Can Video Games Help My Struggling Child Learn More Easily?

When Learning Feels Like a Daily Battle

"Every evening ends in tears," a parent confided to me recently about her 9-year-old son. "He's bright, but homework is torment. It’s like school drains him of all joy." If you’re reading this, you might be in a similar place. You’ve tried rewards, routines, maybe even tutors, and yet, your child still struggles to absorb lessons or believe in their ability to learn. And then there are video games. Endlessly engaging, full of energy and motivation—and, let’s be honest, sometimes the only thing that seems to light up your child’s face after a school day. So that inevitable question arises: could video games actually help your child learn?

From Escapism to Engagement: A Shift in Perspective

Let’s take a step back. A child who struggles at school often ends up associating education with failure, stress, and comparison. But video games? Those offer autonomy, immediate feedback, and moments of mastery—three ingredients many lessons lack. So what if some of that motivation could cross over? Not every game needs to be educational to be enriching. In fact, studies show that certain types of video games can improve focus, memory, and even perseverance—all essential to learning. Imagine a puzzle game that becomes their playground for logic or a storytelling game that boosts comprehension without them even realizing it. It doesn't replace traditional learning, but it can absolutely support it—especially for kids who learn differently.

When Video Games Meet School Subjects

There are, of course, educational video games built specifically to support math, reading, history, and science. But beware: not all "edu-games" are created equal. If your child is sensitive to failure, even a colorful multiplication game can become another source of stress. The gold lies in games that let kids play with learning, not mimic classroom assessments. In this guide, we curated a list of thoughtful educational games that kids actually enjoy—and that also align with school skills in a subtle, low-pressure way.

For children who love storytelling, narrative-driven learning can be especially powerful. Some modern apps—like one that transforms a photo of a textbook lesson into a custom adventure where your child becomes the hero—offer a bridge between mandatory learning and joyful discovery. One parent shared how her daughter, once disinterested in history, now begs to review lessons because the story is personalized with her own name. (That feature is part of the Skuli App, which blends customized learning with a dose of wonder.)

Learning That Doesn’t Look Like Learning

There's a quiet magic in letting children learn without realizing they’re doing it. That might be listening to an audio adaptation of their lesson while playing quietly with Legos… or building medieval villages in Minecraft after finishing a history module on the Middle Ages. In fact, one of the deepest benefits of video games isn’t academic at all—it’s emotional safety. It's the sense that failure doesn’t define you, that you can try again. That your effort might be rewarded eventually, and that the process itself can be fun.

If your child has had their self-confidence worn down by school struggles, this matters enormously. This article breaks down how to tell the difference between passive consumption and active, growth-oriented play—and why it matters.

Integrating Games Into Your Child’s Daily Life

So, how can you make games part of your child's learning routine without turning homework into a battlefield? Here's what has worked for other parents:

• Balance structure and autonomy: Let your child choose between two learning games, or decide whether to play before or after studying. Autonomy fuels motivation.
• Connect play to not just content, but confidence: Even non-educational games can improve memory, creative thinking, and delayed gratification. They’re not wasted time—they're brain building.
• Use transitions wisely: Some apps convert reading-heavy lessons into audio, making it easier to review a concept in the car, during breakfast, or even while drawing. This supports auditory learners without extra screen time.

And remember: what matters most is the long game. When your child begins to believe that learning can be fun—even in small doses—you’ve already won half the battle.

What Success Might Look Like

One family I’ve worked with had a son named Mateo, 10 years old, who dreaded all things school. But he adored video games—especially role-playing ones. With time, his parents helped him explore a few learning games that mirrored the types of stories he already loved. They paired those games with short, digestible lessons and allowed him to listen to them, rather than read them, on walks or car rides. Slowly, his dread faded. He even started asking questions beyond the game—and bringing that curiosity into the classroom.

Video games didn’t "solve" Mateo’s learning challenge. But they opened a door. One filled with possibility, pride, and just enough fun to keep going.

Final Thoughts

If your child is struggling to learn, you’re not failing them. Our system isn’t perfectly suited to every mind or heart—and that’s where we, as parents, can get creative. Video games aren’t a miracle cure, but when chosen mindfully, introduced with care, and paired with tools that respect how your child learns best, they can become a meaningful part of the solution. And maybe—just maybe—bring a little joy back to learning.

If you’re curious about deeper ways video games can support cognitive function, don’t miss this in-depth exploration of how games can surprisingly assist with lesson review.