Thanks to SylvanPlay for partnering with me on this post about free educational apps. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own. 

Attention parents of kids in grades 1-4! Sylvan Learning has just released a suite of NINE mobile games that are designed to reinforce grade-appropriate lessons in fun and engaging ways, and enhance what your kids are already learning in the classroom. As we get ready to head into summer, having “games” like these on hand is a fantastic idea to help with the retention of lessons learned, and to offer some new learning opportunities, as well.

I’ve personally checked out 5 of the 9 apps that were just released, and I wanted to share my thoughts on those 5.

1. Critter Cruise (free)

This travel game has levels for grades 1-4, making it appropriate for the 6-9 year old range. Kids can pick out a vehicle and chart a course on a big road trip across America. Not only will they learn geography as they pass various landmarks while driving their car, they will also take lots of fun and quick quizzes that cover a wide range of topics, such as language and math. The quizzes help kids earn fuel for the car, as well as coins that they can use to “purchase” upgrades for their ride. It was simple, yet engaging, and I like that it has a built-in reward system to encourage kids to keep working on the quizzes so they can earn more rewards and do more customization.

2. Get Rocky (free)

This is a fast-paced racing game that takes you to the core of the earth and teaches you about geology along the way. For me, this one was one of the most “addicting” games 🙂

3. Angle Asteroids (free)

This one is all about angles! You have to position your spaceship at the correct angle to blast the asteroids. Simple, yet fun and a great learning game, I think!

4. Pizza Party (free)

This one is all about math! There are adorable creatures gathered together for a fun pizza party, and it is your job to do things like split up the pizza equally, determine quantities of treats for guests based on their request (“Mr. Potato wants 2 more cupcakes than Mr. S”), and serve up drinks in the right amount. Totally cute, but it does feel more like a math lesson than a game. This is a good one to play along with your child to encourage them to stick it out longer.

Additional Games in the SylvanPlay Suite

5. Sushi Scramble (tablet only) (free)

This game works on language skills and is designed for 2 to 4 players, who can collaborate or compete to “serve” up the most words or the longest word.

6. Not Lost in the Universe (tablet only) (free)

Kids learn about how wind, the sun, water and heat create lasing sources of energy while helping the brave explorers on the Planet Blarp refuel their power cells.

7. Wonder Bunny Math Race (free)

Helps younger kids ages 3-8 learn numbers, counting, addition and subtraction as they help Wonder Bunny win the race and collect carrots along the way.

8. Battle Station (free)

Helps kids improve number sense as they defend their ship from enemy submarines by estimating their location using marker

buoys.

9. Equator (free)

Challenges kids to collaborate to bring balance to the equator by testing their math skills including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and order of operations as they play through four seasons.

As you probably noticed, all of the games are free! Download them and see what your kiddos think about them!