I’ve noticed a shift in homeschooling trends lately. More families are choosing gameschooling over traditional worksheets. Maybe they’re like me and tired of fighting about doing book work. Or maybe they really do believe their kids can learn through play. Whatever your reason for looking into gameschooling, I truly believe you can give your kids a thorough, robust home education without a structured curriculum. Here is my kindergarten gameschooling curriculum we use with our five kids:
Related: Homeschooling in a Small Space; How to From a Mom of 5!
Gameschooling blends learning with play.
It keeps kids excited and eager to discover new concepts.
This approach is especially effective for kindergartners who learn best through interactive experiences.
Studies have shown that kids learn faster and retain information longer if it is introduced to them in a playful environment.
Games not only make education enjoyable but also enhance critical thinking and social skills.
With a little creativity, you can teach ANYTHING using games.
There are thousands and thousands of games on the market in every single subject you can imagine.
This is how we gameschool through kindergarten:
Choosing the Right Educational Games
I know picking the right educational games can be tricky.
You need games that not only teach but also engage.
They must match your kindergartener’s learning level and hold their attention.
First, decide what you’re hoping to teach.
A good way to decide is to look at a scope and sequence for popular curriculum or even your local public school’s curriculum.
Combine fun and learning for the best outcomes.
This balance keeps kids eager and helps them grasp concepts effortlessly.
Combine writing by asking your child to be the score keeper.
I often have my kids write requests to me.
Want to play Minecraft?
Write me a (typo-laden) note explaining why and I’ll say yes every time.
Integrating Games into the Kindergarten Gameschooling Curriculum
I pick games that match whatever subject we’re studying.
For example, if we’re working on counting and numbers, I might pull out a simple math game.
Games with colors and shapes sneak in lessons for the younger ones. And they love it, never realizing it’s part of their school day.
We play, we learn, and we move on refreshed to the next activity.
It’s all about choice. I let them pick from a pre-selected stack of games.
This way, they’re excited, and it aligns with our goals.
Through this method, we cover everything from literacy to critical thinking, and we bond over the shared fun and triumphs.
Even if a game doesn’t seem particularly educational, rest assured your child IS learning.
Critical thinking, cooperation, social skills, and even losing are critical character-builders.
Game Recommendations by Subject
- Math: I find “Sum Swamp” perfect for practicing addition and subtraction. Kids navigate a swamp filled with numbers as they roll dice and solve problems to reach the end.
- Math: Sleeping Queens is great for teaching numbers 1-10 and basic math equations. Bonus: keep a pad of paper nearby and have your child quickly write out whatever equation they’re using to pick up new cards.
- Word Games: “Boggle Junior” builds literacy skills. Children match letters to form words, gaining a fun introduction to spelling and language.
- Science Quest: “My First Science Kit” turns curious kids into little scientists. It comes with simple experiments that teach basic principles of chemistry and physics.
- Science note: Experiments are fun enough on their own. I mainly focus on the other subjects in our gameschool approach and use hands on learning for science.
- Creative Colors: The game “Hoot Owl Hoot!” enhances color recognition and strategic thinking. Players work together to help owls return to their nest before the sun rises.
- Puzzle Play: “Busy Town” encourages problem-solving skills. As players search for hidden items, they develop keen observation and quick thinking.
- Geography Journey: With “Ticket to Ride First Journey”, you get to travel the USA learning about cities and routes. It’s an engaging way to discover geography.
Engaging Multiple Kids at Once
- Choose Cooperative Games: I pick games where players work together towards a common goal. This fosters team spirit and reduces competition. This is especially great if you have kids that simply can’t handle losing. Outfoxed is one of our favorites!
- Rotate Game Leaders: Each kid gets a turn to lead or read the cards. This helps them feel important and involved.
- Use Games with Flexible Rules: I select games where it’s easy to modify the rules. Simpler versions help younger kids keep up.
Don’t be surprised if your kids don’t even recognize that they’re learning.
Our kids, ages 9 down to 4, beg to play this USA trivia game.
They are memorizing the answers over time as we’ve played so much. They don’t even realize they’re learning so many facts and have zero clue I’m counting this as homeschool.
Learning Through Play: Every Game Is A Win
There is no wrong answer here. If your kids are engaged and having a good time, they’re learning. The best part is they are bonding with you and strengthening relationships with their siblings as well. I have always felt that I need to at least control for math and reading to make sure our kids are “on schedule” with other kids their age. The truth is, your kids really will learn all that they need to through play. You get to skip the mundane planning and the resentment that comes with it. Your kids get to skip endless worksheets and boredom. Everyone wins. If you haven’t tried out gameschooling yet, I hope this will be your excuse to let the lesson plans collect dust while you collect positive memories with each of your kids!
