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The Most Engaging Games for the Classroom
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Science and Coding Games
Cork the Volcano - Puzzlets
Fun elementary coding through hands-on puzzle tiles
Bottom line: Programming that combines engaging physical puzzle tiles with digital gameplay.
Grades: K–5
Price: Free, Paid
Crayon Physics Deluxe
Influential physics game is still a draw
Bottom line: Instantly engaging and super accessible to learners of many ages and abilities, Crayon Physics Deluxe fuses conceptual science learning with a brand of playful problem solving that demands creativity.
Grades: 2–12
Price: $19.95
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: Free, Paid
Algo Bot
Simple coding game a fun intro to algorithms
Bottom line: This coding game is a fun and helpful introduction to basic algorithm development, but other resources will be needed for more depth.
Grades: 6–12
Price: 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: 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: Free to try, Paid
Math Games
Kahoot! Big Numbers: DragonBox
Carrot-and-stick arithmetic app makes students fluent in regrouping
Bottom line: Hopelessly addictive addition/subtraction app keeps students learning and learning.
Grades: 1–4
Price: Free to try
The Land of Venn - Geometric Defense
Brilliant, wacky adventure game seamlessly integrates geometry
Bottom line: This captivating game is a great way to introduce or reinforce early geometry concepts.
Grades: 1–4
Price: $2.99
Prodigy Math
Adaptive math practice wrapped in role-playing adventure
Bottom line: Standard math problems plugged into magical adventure yield helpful data.
Grades: 1–8
Price: Free
Slice Fractions School Edition
Clever twist combines math instruction with engaging gameplay
Bottom line: A fun, innovative way to help kids build a strong conceptual understanding of fractions.
Grades: 2–5
Price: $3.99
Kahoot! Algebra by DragonBox
Mesmerizing step-by-step puzzler sets the foundation for algebra
Bottom line: This innovative game-changer teaches algebra, changes the way kids learn it, and even changes how they feel about it.
Grades: 4–8
Price: Free to try
Divide by Sheep
Extremely addictive puzzle game has dark, slightly gory play
Bottom line: A great game for math problem-solving, but be careful choosing your audience.
Grades: 6–12
Price: $2.99
Critical Thinking and SEL Games
Breakout EDU
Physical and digital puzzle games epitomize collaborative learning
Bottom line: Students will reap multiple benefits if teachers invest the time in preparing Breakout EDU games.
Grades: K–12
Price: Paid
Kahoot! DragonBox Learn Chess
Gentle chess puzzle game ideal for young newbies
Bottom line: For kids who are new to chess but want to learn how to play, this fun intro to the game provides a well-done tutorial combined with a light overarching storyline.
Grades: 1–8
Price: Free to try
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: $2.99-$4.99 individuals; $200-$750/year classrooms
Journey
Gorgeous, moving adventure -- a jewel of social and emotional learning
Bottom line: Journey is a must-play experience and a shining beacon of the good that games can do.
Grades: 5–12
Price: $4.99-14.99
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: $4.99
KIDS
An avant-garde journey of group dynamics sparks discussion
Bottom line: An unusual app that will confuse and entertain classrooms, generating discussion on a number of societal and philosophical topics.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Paid
Little Alchemy 2
Flex alchemical muscles in amusing, discovery-based puzzler
Bottom line: This amusing puzzle game encourages creativity, perseverance, and systems thinking, and with creative integration it can build interest in math, science, history, and literature.
Grades: 6–12
Price: Free
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
Unique cooperative adventure with lasting social and emotional impact
Bottom line: With good support, an extremely powerful game to build empathy.
Grades: 7–12
Price: $2.99-$14.99
Gone Home
Compelling narrative game fosters empathy, self-reflection
Bottom line: If you're searching for a unique way to analyze storytelling from a social and emotional angle, look no further.
Grades: 9–12
Price: $14.99
ELA and Social Studies Games
Geoguessr
"Just one more turn" gameplay jazzes up geography
Bottom line: It's not a typical educational game, but Geoguessr inspires students to explore the world and encourages them to think critically about what defines a place, including culture and geography.
Grades: 4–12
Price: Free, Free to try, Paid
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.
Grades: 6–12
Price: $49.99
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.
Grades: 7–12
Price: Paid
DEVICE 6
Inventive, interactive short story puzzles, scares, and delights
Bottom line: Utterly unique, short experience packed with exploration, mysteries, and surprises, but will take inventive teacher to wrap around.
Grades: 8–12
Price: $3.99
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
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.
Grades: 9–12
Price: $8.99
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
All-Purpose Games and Game Platforms
TeacherGaming
Level up learning with streamlined resources for classroom gaming
Bottom line: All-in-one platform for game-based learning gives teachers the confidence and the support they need to make learning real.
Grades: Pre-K–12
Price: Free to try, Paid
Tinybop Schools
Collection of STEM simulations that students will love to explore
Bottom line: Tinybop Schools offers meaningful scientific exploration to students, particularly when partnered with good teaching and discussion.
Grades: K–8
Price: Free to try, 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.
Grades: K–12
Price: Free to try
Roblox
Popular game development platform has classroom potential, pitfalls
Bottom line: Creating games for an authentic audience encourages coding and design skills, but real risks require extra caution.
Grades: 3–12
Price: Free, Paid
