Kids learn better by associating things, if they are able to visualize a problem they are more likely to understand the procedure involved to get the final answer. Problems which involve coordinates, degrees, distance and such and sound abstract to them, online games can change all that allowing them to visualize the problem through games.

The online game “Quest for Einstein” is a game which involves measurement, geometry and general knowledge of coordinates. The educational game is based on the following scenario:

When you entered Einstein’s lab you saw that brain you’ve been looking for so long. You almost had it, but you accidentally knocked down a radioactive chemical that spilled on you, and all over the floor. All of the sudden you are starting to get smaller and smaller until you are only about as tall as a pinky. Oh, and look at that, there’s a jet pack lying on the floor. You pick it up and get on your way to Einstein’s brain. You only have eight lives, so watch out for the chemical that’s still on the floor!

During this quest you are required to calculate the elevation and force you will set your jet pack to send you flying from one place to the other. While the game doesn’t actually teach kids the math involved in solving such problem, it does let them visualize the way coordinates are used instead of giving them a problem which may sound highly abstract to them.

Today’s set of educational online games can teach kids more than basic geometry, they can learn general facts in just about any subject, they can improve their memory through color coordination (which is also good for adults) and so much more. When it comes to online games, the sky is the limit.

Instead of enduring yet another shopping excursion, next time you could create your own game by using some simple items you can find in your home.

The educational game is called Falling Shapes.

Items needed:

4 pieces of paper (per 2 player)

2 pencils or pens

Crayons of any color

Instructions to Create Game Pieces

Create 32 Shape Cards:

Take 2 pieces of paper and cut them each into 16 squares. You will have 32 cards total, 16 per player. The easy way to do this is to fold the paper in half and cut on the fold line. Then fold again and cut and continue until you have 16 even pieces. Do the same with the second piece of paper.

Give each person 16 cards. You and your child should draw the following shapes on your cards. Only draw 1 shape per card. You should have 2 cards that have 1 square on each, 2 cards that have 1 circle on each and so on.

2 Squares

2 Circles

2 Ovals

2 Rectangles

2 Stars

2 Triangles

2 Hearts

Create Score Sheet:

Take the other 2 pieces of blank paper and draw the same shapes listed above on each sheet. There should be 16 shapes on each piece of paper. 2 Squares, 2 Circles etc… The shapes can be drawn in random places as long as there are 16 total.

Have fun coloring your cards and score sheet before you play the game. This will allow you to spend more time on the project and enjoy doing a craft before playing.

Game Instructions

Place your individual score sheets in front of you and your child. Place a writing utensil on the table or floor next to both score sheets. Each player should hold the 16 shape cards in their hand. When you say, “Go” both you and your child should take the first card off the top of each of your card piles and hold that card above your heads. Then drop the card and watch it fall to the table or ground.

If a player’s shape card lands with the shape up then they get a point and should circle or color that shape on their score sheet. If the shape lands face down then that player doesn’t get a point. Place the dropped cards in a discard pile. Continue holding up and dropping each card and marking your score sheets. When you’ve dropped all 16 cards the game is over.

Winner

The player with the most shapes circled on the score sheet is the winner.

This game is fun for all ages and it’s a great way to teach young children about shapes.

If you want to print this game instead of drawing it you can do this at http://www.learnthroughgames.com. LearnThroughGames.com offers free, printable, educational games for children. It’s fun for the entire family.

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