If you’re a parent, you’ve no doubt heard your kids say “I’m bored” at least once or twice before. If you haven’t, we’d like to know your secret to parenting. Keeping your kids entertained constantly can certainly be hard, but it doesn’t have to be. Although we’ve already recommended a bunch of shows for you to stream with your family, we know that watching television is not a permanent (or healthy) solution to boredom.
Even when your kids aren’t at school, what’s there to stop them from learning? The internet is a melting pot of apps, games and entertainment solutions to fill your little one’s head – and not all of them have to be so mind-numbing! Here’s a look of some of the more educational mobile games for your kids to enjoy.
I know what you’re thinking. DragonBox? That doesn’t sound educational! The good news is that this app is a mathematics game and is very well-received by critics. It’s even won a whopping seven awards! There are two versions of the app, one being titled DragonBox Algebra 5+ for younger children, and one called DragonBox Algebra 12+ for older children. The main game involves solving card problems with drawings on them that gradually turn into numbers and variables as players get deeper into the levels. Children will learn to separate ‘x’ from an equation without even knowing it – and they’ll actually enjoy it, too!
What’s not to love? The DragonBox games are both available on the App Store and Google Play for both Apple and Android devices.
You’ve probably heard about this app yourself – in fact, it’s so popular it’s been adapted into a Facebook Messenger game. Words with Friends 2 is an app designed to help increase your vocabulary and plays out similar to the iconic word game Scrabble. You can compete with your friends and family on each of your devices, allowing you to join in on the fun. While you’re at it, why not teach your kids some new words and phrases?
Words with Friends 2 is available on both Android and iOS devices through the Play Store and App Store respectively.
Are you looking for something that’ll keep your kids’ busy and well-versed in new cultures for a while? Then Duolingo is perfect for you! It’s a well-received game that allows you to learn new languages in the blink of an eye. Its main premise involves utilising fun visual cues to help you along the way and well-organised categories to assist in language learning. Even adults have taken to this app to learn new languages they might never have considered before. It’s great if your child wants to perfect their language studies, or even for yourself if you’re interested in broadening your languages.
As usual, this app is available on both Android and iOS devices for download via the Play Store and App Store.
If your children are into comedy and storytelling, why not download the Mad Libs app for them? It’s an app that encourages children to enter random verbs, nouns, adjectives and phrases that pop into their mind, and the app will then produce a story using those words! Talk about a good way to get your kids thinking creatively… while also exercising their vocabulary and writing skills.
It’s a free game available on both the App Store and Play Store for you Apple and Android devices.
We’ve all heard of this and most of us have probably attempted it at least once in our life – a Sudoku puzzle. It’s a timeless game of numerical puzzles that are great for teaching kids basic maths and getting them to start enjoying numbers. What’s more, it can really help challenge their mind without even realising it! Sudoku puzzles involve filling a 9×9 grid with digits so each column and row contain each number from 1-9. There are various settings of difficulty, so it’s perfect for children of any age and adults too, of course.
There are plenty of different versions of this classic on both the App Store for iOS and the Google Play store for Android. Just search ‘Sudoku’ and see which one appeals to you!
That concludes our list of games for your kids to play. Are you using any of these? There’s a whole bunch of educational games available, but these are just a few of the good ones out there – that keep your kids’ brains active outside of the classroom! 🏫
Worried about what your kids are doing online? Get real time alerts and usage history these school holidays at www.yomojo.com.au/familyeye.
