Best Interactive Games for Teachers: Making Learning Fun and Engaging

Teachers would likely agree that making learning fun and engaging for students is critical, yet often challenging.

Luckily, there are some excellent interactive games available that can transform any classroom into a lively environment where students actively participate and get excited about learning.

In this post, we'll explore the best interactive classroom games for making learning more enjoyable across all age groups and core subjects. You'll discover gaming platforms purpose-built for math, reading, science, and social studies, as well as quick activities and brain breaks you can integrate seamlessly into your lessons.

Introduction to Interactive Learning Games

Interactive learning games can play a powerful role in enhancing student achievement and well-being in the classroom. When thoughtfully integrated into lesson plans, games promote active learning, boost student engagement, increase motivation, develop critical thinking abilities, and encourage collaboration.

The Role of Games in Enhancing Student Achievement and Well-Being

Educational games provide a range of benefits that support positive learning outcomes:

Instant feedback: Students receive real-time feedback as they play, allowing them to immediately apply takeaways. This builds knowledge through trial-and-error in a risk-free environment.
Differentiation: With a wealth of game options available, teachers can select games that align with students' individual skill levels and learning needs.
Knowledge application: Interactive games enable students to apply classroom lessons in an engaging context. This reinforces retention and comprehension.
Motivation: Game-based learning fuels motivation by tapping into students' competitive spirit and providing rewarding experiences through scoring, badges, etc.
Critical thinking and collaboration: Multiplayer games require critical analysis and teamwork to solve problems. This hones valuable real-world skills.

Selecting the Best Interactive Classroom Games

With a dizzying array of educational games available today, it's essential for teachers to vet options to find the best fit. Key criteria to consider include:

Learning objectives: Align games directly to curricular goals and target key competencies.
Student needs: Factor in students' individual skills, interests, accessibility requirements, etc.
Tech access: Evaluate technical requirements and ensure students have appropriate devices and connectivity.
Ease of integration: Prioritize games that seamlessly integrate into existing lessons and workflows.

Following this selection process will lead teachers to the most impactful educational games for boosting student achievement.

How to make the teaching learning process more fun and enjoyable?

Here are some great ways to incorporate fun and engaging games into your lessons to make learning more exciting for students:

Use Interactive Online Games

Leverage the power of technology by integrating online games that provide instant feedback and dynamically adapt to each student's level. Platforms like Prodigy Math, Adventure Academy, and Quizlet offer a huge variety of games spanning various subjects and age groups. These games keep students motivated while allowing you to track their progress.

Group Games

Group games are a great way to energize your classroom while building teamwork and social skills. Simple games like Bananagrams, GoNoodle brain breaks, and indoor recess activities work for all ages. For older students, try icebreaker activities to facilitate bonding.

Educational Board & Card Games

Inject learning into board games, card games, Bingo, Jeopardy, and more. Printables and templates make creating these games easy. For example, make vocabulary or math Bingo games using terms and problems from your actual lessons. The competitive and social aspects keep them engaged.

Learning Through Creation

Allow students to create their own games, quizzes, and interactive activities. Assign them topics aligned to your lessons and let their creativity run wild. The creation process enhances retention while building digital literacy skills. Their games can even be shared with classmates.

Keeping things lively with a healthy dose of friendly competition and collaborative play makes learning enjoyable. Monitor student progress through game analytics to optimize lessons. With a little creativity, games can turn any subject into an adventure!

Is there a better game than Kahoot?

Kahoot is a very popular game-based learning platform used by teachers and students. However, there are some great alternatives that provide additional features and benefits:

Quizizz

Allows students to play at their own pace rather than competing against the clock like Kahoot
Provides instant feedback on answers and explanations after quizzes
Offers memes and gifs to engage students
Works great for remote learning

Blackboard Learn

Easy to integrate quizzes into lesson plans
Provides robust quiz creation tools
Offers detailed analytics on student performance
Seamlessly integrates with school LMS systems

Mentimeter

Interactive presentation software great for real-time quizzes
Allows students to respond via any device quickly
Offers word clouds, quizzes, polls, slides and more
Engages audiences with interactive and dynamic presentations

Crowdpurr

Simple yet powerful real-time quiz platform
Enables teachers to launch quizzes in seconds
Provides student leaderboards to motivate participation
Offers custom quiz templates for versatility

While Kahoot is fun and engaging, the limitations of its competitive format have led many teachers to use alternative platforms that provide more flexibility, better analytics, easier access, and additional formats to enhance student learning. The options above help teachers take game-based learning to the next level in their classrooms.

How do you make class fun and engaging?

