Games with a reason to think

What makes a game educational?

Lots of games call themselves educational. We think a game earns the word when the skill is the game, not a quiz bolted on the side. In ours:

• Every mini-game is built around a real skill: maths, spelling, reading or logic.
• Children have to think before they act, not just tap quickly.
• Right answers move the story on, so there's a reason to keep going.
• Each game is short, so it fits into a busy day.

Maths practice that doesn't feel like homework

In driving maths, children steer into the right answer before the road runs out. It's quick-fire practice of the number facts and times tables they meet at school, wrapped in a story they want to finish.

Spelling, reading and logic

Catch the letters asks children to catch the right letters in the right order to spell a word. The family crossword uses clues about their own family, so reading the clue is half the fun. Sudoku builds the logical thinking that helps with all sorts of problem solving.

How much is enough?

Little and often works better than long sessions. A chapter or two is a good amount, and each one is a natural place to stop. When they're done, the screen-free games further down this page keep the thinking going.

Try it on the go: games with no screen

Quick games for the car, the queue or the walk to school.

• Number plate maths: add up the numbers on the car in front. Older children can multiply them.
• I-spy spelling: whoever guesses the thing has to spell it, one letter each.
• Family crossword: write five clues about people in your family and swap them.
• Pocket sudoku: draw a four-by-four grid and fill it so every row and column has 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Little and often beats long and hard.