Searching the net for good online learning games for
your kids can be a soul-destroying process, as it is all to easy to
encounter intrusive ads, inappropriate content and in-your-face selling
on sites pretending to be suitable for children. It can also take time!
Many of the games take an age to load, and testing the games to be sure
that they are suitable is a hugely time-consuming process.
So we have done some testing for you! I have gathered
together a team of testers - ranging in age from 7 to 40-something - and
we have spent a good few hours trying to find the "best on the net" for
you. The results are below - a collection of what we have found to be
the best learning games free online for kids. Scroll down to the bottom
of the page and you will find a collection of sites which we tried and
felt had some merits, but excluded from our list for the reasons
mentioned. If you are feeling strong you may want to give them a try
too.
If you have any suggestions for additions to this
page, please email me at editor @ activityvillage.co.uk.
Game
Goo
This was a firm favorite with our younger testers - and I liked it too!
All the games are for developing early reading and language skills and
they are beautifully presented with crazy graphics, colors and sounds
which really catch the kids' attention. This site is definitely worth a
visit! Parents and teachers can find out more about the site
here.
BBC Games
This is a firm family favorite and one of the first
places my kids go when they are looking for something to keep themselves
busy. Charming graphics, lots of variety, and some really original ideas
make the BBC's learning games a "must-see" site. Obviously there may be
problems with spellings and currency games for overseas visitors.
Discovery Kids Games Room
You will find an excellent collection of games here - enough to keep the
kids busy for days! Some are more appealing than others and they are
suitable for a variety of age groups, but I suggest you could let the
kids loose in here knowing that whatever they tried they would be
achieving something!
CityCreator
All ages can have great fun creating - by dragging and dropping - their
own cities. Choose from "Blankton", a futuristic city, "Snoland", a
snow-draped wonderland, and "Medieville", a romantic Medieval castle.
It's not quite as simple as it sounds, either - you will have to do
quite a bit of planning to get the roads, buildings and leisure
facilities into working order. Great fun.
PrimaryGames.com
This site is refreshingly easy to navigate around, and
has simple, appealing games - nothing earth-shakingly fun, but many
which have stood the test of time. Some of the games were a little slow,
but the kids enjoyed the site. We also liked the fact that there were
printables too.
EduGames
from Education Place
This entry page doesn't do much to draw your kids in and get them
interested, but the games are definitely worth a go. Aimed at US Grades
K-8, you should find something to interest all ages. My testers enjoyed
the "Wacky Web Tales" and I was particularly impressed with Spelling
Match and the very original Power Proofreading (although there could be
problems for non-US kids with spellings and language usage).
Math Magician
Simple, honest and fun - as long as you enjoy your times tables and
other mathematics!
IKnowThat.com
IKnowThat.com has some very interesting and well-thought out games, and
the kids enjoyed the interface too. They weren't sure if they would come
here of their own accord, but they certainly enjoyed the games they
tested. The free versions ask you to subscribe before you play, but give
you the option ("Maybe Later") not to. There is a premium version which
we haven't tested, which gives extra levels, resources and options.
And the rest:
Funbrain
Funbrain.com claims to be "The Internet's #1 Education Site for K-8 Kids
and Teachers". I am including it here - but with a long list of
reservations!
It is not easy to find your way around
Many of the games are actually provided by
"sponsors" so are advertising-based
We felt the youngest age-group was poorly-served,
with an uninspiring collection of games in the "Playground" and too
much advertising
Quite a few of the games we tried were over too
quickly for kids to grasp the reasoning behind them
Many games we tried were not good enough for the
kids to want to have another go.
My testers didn't want to come back of their own
free will - there just isn't enough to draw them in and keep them,
and they found the games unsatisfying.
Having said all this, there ARE some good games here
if you search for them. We liked the web books and comics. And if you
are prepared to play with your kids and do some work in advance, you can
use the
game finder to find a game which will back up the skill you want you
child to grasp or reinforce.
We have a growing collection of
Christmas Games to play with your kids, your family and friends, including
printable Christmas games. Christmas GamesLots NEW!
If your children like making up their own games, you might find
our new printable "money", counters, tickets etc useful. Printable game supplies
Counting Jars Game
Children can make this game for a younger sibling, to help them learn to count -
they'll have fun assembling the containers and objects.
Call My Bluff
This is a fun word game (made famous by the TV show) which can
help children to learn new words, practise dictionary work and presentation
skills! It works best in a classroom or large group setting, and you will need
time to prepare.
Make A Name Book
More of a craft activity than a game, this is a great way for kids to get to
know each other at the beginning of the school year.
Matching Game cards can be used to play Memory
(Concentration), Go Fish and many other card games, as well as played with
our sorting mats by one child on their own. Printable Games
