Last Updated on January 3, 2020 by Danielle
Sure, a long, droning lecture might not be every kid’s idea of a good time. Maybe they won’t dance with glee at the thought of studying rote science textbooks, either.
But those aren’t the only ways to learn. Not only can learning be fun for kids, it should be.
Kids are natural little students and explorers. They love to learn; they really do. It just has to happen in the right context.
We’ve compiled a list of 17 sites that make education a blast for kids. But those are pretty broad suggestions, and we wanted to give you something a little more specific.
That’s why we had our own children spend some time browsing every site to choose their favorite games and lessons. Now we can give you the Kids’ Picks: tried and true, kid-verified recipes for a grand time.
Boowa & Kwala
Link – http://boowakwala.uptoten.com/kids/boowakwala-home.html
Boowa & Kwala has a rich variety of opportunities for preschoolers to play and learn. Games teach early skills like naming colors, sorting shapes, and spotting differences.
Kids’ Picks:
- The World Tour Cube Game
http://boowakwala.uptoten.com/kids/boowakwala-world-circus-cubes.html - Santa Has Lost His Sled
http://boowakwala.uptoten.com/kids/boowakwala-world-sugar-santa.html - World Fish Aquarium
http://boowakwala.uptoten.com/kids/boowakwala-world-fish-aquarium.html
These three games will delight your little ones as they color fish, navigate a maze, and explore diverse cultures. And those are just a sampling of the potential to be found on Boowa & Kwala.
IXL
Link – https://www.ixl.com
IXL is designed to make math easy and fun for children of all ages. With levels ranging from Pre-K all the way up to 12th grade, there’s something for everyone.
Kids’ Picks:
- Add and Subtract Whole Numbers Uo to Billions
https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-5/add-and-subtract-whole-numbers-up-to-billions - Multiply by 1-Digit Numbers: Word Problems
https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-5/multiply-by-1-digit-numbers-word-problems - Name the Shape
https://www.ixl.com/math/pre-k/name-the-shape - Color Patterns
https://www.ixl.com/math/pre-k/color-patterns
These games deal with basic and advanced arithmetic, word problems, identifying shapes and colors, and more. Your kids are in for an educational field-day.
Starfall
Links – http://Starfall.com
Starfall’s array of fun games cover every topic from reading to math.
Kids’ Picks:
- Numbers
http://more2.starfall.com/m/math-k/numbers-demo/load.htm - Alphabet
http://more2.starfall.com/n/level-k/index/load.htm - Learn to Read
http://more2.starfall.com/n/level-a/learn-toa-read/load.htm
These games will help children get familiar with counting, spelling, reading, and more.
National Geographic Kids
Link – kids.nationalgeographic.com
With a wide variety of games, quizzes, puzzles, and books, National Geographic Kids is a wealth of educational fun.
This website teaches kids about all the living things that fill our beautiful planet. Animals, plants–all of ‘em.
And while the focus is on nature, there are plenty of activities on other topics, such as geography, history, and more.
Kids’ Picks:
- What Superpower Should You Have
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/games/quizzes/what-superpower-should-you-have/ - Giant Panda
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/giant-panda/#giant-panda-range-map.jpg - Marsupial Quiz Wiz
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/games/quizzes/marsupial-quiz-whiz/ - Washington D.C
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/states/washington-dc/#DC-monuments.jpg
What kid doesn’t want to know what superpower they should have? And while they’re at it, they get to learn about pandas, marsupials, and Washington, D.C.
Teachers TryScience
Link – http://teacherstryscience.org/kids
Teachers TryScience is brimming with science experiments, lesson plans, and more. It has nine science categories, each with a wide array of activities, games, and ideas.
Kids’ Picks:
- Balloon Car
http://www.teacherstryscience.org/kidsexperiments/balloon-car - Build a Raft
http://www.teacherstryscience.org/kidsexperiments/build-raft - Kids Experiments
http://www.teacherstryscience.org/kidsexperiments/catapult
Each of these three experiments is as easy to build as they are rewarding. Building your own raft, balloon car, and catapult–who could say no to that?
Kids Know It
Link – https://kidsknowit.com/
This site teaches kids about astronomy, biology, history, spelling and more. It’s packed to the rafters with fun videos and amazing facts on a range of topics.
Kids Know It gets kids exercising their memory, spelling, and host of other skills–and loving every second of it.
Kids’ Picks:
- Dino Memory Match
https://www.kidsdinos.com/dinosaur-games/dino-memory-match/ - Solar System
http://kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm - Grade One Reading
https://kidsspell.com/spelling-lists/?reading_level=beginner&grade=grade-1
Coolmath
Link – http://coolmath.com
Math isn’t usually considered a cool subject, but this site begs to differ with that consensus.
Coolmath offers tons of math games, not to mention full lessons ranging from pre-algebra to pre-calculus. It makes math simple, clear, and enjoyable.
Kids’ Picks:
- Lemonade Stand
http://www.coolmath-games.com/0-lemonade-stand - Run 2
http://www.coolmath-games.com/0-run-2 - Coffee Shop
http://www.coolmath-games.com/0-coffee-shop
These games will make even seemingly complex topics like fractions fun.
BBC – History for Kids
Link – http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/forkids/
BBC’s History for Kids does a fantastic job of teaching history from around the world. No matter the place, the era, or the figures involved, History for Kids makes learning it all a breeze.
