
Many are currently asking questions like “Which online games can I play when bored” or “Which free online games can I play with my children?”. Whenever the whole family or household is at home online gaming comes to mind, especially among the younger generation.
So, it is vital for a parent or carer to know about the quality and adequate use of online games you can find on the internet.
Did you know that according to scientific research, the children who reported playing video games for three or more hours per day were faster and more accurate on both cognitive tasks than those who never played? Brain development takes place throughout life and in combination with all activities, but it appears that gaming can have a positive impact if used age-appropriately.
How can Online Games & Apps contribute to your Child’s Learning?
The simplest answer is “playing together”.
Researchers, educators, and parents across the world are now realising the importance of play as a key driver in enhancing learning and holistic development for children.
There are now thousands of free and paid online games and mobile apps that offer engaging and challenging content to keep you and your child occupied for hours!
But many parents are worried that video games, mobile games, or online games are a waste of time, addictive, and limiting their child’s development.
Believe it or not, there are several cognitive benefits that online games offer to not only children but also adults as previous research shows.
Online games & Apps can:
- Improve Spatial Attention: Engaging with online games often requires players to track multiple objects and navigate complex environments, which can sharpen spatial awareness and attention to detail.
- Help Cope with Learning Challenges like Dyslexia: Certain games are designed to target specific learning difficulties. For example, they can enhance reading skills by improving the brain’s ability to process language and recognise patterns.
- Enhance Multitasking Abilities: Many games involve managing various tasks simultaneously, helping players improve their ability to switch between activities and manage multiple streams of information efficiently.
- Improve Concentration, Focus, and Memory: Online games often require sustained attention and strategic planning, which can boost concentration and strengthen memory retention over time.
- Enhance Hand-Eye Coordination: Fast-paced games demand quick reactions and precise movements, which can improve the coordination between visual input and physical response.
- Aid in Developing Creativity, Problem-Solving Skills, and Out-of-the-Box Learning: Puzzle games, strategy-based challenges, and open-world adventures encourage players to think critically, explore creative solutions, and approach problems from different angles.
- Help Kids with Academic Learning: Educational games are specifically designed to reinforce academic concepts. Whether it’s through interactive maths problems, science simulations, or language exercises, these games make learning engaging and accessible.
- Provide leisure while stimulating the mind: Introducing your child to engaging online games and apps that can boost learning while also providing a playful escape. Games like 1000 Mines enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills with its modern twist on Minesweeper. These interactive tools make education enjoyable and encourage cognitive development through play.
Whether it’s maths, science, technology, engineering, language, general knowledge, logic, strategy, art, creativity, or just plain fun, our curated selection of free online games promises to introduce your little ones—and the entire family—to a world filled with fun, learning, and excitement.
Disclaimer: The information shared in this post was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change. The below list has been arranged according to the Google Play Store or App Store’s customer reviews, from higher to lower.
Best free Online Games & Apps that you and your child can play together while at home:
Games & Apps for Mathematics
Math and numbers can be overwhelming for both kids and adults. However, with some of these recommended number online games, math becomes fun, easy, and enjoyable.
1. Prodigy
Prodigy focuses on each student’s different learning potential to aid in maths learning. Their interactive games and puzzles are designed to help kids learn complex concepts easily for mathematical problem-solving. And it is connected to classrooms so that parents and teachers get an insight into the child’s progress.
Social Presence:
- Facebook – @ProdigyGame: 105K Followers
- Twitter – @ProdigyGame: 23K Followers
- Instagram – @prodigygame: 30.7K Followers
- YouTube – @Prodigygame: 47.4K Subscribers
- Pinterest: @prodigygame: 2.9K Followers
2. Math Land
Math Land is a mathematical learning app designed as an adventure theme land.
The player has to help Ray, a friendly pirate, recover his gems and precious treasure from the evil pirate Max who has stolen them from Ray. It is entertaining, interactive, and has different levels to keep you surprised and challenged!
Social Presence:
- Facebook – @didactoons: 122 Followers
- Twitter – @didactoons: 395 Followers
- Instagram – @didactoons: 151 Followers
- YouTube – @UC5Z0obP2AJ05d6JjZiLDksg: 413 Subscribers
3. Multiplication Games
Games & Apps for General Knowledge
Most kids despise reading encyclopaedias. They find them boring and intimidating. If you are looking to enhance your child’s general knowledge, then the following best online games are the solution that you are looking for:
1. Toca Boca
Toca (tocaboca.com/toca-boca-world) Life World is a creative app that allows children to explore and interact with a virtual world full of customisable characters and environments. Children can create their own stories and adventures, building their own unique worlds. The app promotes creativity and imaginative play.
