Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Activities

The best educational video games for fourth graders

By

The battle between parents and screen time is an ongoing one. Fourth graders are obsessed with video games. With Play Station, Nintendo Switch, Xbox and the Wii, there are so many gaming systems to choose from, and then there are the games kids want to play on their other devices. When you do let your kids game, you want to ensure it’s at least time well spent, and the best way to do that is with video games designed for learning. Of course, educational video games need to be fun, otherwise, kids will lose interest quickly. Thankfully, there are high-quality educational video games 10-year-olds will have a blast playing. We’ve rounded up educational video games for fourth graders that entertain and challenge the brain by working on math, science, social studies, problem-solving and thinking skills.

Best educational video games

Professor Layton

Recommended Videos

Fourth graders will really get into this puzzle adventure series designed by Level-5. The games are compatible with Nintendo DS, 3DS and Switch. Professor Layton is an archeologist, and players get to join him on his mystery-solving excursions. The game series is a best seller for Nintendo. Kids are exposed to different historical settings while their problem-solving and memory skills are challenged.

Related

Nancy Drew – Dare to Play Interactive Games

https://www.herinteractive.com/shop-games/all-games/

For fourth-graders who love mysteries, it’s time to investigate the Nancy Drew series of interactive games. The games are downloads and are recommended for budding sleuths ages 10 and up. There is an array of mysteries to choose from. The video game can also be used as a springboard to interest kids in reading the series penned by Carolyn Keene, which is a pseudonym for the different authors creating the tales of intrigue.

National Geographic Challenge

Go global with this educational video game the whole family can get on board with. Available for XBox 360, Nintendo Wii and PlayStation 3, kids can learn all sorts of geographic facts and information through quizzes and puzzle challenges. Kids can play in single mode or with up to four players. The game includes an explorer mode, too.

Minecraft

Okay, so it looks funky to parents, but Minecraft has been going strong with kids in fourth grade and up since the game made its debut in 2011. The building game has different modes where players use a wealth of educational skills including math, reading, problem-solving and more as they create their worlds. Different modes like adventure, survival and multiplayer allow kids to work as a team or individually. Minecraft is available to play on a range of devices such as Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, desktops, iPads and smartphones.

Oregon Trail

They’ve studied about it in the classroom, and now your fourth grader can get involved in a bit of interactive history by hitting the Oregon Trail on their computer. This game has been around for a while and has gone through many updates. In the latest version, players learn historical facts while honing their problem-solving and critical thinking skills as they navigate the Oregon Trail to try and get their wagon safely across.

Wordscapes

It’s a little early for the SATs, but not to expand your fourth grader’s vocabulary. If your kiddos enjoy popping on your Words with Friends, they can have some fun with Wordscapes puzzles. An added bonus is that Wordscapes is free to download to smartphones and desktops.

By fourth grade, video games begin to maximize your 10-year-old’s free time. The important thing for parents is to find a balance between virtual play and other outdoor activities. When your kids are playing video games, aim for educational games they will find fun and interesting. Each of these six video games offers educational value to your fourth grader. Mystery games like Professor Layton and Nancy Drew get kids thinking and using problem-solving skills while exposing them to other cultures. The National Geographic Challenge and Oregon Trail have historical and geographical bases. Minecraft combines a number of critical thinking skills, and Wordscapes is a creative way to expand vocabulary. When your fourth graders are playing educational games, you can feel better about their screen time.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Dawn Miller
Dawn Miller
Contributor
Dawn Miller began her professional life as an elementary school teacher before returning to her first love, writing. In…
Spring sports for kids: Best picks for a fun season
Let your child try one of these sports to welcome springtime
A children's baseball game

When the winter hits, most kids plan out how they will stay inside all season long, huddled under blankets with books and TV shows. Parents, too. By spring, parents and children alike cannot wait to get back outside and moving again. If you want to help your child stretch their body and mind out and be active again, find one of these spring sports for kids and get them signed up now.
How to pick a sport for your child

Depending on where you are, spring sports for kids usually start signups in January, but can go up to May in some places, so check with your local school or city club on the dates. When picking a sport for your child, let them make the decision with you, and don't be disappointed if they don't want to continue it. You want to find something your child likes, so they stick with it. Letting them try a few different ones wouldn't hurt, especially so you know what they want to commit to before going crazy buying all of the gear.

Read more
Peekaboo: The simple game that’s great for your baby
When do babies play peekaboo? You should start playing as soon as possible
Toddler playing peekaboo

Playing peekaboo with any baby is almost a rite of passage. It's one of those adorable baby games that seems natural to play whenever a baby is present because everyone enjoys playing it. Babies are delighted by watching their parents or other adults excitedly reveal their faces. Your grandparents played it with your parents, your parents played it with you, and now you’re playing it with your child. But what’s the deal with the peekaboo baby game? Why do babies love this simple game?

Could it be that during a game of peekaboo, baby brains undergo some important developmental process? If you’ve read any literature on infant development, you could guess that, yes, peekaboo definitely plays a role in your child’s development. Here’s everything you need to know about this game and why you should play it with your mini-human. 
When do babies play peekaboo?

Read more
20 fun indoor games to keep kids entertained at home
Keep kids busy with these cool indoor games
Two young kids playing with tangram puzzle

As much as we like kids to go outside and play, that can't always be the case. Sometimes, Mother Nature doesn't cooperate, and the kiddos are forced to stay inside. Typically, what happens is that children resort to their devices. While those smartphones, iPads, and streaming services will keep them busy, it's not necessarily a healthy way to spend the entire day.

So, to avoid the inevitable cries of boredom when parents insist on powering down on those indoor days, you need to have a menu of games for kids at home. It's always a good idea to have a stash of games to keep the kiddos occupied on those bad weather days or when you simply can't plan an outing on days off from school because of work. We've got a fun list of games to play that will give the kids something fun to do and help you keep your sanity.
Games for kids at home

Read more