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Ask HN: Online kids games for math and memory?

6 points by shireboy ↗ HN
I am overwhelmed looking for quality online educational games for my kids (8 and 11), so I thought I’d ask HN. I’ve found plenty googling, but none that stand out. Specifically I’m looking for quality games like Duolingo, except for math and working memory. Prefer HTML5 over flash or download.

11 comments

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prkvs
Have you tried Elevate app or Lumosity apps, they have fancy UIs and have those game challenges.
ArtWomb
Just saw this and it really moved me, shireboy. Also spend hours researching quality games for kids ;)

Duolingo works. It's proven with learners at scale. But I worry branching that out to classical subjects like bio and math just reinforce rote memorization.

Memory games never work for me outside the virtual world.

I think turn based strategy (think GBA Advance Wars) games have the best shot at improving young minds. Teach them how to plan ahead, in environments with complex branching factors and every thing else will work itself out.

scott31
Stop helicopter parenting and let them play what they like. Also those "educational games" are useless compared to games like Minecraft
schwartzworld
I don't think that's fair. Minecraft is great, but there's no reason you can't gamify learning for your children. Well made educational games (i.e. gcompris, Kahn academy kids) absolutely have a place.
Jtsummers
It's not helicopter parenting to find educational resources (including games) for your children. Helicopter parenting gets its name from the constant "hovering" some parents do around their children, which is a very different thing. Usual helicopter parents are the ones that swoop in as soon as little Timmy falls in the playground, or who constantly pester educators or other caregivers rather than stepping back and letting them do their jobs. And other, similar, traits. They can't "let go". Again, very different than finding and providing educational resources for your kids.
scott31
Selecting games your child is going to play is helicopter parenting, labeling them as educational does not change it.
Jtsummers
If OP was looking or an exclusive set of games, only these and only educational games, for their kids, I'd agree. But finding educational material for your kids is not helicopter parenting. If it is, then reading to your kids and buying book for them would be helicopter parenting.
shireboy
Dude, I was just asking for games, not a ill-informed critique of my parenting abilities. We play plenty of Minecraft, Code.org, Scratch, etc. Looking for quality educational games is in no way "helicopter parenting". We let our kids pick a language, and Duolingo has taught my 11yo Dutch and 8yo Latin. I want to replicate that experience in other areas.
sethammons
While you are looking for HTML5 over an app, in app-land, there are the DragonBox games. Very, very well done. My kids loved those games.

As far as other games go that are free online, there are plenty of options. Check out Set, KenKen, Sudoku, Vertex, Tiles, and 2048.