Social Presence:
- Facebook – @TocBoca: 298K Followers
- Twitter – @tocaboca: 31.2K Followers
- Instagram – @tocaboca: 605K Followers
- YouTube – @tocabocaplay: 2.29M Subscribers
- LinkedIn – @tocabo-play: 22K Followers
2. Kahoot
Kahoot! (kahoot.com/home/mobile-app) is an interactive quiz game that allows children to learn and have fun simultaneously. Teachers and parents can create custom quizzes on various topics, or children can explore thousands of ready-made quizzes. The app is highly engaging, with a competitive element that encourages kids to participate and learn.
Social Presence:
- Facebook – @getkahoot: 62K Followers
- Twitter – @kahoot: 148.1K Followers
- Instagram – @kahoot: 97.5K Followers
- YouTube – @kahoot: 41.3K Subscribers
- LinkedIn – @kahoot: 163K Followers
3. ABCmouse.com
Social Presence:
- Facebook – @ABCmouce: 1.2M Followers
- Twitter – @abcmouce: 6.6K Followers
- Instagram – @abcmouce: 76K Followers
- YouTube – @abcmouce: 1.47M Subscribers
- Pinterest – @ABCmouce: 41.7K Followers
Games & Apps for Science/STEM
Science is much more than a combination of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology lessons in thick and intimidating textbooks. Science is igniting a child’s natural curiosity. It is experimenting, goofing around, exploring, discovering, and learning all rolled into one.
These free games are sure to ignite the scientist in your youngster and you:
1. Animal Jam
Social Presence:
- Facebook – @PlayAnimalJam: 66K Followers
- Twitter – @AnimalJam: 22.8K Followers
- Instagram – @animaljam: 179K Followers
- YouTube – @PlayAnimalJam: 226K Subscribers
- Pinterest – @animaljam: 25.1K Followers
2. Tinybop
Tinybop (tinybop.com)
Social Presence:
- Facebook – @tinybop: 55K Followers
- Twitte – @tinybop: 57K Followers
- Instagram – @tinybop: 3.7K Followers
3. Curious World
Curious World (curiousworld.com) is a comprehensive educational app that includes a wide range of interactive games, videos, and books on various topics, including science. The app is designed to encourage curiosity and learning, with content that covers everything from dinosaurs to space exploration. It’s a great resource for children who love to learn about the world around them.
Social Presence:
- Facebook – @CuriousWorldApp: 9.5K Followers
- Twitter – @curiousworld: 2.4K Followers
- Instagram – @curiousworldapp: 1.2K Followers
- YouTube – @curiousworld: 21.3K Subscribers
- Pinterest – @curiousworld: 269 Followers
4. Star Walk Kids
Star Walk Kids (vitotechnology.com/apps/star-walk-kids)
Social Presence:
- Facebook – @StarWalkApp: 710K Followers
- Twitter – @starwalk: 30.8K Followers
- Instagram – @starwalkapp: 439K Followers
- YouTube – @starwalk: 241K Subscribers
Games & Apps for Creative Skills
One of the biggest problems related to conventional education is the lack of creative and outside-the-box thinking! Children lose the ability to harness their natural curiosity, ask questions, or brainstorm to find new ideas. These recommended online games are known to kindle the creativity quotient in your kid:
1. Minecraft
- Learning how to use limited resources
- Developing survival techniques
- Creating from imagination.
Social Presence:
- Facebook – @minecraft: 12M Followers
- Twitter – @Minecraft: 7.4M Followers
- Instagram _ @minecraft: 9.8M Followers
- YouTube – @minecraft: 13.4M Subscribers
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2. PBS KIDS Games
PBS KIDS Games (pbskids.org/games) offers a collection of educational games featuring popular PBS characters like Arthur, Curious George, and Daniel Tiger. The app focuses on early childhood education, offering games that teach maths, literacy, social skills, and more in a fun and engaging way.
Recommended Age: PBS KIDS Games is suitable for children aged 2 to 8 years old, with age-appropriate content tailored to young learners.Social Presence:
- Facebook – @PBSKIDS: 891K Followers
- Titter – @PBSKIDS: 612.4K Followers
- Instagram – @pbskids: 242K Followers
- YouTube – @PBSKIDS: 2.46M Subscribers
3. BrainPOP Jr.
BrainPOP Jr (jr.brainpop.com) offers animated educational videos and interactive quizzes on various subjects, including science, maths, reading, and social studies. The content is designed to engage younger children in learning through fun, interactive lessons and to cultivate critical thinking skills.
