TOP PICKS | 16 TOOLS
Games for Building Decision-Making Skills
Top Picks
RELATED
Print list
The Oregon Trail
Strong pioneer-simulation game with secondary emphasis on history
Bottom line: Classic westward expansion game just as fun as ever, but would benefit from some diverse updates.
Grades: 4–8
Price: $4.99 Kids can get "cash" using real cash via in-app purchase. It's possible to enjoy playing without paying if you're patient, but it is more difficult to be competitive in the game.
Quandary
Slick ethics game teaches students to make tough decisions
Bottom line: This versatile game that can teach ethics, argumentation, and civics is light on interactivity but will come alive through discussion.
Grades: 5–8
Price: Free
Hall of Heroes
Responsive game helps students prepare for transition to middle school
Bottom line: Wonderful and fun social-interaction game designed to teach cooperation and friendship skills needed for middle school and beyond.
Grades: 5–8
Price: Free to try, Paid Free trial for up to three students. There is a one-time license fee of $7 per student.
Community in Crisis
Game shows real-world uses for literacy and decision-making skills
Bottom line: A clever, real-world, and civic-minded context to learn and practice ELA skills.
Grades: 5–9
Price: Free
iCivics
Exceptionally well-designed games, lesson plans demystify government
Bottom line: This excellent addition to a civics classroom simplifies complex topics.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
NewsFeed Defenders
Social media simulation builds news literacy skills
Bottom line: This is a great tool to kick off critical discussions about news and social media.
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: $29.99
SimCity
Exciting city simulator great for online play
Bottom line: SimCity does a great job teaching kids about cities by putting them in control of designing them, but this game needs a constant Internet connection.
Grades: 6–12
Price: $19.99
Think Like Churchill
Stunning visuals, thoughtful feedback bring critical decision points to life
Bottom line: An excellent tool for studying the events and ethics that guide pivotal moments in history.
Grades: 6–12
Price: $3.99
Spent
Provocative, first-person look at poverty builds empathy
Bottom line: It'll need some scaffolding, but for students ready for the subject matter it's a great -- if sobering -- way to illustrate to students the daily realities and struggles of poverty in America.
Grades: 7–12
Price: Free
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: $14.99
Democracy 3
Nuanced political sim about the balancing act of government
Bottom line: This is a grown-up civics sim, full of tough choices, compelling cause and effect relationships, and controversial issues that will work best for older government students.
Grades: 9–12
Price: Paid $24.99 for individuals; educational licenses range from $99.95 for 40 students to $900 for 1,000 students.
Papers, Please
Mature immigration game forces tough ethical choices
Bottom line: It's a provocative simulation about ethics and immigration that could spark debate but might be tough to implement.
Grades: 9–12
Price: $9.99
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.
Grades: 9–12
Price: Free
Please Knock on My Door
Effective and affecting game about dealing with depression
Bottom line: A slow-paced SEL game for helping students understand the nuances of managing mental health.
Grades: 9–12
Price: Paid $12.99
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.
Grades: 9–12
Price: $19.99