Here are 10 ways to keep your class interesting and engaging for students:

1. Incorporate Mystery

Create lessons that reveal information slowly or have a big reveal at the end to spark curiosity. For example, start a unit on ancient Egypt by showing unusual artifacts and having students guess what they are.

2. Don't Repeat Classroom Material

Find new ways to go over material, like using games, activities, or letting students teach each other. Repeating the same lecture over and over leads to boredom.

3. Create Classroom Games

Games introduce fun competition and incentives. Pick games that force students to review material, like Jeopardy or Kahoot for quiz questions.

4. Give Your Students Choices

Letting students pick project topics or which assignment to complete gives them ownership over their learning. Within reason, choice works wonders for engagement.

5. Use Technology

Most students love using technology. Build assignments around tools like computers, cell phones, or tablets when possible.

6. Don't Take Teaching So Seriously

Crack jokes, show funny cartoons or meme clips, and don't be afraid to laugh at yourself! It makes you seem more human.

7. Make Your Lessons Interactive

Get students out of their seats whenever possible. Do hands-on activities, experiments, presentations, skits, gallery walks, or debates.

8. Relate Material to Your Students' Lives

Tie lessons into students' interests like sports, celebrities, video games, or pop culture. Also discuss how skills apply to careers.

The key is mixing things up, relating to student interests, and making material interactive. This variety and connection keeps students tuned in.

What is interactive classroom games?

Interactive classroom games are activities that promote active student participation and engagement. They differ from traditional one-way lectures by incorporating back-and-forth communication and collaboration.

Some key characteristics of interactive classroom games include:

Student involvement: Students play an active role through discussions, decision-making, problem-solving or peer learning. This boosts motivation and retention.
Engaging formats: Games feature fun, stimulating designs like trivia questions, roleplaying scenarios or friendly competition. This captures student interest.
Learning by doing: Games enable applied, experiential learning. Students learn through hands-on game play rather than passive listening.
Feedback loops: Games allow teachers to give real-time feedback by observing student play. This supports differentiated instruction.
Social connection: Students bond through collective game play. Games facilitate peer learning and relationship building among classmates.

In summary, classroom games create an enjoyable, stimulating environment where students learn by actively doing rather than passively receiving. The interactive format promotes engagement, motivation, retention and relationships.

Educational Game Platforms for Varied Subjects

Educational games can make learning interactive and engaging for students across various subjects. By leveraging technology, these platforms create an immersive gaming environment that motivates students to learn difficult concepts.

Mastering Mathematics with Prodigy Math and Buzzmath

Math games like Prodigy Math, Buzzmath, and Sumdog use adaptive algorithms to offer personalized math practice. As students solve questions, the platforms adjust difficulty levels. This helps avoid boredom from repetitive exercises or frustration from advanced problems.

Prodigy Math aligns math game content to curriculum standards. So students learn grade-appropriate concepts through battles with magical creatures. The platform offers detailed reports to help teachers identify learning gaps.

Buzzmath takes a more traditional approach but incentivizes learning through a points and rewards system. Students earn badges and avatars by completing math exercises. The games introduce new mental math strategies from counting to calculus.

Advancing Reading & Literacy Through Engaging Games

English language learning platforms utilize interactive games to build grammar, vocabulary, reading, and writing skills. Quizlet offers engaging study modes like flashcards, match, test, and gravity to master new words.

Flocabulary's educational hip-hop songs and videos make learning parts of speech, literary devices, etc. entertaining. While Wordville's word puzzles encourage problem-solving and critical thinking.

Exploring Science Concepts with Interactive Games

Games can simplify complex science topics like anatomy, engineering, geology, etc. Legends of Learning's 3D science games embed curriculum concepts into engaging gameplay.

Operation Ouch teaches human biology in a fun way. Students learn through animated videos of the presenters' comic injuries and treatments. The games test students' diagnostic abilities.

Social studies games bring history and geography to life. For instance, Mission US takes students on interactive adventures across different historical eras.

iCivics offers engaging civic education games. Students learn about government branches, the justice system, immigration policies, etc. through fun quests. While GeoGuessr hones geography skills by asking students to pin locations on the map.

Thus, game-based learning platforms prove effective in advancing literacy, numeracy, scientific awareness, cultural consciousness, and life skills. The interactive format keeps students engaged as they learn.

