A female elementary student wearing headphones smiles while working with her teacher on a classroom digital tablet.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Get weekly updates on the latest media and tech trends for educators.

Games are the undisputed queens of classroom fun, but they can also be exceptional tools for deep learning and thinking. The problem is, a lot of games that claim to be educational are little more than dressed-up quizzes that challenge students to recall facts, faster and faster. These games might hook students, but they don’t lean into what makes games great for learning. With this in mind, we've taken a look at the most popular websites for educational games to try to find those sites that support true game-based learning. We dug into each site's learning design, feedback loops, and supporting resources for learners and educators. We also kept an eye out for ads and overall look, feel, and ease of use.

Please note: Common Sense Education is a nonprofit with a strong commitment to an unbiased, in-depth editorial process. Our ratings and reviews of learning media aren't influenced by developers or funders, and we never receive payments or other compensation for our reviews.

Our selections

Best overall

PBS Kids

Robust collection of learning resources covers an impressive array of topics.

Grades:  Pre-K–4
Price:  Free
Privacy:    
 
Platforms:  Web

PBS KIDS is just simply on a different level from every other educational game site when it comes to pedagogy and game-based learning. There's a clear focus throughout PBS KIDS on thoughtful, game-based approaches to learning objectives across the curriculum (and often several subjects in one game!). Great educational games find ways to accomplish learning objectives through novel game mechanics. Bad educational games are basically digital worksheets. PBS KIDS is the former -- each game seems to have a new, unique spin on learning content that gives students agency and helps them be creative. There's also quality feedback that communicates to learners that getting something wrong isn't bad, but part of the journey. Finally, it's an easy sell; it's free and doesn't feature any ads or commercialization. It also scored really well on our privacy evaluation, making it a trustworthy product schools and families can turn to.

Runner-up

BrainPOP

This extensive collection's videos and games break down ideas in a straightforward and thoughtful way.

Grades:  3–8
Price:  Free to try
Privacy:    
 
Platforms:  Web

BrainPOP does a great job of curating the best educational games from across the web alongside their own games. The third-party games come from some of the better developers and publishers of learning games, including a hefty dose of research labs as well as giants like iCivics. Teachers can browse the games by subject and even by those that make use of BrainPOP's novel SnapThought tool, which lets students screenshot their play and then annotate it for assessment. Note that BrainPOP Jr. also has a games section, but it's a lot less impressive and doesn't receive the same recommendation from us.

Other options (with caveats)

Maybe worth a look (with a paid upgrade)

Arcademics

Since the games rely a lot on drills they're more about quizzing than learning, but they could fill some gaps.

Grades:  1–6
Price:  Free, Paid
Privacy:    
Not yet rated
Platforms:  Web, Android, iPad + 2 more

Outside of PBS KIDS and BrainPOP, there's not much we'd recommend without a lot of caveats, or in limited scenarios. Out of that bunch, Arcademics is probably the best option, but you'll need to pay for the features we think make it stand out. Arcademics has a wide variety of simplistic -- but also addictive -- games with a big focus on multiplayer. These aren't groundbreaking games, and we wouldn't even call them examples of game-based learning, but they do help students develop fluency with facts they've already learned. A paid account is a must, though, since it'll remove the annoying ads and also add progress-tracking and customizable content.

Paid, comprehensive math program

DreamBox Learning Math

Great all-in-one program for math support and practice, with somewhat accurate adaptive tech.

Grades:  K–8
Price:  Free to try
Privacy:    
 
Platforms:  Web, iPad

We didn't consider DreamBox officially as part of this list, but it's worth mentioning. While everything else we looked at is a grab bag of sorts, DreamBox is a carefully thought out program. It's self-paced, so students work through interactives (rather than play games) and grow their skills over time. The program is designed to adapt as students struggle or succeed. So if you're looking less for one-off games and more sustained learning -- and you're willing to pay for it -- this is one worth checking out.

Compare the tools

PBS Kids

Best overall

BrainPOP

BrainPOP

Runner-up

Arcademics

Arcademics

Maybe worth a look (with a paid upgrade)

DreamBox Learning Math

Paid, comprehensive math program

Grades Pre-K–4 3–8 1–6 K–8
Price Free Free to try Free, Paid Free to try
Privacy
 
 
Not yet rated
 
Platforms Web Web Web, Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch Web, iPad
Pros High-quality resources backed by strong learning design and attention to kids cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Cartoon videos and interactives make tough subjects accessible for young students. Fast-paced games correlate to Common Core standards. Teachers can customize content. Inquiry-based learning focuses on concepts rather than procedures.
Cons So much variety can be overwhelming. Kids will likely need guidance to access specific resources. The site's deeper, more collaborative learning activities could use more support. The "movie" style can feel repetitive. The free version contains ads. The games offer simple skill practice vs. deep learning. K–2 students may need support with the interface and games, at least initially. Challenging to see student's view via teacher login dashboard.
Bottom Line Robust collection of learning resources covers an impressive array of topics. This extensive collection's videos and games break down ideas in a straightforward and thoughtful way. Since the games rely a lot on drills they're more about quizzing than learning, but they could fill some gaps. Great all-in-one program for math support and practice, with somewhat accurate adaptive tech.
Read our review Read our review Read our review Read our review

How We Rate

Our recommendations are based on a research-backed rubric we use to rate apps and websites. Here are just a few sample criteria from this rubric:

  • Engagement

    Would it motivate students and hold their interest? Is it visually appealing? Would it inspire teachers to try something new or change their instruction?

  • Pedagogy

    Does the tool help teachers promote a more student-centered experience? Will students gain conceptual understanding or think critically? Does it deepen teachers' pedagogical thinking?

  • Support

    Can students and teachers get assistance when they need it? Is it created with people of different abilities and backgrounds in mind? Is learning reinforced and extended beyond the digital experience?

About Our Review Process

Common Sense Education is editorially independent, nonprofit, and research-backed. Our team of editors and reviewers—all current or former educators and/or researchers—look at dozens of products before choosing a select few for deeper evaluation and consideration. Each product goes through a rigorous evaluative process by both a reviewer and an editor. This involves hands-on testing (including in some cases in classrooms or other real scenarios), rating according to our research-backed rubric, communication with developers and other educators, and finally a written review. We also consult our vast library of from-the-field reviews submitted by practicing educators. Learn more or request a product review.