Free Educational Games for Kids: Math, Reading, Coding and More
Free Educational Games: What They Are and Why You Should Try Them
Do you want to make learning fun and engaging for your child? Do you want to help them develop important skills and knowledge in a playful and interactive way? If so, you might want to try some free educational games for kids.
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Educational games are games that are designed to teach children new concepts and topics in various subjects, such as math, language arts, science, art, and more. They can also help children improve their problem-solving, memory, concentration, creativity, and social skills.
In this article, we will explain what educational games are, why they are beneficial for kids, how to choose the best ones for your child, and some of the best free educational games that you can find online or on your device.
What are educational games?
Definition and examples of educational games
Educational games are games that have a learning objective or outcome as part of their gameplay. They can be digital or physical, online or offline, individual or multiplayer, and cover a wide range of topics and genres.
Some examples of educational games are:
Prodigy Math: A math-based role-playing game that adapts to your child's level and curriculum. Your child can create their own wizard character, explore a fantasy world, battle enemies, collect rewards, and answer math questions along the way.
Animal Jam: An online virtual world that teaches kids about zoology and ecology. Your child can create their own animal avatar, customize their den, play games, go on quests, chat with friends, and learn facts about animals and nature.
Twelve a Dozen: A puzzle platformer game that introduces kids to algebraic thinking. Your child can help Twelve, a heroic number, save her family from a disaster by solving equations and manipulating numbers.
Benefits of educational games for kids
Educational games can have many benefits for kids, such as:
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Motivation: Educational games can make learning more enjoyable and rewarding for kids. They can provide feedback, rewards, challenges, and goals that can keep kids interested and focused on their learning.
Self-esteem: Educational games can help kids feel more confident and proud of their achievements. They can also help them overcome fears of failure or frustration by allowing them to try again or seek help.
Attentiveness: Educational games can help kids improve their attention span and concentration. They can also help them develop skills such as planning, organizing, prioritizing, and multitasking.
Creativity: Educational games can stimulate kids' imagination and creativity. They can also encourage them to express themselves, explore different possibilities, and experiment with new ideas.
Social skills: Educational games can foster social interaction and collaboration among kids. They can also teach them values such as cooperation, communication, respect, empathy, and responsibility.
How to choose educational games for your child
Consider the purpose, age, maturity, and skill level of your child
When choosing an educational game for your child, you should think about why your child is playing the game and what they want to learn from it. You should also consider your child's age, maturity level, interests, preferences, strengths, and challenges.
Some questions you can ask yourself are:
What is the learning objective or outcome of the game? Is it aligned with your child's curriculum or learning goals? Is it relevant and meaningful to your child's interests and needs?
What is the difficulty level and pace of the game? Is it too easy or too hard for your child? Does it adapt to your child's progress and feedback? Does it allow your child to learn at their own pace and style?
What is the content and quality of the game? Is it accurate, reliable, and up-to-date? Is it appropriate and suitable for your child's age and maturity level? Is it engaging, interactive, and fun?
Check the reviews, ratings, and content of the games
Before you download or buy an educational game for your child, you should do some research and check the reviews, ratings, and content of the game. You can look for online reviews from other parents, teachers, or experts who have tried the game. You can also check the ratings and labels of the game from reputable sources, such as Common Sense Media, ESRB, or PEGI.
Some things you should look for are:
The educational value of the game: How well does the game teach the intended subject or skill? How effective is the game in achieving the learning objective or outcome? How does the game measure and track your child's progress and performance?
The entertainment value of the game: How enjoyable is the game for your child? How engaging is the gameplay, graphics, sound, and story? How long can your child play the game without getting bored or frustrated?
The safety and privacy of the game: How secure is the game from viruses, malware, or hackers? How does the game protect your child's personal information and data? How does the game handle online interactions, such as chat, messaging, or multiplayer modes?
Balance screen time and other activities
While educational games can be beneficial for your child's learning and development, they should not replace other forms of learning and play. You should balance your child's screen time with other activities that are important for their physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being.
Some tips you can follow are:
Set limits and rules for screen time: You can use a timer, an app, or a parental control tool to limit how much time your child spends on playing games or using devices. You can also set rules for when and where your child can play games, such as after homework, before bedtime, or in a common area.
Encourage offline learning and play: You can provide your child with other opportunities to learn and play offline, such as books, toys, puzzles, crafts, games, sports, music, art, or nature. You can also join your child in these activities and have fun together.
Promote healthy habits: You can help your child maintain a healthy lifestyle by ensuring they get enough sleep, exercise, nutrition, hydration, and social interaction. You can also teach your child to take breaks from screen time and rest their eyes, ears, and body.
Some of the best free educational games for kids
Prodigy Math
If your child loves math or needs some extra practice, Prodigy Math is a great choice. It is a free online math game that adapts to your child's level and curriculum. Your child can create their own wizard character, explore a fantasy world, battle enemies, collect rewards, and answer math questions along the way.
Some features of Prodigy Math are:
Feature
Description
Adaptive learning
The game adjusts to your child's skill level and provides personalized feedback and guidance.
Aligned curriculum
The game covers math topics from grades 1 to 8 that are aligned with common core standards.
Gamified learning
The game uses elements of role-playing games, such as quests, battles, rewards, pets, spells, and customization.
Parent dashboard
You can monitor your child's progress and performance through reports and analy