Interactive Games Tailored for Different Age Groups

Early Childhood Engagement with Learning Games

Engaging young learners through educational games builds critical foundations for future learning. Platforms like ABCmouse, Starfall, and PBS Kids offer age-appropriate games that combine learning and fun. These games introduce foundational skills in reading, math, science, and more using interactive stories, songs, and activities catered to preschool and kindergarten age groups. For example, ABCmouse games focus on alphabet awareness, phonics, numbers, shapes, colors, and more to prepare them for elementary school. Similarly, Starfall games immerse kids in phonics and reading through stories and songs. While PBS Kids games span topics like literacy, math, science, and more to build curiosity and skills. Choosing games that spark joy and imagination makes learning stick at an early age.

Elementary School: Educational Games for Kids

As kids advance to elementary school, games can reinforce lessons in core subjects like reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. Platforms like Prodigy Math, Funbrain, and National Geographic Kids offer a wealth of games tailored to elementary age groups. For instance, Prodigy Math provides curriculum-aligned math games for 1st through 8th grade that motivate students to learn through play. Funbrain focuses specifically on interactive games for topics like grammar, math, reading, and more to supplement classroom learning. National Geographic Kids also has a library of science, geography, history, and culture games to foster curiosity about the world. These games transform learning into an engaging adventure that helps kids master concepts and skills for the elementary school level.

Educational Games for Middle School: Making Learning Stick

The middle school years offer opportunities to challenge students with more advanced educational games across various subjects. Platforms like Buzzmath and Legends of Learning have games tailored specifically to middle school curriculum. For example, Buzzmath provides a suite of math games for 6th through 8th graders to reinforce lessons on fractions, decimals, percentages, algebra, geometry, and more. The games adapt to each student's level to promote mastery. Similarly, Legends of Learning has a vast library of standards-aligned science games for middle school students to practice concepts like physical science, life science, earth and space science, and more through engaging gameplay. These types of games help make challenging academic concepts more approachable and interactive for adolescent learners.

Classroom Games High School: Preparing for the Future

As high schoolers prepare for college and career pursuits, educational games can support key skill-building in advanced subjects. Platforms like Amplify and Mission US have interactive digital games tailored specifically to high school groups. For instance, Amplify Science offers chemistry, physics and other STEM games that align to state science standards for grades 9-12, helping students visualize and apply advanced concepts. Similarly, Mission US has history games that immerse students in pivotal moments in American history and develop critical thinking about key events that shaped the nation. Engaging high schoolers with academic challenges through gameplay promotes enthusiasm for learning and builds real-world skills for young adults.

Effective Strategies for Integrating Games in the Classroom

Games can be a fun and engaging way to reinforce learning in the classroom. Here are some tips for effectively integrating games into your teaching:

Scheduling 10-Minute Activities for High School Students

Designate 10-15 minutes at the start or end of class for students to play a short educational game. This can serve as a warm-up activity or a way to review content.
Have students play games that align to what you're currently covering in class. For example, play math games during your unit on algebra.
Use a timer to keep gameplay focused. Set clear expectations that students should pause when the timer goes off.

Clarifying Game Mechanics and Rules

Before letting students play a new game, explain the goals, rules, and mechanics. Model gameplay by playing a round as a class.
Consider making a simple handout or cheat sheet that summarizes important game rules and objectives for students to reference.
Check for understanding by having students explain gameplay basics back to you before letting them play independently.

Aligning Prodigy to Your Classroom Lessons

Choose math games like Prodigy that align to core academic standards and curriculum. This reinforces what students are learning in class.
Use Prodigy's reporting features to track student progress on different math skills and standards. Identify knowledge gaps to inform your instruction.
Customize game difficulty and content to target the specific math concepts you're covering in your lessons. This helps students practice relevant material.

Assessment and Feedback Through Educational Games

Use games as a form of assessment. The stats and gameplay data reveal student understanding of content.
Provide feedback to students based on their gameplay performance. Identify areas of strength to praise and areas for improvement.
Consider having students track and reflect on their own progress using game data. This teaches metacognitive skills.

Quick Classroom Games and Brain Breaks

Incorporate short games and activities to revitalize student focus and foster social emotional skills.

5-Minute Classroom Games for Immediate Engagement

Short classroom games are a great way to re-energize students during lessons. Here are some 5-minute games to try:

Two Truths and a Lie: Have each student share 3 statements about themselves, 2 being true and 1 a lie. Let the other students guess which statement is the lie. This helps students get to know each other.
I Spy: Say "I spy with my little eye something that starts with 'B'". Students try to guess what object in the classroom you're looking at. Boosts observational skills.
Charades: Have students come up one at a time and act out a vocabulary word non-verbally. Classmates guess the word. Promotes creativity.
Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of classroom items students must locate (e.g. items of a certain color, math manipulatives). Get them moving and exploring.
Two Truths and a Dream: Students share 2 truths about their lives and 1 dream they have for the future. Classmates guess which is the dream. Inspires goal-setting.

