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TOP PICKS | 29 TOOLS
Great Games That Teach Life Skills
Top Picks
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Social and Emotional Learning
Four little corners
Simple story about shapes showcases problem-solving and inclusion
Bottom line: This cute little story could be a nice launching pad for big discussions about friendship, tolerance, and acceptance.
Grades: Pre-K–1
Price: Paid $2.99
Kid in Story Book Maker
Easy-to-make personalized stories can help boost social skills
Bottom line: A must-have story creation tool for teachers in special-needs settings.
Grades: Pre-K–1
Price: $6.99
Toca Tea Party
Pretend play meets social skills at this cute interactive gathering
Bottom line: Beautiful, imagination-provoking app is so easy to use, kids will likely want to return for many more parties.
Grades: Pre-K–1
Price: Paid $2.99
Big Kid Life Vet
Gentle feedback helps kids learn empathy and some ABCs
Bottom line: This engaging and simple veterinarian game helps preschoolers build pre-reading skills.
Grades: K–1
Price: Free
Wisdom - Kingdom of Anger
Quirky game helps kids recognize and regulate anger in self and others
Bottom line: If they can get through the confusing bits, students will be able to identify, label, and perhaps manage strong feelings of anger or frustration.
Grades: K–3
Price: Free to try
Mindful Powers
Care for a cute creature to practice mindfulness and self-control
Bottom line: Meditation lessons and visual timers act as decent supplemental activities for introducing SEL skills.
Grades: K–5
Price: Free to try, Paid Free to try; $4.99 for the full app.
Peekapak
Complete SEL units in a neat and tidy package
Bottom line: Detailed social and emotional learning lessons provide teachers with almost everything they'll need to spark positive character development and reflection in their students.
Grades: Pre-K–5
Price: Free, Free to try, Paid Free for a basic account. An individual Teacher Pro plan includes the entire curriculum for $149 per year for up to 20 students ($299 per year if adding the game). For schools, the curriculum price is $7.50 per student ($15 per student if adding the game and analytics).
Zoo U
Research-based social game has terrific assessment potential
Bottom line: A powerful and focused social problem-solving game designed to reach kids who need direct instruction.
Grades: K–5
Price: Free to try There's a free trial for one student. Licenses are $10 per student (six student minimum); classroom, school, and district licenses are also available.
7 Mindsets
Thought-provoking structured program simplifies SEL skills
Bottom line: If teachers take advantage of the extension activities, students can get great in-depth instruction and practice in SEL skills needed for life.
Grades: K–12
Price: Paid A single-use (one-classroom/one-school counselor) license is $1,000 per year. It offers the full curriculum, professional development, the parent zone, an educator support community, an implementation guide, and tech support.
Prism
Experiential game teaches empathy toward those with autism
Bottom line: Lessons on inclusion and community in the classroom require post-game facilitated discussion for deep learning.
Grades: 2–6
Price: Free
I Love Potatoes
Adorable social innovation app spurs discussion, collective action
Bottom line: This free app, when used with the extension materials, will help students understand their role in the environment and the economy, and empower them to make change for the better.
Grades: 2–8
Price: Free
S.S. Grin
Fantastical game helps teach friendship skills through storytelling
Bottom line: Riveting role-playing game reinforces relationship skills, but plan carefully so that students can save their game.
Grades: 3–6
Price: Paid 30-day free trial, then $10/student license.
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.
Middle School Confidential 1: Be Confident in Who You Are
Appealing graphic novel teaches relatable tween lessons
Bottom line: A compelling read for tweens and teens looking for guidance and understanding of common social situations.
Grades: 5–8
Price: Paid $2.99
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
The Carnegie Cyber Academy
Safe internet practices wrapped up in fun, illuminating games
Bottom line: A unique project helps kids learn about serious Internet safety while playing in a lighthearted virtual world.
Grades: 5–12
Price: Free
Vital Signs
ELA game set in a medical clinic shows the value of literacy skills
Bottom line: Great ELA lessons that realistically integrate literacy skills into the simulated day-to-day of a medical clinic.
Grades: 6–8
Price: Free
inspirED
Uplifting one-stop shop for social and emotional learning resources
Bottom line: inspirED delivers exactly what it claims: empowering, easy-to-search content for social and emotional learning.
Grades: 8–12
Price: Free
Florence
Incredibly relatable story about navigating adult love and life
Bottom line: This heartwarming game helps kids empathize with the highs and lows of romantic relationships.
Grades: 10–12
Price: Paid $2.99
Wellness and Self-Improvement
Mindprint Learning
Expert feedback and tools designed for individual learner profiles
Bottom line: This impressive tool uses normed digital assessments to create a specific learning profile and provide authentic tools for individual learners.
Grades: 2–12
Price: Free, Paid There's select free content. Starts at $10 per student for assessments; contact for details.
I Got This: An Interactive Story
Interactive story explores diabetes health issues, lacks depth
Bottom line: A kid-friendly way to teach an important message about healthy living, but a missed opportunity to fully engage kids with assessment or gameplay.
Grades: 3–5
Price: Free
LearnStorm
Guided lessons focus on the brain, encourage a growth mindset
Bottom line: Wonderful, easy-to-use lessons spur self-reflection and a growth mindset in students.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free
AMAZE
Quirky, funny videos give thoughtful answers to kids' sex-ed questions
Bottom line: An appealingly down-to-earth way to help kids face tough questions about navigating the challenges of puberty.
Grades: 5–8
Price: Free
AppClinic - Saving Lives!
Easy-to-use CPR refresher looks nice but lacks enough guidance
Bottom line: This app would be a good intro to -- or refresher for -- CPR training, but could be improved with a lot more depth and feedback.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Paid $4.99
Roadtrip Nation
Outstanding site motivates kids to follow dreams, work hard
Bottom line: Incredibly inspirational, fun, and helpful guide for kids trying to figure out a sustainable, happy future.
Grades: 6–12
Price: $20-$25 per student $25 per student for the high school "Experience" curriculum, including workbook; $20 per student for the middle school "Exploration"
Calm Harm - Manages Self Harm
Immediate help for teens struggling with harmful urges
Bottom line: Powerful therapeutic tool teaches positive coping skills and mental wellness.
Grades: 8–12
Price: Free
Pairin
Robust personality survey for students results in real-world insights
Bottom line: For educators who have the time, drive, and buy-in, this program is a great data-analysis and character-development tool.
Grades: 8–12
Price: Free to try, Paid Pairin offers discounts to educational organizations, and a more robust program is included in the subscription price. The educational subscription includes discounts for multiple users, training for staff, student and teacher tips, a curriculum focused on 55 social skills, teacher professional development, and at-risk analysis.
Sex, Etc.
Reliable, unbiased sex ed site keeps it real for teens
Bottom line: An engaging and informative destination for sex ed teachers and students.
Grades: 8–12
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
