Best Educational Games for Children with Dyslexia Aged 6 to 12
When Learning Feels Like Climbing a Mountain
If you're reading this, you're probably a parent who’s watched their child struggle over spelling lists, simple instructions, or reading tasks that others seem to breeze through. Maybe you've sat beside them at the kitchen table, painfully aware of their frustration—or your own. Dyslexia isn’t a sign of low intelligence or laziness, but it does shape the way your child learns, processes language, and interacts with educational content. So, what can you do to help them not just survive school, but actually enjoy learning?
One of the most powerful tools you can use is play. Educational games—not just “fun” games—have the potential to rewire how your child feels about learning. When a child with dyslexia is given the right kind of game, designed to match their pace, needs, and cognitive strengths, it can open doors in ways that traditional methods simply can't.
The Power of Play: Why Games Help Struggling Readers
Dyslexia affects language processing, but many kids with dyslexia are highly imaginative, with sharp problem-solving abilities and a strong knack for visual or auditory learning. Games tap into those strengths.
Take Amina, a bright 9-year-old who dreaded reading time at school. Her mother noticed she loved coding games and puzzles. They started incorporating word-based games that emphasized decoding and auditory learning instead of visual memorization. Over a few months, Amina grew less anxious during reading class and began volunteering to read aloud. Not because the problem had disappeared—but because the fear around it had.
Finding the Right Game: What to Look For
Not all educational games are created equal—especially for children with dyslexia. When choosing games, here are a few features to prioritize:
- Multi-sensory engagement: Look for games that combine sound, visuals, and touch to reinforce learning.
- Short and achievable goals: Games with short rounds or levels prevent overwhelm and give frequent doses of success.
- Minimal text: Opt for games that rely more on audio instructions or imagery rather than large blocks of reading.
- Repetition without pressure: Repetition is key in learning, but it has to come with fun and without any sense of punishment.
There are word games that allow kids to listen instead of read, spelling apps that break down sounds slowly, and platforms that turn learning into a journey of discovery rather than obligation.
Learning Happens Everywhere—Even During a Car Ride
Sometimes, the key isn’t just in what your child plays but when and how. Life is busy. Homework time can already feel like a battlefield. So why not turn that 20-minute drive to school or soccer practice into a stealthy learning opportunity?
This is where creativity makes all the difference. Some families use audiobooks, others invent word games. One parent told me she made up spelling songs with her dyslexic son during car rides, each new letter adding to a rhythm they created together. She said it was the first time he ever smiled while spelling.
There are even apps that turn school lessons into personalized audio adventures for the car, where your child becomes the main character and learns the day’s lesson as part of a story. Imagine your daughter becoming 'Captain Zoe' on a space mission to decode galaxy letters—without even realizing she's reviewing phonics.
Games that Work Because They're Not Just Games
When it comes to dyslexia, the best educational games target not just skills, but confidence and motivation. Here's how to use them strategically:
- Turn lessons into bite-sized reviews. One thoughtful way to do this is by transforming school notes into personalized quizzes. Apps like Skuli, for instance, allow you to snap a photo of a lesson, and it automatically generates a 20-question quiz adapted to your child’s level. This turns rote review into an interactive game—with rewards paced just right to keep your child engaged.
- Swap stress for curiosity. If your child gets anxious when reading textbooks, convert those same texts into audio files they can listen to in bed, during breakfast, or while coloring. Omni-sensory approaches often work wonders for dyslexic learners.
- Make it personal. Kids love hearing their name—it’s a primal connection point. Some tools now offer personalized audio stories where your child becomes the hero of the lesson. These can be especially powerful for kids who feel alienated from school content.
In our guide on helping your child with learning difficulties in playful ways, we go deeper into selecting tools and approaches that feel like games but function like mini-lessons.
What Real Progress Looks Like
Progress for a child with dyslexia may not look like jumping a whole reading level in two weeks. More often, it looks like this: your child asking to play a reading game without being prompted. Laughing at a word puzzle instead of shutting down. Telling you they think they’re 'pretty good at spelling now.' Those are actually huge leaps. And they usually come when learning stops feeling like punishment and starts feeling like play.
In our exploration of daily learning routines without tantrums, we emphasize integrating games not as a reward system, but as a core learning method. This is especially crucial for neurodivergent learners like those with dyslexia.
In the End, You’re the Game Changer
You don’t need to search for a magic app, enroll in specialized programs, or spend hours crafting the perfect lesson. The real change begins by noticing what your child finds joy in—and following that lead. Play is your secret weapon, not a distraction but a doorway. Use it generously, wisely, and in ways that let your child reclaim a sense of fun in learning.
As you explore more ways to integrate learning and gaming, don’t forget to check out our article on making learning joyful through technology.
You're doing the hard part already—showing up, again and again, showing your child they're not alone. The right tools, games, and mindset can make their path a little smoother, and maybe even a lot more joyful.