Questions and answers
Can't find what you need? Email shawn@sawtechsolutions.com.
About Sprout
Is Sprout really free?
Yes. Sprout is free to use, with no ads, no in-app purchases and no subscription.
What ages is Sprout for?
Ages 3 to 7: preschool, pre-K, kindergarten and first grade. Each child's profile has an age, and games start at a level that suits it, then adjust as they play.
Who made Sprout?
Sprout is made by Saw Tech Solutions. It started as an ad-free app for our own kids, and we opened it up so other families can use it too.
Is there an App Store or Google Play app?
Not yet, and you don't need one. Sprout is a web app: open lilsprout.app, then add it to your home screen. It then opens full screen and works offline like a regular app.
What devices does it work on?
Any tablet, phone or computer with an up-to-date browser: iPad, iPhone, Android, Chromebook, Windows and Mac. Tablets are the sweet spot. A few 3D games need a device from the last several years.
Privacy and safety
Does Sprout collect my child's data?
No personal information leaves your device. Your child's name, PIN, progress and drawings are saved only in the browser on that device. Sprout sends one anonymous count a day (things like minutes played and which games were popular, with no names and no device ID), and you can turn it off.
Do I need to create an account?
No. There are no accounts, emails or passwords. A grown-up sets up a profile on the device in about a minute.
Are there ads, links or videos from other sites?
Never. Sprout has no ads, no links that lead out of the app, no YouTube or other videos, no chat and no social features.
Does Sprout use cookies?
No tracking cookies. Sprout saves your child's progress in the browser's own storage on your device, which is needed for the app to work.
Is Sprout COPPA compliant?
Sprout is designed so that we don't collect personal information from children at all: there are no accounts, and names and work stay on the device. See our privacy policy for the full details.
Using Sprout
Does it work offline?
Yes. The first time you open it on Wi-Fi, Sprout saves its voices and pictures. After that it works on a plane, in the car or anywhere without internet.
Can more than one child use the same tablet?
Yes. Add a profile for each child in Grown-ups. Each one has its own name, age, PIN, levels, stickers and drawings.
How do I get to the grown-up settings?
Press and hold the "Grown-ups" button at the top of the home screen for 2 seconds.
Can I limit screen time?
Yes. Set a daily play time in Grown-ups. When it runs out, Sprout shows a calm resting screen; the timer starts fresh after a 30-minute break.
How do I move Sprout to a new tablet?
In Grown-ups, use Backup to save a file with your child's progress, stickers and drawings. Open Sprout on the new device and restore that file.
My child can't read yet. Can they still play?
Yes, that's who Sprout is made for. Every instruction is spoken aloud, and buttons use pictures as well as words.
Does the voice say my child's name?
For hundreds of common first names, Sprout says the name in its cheers ("Great job, Ava!"). For other names it uses friendly cheers without the name.
How do I get the newest version?
Sprout updates itself when it's online. Close it fully and open it again to pick up new activities.
Say hello
Questions, comments, suggestions, or an idea for a new game? We'd love to hear from you, and we read every note. Ideas from kids are welcome too!