Top 10 Educational Video Games to Boost Your Kid's Brain Power

Most kids love video games — and most parents wish their kids would spend more time learning. Why not the best of both worlds? These educational video games for kids of all ages will help your little ones build usable skills like math, history, language, problem-solving and more!

Best Educational Video Games SimCity photo

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'SimCity'

This "SimCity" version comes as a downloadable video game for PC or Mac. Not only is "SimCity" endlessly entertaining, but it also helps players learn about the environment, city planning, leadership, management and more. Building a city is fun, but the complexity comes when it's time to manage the environment you've created. ($20; walmart.com)

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Best Educational Video Games Big Brain Academy photo

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'Big Brain Academy'

"Big Brain Academy" is an educational video game for Nintendo DS that tests mental strength in five categories: thinking, memorization, computation, analyzation and identification. It might sound like it's all business, but this game for kids is surprisingly fun! ($19; walmart.com)

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Best Educational Video Games Scribblenauts Showdown photo

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'Scribblenauts Showdown'

Scribblenauts Showdown for Nintendo Switch helps kids flex their imagination and creativity muscles with challenge and puzzle-centric gameplay. Kids will get lost in this educational video game without even realizing they're developing brain power! ($20; amazon.com)

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Best Educational Video Games Sid Meier's Civilization VI photo

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'Sid Meier's Civilization VI'

History is an important part of education, and this entertaining and educational video game for Nintendo Switch fits the bill perfectly. Players choose from a real ancient civilization—Rome, Greece, Japan, Persia and more—and play to build their chosen empire into the most successful, whether through battle or the arts. Game play involves settling in uncultivated land, building new districts and learning some historically accurate information along the way. ($60; amazon.com)

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Best Educational Video Games Snipperclips photo

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'Snipperclips'

This puzzle-based video game for Nintendo Switch helps children learn problem-solving skills while keeping them engaged and entertained. The educational game focuses on paper characters named Snip and Clip, who must cut each other into the proper shapes to complete obstacles and solve puzzles. ($30; amazon.com)

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Best Educational Video Games Brain Challenge photo

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'Brain Challenge'

"Brain Challenge" is a downloadable game for Xbox 360 or Xbox One that lets players challenge their brain in fun and interesting ways. Choose from 20 different games in five separate categories to exercise your brain and stay sharp and focused. ($5; microsoft.com)

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Best Educational Video Games Minecraft photo

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'Minecraft'

"Minecraft" allows kids to play a game that's as entertaining as it is educational. The exploring and building game helps kids build problem-solving skills, exercise their creativity and let their imagination run free. ($25; amazon.com)

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Best Educational Video Games Roblox photo

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'Roblox'

"Roblox" is a free, downloadable game for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, computers and mobile devices that allows in-game purchases. This educational video game helps kids develop creativity and can teach them real-world skills like coding, design and teamwork. (free; microsoft.com)

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Best Educational Video Games Oregon Trail photo

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'Oregon Trail' 5th Edition

"Oregon Trail" for PC is a classic educational video game that many parents are familiar with. The choose-your-own-adventure style game teaches children about history, decision making and skill building. This updated version lets players talk with and learn from virtual pioneers of Native American, African American, Irish descent and more, helping kids learn more about American history. ($13; amazon.com)

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Best Educational Video Games Dora the Explorer & Team Umizoomi photo

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'Dora the Explorer & Team Umizoomi'

This game for Nintendo DS has Dora the Explorer teaming up with the Team Umizoomi crew for an adventure that helps little kids learn language skills, math skills, problem-solving skills and more. This is a great introductory educational game for younger kids who love these Nickelodeon characters. ($30; walmart.com)

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