically the MVP of sports team organization. It’s designed to make life easier for coaches (who are usually volunteers with zero extra time) and parents alike. You can send automated reminders, create sign-up lists, and communicate with the whole team or just a smaller group with one click. No more digging through a hundred messages to find out when the next game is.
You can also invite players to training or matches, share info, photos, and even run polls (because deciding on team snacks shouldn’t take three days). Plus, there’s an option for private or group messages, so you can keep everything organized and avoid those awkward “wrong chat” moments.
If you’re tired of the sports team chaos, Spond is a game-changer. It’s like having a personal assistant for your kid’s team, and who doesn’t need that?
Headspace is one of the most well-known meditation apps out there, and for good reason. They’ve even got a meditation called “Moments Away from the Kids”, and let’s be real, we all need that sometimes. They’re currently offering a free 14-day trial, so you can test it out. If you like it, it’s £49.99 for the year, which is a small price to pay for a little peace of mind.
If you’re looking for a free option, check out Insight Timer. It’s packed with free guided meditations, yoga sessions, sleep stories, and even live events. Plus, they’ve got kid-friendly meditations and sleep aids to help your little ones wind down at bedtime. (Because let’s face it, bedtime can be its own kind of battle.)
And finally, while it’s not an app, I have to give a shoutout to Common Sense Media. It’s a super simple website that gives age-appropriate ratings for movies and TV shows. It’s not overly strict or unrealistic, just a helpful guide to figure out what’s okay for your kids to watch. Perfect for those family movie nights when you don’t want any surprises.
Taking care of your mental health isn’t selfish, it’s necessary. And with tools like these, you can sneak in a little self-care, even on the busiest days.
Disclosure: I may receive affiliate compensation for some of the links below at no cost to you if you decide to purchase a paid plan. You can read our affiliate disclosure in our privacy policy. This site is not intending to provide financial advice. This is for entertainment only.