Social Presence:
- Facebook – @brainpopofficial: 88K Followers
- Twitter – @brainpop: 46K Followers
- Instagram – @brainpop_official: 210K Followers
- YouTube – @brainpop: 210K Subscribers
- Pinterest – @brainpop: 4.2K Followers
Games & Apps for Coding
Steve Jobs once said, “Everybody should learn to program a computer because it teaches you how to think.” Yes, coding is the new English and every little kid should definitely learn how to code. And these coding online games are free and the most interactive way of introducing your child to the fascinating world of programming:
1. ScratchJr
Social Presence:
- Facebook – @scratchjr: 10K Followers
- Twitter – @ScratchJr: 21.8K Followers
2. Tynker
Tynker (tynker.com) is an award-winning mobile app that enables kids aged five to eighteen to create apps and games. Its unique platform lets children create codes without actually typing them. All they need to do is drag blocks of code and snap them together.
Tynker works across different devices including computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones. The three main age categories of Tynker include:
- Tynker Junior for ages 4 to 7
- Tynker for ages 7 to 13
- Mod Creator for ages 7 to 13.
Social Presence:
- Facebook – @Gotynker: 16K Followers
- Twitter – @gotynker: 32.9K Followers
- YouTube – @Tynker: 24K Subscribers
- LinkedIn – @tynker: 4K Followers
Games & Apps for Logic Thinking/Problem Solving
Good and sound logical thinking coupled with critical analysis is the backbone for all problem solving and learning skills. Unfortunately, classrooms teach children the much-needed skill of logical thinking only partly. If you are looking to improve your child’s logical thinking abilities, these online games are the perfect way to start:
1. Monument Valley
Monument Valley (monumentvalleygame.com/mv3) is the ultimate game of puzzle-solving and logical thinking. The user has to lead the heroine of the game—Princess Ida to higher platforms by clearing hindrances, optical illusions, unbelievable architectural structures, and amazing geometry.
Social Presence:
- Facebook -@monumentvalleygame: 138K Followers
- Twitter- @ustwogames: 117.8K Followers
- Instagram – @ustwogames: 24.3K Followers
2. LEGO
LEGO’s free online games and mobile apps are based on the popular LEGO themes including LEGO DUPLO for the really young ones to the LEGO City, LEGO Star Wars, and LEGO Super Heroes for older youngsters and their parents. Teenagers and adults are sure to love creating realistic robots and models using the outstanding platforms of LEGO Technic, LEGO BOOST, and LEGO MINDSTORMS.
Social Presence:
- Facebook – @LEGOeducationOfficial: 117K Followers
- Twitter – @LEGO_Education: 101.7K Followers
- Instagram – @legoeducation: 70.8K Followers
- YouTube – @LEGOeducationUS: 33.1K Subscribers
- LinkedIn – @lego-education: 98K Followers
- Pinterest – @legoeducation: 11.9K Followers
Games & Apps for Strategy Skills
Strategic thinking is an essential skill for youngsters as it helps them develop problem-solving abilities, confidence, and better decision-making techniques. Along with classic games like Chess and Mastermind, there are also several escape games available online for free, which are ideal to teach strategic thinking to youngsters from 7+ years.
1. Chess
- It improves your child’s IQ
- It provides stimulants to exercise both sides of the brain
- It teaches planning and deeper thinking
- It enhances the spatial ability
- It improves memory skills.
Social Presence:
- Facebook – @chess: 1M Followers
- Twitter – @chess: 587.5K Followers
- Instagram – @wwwchesscom: 1.2M Followers
- YouTube -@wwwchesscom: 1.96M Subscribers
- Twitch – @chess: 1.2M Followers
2. Solitaired
Social Presence:
- Facebook – @solitairedapp: 557 Followers
- Twitter – @solitairedapp: 77 Followers
- YouTube – @solitaired5232: 171 Subscribers
3. Escape Room
Escape Room games are great for improving:
- Observation skills
- Patience
- Performing under high stress
- Logical thinking
- Strategic management
Games & Apps for Language Learning
Ever wondered how little kids pick up words so easily? According to researchers at MIT, In the United States, the ideal time to learn a new language like a native speaker is by the age of 10.
