Road trips, train rides, long flights and transit delays all call for a little entertainment to pass the time. But what if you could secretly get your children doing extra homework without them cottoning-on?
When they’ve had enough of the usual card games, balloon games, and eye-spy, give these digital learning games a try.
Just don’t mention they’re educational
1. MATIFIC GALAXY
*Editor’s Pick
This is by far our go-to right now. Our children are loving the challenges because they feel like they’re playing games, not honing their maths skills.
The creators use ‘genuine gamification’ (the typical elements of playing games) to get them hooked. Think of it like hiding vegetables in your children’s favourite dinner. At last you can forget about ‘bad’ screen-time and actually encourage them to get on board Matific Galaxy!
THE 411 ON MATIFIC GALAXY
AGE RECOMMENDATION: Kindergarten to Grade 6
HOW TO PLAY: Matific Galaxy is fully downloadable onto whatever device you’re using (via the Apple app store, Google play store or as a desktop app).
BONUS! You won’t need WIFI to use all the features.
2. DUOLINGO KIDS
Tap into your child’s natural ability to learn languages from a very young age. Scientifically, it’s because they form neural connections rapidly (allowing them to form even native accents).
But, enough science. All you need to know is Duolingo Kids is a super fun way for your children to learn new languages in a ‘gamified’ environment; unlocking new levels, earning crowns and playing with friendly, animated characters!
THE 411 ON DUOLINGO KIDS
AGE RECOMMENDATION: Babies to 5 years old
HOW TO PLAY: Download from the Apple app store
BONUS! Duolingo Kids can be used both offline and online
3. EGGY GAMES
From the creators of ABC Reading Eggs (which most parents are aware of) comes a complete suite of Eggy Apps ready to fill those long travelling voids.
Just look at all these options!
KINDERGARTEN+
- Mathseeds Play & Learn
FROM 3 YEARS+
- The Eggsperts Appisodes
- Eggy Alphabet
- Eggy Word Snap
- Eggy Numbers
- Eggs Phonics
- Eggy Vocabulary
- Eggy Words *Our pick
- Eggy Nursery Rhymes
FROM 4+ YEARS
- Eggy Subtract to 20
- Eggy Time
- Eggy Animal Stories
- Eggy Add to 20
- Targeting Maths
FROM 5+ YEARS
- Eggy Times Tables
- Eggs Numbers to 100
FROM 6+ YEARS
- Spelling Games
THE 411 ON EGGY APPS
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 2 to 12 years
HOW TO PLAY: Download all the Eggy Apps on the Apple App store, Google Play and Amazon Apps – depending on the game
4. TINY TAP
If you want to access 150,000 educational games handmade by teachers, then this app is for you!
Tiny Tap turns screen time into an active learning experience including everything from games, puzzles, quizzes, e-books, soundboards, interactive presentations, digital textbooks, photo albums, classroom activities, plus many more!
THE 411 ON TINY TAP
AGE RECOMMENDATION: 2 to 8 years
HOW TO PLAY: Download via Apple App Store, Google Play and via desktop
BONUS! You can download games ahead of time in case WIFI is limited
5. DR PANDA
*Editor’s special commendation
What’s not to love about a Panda bear – and this one is oh, so adorable! If you haven’t used Dr Panda, get your children on the program. With Dr. Panda, kids can discover the world, while creating their own experiences and having fun. They could run their own restaurant, be a firefighter, build their own city or blast off into space. There is so much cuteness and fun you’re fingers will be twitching to join in!
Games include:
DR. PANDA TOWN GAMES:
- Pet World
- Vacation
- Mall
DR. PANDA FOOD THEMED GAMES:
- Cafe
- Restaurant
- Restaurant 2
- Restaurant 3 *Our pick!
- Veggie Garden
- Supermarket
- Ice Cream Truck
- Candy Factory
Plus so many more; Hospital, Daycare, Beauty Salon, Handyman, Art Class, Airport, Bus Driver, Mailman, School and the list goes on and on.
THE 411 ON DR. PANDA
- AGE RECOMMENDATION: Ages 4+
- HOW TO PLAY: Download Dr. Panda from the Apple app store or Google play store
- BONUS! No WIFI required after download complete
