STEM Games
IXL
Immediate feedback and breadth a huge plus, despite emphasis on drills
Bottom Line: Students can improve targeted skills by using practice modules in moderation.
The Robot Factory by Tinybop
Improve designs, collect favorites in robot creation sandbox
Bottom Line: A well-made and enjoyable STEM app that leverages what's great about play -- experimentation -- to spark engineering interest.
Simple Machines by Tinybop
Excellent elementary NGSS engineering practices embedded in fun games
Bottom Line: Fun gameplay lets kids explore important physics concepts in a solid standards-aligned context.
Motion Math
Playful collection of games reinforces a diversity of skills
Bottom Line: A great add-on to any classroom as a treat for students or as a way to get students to practice taught concepts to mastery.
Scratch
Creative sandbox opens the door to coding in any subject area
Bottom Line: Scratch draws students of all types into coding and lays a foundation for future learning.
Mangahigh
Awesome, adaptive math games with a killer teacher dashboard
Bottom Line: Fantastic tool for flipped or blended classrooms, formative assessment, or extra practice in any setting.
Contraption Maker
Solve problems, puzzles, brain teasers while creating wacky machines
Bottom Line: Hands-on problem-solving leads to great fun and independent learning with the right curricular wraparound to connect what kids are doing with what they need to know.
Algodoo
Sandbox tool enables engaged, conceptual physics inquiry
Bottom Line: A robust, free pedagogical tool that's like a digital workbench where kids build and apply conceptual science knowledge.
CodeCombat
Dungeon-crawling adventure where code is king
Bottom Line: While not everyone loves fighting ogres, CodeCombat offers a classroom-ready platform and an authentic learning experience.
Kahoot! Algebra 2 by DragonBox
Super fun, cutting-edge approach to learning and practicing algebra
Bottom Line: Kids build a strong foundation for algebra by learning the underlying concepts for solving equations with this extremely fun and educational math tool.
Tyto Ecology
Well-developed biome sim provides cheap, endless learning
Bottom Line: This affordable ecosystem balancing game teaches life science skills while keeping students engaged.
Universe Sandbox
Superb sandbox for astrophysics experimentation
Bottom Line: An impressive -- and complex -- tool that encourages a playful, systems thinking-oriented exploration of the universe and astrophysics.
GameMaker
One of the best creation tools available for aspiring game developers
Bottom Line: Great choice for a full unit or class on game design; fuels students game-making dreams.
Niche - a genetics survival game
Immersive genetics sim puts evolution in students' hands
Bottom Line: This hands-on genetics game allows students to experiment, explore traits, and come away with a sophisticated understanding of the subject.
Kerbal Space Program
Design and launch a rocket into space in realistic astrophysics sim
Bottom Line: This accurate rocket sim encourages trial-and-error learning and makes for great (and often explosive) physics and engineering experiments.
ELA and Social Studies Games
HangArt: Play Hangman, Draw Pictures, Tell Stories
Games, creative activities give 360-degree view of common sight words
Bottom Line: Combination of guided games and open-ended activities give kids a great opportunity for digging deep into words.
Never Alone: Ki Edition
Illuminating native Alaskan folktale supports SEL skills
Bottom Line: A beautiful achievement developed in cooperation with indigenous folk that offers players valuable SEL skill building and a respectful window into Inupiat culture, ways of life, traditions, and stories.
iCivics
Well-designed games, lessons can spice up your civics curriculum
Bottom Line: This game-based curriculum would be an excellent addition to any secondary social studies.
Sid Meier's Civilization V
Legendary strategy game is a hit with history buffs in school and out
Bottom Line: For flexible classrooms, creative teachers, and sharp students, Civilization V is the perfect platform for making rather than memorizing history.
Political Animals
Charming political campaign sim mixes data analysis and civics
Bottom Line: It's a highly entertaining and surprisingly deep way to help students see the strategy -- as well as ethical choices -- involved in elections.
SAT Vocab by MindSnacks
Variety is key in charmingly effective SAT vocab app
Bottom Line: Upgrading to the full version gets you great games and a thorough word list for SAT vocab prep.
Walden, a game
Thoughtfully designed game illuminates Thoreau's writing, philosophy
Bottom Line: It's rare to be so moved and permanently transformed by a work of art; that this game manages to (re)create these experiences is a triumph.
Miscellaneous Games
PBS Kids
One-stop shop for a wealth of fantastic PBS Kids educational content
Bottom Line: Robust collection of learning resources covers an impressive array of topics.
Nitro Type
Customizable multiplayer auto races rev up basic typing practice
Bottom Line: Nitro Type is pretty darn engaging, but teachers need to prep students' typing skills first.
Zoombinis
Classic logic puzzler gets a beautiful new look
Bottom Line: Promote powerful thinking skills, resilience, and decision-making through purely fun gameplay that will keep students begging for more.
Minecraft
Spiraling sandbox of adventure and creation gets kids to dig deep
Bottom Line: An irresistible and seemingly limitless incubator for 21st century skills that, with a little guidance, can chart new courses for learning.
Epistory - Typing Chronicles
Practice typing by exploring and defending a world made of paper
Bottom Line: Great for practicing touch-typing skills, this adventure game draws players in with a slowly revealed backstory.
