Games | PreK-12 Books & Hands-on Learning | Free Resources & PDF Tool

Play is integral to hands-on learning because it engages creativity and encourages experimentation, two concepts crucial to students’ comprehension and retention of information. Hands-on learning games also play an essential role in the social aspect of a child’s education. Some of the most popular hands-on learning games include:  

• Math Manipulative Games: Any game that uses physical tools like dice, playing cards, and tokens teaches students mathematical concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Board Games for Vocabulary: Educational board games that employ word-building, definition matching, and spelling challenges help reinforce vocabulary and language skills through play.
• Virtual and Coding Games: Tools like Bloxels lets students create video games and Breakout EDU enables them to build virtual and tangible breakout and escape rooms.
• Puzzle Games: Physical puzzles, such as jigsaw puzzles and tangrams, help students hone problem-solving and special reasoning skills.
• Role-Playing Games: These more involved games are popular with students, engaging them in narratives in which they take on different roles or act out scenarios to learn about history, literature, or social situations.
• Geometry Construction Games: In these games, students create geometric shapes and figures using manipulatives like sticks, pegs, or construction materials, helping them explore geometry concepts and spatial relationships.