The Most Engaging Games for the Classroom

Fun elementary coding through hands-on puzzle tiles

Bottom Line: Programming that combines engaging physical puzzle tiles with digital gameplay.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Carrot-and-stick arithmetic app makes students fluent in regrouping

Bottom Line: Hopelessly addictive addition/subtraction app keeps students learning and learning.

Brilliant, wacky adventure game seamlessly integrates geometry

Bottom Line: This captivating game is a great way to introduce or reinforce early geometry concepts.

Adaptive math practice wrapped in role-playing adventure

Bottom Line: Standard math problems plugged into magical adventure yield helpful data.

Clever twist combines math instruction with engaging gameplay

Bottom Line: A fun, innovative way to help kids build a strong conceptual understanding of fractions.

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.

Extremely addictive puzzle game has dark, slightly gory play

Bottom Line: A great game for math problem-solving, but be careful choosing your audience.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Unique cooperative adventure with lasting social and emotional impact

Bottom Line: With good support, an extremely powerful game to build empathy.

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.

"Just one more turn" gameplay jazzes up geography

Bottom Line: Game-based platform is a great way to get kids interested in world geography, think critically, and expose them to cultures other than their own.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.