Video Games for Middle-Graders: Educational and Entertaining Picks

Parents have legitimate concerns about video games eating into their kid's daily routines, to the point of them becoming a distraction or counter-productive to learning.

As many of us will reluctantly admit, we often give our children permission to play games as a reward and/or as motivation to improve our child's behavior, like keeping them quiet or occupied while at a restaurant or when traveling.

This parenting technique has a greater payoff and creates less apprehension for the parent if the games we allow our kids to spend time with are both educational and entertaining at the same time.

Just in time for the holiday season, let's explore some of the best titles around that will likely please parents and middle graders alike.

1. "Minecraft": Building Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills

"Minecraft" is a sandbox game that encourages creativity, problem-solving, and exploration. Middle-graders can craft their own worlds, build structures, and even collaborate with friends in a shared virtual space. It's a game that promotes critical thinking, resource management, and teamwork, all while having a blast.

2. "Kerbal Space Program": Learning Physics Through Space Exploration

"Kerbal Space Program" is a space simulation game that allows players to design and launch spacecraft into orbit and beyond. While it's highly entertaining, it also provides a hands-on way for middle-graders to learn about physics, engineering, and orbital mechanics. It encourages experimentation and problem-solving in a fun and engaging manner.

 

 

 

 

 

3. "Undertale": Teaching Empathy and Decision-Making

"Undertale" is an indie RPG that explores themes of empathy and choice. Players navigate a world inhabited by monsters and can choose to befriend or fight them. The game challenges middle-graders to think about the consequences of their actions and emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding in decision-making.

 

 

 

 

4. "Zoombinis": Logical Puzzles for Critical Thinking

"Zoombinis" is a puzzle game designed to boost critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Players guide small creatures through a series of logical challenges, encouraging them to use deductive reasoning and pattern recognition. It's an excellent choice for middle-graders looking to exercise their brains while having fun.

5. "Scribblenauts": Expanding Vocabulary and Creativity

"Scribblenauts" is a puzzle game that encourages creativity and expands vocabulary. Players can summon objects by typing their names, allowing them to solve puzzles in imaginative ways. The game is not only entertaining but also an excellent tool for language development and creative thinking.

6. "Spore": Evolution and Biology Exploration

"Spore" is a simulation game that takes players on an evolutionary journey, starting as a single-celled organism and progressing through various stages of evolution. It introduces middle-graders to concepts of biology, adaptation, and evolution in a visually engaging and interactive manner.

7. "The Oregon Trail": Historical Learning Through Simulation

"The Oregon Trail" is a classic educational game that simulates the journey of pioneers in the 19th century. It offers middle-graders a glimpse into history as they make decisions about supplies, navigate challenges, and learn about life on the Oregon Trail. It combines history education with gaming fun.

8. "Civilization VI": Strategy and World History

"Civilization VI" is a strategy game that lets players build and manage their own civilization. It introduces middle-graders to world history, diplomacy, and critical decision-making as they guide their civilization from ancient times to the modern era. It's a game that fosters strategic thinking and historical awareness.

 

 

 

 

9. "LittleBigPlanet": Creativity and Game Design

"LittleBigPlanet" is a platformer that not only lets players explore imaginative worlds but also create their own levels and games. It encourages middle-graders to use their creativity and problem-solving skills to design and share their creations with others, fostering an interest in game design and development.

 

 

 

 

10. "Oxenfree": A Supernatural Adventure with Narrative Depth

"Oxenfree" is an adventure game that blends supernatural elements with a gripping narrative. Players take on the role of a teenager named Alex, and as they make choices in the game, they shape the story's outcome. This game not only engages middle-graders with its intriguing plot but also challenges them to think critically about their choices and their consequences.

In conclusion, video games for middle-graders have come a long way in offering both entertainment and educational value. These games engage young minds, promote critical thinking, and even teach valuable life skills—all while providing hours of enjoyment. Parents and educators can confidently explore these educational and entertaining video game options, knowing that they can have a positive impact on a middle-grader's cognitive development and entertainment experience.

Artemis Fowl by Eion Colfer: Middle Grade Reviews from a Parent and Writer’s Perspective

 

This review of the first book in the beloved Artemis Fowl fantasy / sci-fi / humor / adventure series was inspired by the hope that Disney Plus will one day give the middle grade franchise another chance after its disappointing adaptation into a single, poorly-reviewed movie.

In fact, the Artemis Fowl movie was probably the worst reviewed Disney flop ever on Rotten Tomatoes. I'm hoping the studio's next attempt at filming the book series will more closely follow the story lines of the original source material. Even better, they could turn the series into a multi-season TV series.

Synopsis: Artemis Fowl, the son of a criminal mastermind, who, in the absence of his father, and, while enduring the depressed
comatose state of his mother over the disappearance of her husband, turns to the family's roots in crime to keep their financial empire afloat.

Artemis' first major criminal caper is no ordinary heist; he wants to cheat the fabled Little People of a ton (literally) of their treasured gold. It it is a feat that has never been accomplished before and we soon learn why, and why Artemis may be the first to achieve it.

 

Author: Eoin Colfer
Published: 2001
Age Range: 10-13+

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

 --The extraordinary writing of Eion Colfer carries the reader past some of the more unbelievable tall tales the writer spins in his
re-imagining of the lore of the Little People. The author's writing carries the show.

--The primary, secondary and even tertiary characters within the world of Artemis Fowl are well sketched and immediately endearing.

--The book employs a fast-flowing plot with cleverly interwoven story lines.

--Laugh out loud funny. Irish humor at its best.

--The author's use of alternating character POVs that challenge but don't confuse the reader are highly effective and enjoyable to read.

Cons:

--Over-usage of a mild curse word, mostly for comedic effect. Still, it seems unnecessary.

--The ending of the book was anti-climatic for me, especially given the build-up and relative importance placed on Artemis' ability to
out-think his adversaries. The logic that ties the story's plot threads together is lacking, and the book is saved only by the humorous tone
established by the author during the earlier chapters. We can forgive the author one more time for his outlandishness and
inventive tomfoolery.

--Contains some violent scenes that could scare younger, and impressionable readers. Particularly, Butler's fight with the Troll.
However, the descriptions are more akin to comic violence than the realistic variety.

A Worthwhile Read?

Absolutely! IMO, the Artemis Fowl series is among the best middle grade fiction around, and kids shouldn't be put off by the made-for-streaming movie that Disney released in 2020. The series certainly deserves another adaptation to attempt to capture the literary brilliance of the books.

Reviewed by:

Christopher Sartorius