Keep some index cards on hand with quick game ideas to inject short bursts of fun!

Indoor Recess Activities with GoNoodle and Brain Breaks

Incorporate movement-based games during indoor recess:

GoNoodle offers free movement and mindfulness videos. Have dance parties or guided stretching sessions.
With Brain Breaks, project videos on your smartboard for students to follow along. Activities like cosmic kids yoga re-energize.
For a classroom dance off, divide students into teams and have them create dance moves. Students vote for the best performance.
Play Freeze Dance by having students dance to music until it stops, then freeze in place. The last to freeze is out.

Taking quick activity breaks keeps students active and engaged between lessons.

Icebreaker Activities to Foster Classroom Community

Icebreaker games at the start of the term help students acclimate:

In Two Truths and a Lie, students share interesting facts about themselves with the class. Others guess which is the lie, facilitating connections.
For Human Bingo, students mingle to find classmates matching facts on their bingo card. Social and energetic.
In Name Games, students sit in a circle and say their name with an adjective starting with the same letter. Helps students remember names.
Play Group Juggle by having students form a circle and practice tossing bean bags or foam balls across the circle, learning names.

Simple icebreaker activities encourage students to come out of their shells and form bonds.

Leveraging Technology: Games to Play in Class on Computers

The Best Online Learning Games

Online learning games can be a great way to engage students and enhance learning across various subjects. Some popular online learning games to try in the classroom include:

Prodigy Math: This game aligns math questions to your classroom curriculum and allows teachers to differentiate content for each student. It covers essential math skills from grades 1-8.
Adventure Academy: This award-winning game covers language arts, math, science and social studies for grades 3-8 through immersive worlds and stories. Teachers can track student progress.
Buzzmath: This game is designed to build math fluency for grades 2-8. It offers adaptive questions and progress tracking for teachers.
Free Rice: With this free vocabulary game, students earn grains of rice for the World Food Programme while building their vocab skills. It's available for 50+ languages.

The key is finding games that align to your learning objectives and allow you to track student progress. Setting time limits for gameplay can keep students focused as well.

Classroom Management Q&As: Integrating Tech with Students

When introducing any new tech in the classroom, it's important to set clear expectations with students ahead of time.

Model appropriate use: Demonstrate how to properly interact with the game or app so students understand the learning goals.
Set time limits: Use timers so that students switch between learning stations or whole group discussions.
Create accountability: Have students set goals for gameplay sessions tied back to the lesson objective.
Troubleshoot issues: Circulate to assist any students struggling with the tech or gameplay.

Proactively addressing classroom dynamics can allow teachers to leverage the engagement of games while maintaining an orderly, productive environment.

Free Templates and Printables to Support Game-Based Learning

Supplementing gameplay with free printables can help organize activities:

Bingo boards: Have students mark off vocabulary or math problems as they solve them.
Scavenger hunts: Print clue cards related to the game for additional challenges.
Reflection journals: Students can write or draw about their learning after playing.
Certificates: Print customized certificates to recognize student achievements.

By integrating free templates into gameplay, teachers can add opportunities for reflection, skill-building, and positive reinforcement beyond just the online games.

Conclusion: The Impact of Interactive Games on Teaching and Learning

Interactive learning games can have a tremendously positive impact on student engagement, motivation, and learning outcomes. Here are some of the key benefits of using games in the classroom:

Increased Engagement and Motivation

Games are inherently engaging and tap into students' natural desire for play and friendly competition. This leads to higher motivation and time spent learning.
The interactivity and rapid feedback keep students focused and immersed in the learning experience.
Students are more willing to persist through challenges when presented in game format. This builds grit and determination.

Enhanced Learning and Achievement

Games allow for differentiated instruction by adapting to each student's level. This facilitates flow and steady progress.
The repetition and incentives in games aid memorization and fluency building.
Games provide a safe environment for experimentation and failure that encourages a growth mindset.
Multimodal and kinesthetic learning dynamics in games cater to diverse learning styles and needs.

Easy Alignment to Curricular Goals

A wide variety of game platforms and formats allow flexibility to align games to specific learning objectives.
Data analytics in games give insight into student progress to inform personalized instruction.
Games are a medium to make standardized test prep and core subject review more engaging.

In summary, game-based learning, when purposefully integrated, is an evidence-backed instructional strategy that makes learning more dynamic, personalized, and enjoyable for students. The right games inspire the joy of learning.