21 Smart Games For Game-Based Learning

by TeachThought Staff

There is a difference between gamification and game-based learning, and this post focuses on the latter.

Essentially, game-based learning means to learn through games.

Learn what and how–and through what games–is the less straight-forward part.

There is seemingly a disconnect between what students learn while playing games (e.g., problem-solving, visual-spatial thinking, collaboration, resource management) and the pure academic standards most teachers are interested in promoting mastery of.

But there is also the simple truth that few things are as engaging–for adults and students alike–as a well-designed video game, which might just make the following list of smart video games for learning useful.

If you’re looking for somewhere to start, might we suggest Civilization VI (this is the link for the Nintendo Switch version but it’s available for iOS and other platforms) or Portal 2 (this is PS3 version, but it is also available for other platforms)?

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14 Games For Game-Based Learning By Grade Level

1. Minecraft: Education Edition
Subjects: Math, science, literacy, art
Why: A flexible sandbox platform with curriculum-aligned worlds that promote creativity, teamwork, and cross-curricular learning.

2. Osmo (Various Games)
Subjects: Math, spelling, coding
Why: Combines physical interaction with digital play for early learners. Excellent for foundational skills and hands-on exploration.

3. Prodigy Math Game
Subjects: Math
Why: Gamifies math practice with a role-playing adventure format, adaptive questions, and curriculum alignment.

4. Zoombinis
Subjects: Logic, pattern recognition
Why: A classic puzzle game that strengthens deductive reasoning and early computational thinking through charming and challenging gameplay.

5. Toca Life World
Subjects: Storytelling, social-emotional learning
Why: Open-ended creative play helps children develop narrative and interpersonal skills in a risk-free digital environment.

6. SimCity EDU
Subjects: Civics, environmental science
Why: A city-building simulation that tasks students with managing pollution, energy use, and community well-being, encouraging systems thinking.

7. The Oregon Trail (Modern Version)
Subjects: History, literacy, decision-making
Why: Teaches historical context, risk management, and narrative through a simulation of 19th-century frontier life.

8. Kerbal Space Program
Subjects: Physics, engineering, astronomy
Why: A complex space flight simulator that lets students experiment with design, thrust, gravity, and orbital dynamics.

9. Scratch (by MIT)
Subjects: Computer science, storytelling
Why: A free platform where students learn the basics of coding through interactive stories, games, and animations.

10. DragonBox Algebra 12+
Subjects: Algebra
Why: Uses visual metaphors and game mechanics to intuitively teach abstract algebraic concepts.

11. Civilization VI
Subjects: History, geography, economics, government
Why: A turn-based strategy game where students lead a civilization across eras, promoting critical thinking and understanding of historical cause and effect.

12. Portal 2
Subjects: Physics, logic, engineering
Why: A visually engaging, story-driven puzzle game that strengthens spatial reasoning and problem-solving. Includes level creation tools for added challenge.

13. Assassin’s Creed: Discovery Tour
Subjects: History, art, architecture
Why: Offers non-violent, interactive explorations of Ancient Egypt, Greece, and the Viking Age using museum-like tours built into AAA game environments.

14. Democracy 4
Subjects: Civics, politics, economics
Why: A simulation where players manage policy decisions, budgets, and voter satisfaction, providing insight into real-world governance.

15. Human Resource Machine
Subjects: Programming logic
Why: A quirky, code-based puzzle game that introduces the fundamentals of computer programming through logic and visual sequences.

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14 Games For Game-Based Learning By Grade Level