Some afternoons, teacher-led classes won’t cut it for a bored, tired, or just fed-up class.
Curriculum
8 Great Educational Online Games
Some afternoons, teacher-led classes won’t cut it for a bored, tired, or just fed-up class.
That’s when finding educational games online can be invaluable for educators, providing learning in fun ways through online games for kids that students enjoy. With a bit of hunting, it’s possible to find free online educational games your class will love – but if you want some ready-made options, these eight great educational online games are a fantastic place to start.
Education resources
Why include learning games in your curriculum?
While parents are often concerned about learning games, especially on iPads and Smartphones, there’s plenty of proof that a little educational learning can be good for children. Particular areas of interest for developing skills through learning are:
- More technical subjects, such as math and science, benefit from being gamified
- Emotional and social development through playing multiplayer games with fellow students
- Motor control, coordination, and similar soft skills
With so many different educational apps out there, it seems there’s practically no limit to what can be taught from a screen these days. Secretly educational video games are more prominent than ever, from Portal for physics to Civilisation for understanding the economy and society. But as with all forms of teaching, moderation is the best way to ensure students get the most well-rounded approach to learning possible.
Here are 8 of the best educational games online that you might want to consider for your classroom:
1. PBS Kids
This online game resource is focused on developing curriculum subjects through various styles and themes. With a variety of diverse popular literature and pop culture characters included, from Sesame Street to Dr. Seuss, there’s something just about any student will love here. Anything from math and reading to healthy habits and behavior is included in the selection, so whether you choose a specific game for in-class or give your students free rein, there’s always something new to learn.
2. National Geographic
The kid’s section on National Geographic is more than just a place for research. With over 100 engaging and interactive games to try across some incredibly engaging subjects, this platform has a little bit of everything. Students can learn about the underground railroad, the weather, or even important historical figures, as well as nature-focused puzzles, quizzes, and adventures.
3. Sheppard Software
Sheppard Software is a dedicated online educational resource platform that hosts various free educational games for younger students. Each game is sorted into specific categories, allowing for easy navigation and fun discovering these simple yet effective games. Another site that can be driven by a particular lesson plan or used to fill up an afternoon, there’s plenty here to enjoy for students of all ages and abilities.
4. ABCYa
A well-known and top-rated online resource for teachers, ABCYa hosts a selection of games for students of preschool age and up. Games can be selected based on grade level, and typical subject matter includes thinking, numbers, letters, and seasonally relevant options ideal for fun teaching around the holidays. While the ad-free site requires a subscription, if you can put up with a few pop-ups, ABCYa has plenty going for it.
5. Poptropica
Based on real-life adventure games, Poptropica is as fun to look at as it is to explore for students. Designed by the author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, this site has all the charm and fun of those books with engaging quests, exciting storylines, and plenty of minigames to enjoy along the way. This site makes an excellent homework assignment for some once-a-week fun.
6. BBC Schools
From Bitesize for older students to BBC Schools for younger classes, the BBC may be British, but their games can easily span the differences between our two countries. Games are based on age range, with fun cartoon graphics and plenty of subject matter from math to music and the arts included. Popular British characters are also included in the fun.
7. Funbrain
Designed for students from preschool to 8th grade, Funbrain hosts hundreds of interactive, fun games for students to try. Subject matter includes reading, literacy, and math. For your students that are big fans of reading or comics, the platform also offers a virtual library with some of the most popular titles included in the range.
8. Arcademics
As the name suggests, Arcademics combines the fun of arcades with a range of educational features, allowing your students to gamify their learning with leaderboards, competition, and plenty of skills practice included. This site supports lesson planning better than the main body, as the platform’s focus is on fun through play – with little explanation and guidance offered along the way.
What are your favorite education games for your class?
