How to Spot a Truly Educational Video Game for Your Child

When Play Meets Learning: A Hopeful Beginning

It’s 7 PM, dinner’s barely on the table, and your child is begging for just “ten more minutes” of video games. Sound familiar? You’re tired, you’ve spent half the evening trying to explain fractions, and let’s be honest—part of you wonders, maybe they’ll learn more from that game than from our homework battles?

You’re not alone. So many of us are looking for ways to support our kids’ learning while honoring their need for play, movement, and self-expression. The good news? Video games aren’t the enemy. In fact, some of them can be powerful educational allies—if you know how to choose them.

But not all games marketed as “educational” truly are. Let’s dive into how to distinguish the fluff from the brain-boosting treasures.

First, Know Your Child’s Learning Needs

Before you even open the App Store or browse game shelves, take a moment to consider how your child actually learns. Are they more of a visual thinker, someone who lights up at stories, or a hands-on explorer? A child who struggles with focus might need highly structured missions. One who feels anxious about school might thrive where they can make mistakes safely and learn through play.

For children who are auditory learners—or simply more responsive to storytelling—games that include reviews in audio form or integrate storytelling into learning can work wonders. Apps like Skuli, which can turn written lessons into personalized audio adventures using your child’s name, show how we can meet kids where they are, not just where we want them to be.

Look Beyond Labels: What Makes a Video Game Truly Educational?

The word “educational” has been slapped onto countless games without much meaning. Here are a few real indicators that a game supports learning in a lasting way:

It encourages problem-solving over rote memorization. Think games like Portal or simple puzzle adventures, which teach cause-and-effect, logic, or systems thinking without feeling like worksheets in disguise.

It adapts to your child’s level. A solid game knows when your child is struggling and adjusts its difficulty without overwhelming or boring them. This scaffolding supports perseverance—not frustration.

It prompts reflection, not just reaction. Fast-paced games can stir the brain, sure. But slower-paced educational games that let your child build, choose, question, or explore often do more to nurture deeper learning over time.

For a deeper dive into how games may affect brain development, you might want to read Are Video Games Good for Kids’ Brains?

Follow Their Interests, Not Just the Curriculum

Your child may be struggling with multiplication—but if they’re obsessed with animals, a game about habitat building or biology might quietly lay the foundation for more receptive learning later.

I once coached a parent whose 9-year-old was failing spelling tests and hated reading. But this same child adored a language-learning game that used simple quests to unlock new words. It wasn’t on their school’s radar, but it was what finally clicked. If you're wondering whether games can help build language skills, take a look at Can Video Games Help My Child Learn a New Language?

Let their world of interests guide your choices. You might be surprised what “academic” skills they pick up in the process.

The Role of Time and Balance

Even the most brilliant educational game can't replace the foundational need for sleep, social interaction, and movement. It's all about balance—not banning. Wondering how long is too long? We've broken that down in How Much Video Game Time Is Reasonable for Kids?

As a general rule: if a 20-minute session leaves your child energized, curious, or proud of what they’ve “unlocked,” that’s a good sign. If they’re melting down when it ends, or zoning out with glassy eyes, that’s worth a pause.

Use Games as Conversations, Not Substitutes

Educational gaming works best when it stays connected to your relationship. Try playing alongside your child now and then—even if you don’t understand the controls. Ask genuine questions. How did they solve that puzzle? What choices did they make in the story?

And when you’re trying to extend lessons from school into game form, involve them in the process. Take a photo of a tricky homework page together and use tools that turn it into something engaging—like a lightning-round quiz or, even better, a story where they become the hero solving it. (Some apps like Skuli do just that, offering personalized lesson-based adventures with your child’s name woven right in.) Suddenly, practice stops feeling like repetition, and starts feeling like play.

Final Thoughts: Guilt-Free Screens, Real Growth

We often think of screens as something to limit. But they can also be something to shape—with intention, creativity, and care. When chosen wisely, video games can ease school-related stress, build confidence, and even repair motivation after setbacks.

If you’ve seen your child struggle with learning, resist the urge to measure their growth only in test scores or tidy worksheets. Sometimes, a well-designed game opens mental doors that a textbook just can’t.

And if you’re curious about how games change behavior in more subtle ways, this reflection on video games and children's behavior may help deepen your understanding.

In the end, it’s not about replacing school—it’s about reconnecting your child with their potential. With the right tools, even homework can transform into an adventure worth playing.