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.
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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:
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 analytics.
Kid-friendly interface
The game has colorful graphics, animations, sound, and music that appeal to kids.
You can play Prodigy Math on your browser or download the app on your device. You can also upgrade to a premium membership for more features and benefits.
Animal Jam
If your child loves animals and nature, Animal Jam is a perfect choice. It is a free 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.
Some features of Animal Jam are:
Feature
Description
Educational content
The game provides educational videos, articles, quizzes, and activities that are created by National Geographic.
Social interaction
The game allows your child to chat and play with other players from around the world in a safe and moderated environment.
Creative expression
The game lets your child customize their animal, den, accessories, and items with various colors, patterns, and styles.
Parent dashboard
You can manage your child's account settings, such as chat options, parental controls, and membership status.
Kid-friendly interface
The game has vibrant graphics, animations, sound, and music that capture the beauty and diversity of nature.
You can play Animal Jam on your browser or download the app on your device. You can also upgrade to a premium membership for more features and benefits.
Twelve a Dozen
If your child wants to learn algebra or improve their math skills, Twelve a Dozen is an excellent choice. It is a free 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.
Some features of Twelve a Dozen are:
Feature
Description
Mathematical concepts
The game covers algebraic concepts such as variables, operations, expressions, equations, and functions.
Logical thinking
The game challenges your child to think logically and creatively to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles.
Narrative-driven gameplay
The game has a captivating story, characters, dialogue, and humor that keep your child engaged and motivated.
Award-winning design The game has won several awards for its innovative design and gameplay, such as the BAFTA Children's Award and the TIGA Award.
Kid-friendly interface
The game has colorful graphics, animations, sound, and music that create a whimsical and charming atmosphere.
You can download Twelve a Dozen on your device for free. You can also purchase additional levels and content for a small fee.
Conclusion
Free educational games are a great way to make learning fun and engaging for your child. They can help your child learn new concepts and topics, improve their skills and abilities, and enjoy their time on screen.
However, not all educational games are created equal. You should choose the games that are suitable, appropriate, and effective for your child's learning needs and goals. You should also balance your child's screen time with other activities that are important for their well-being.
We hope this article has given you some useful information and tips on how to choose and use free educational games for your child. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.
FAQs
What are some of the advantages of free educational games?
Some of the advantages of free educational games are:
They are accessible and affordable. You can find them online or on your device without paying any money.
They are diverse and varied. You can find games that cover different subjects, topics, genres, and styles.
They are fun and engaging. You can find games that appeal to your child's interests, preferences, and personality.
What are some of the disadvantages of free educational games?
Some of the disadvantages of free educational games are:
They may have ads or in-app purchases. You may have to watch ads or pay money to access some features or content of the games.
They may have low quality or accuracy. You may have to check the quality and accuracy of the games before you use them.
They may have negative effects on your child's health or behavior. You may have to monitor your child's screen time and exposure to inappropriate or harmful content or interactions.
How can I find free educational games for my child?
You can find free educational games for your child by:
Searching online. You can use search engines, websites, blogs, forums, or social media to find games that match your child's needs and goals.
Asking for recommendations. You can ask other parents, teachers, friends, or experts for their suggestions or opinions on the best games for your child.
Trying out different games. You can download or play different games and see which ones your child likes and learns from the most.
How can I use free educational games with my child?
You can use free educational games with your child by:
Setting goals and expectations. You can discuss with your child what they want to learn from the game and what they expect from it.
Playing together or separately. You can play the game with your child or let them play on their own, depending on their age and ability.
Giving feedback and support. You can praise your child for their efforts and achievements, help them with their difficulties or challenges, and ask them questions about their learning.
How can I evaluate free educational games for my child?
You can evaluate free educational games for your child by:
Checking the learning objective or outcome. You can see if the game teaches the intended subject or skill effectively and efficiently.
Checking the difficulty level and pace. You can see if the game matches your child's level and allows them to learn at their own pace.
Checking the content and quality. You can see if the game has accurate, reliable, appropriate, and engaging content.
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