Screen time doesn’t have to be a trade-off. When our kids want to play online, we love it when they can pick up some genuine learning along the way — and still have fun doing it. We’ve scoured the web for entertaining educational games and websites, and tried and tested each one ourselves. Here are 12 free educational games online the kids will actually love.
#1. Sheppardsoftware
Sheppardsoftware.com has hundreds of free online games for everyone from pre-schoolers to adults, covering subjects like maths, geography, science and logic.
We especially like this code-breaking logic game for teens.
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#2. Primary Games
Primarygames.com has a wide choice of educational games in different subject areas. Dragon University is a fun spelling game that we loved.
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#3. Nobel Prize
If you have a budding physician in your house, teach them all about the immune system with the immune response game at nobelprize.org.
This website is packed with fun educational games, alongside details on Nobel Prize winners past and present.
#4. Arcademics
On Arcademics.com kids can test their skills against other players. Choose a fun play name and join in on maths, language and problem-solving games.
We had fun playing the Multiplication Grand Prix game. Arcademics Plus also lets you keep track of class scores and set tasks.
#5. Math Playground
Online maths games are a great way for kids to practise their maths while having fun. The Mathman Multiplication and Division game on mathplayground.com is a firm favourite in our house.
Any adults who remember Pac-Man will get a kick out of this one too!
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#6. ABC Ya
All the games on ABCya.com have been created or approved by school teachers.
Learn all about nouns, pronouns, adjectives and prepositions in the fun Asteroids Speech Game. These games are suited to children from around 3 to 12 years old.
#7. Getty Games
Getty.edu, part of The Getty Museum website, offers a range of fun educational art games. We love the detective detail game, where kids match parts of an object to the main picture.
They also have a fun at-home art section with downloadable templates.
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#8. Artpad
Continuing the art theme, Artpad.art.com lets your child draw their masterpieces onscreen, select a frame, and “hang” the painting in their very own gallery or send it to friends.
#9. BBC
BBC.co.uk has a huge amount of learning resources (note some games require you to be in the UK to play), and its Newsround page has plenty of educational videos based on current news topics.
We loved Dance Mat Typing, a touch-typing game with four levels, each split into three stages. Progress through each stage and test your speed as you go — soon you’ll be typing like an expert.
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#10. Music Tech Teacher
Musictechteacher.com grew out of a music technology and band classroom and offers games, worksheets and music theory covering instruments, composers, rhythm and music notes.
For children learning piano, there’s a fun piano keys quiz to play.
#11. Reading Eggs
Full of educationally sound, fun and interactive activities, Reading Eggs is an award-winning online literacy programme for children aged 3-13, focused on the most fundamental school skill: reading.
Reading Eggs makes learning to read genuinely engaging, with games, songs, golden eggs and other rewards that motivate kids to keep exploring and learning — and feel proud of their progress along the way.
#12. Im-A-Puzzle
This jigsaw puzzle site boasts thousands of high-definition jigsaw puzzles spanning art, architecture, pop culture and even user-uploaded images.
Im-A-Puzzle also features multiple difficulty settings, timers and plenty of other options.
Parents and teachers can set up games where kids answer questions to unlock new jigsaw pieces — a genuinely engaging and enriching online activity for kids of all ages.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are these online educational games really free to play?
Every site on this list offers free access to its core games. Some sites also offer optional paid upgrades, extra features or premium subscriptions (Reading Eggs, for example, is a paid literacy programme with free games and trial content), so it’s worth having a quick look at each site before your child dives in.
What ages are these games suitable for?
The list covers a broad age range, from pre-schoolers right up to teens. Each entry above notes the rough age group it suits best, so you can pick the games that match your child’s stage.
Do any of these games need a download or account?
Most of the games play directly in a web browser with no download needed. A few sites offer optional accounts for tracking progress or scores, but this generally isn’t required to play.
Are these websites safe for kids to use on their own?
These sites are aimed at children and are widely used in homes and classrooms, but it’s always a good idea for a parent to have a first look together, especially with younger children, and to keep an eye on any site that includes user-uploaded content or multiplayer features.
Does your child have a favourite online educational game?
Let us know in the comments box below — we’re always on the lookout for more to add to the list!
Related Articles
- 10 Top Learning Games for Toddlers & Preschoolers
- 10 of the Best Educational Apps for 8-12 yrs
- 10 of the Best Educational Apps for Kids Reviewed by Families
- Screen Time – How Much is Too Much for Kids?
- 7 Tips for Parents on Managing Kids Screen Time
Save This for Later
Bookmark this page or save it to your favourite parenting board so you’ve got a ready-made list of free educational games the next time the kids ask “can I go on the computer?”
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