26 TOOLS

Best Homework Games for Students

Learning shouldn't stop because school's out. These homework games offer a nice mix of learning and engagement, so students extend classroom activities, refine skills, and reinforce concepts at home. With these great games spanning math, science, ELA, social studies, and more, students can form healthy study habits that help them dive deep into whatever interests them most. Whether students need to brush up on math facts and build fluency, grow their vocabulary, practice typing, stretch their thinking skills, or explore other cultures, this list has a game students can take home today.

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.

Grades: Pre-K–12
Price:
Free to try

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.

Grades: K–8
Price:
Paid

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.

Grades: K–5
Price:
Paid

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.

Grades: K–7
Price:
Free to try, Paid

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.

Grades: 2–12
Price:
Free

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.

Grades: 2–12
Price:
Free to try

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.

Grades: 3–8
Price:
Paid

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.

Grades: 4–12
Price:
Free, Paid

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.

Grades: 4–12
Price:
Free to try

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.

Grades: 6–10
Price:
Free to try

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.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Paid

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.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free

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.

Grades: 7–12
Price:
Free, Paid

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.

Grades: 7–12
Price:
Free, Paid

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.

Grades: 9–12
Price:
Paid

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.

Grades: Pre-K–3
Price:
Paid

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.

Grades: 5–12
Price:
Paid

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.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free

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.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Paid

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.

Grades: 8–12
Price:
Paid

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.

Grades: 8–12
Price:
Free, Paid

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.

Grades: Pre-K–4
Price:
Free

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.

Grades: 3–8
Price:
Free

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.

Grades: 3–8
Price:
Paid

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.

Grades: 3–12
Price:
Paid

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.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Paid

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