Best educational games for Android and iOS
There is a common trope amongst parents regarding video games in which many seem to believe that playing games can “rot your brain”. While not necessarily true, we understand that this comes from the concern that spending too long playing games could result in kids neglecting their studies.
That being said, who’s to say that a game can’t both entertain and educate at the same time? If you are looking for a game (or several) to keep your little ones entertained while helping them learn a thing or two along the way, then read on to check out some of the best education games for both Android and iOS devices.
Minecraft
It goes without saying that if Minecraft did not make this list, what kind of list would that be? Sure, its premise about killing zombies and surviving in the wild might seem a bit banal and not very educational, but there are aspects about Minecraft that have actually made it rather suitable as an educational tool.
There are reasons why there are more than a few educational institutions who have relied on Minecraft to teach children a variety of topics. This includes helping with their creativity, improve on problem-solving skills, collaboration, and more.
Nancy Drew Codes and Clues
As we move towards a more connected world, there will be an even greater demand for developers in the future, and it’s not a bad idea to get your kids started while they’re young. At the same time, we understand that coding might seem rather boring and complicated, which is where the Nancy Drew Codes and Clues game excels.
Instead of teaching kids to program like you would an adult, the game uses story-telling and interactivity to help kids grasp the concepts while making it fun at the same time. Kids will learn some basic fundamentals of coding such as sequences, loops, pattern recognition, and more.
Duolingo
Duolingo is an app that some of you might be familiar with when it comes to learning a new language, but in case you did not know, there are actually features built into the app that help make the learning experience fun for children. This comes in the form of games that can help teach children a new language in a fun and easy manner through a medium, like a smartphone or tablet, that they are familiar with.
Download Duolingo for Android or iOS
ABCmouse
If you’re looking for a more well-rounded game that will cover a multitude of topics, then ABCmouse might be the app for you. The app will cover a bunch of topics ranging from math, science, art, music, and reading, and there will be thousands of books, videos, pizzles, and games for you to choose from.
The fact that it uses step-by-step learning and independent learning means that your child can learn at their own speed, and given that it’s a mobile app, they’ll be able to learn on the go. It helps that ABCmouse is also used in over 70,000 classrooms and is also available across nearly half of US public libraries, so obviously it has some standards otherwise it would not be used.
Khan Academy Kids
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO6v5BxQP_8
We’re sure at some point in time, you’ve searched for a topic online that you might not be too familiar with, whether it be about finance, math, or science. There’s a good chance that during your search, you might have stumbled across Khan Academy. It turns out that they also have a kids version.
The app will teach kids various foundational topics like reading, writing, math, and all of it is done in a fun and colorful way that will hopefully make the learning process a little less boring and painful. There are over 1,000 games, videos, and stories for you to choose from, ensuring that you’ll always be able to find something that will appeal to your child.
MentalUP
Kids are smart and there’s a good chance that despite a game hiding math or science inside of it, they will pick up on it. If you’re after something a little subtle but will also help your child’s development, like memory skills or brain training, MentalUP might be just what the doctor ordered.
The app features a bunch of different games inside of it that is meant to help improve memory skills, logic, attention, verbal skills, as well as visual skills. Parents can even track the progress of their kids and compare it against others if they wish. There are also coins that kids can collect which in turn helps them customize their own avatar.