Tools
BrainPOP
BrainPOP

BrainPOP

Engagement, Student-centered, Secular
Available in OpenEd Marketplace
Grade level:
Pre-K - 8
Educational philosophy
Engagement, Student-centered, Secular
Tags
Science
Gamified Learning

General Summary

  • Animated educational platform with short videos and interactive activities
  • Covers broad range of subjects including core academics and enrichment
  • Designed for K-8 students with BrainPOP Jr. for younger students
  • Engaging format that kids genuinely enjoy using

Engagement: Makes Learning Fun & Appealing

Parents consistently highlight how much their children enjoy BrainPOP:

"My son asked all on his own to get on BrainPOP and my daughter asked me if she could do more lessons than I assigned. Any curriculum that my kids actually ask me to do gets a big thumbs up from me."

A Touch of Homeschooling

"Y'all, it's been a blast! My kids wake up and this is one of the first things they want to do for the day."

Pocket Homeschool

"BrainPOP is the best all-around supplemental resource we have used. The videos... are not at all condescending."

Homeschool of 1

Comprehensive Content: Wide Subject Variety

Parents value the breadth of subjects available in one platform:

"They don't just offer academic subjects like math and reading. They also have science, social studies, health, engineering, arts & music, and even technology lessons!"

A Touch of Homeschooling

"I really liked how many subjects are covered. It was nice to see things like Health and Technology as options alongside Math and Language Arts."

A Touch of Homeschooling

"We really love using BrainPOP and it's one of the most cherished tools in our homeschool."

Monkey and Mom

Interactive Learning: Beyond Passive Watching

Parents appreciate the variety of activities that reinforce learning:

"They've gone beyond the typical question-and-answer type assessments that you see in most curriculums. BrainPOP's activities like making a movie, coding, drawing, or writing responses allowed my children to show a deeper depth of knowledge and explore the topic even better."

A Touch of Homeschooling

"BrainPOP focuses on active learning experiences that keep kids highly engaged, rather than passive consumption."

Pocket Homeschool

Family-Friendly: Works for Multiple Ages

Many parents value BrainPOP's ability to serve children of different ages:

"To be able to have just one subscription that my whole family can use is huge. My youngest learner and my oldest can all use the lessons."

A Touch of Homeschooling

"Both of my kids can explore BrainPOP on their own because BrainPOP is a safe environment with no pop-ups, advertisements or redirects. I am glad I can trust BrainPOP with my kids."

Blooming Brilliant

Common Challenges: Cost & Depth

Parents do note some limitations to consider:

"BrainPOP is not a free resource, and the subscription cost can add up quickly if you are on a tight budget."

Homeschool of 1

"I thought it would be awesome, but it doesn't actually have as much as I would think... there are just the 4 resources and that's it… I would pay all that money for just those 4 short activities?"

Reddit Teaching Resources

"BrainPOP provides quizzes and assessments, but they may not be comprehensive enough if you are looking to track your child's progress over time."

Homeschool of 1

"BrainPOP relies heavily on videos and digital content, which may not be suitable if you are looking to limit your children's screen time."

Homeschool of 1

Who Thrives With BrainPOP?

Well-Suited For:

  • Visual and auditory learners who engage well with animated content
  • Families looking for a comprehensive supplemental resource
  • Children who enjoy technology-based learning experiences
  • Households with multiple children of different ages

Consider Alternatives If:

  • You're seeking a complete stand-alone curriculum
  • You're on a very tight budget (subscription costs add up yearly)
  • You want to minimize screen time in your homeschool
  • You need comprehensive assessment tools or detailed progress tracking

Our Bottom Line

BrainPOP excels as an engaging supplemental resource that children genuinely enjoy using. Its broad subject coverage and interactive elements keep students interested while reinforcing learning across the curriculum. While not inexpensive or comprehensive enough to serve as a complete curriculum, it's a valuable addition that can bring topics to life and inspire curiosity across multiple ages and subjects. Parents should view it as an enrichment tool rather than a core program, but one that delivers high-quality educational content that kids actually look forward to using.

Subjects covered

Core subjects: Science, Social Studies, English Language Arts, Mathematics, Engineering & Technology, Health, Arts & Music

Special emphasis: Interactive learning experiences, coding, and creative projects

Diverse topics: Geography, history, biology, internet safety, current events, and social-emotional learning

Teaching Format

Online, multimedia platform: Accessible via web browser or mobile app

Video-based instruction: Animated videos typically 3 to 6 minutes long introducing educational topics

Interactive components: Includes quizzes, games, interactive worksheets, and creative tasks like "Make-a-Movie" to reinforce learning

Self-paced learning: Students can navigate topics independently or follow assigned lessons

Assessment approach: Interactive quizzes (graded or review mode) to check understanding; limited assessment data available

Implementation flexibility: Can be used in classrooms or for homeschooling; parents can assign specific lessons or allow free exploration

Teacher resources: Includes lesson plans and extension ideas for deeper engagement

Pricing

Base Model: BrainPOP is primarily a paid, subscription-based resource.

Family/Home Subscription: For parents at home, BrainPOP sells family or homeschool plans.
BrainPOP Homeschool (grades 3–8): Approximately $39.95 per month (around $350 per year)
BrainPOP Jr. (K–3): Approximately $29.95 per month
Combo K–8 package: Around $49.95 per month (about $430 per year)

Teacher/Classroom Subscription: Individual teachers can get a smaller-scale subscription.
Teacher plan: Often around $155 per year for one teacher and up to 30 students.

School or District License: Many schools license BrainPOP for all their students.
Typical pricing: Approximately $3,000–$3,500 per school per year for a site license.

Free Content: Limited free content available, including a “Movie of the Day” and some free topics on BrainPOP Jr.

Cost-saving options: Community deals and homeschool buyer co-ops may offer discounts; check local libraries for free access.

Parent Involvement

Moderate to Low involvement required

Daily oversight: Parents monitor progress and ensure completion of assignments

Reduced teaching burden: Pre-made lessons allow children to learn with minimal supervision

Initial setup: Parents guide children on how to log in and navigate the platform

Content alignment: Parents can assign specific topics or let kids explore freely

Progress monitoring: Parents check quiz scores and activity results via the dashboard

Supplemental support: Parents may need to explain concepts or provide additional resources as needed