10 free online games to play with your kids

Think all free online games for kids are bad? Think again.

Not all screen time is bad. And when it comes to free online games for kids, they not only help keep children occupied but teach them valuable skills and habits too.

These include concentration, good communication, teamwork and problem-solving.

Some research has proven that online games can reduce stress and improve mental health as well — which are crucial during the key development stages of childhood.

So for your next study session with your kids, consider swapping the usual storybooks or textbooks for some of these free online games for kids.

10 great, free online games for kids:

National Geographic Kids

Created by the National Geographic we all know and love, here’s a kid-friendly version that lets them explore science, history, plants, animals and many more.

You can match gemstones, navigate through a coral reef maze, pop bubbles that unleash facts about rainforests and the Artic, and so much more.

Disney LOL

With Disney LOL, children can play games from all their favourite animated movies and tv shows. 

There are many different categories available, including trivia, colouring, racing and fashion.

This is a big hit among kids as they can interact with their favourite Disney characters too.

Disney LOL is mainly available on the website. However, there are a number of games you can download on the Apple App Store, Google Play, Amazon Appstore and Microsoft Store. 

Splash Learn

Designed for preschoolers, Splash Learn has games that teach kids to read and solve basic math equations while having fun.

But first, you’ll need to give an assessment of your kid’s capabilities in reading, writing, and more before proceeding to the games.

The games are available on their website and your mobile devices. The first seven days is a free trial, after which you’ll have to pay US$89.99 yearly or US$11.99 monthly.

Typetastic

Looking to improve your kid’s typing skills? Typetastic will help you with just that. 

There are over 700 typing activities for all grade levels. For the K-2 level, you’ll have frogs teach your kids how to spot letters and Cupcake Bugs helping them remember where the letters are located.

Prodigy Math 

Prodigy Math was designed to help children who aren’t good with numbers. The website makes learning math easier and more fun for kids.

As a result, 24 million people now use Prodigy Math, including many teachers who use it to make math engaging for their students. 

To play, kids first create their wizards and then are free to explore the fantasy worlds while competing in math battles with their friends. 

The website also has a parent account, which allows you to keep track of your child’s progress.

PBS Kids

The network that created Sesame Street, Clifford and The Cat in the Hat came together to create PBS Kids.

Here, children can play games based on their favourite shows and characters — while learning about a whole range of topics like maths, ABCs, music, fashion and many more.

Cartoon Network Games

Love The Powerpuff Girls, Scooby-Doo or Ben 10? Then Cartoon Network Games is the perfect website for your kids to play games featuring these dynamic characters.

Go on an adventure, win battles, solve puzzles and many more.

There are several individual games available on the Apple App Store and Google Play as well.

LEGO

This is a classic for many reasons. Young or old, LEGO has captivated our hearts.  

Now taking their charms online, LEGO games let us make speedy deliveries for a community, help an adventurous robot out, help put fires out, and more.

It’s all good fun with plenty of important lessons to go around.

Aside from the website, there are apps like LEGO Juniors, LEGO DC Super Heroes Chase, LEGO DUPLO Train and LEGO City games available on your mobile devices.

Nickelodeon

If your kids love Spongebob Squarepants, Star Trek and iCarly, these Nickolodeon games will have them hooked. 

With our favourite sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea, your kids can help him learn origami, hunt easter eggs and explore a haunted house.

Funbrain

From defending icebergs from attacking penguins to collecting 10 pieces of fruit in the monkey’s basket, Funbrain’s games offer just the right balance of strategy and fun.

Created for kids in grades Pre-K through 8, this platform has hundreds of games, books, comics, and videos. The best part? They hone skills in math, reading, problem-solving and literacy.