Kids’ Picks:
- Double Headed Serpent
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/worldhistory/double_headed_serpent/ - Pyramid Builder
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/egyptians/launch_gms_pyramid_builder.shtml - British History: Trans-Atlantic Cable
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/british_history/transatlantic_cable/
From tales of ancient Mesoamerican symbols to the history of the transatlantic cable, these resources will keep your kids enthralled.
StoryPlace
Link – http://storyplace.org
When it comes to education, there can never be too many books involved.
StoryPlace bills itself as “The Children’s Digital Learning Library,” and that’s an apt title. It offers a broad range of digital books, each designed to teach kids to read, count, color, and more.
Kids’ Picks:
- Color Rainbow
https://www.storyplace.org/story/color-rainbow - Time to Fight a Fire
https://www.storyplace.org/story/time-fight-fire - Engine Nine, Party Line
https://www.storyplace.org/story/engine-nine-party-line
Study Jams
Link – http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/index.htm
It’s an established fact that music does wonders for the learning process. Memorizing through catchy jingles is one of the best ways a kid can learn
StudyJames teaches math and science through upbeat educational songs.
Kids’ Picks:
- Place Values
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/math/numbers/place-value.htm - Order Whole Numbers
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/math/numbers/order-whole-numbers.htm - Number Lines
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/math/numbers/number-lines.htm
Just try and not get these stuck in your head. You’ll never forget place values again, will you?
Baby TV
Link – https://www.babytv.com/
Babies and toddlers have to get in on the fun, too!
BabyTV has nursery rhymes, games, coloring pages, and even a game show–all targeted at the littlest of your little ones.
Kids’ Picks:
- The Colouring Game 1
https://www.babytv.com/baby-art-colouring-sc1.aspx - The Colouring Game 2
https://www.babytv.com/baby-art-colouring-sc2.aspx - Where is Mouse?
https://www.babytv.com/babyhoodbook.aspx
Warning: these links lead straight to small children giggling away hours of joy.
Highlights Kids
Link – https://www.highlightskids.com
Highlights Kids has all the games, puzzles, jokes, quizzes, and experiments your child could ask for–and then some.
Kids’ Picks:
- Hidden Pictures: Moo-ed Music
https://www.highlightskids.com/games/hidden-pictures/moo-ed-music - Double Check: Balloon Museum
https://www.highlightskids.com/games/double-check/check-and-double-check-balloon-museum - Pipe Puzzle – Groundhog Day
https://www.highlightskids.com/games/pipe-puzzle/groundhog-day - My First Hidden Picture – Antronauts
https://www.highlightskids.com/games/my-first-hidden-pictures/antronauts
Games such as hidden pictures and spot the difference puzzles will keep children occupied while exercising their growing minds.
Scratch
Link – https://scratch.mit.edu
Kids love stories, games, and animations. But do you know what they love even more?
Creating their own.
Scratch lets them take the director’s chair and bring their dreams to life. They can share their creations with other kids around the world and explore their peers’ creations.
Kids’ Picks:
- Happy Earth Day 🙂
https://scratch.mit.edu/ - Be Good to Yourself and the Earth
https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/218577376/#fullscreen - Potato: A Song by YOU!
https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/217873918/
Children are imbued with boundless creativity. Scratch gives them an outlet to create, collaborate, and share.
PBS KIDS
Link – http://pbskids.org
Whenever PBS is involved, you can be sure you’re in for quality, kid-friendly fun.
On PBS KIDS, children can play a host of games and watch their favorites shows. They’ll even find coloring pages, bookmarks, ideas for activities, and lots more.
And best of all, it’ll fill them with the knowledge that will shape their futures.
Kids’ Picks:
- Caillou
http://pbskids.org/caillou/games/spelling/index.html - Curious George
http://pbskids.org/curiousgeorge/ - Curious George: Printable Bookmarks
http://pbskids.org/curiousgeorge/printables/bookmarks.html
Spatulatta
Link – http://spatulatta.com
It’s never too early to give your children useful skills and encourage them to pitch in around the house.
Spatulatta makes that easy, with recipes of all kinds for kids to cook with their parents. From snacks to meals (and even vegetarian options), Spatulatta will have small hands whipping up a storm in the kitchen.
Kids’ Picks:
- Weiner Weenie
http://spatulatta.com/lunch/weiner-weenie/ - Fancy Fruit Kebabs
http://spatulatta.com/desserts/fruit_kabobs-copy/ - Papa’s Pesto
http://spatulatta.com/vegetarian/pesto-2-copy/
Bon appétit!
ABCya!
Link – http://www.abcya.com
On ABCya!, kids from Pre-K to 5th grade can learn different subjects through word games, strategy games, and more.
Kids’ Picks:
- Make a Cookie
http://www.abcya.com/make_a_cookie.htm - Connect the Dots ABC
http://www.abcya.com/connect_the_dots_abc_order.htm - Letter and Number Tracing
http://www.abcya.com/letter_trace.htm
Connect the dots to learn the alphabet? Sign me up!
BrainPOP
Link – https://www.brainpop.com/
Children can ask questions on BrainPop and see all sorts of science-related video explanations.
Kids’ Picks:
- Build a Solar System
https://www.brainpop.com/games/buildasolarsystem/ - Drake Equation
https://www.brainpop.com/games/drakeequation/ - Time Zone X: Solar System
https://www.brainpop.com/games/timezonexsolarsystem/
These ones, for example, teach kids how to build a solar system, and one even explains the Drake equation!
Summary
In the age of the internet, safe, fun learning is only click away for you and your family. Give these free educational websites for kids a go and watch your children’s minds expand.
They’ll learn and explore and create–and have a blast all the while.
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