Free
Geoguessr
Addicting gameplay jazzes up geography
Bottom Line: Game-based platform can get kids interested in world geography and expose them to different cultures on a surface level.
When Rivers Were Trails
Point-and-click story shares Native perspectives on forced migration
Bottom Line: Offers a valuable alternative perspective to the colonial history found in U.S. classrooms, through a familiar, Oregon Trail-style format.
Civics! An American Musical
Primary source-focused game has students create their own "Hamilton"
Bottom Line: This is a quick and useful way to introduce middle schoolers to primary sources, or to kick off discussion on some key U.S. history topics.
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.
Race to Ratify
Great history game offers cool constitutional spin on persuasion
Bottom Line: This super smart game will get students digging into and understanding the federalist and anti-federalist sides of the U.S. Constitution ratification debate.
East of the Rockies
AR experience offers moving insight into tragic history of internment
Bottom Line: Culturally rich and emotionally moving, with purposeful opportunities for interactivity.
PeaceMaker: Israeli Palestinian Conflict
Compelling test of kids' empathy and problem-solving skills
Bottom Line: It'll give students an impactful lesson on the complexity of human conflict, and the ongoing tensions in the Middle East that emphasizes empathy and the delicate nature of diplomacy.
Paid
Minecraft: Education Edition
Stellar collaboration tools, controls make Minecraft classroom-ready
Bottom Line: An excellent tool to engage students in learning, collaboration, and critical thinking is now more accessible than ever to teachers.
Kids US Atlas - United States Geography Games
Cool info, good audio, so-so quizzes take kids inside U.S. geography
Bottom Line: A fun way to explore the animals, people, and places of the United States.
1979 Revolution: A Cinematic Adventure Game
Violent, immersive view of revolution engages despite tricky interface
Bottom Line: This important historical experience is the perfect start for more global understanding, but the challenging interface may get in the way of learning.
Geography Drive USA
Engaging game uncovers many fun facts, but not much in-depth learning
Bottom Line: This is a fun way to explore the history and geography of the United States, but look elsewhere for deep learning.
Presidents vs. Aliens
Aliens make presidential facts out-of-this-world fun
Bottom Line: Learning facts about the presidents becomes fun with this silly arcade game filled with zany aliens.
Discovery Tour by Assassin's Creed: Ancient Egypt
Popular game's education mode offers stunning view of ancient world
Bottom Line: This game is an absorbing experience that offers students a unique, living and breathing view of ancient Egyptian art, life, and culture.
MapMaster - Geography game
Speedy, addicting gameplay builds basic geography knowledge
Bottom Line: A solid, entertaining way to explore and test kids' geography knowledge.
Humankind
Refinement of strategy game formula supports historical exploration
Bottom Line: Like any consumer-oriented game, this experience will absorb and delight students far more than "educational" games, but it'll require open-minded and creative teaching.
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.
Valiant Hearts: The Great War
Heartfelt story-as-history-lesson humanizes World War I
Bottom Line: Part history lesson, part action, part puzzler, all wrapped inside a sincere and emotional story that builds skills, historical knowledge, and empathy.
Radio General
WWII game has layers of learning, novel voice-based controls
Bottom Line: This is a refreshingly new approach to a WWII game that offers students a more accurate simulation of battlefield chaos.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI
Best entry in classic strategy series might not be best for classrooms
Bottom Line: As with all games in this series, Civilization VI is a great learning experience with the right support, but older, cheaper versions may be more practical for classrooms.
Where the Water Tastes Like Wine
Slow but alluring game uniquely depicts how folklore shaped America
Bottom Line: While it's not perfect, it could serve as a nice complement to a unit on American folklore or as a way to inspire students to write their own tall tales.
Attentat 1942
Emotional WWII game deftly explores the stories of survivors
Bottom Line: An absorbing experience that'll motivate students to piece together a family's story of survival during Nazi occupation.
Brukel
Unlock the WWII memories haunting a family farm
Bottom Line: This short, meaningful, and sometimes scary game preserves the first-person history of a woman who survived WWII.
Svoboda 1945: Liberation
Poignant WWII investigation game plumbs a town's dark past
Bottom Line: An excellent game that could complement any curriculum on World War II.
This War of Mine
Strategy game offers superb, mature take on war and civilian survival
Bottom Line: A stark portrayal of civilian life in a war-torn city that requires strategic thinking and invites repeated plays.