Children under the age of 10 have more innate abilities to absorb the nuances of learning not just one but many new languages. Here are some great games to ensure your child learns an additional language easily (these are suitable for children who can read):
1. Duolingo
Duolingo prides itself on “The best new way to learn a language.” And they could not be more correct. Used by more than 150 million, it is believed that about 34 hours of Duolingo lessons are equivalent to a semester of college-level education. Download Duolingo and teach your child a language from the comfort of your living room. Duolingo ABC is a free app to teach English to children in the age group of 3 to 6 years and beyond.
Social Presence:
- Facebook – @duolingo: 2.2M Followers
- Twitter – @duolingo: 899.5K Followers
- Instagram – @duolingo: 3.2M Followers
- YouTube – @duolingo: 4.1M Subscribers
2. Memrise
Memrise (memrise.com) combines language learning with culture lessons, offering courses in various languages with a focus on real-world usage. The app uses spaced repetition to help children retain vocabulary and grammar more effectively.
Social Presence:
- Facebook – @memrise: 738K Followers
- Twitter – @memrise: 40.7K Followers
- Instagram – @memrise: 36.8K Followers
- YouTube – @memrise: 19.7K Subscribers
3. Babbel
Babbel (babbel.com) offers language courses designed by linguists, focusing on conversation skills and practical vocabulary. The app uses a combination of interactive dialogues and practice exercises to help children learn new languages in a structured manner.
Social Presence:
- Facebook – @babbel.languages: 71.6M Followers
- Twitter – @babbel: 36.3K Followers
- Instagram – @babbel: 337K Followers
- YouTube – @lessonnine: 249K Subscribers
- LinkedIn – @babbel-com: 78K Followers
4. Endless Alphabet
- Interactive puzzles and animations
- Fun animation,
- Making learning engaging and memorable.
Social Presence:
- Facebook – @OrginatorKids: 15K Followers
- Twitter – @orginatorkids: 1.6K Followers
- Instagram – @orginatorkids: 141 Followers
- YouTube – @orginatorkids5214: 208K Subscribers
- LinkedIn – @orginator-inc: 867 Followers
5. Unscrambled Words
For more language learning online games and apps read our article about the latest early years language apps or learn more about platforms English teachers use here.
Games & Apps for General Fun
Sometimes it is necessary to just play games without learning. It’s the family bonding that takes place over laughter and happiness which is equally important for your child’s development!
1. Candy Crush Saga
The most addictive game of all time—Candy Crush Saga (king.com/game/candycrush) is a fun way to spend an evening with your kids while it is pouring cats and dogs outside. Play, play, play!!
Social Presence:
- Facebook – @king: 617K Followers
- Twitter – @King_Games: 113.2K Followers
- Instagram – @lifeatking: 26.7K Followers
- YouTube – @KingOnlineGmaes: 391K Subscribers
- LinkedIn – @king: 184K Followers
2. Angry Birds
Social Presence:
- Facebook – @angrybirds: 21M Followers
- Twitter – @AngryBirds: 604.6K Followers
- Instagram – @angrybirds: 407K Followers
- YouTube – @RovioMobile: 6.95M Subscribers
3. My Very Hungry Caterpillar
My Very Hungry Caterpillar (storytoys.com) is an interactive app that brings the classic children’s book to life. The app allows children to take care of their own caterpillar, learning about the life cycle of a butterfly along the way. The app is educational and engaging, teaching children about nature and the life cycles of animals in a fun and interactive way.
Social Presence:
- Facebook – @StoryToys: 49K Followers
- Instagram – @storytoys_apps: 5K Followers
- YouTube – @storytoys: 24.2K Subscribers
We recommend you ALWAYS monitor and supervise your child while it plays online games and if they’re younger than 6 years you should certainly play most games together with them as they may still need support with navigation.
Conclusion
In today’s digital age, gaming apps play a significant role in children’s lives, blending entertainment with educational value. For UK parents, selecting the right apps is key to ensuring productive and enjoyable screen time. The best apps not only engage children but also foster learning, creativity, and critical thinking, enhancing skills in areas like language, maths, STEM, and imaginative play.
With countless options available, it’s crucial to choose age-appropriate, safe apps that align with your child’s interests and learning goals. Prioritise those with positive reviews, educational content, and parental controls. Active involvement—exploring apps together and setting boundaries—ensures a balanced approach to screen time.
In summary, with careful selection and supervision, gaming apps can be a valuable tool for your child’s learning and development in a safe and supportive environment.
If you want us to add a suggestion here based on your experience, please get in touch with us!
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