We all know that kids like to play video games. Whether it’s Pokémon Go or games played on social networks or through phone apps, we’ve raised a generation of game-loving children. While some may think this will lead to the end of society as we know it, research has proven otherwise.
A 2013 study conducted by researchers at NYU and CUNY revealed that educational video games can boost students’ motivation to learn and help them gain confidence in their academic skills. So why not use some of that screen time to get your kids up to speed on math, geography, language arts, or any other subjects? Here are a few educational-game websites for your kids to visit.
ABCya
ABCya provides hundreds of free educational games for kids from preschool through grade 5. It was created by a grade school teacher who wanted to create a destination for elementary students that would offer fun, engaging learning activities.
Education.com
Education.com provides math, reading, and writing games for students in preschool through grade 3. The site also hosts guided lessons, learning resources, and tools for teachers. Please note that if you want unlimited access for your family or your classroom, you will have to pay for a subscription.
Funbrain
Funbrain provides math, language arts, science, history, and geography games for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. It also hosts educational videos and a section of “fun games.” For teachers, Funbrain provides a list of resources to assist them in using educational video games to meet curriculum requirements.
Knowledge Adventure
Knowledge Adventure designs and produces its award-winning games under the brand named JumpStart and Math Blaster. It provides games about science, math, language arts, and animals for students in preschool through grade 6.
PBS Kids
Perhaps the most famous and well-regarded media learning site in the U.S., PBS Kids offers a huge array of games for children across many grades. Subject areas include math, spelling, nature, healthy habits, teamwork, problem solving, science, ABC games, and many, many more.
You can also download educational games to your phone or tablet from the Google Play store or Apple store. Be sure to read the reviews before downloading the game, though.
Do you use educational video games in your classroom or with your children? Have we missed any good sites? What do you think of video games as an educational tool? Please share your thoughts in the comments.