 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
ABCya!
Common Sense Media says
Fun games site for grades K-5 has lots of learning choices.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that ABCYa! is an educational games website that organizes games by grade level (K-5) and subject categories, including letters, numbers, holiday games, and more. Games include arcade-style games that kids use arrow keys to play, word find games that can be played on screen or printed, racing games that can be played virtually against other players, typing games, and more. Some of the games may require a parent or teacher to read brief instructions, but most -- even for kids in younger grades -- are self-explanatory. The main page is a bit ad heavy. The games include one or two banner ads, vetted for appropriateness, and ads for any app versions of the site's games.
What kids can learn
Kids can practice their skills at grade levels K-5th in many different subject areas, including math, language, art, typing, and more. Games range from the kindergarten-level Alphabetical Order to first grade Sight Words Bingo or fifth grade Division Drag Race. All subjects and most skills covered are listed in a brief synopsis paragraph on each grade's main page, which also lists all the game categories. ABCya! empowers kids to assess their strengths and weaknesses and play games at the appropriate grade level to match their learning needs.
Subjects
- Language & Readingfollowing directions, letter or word recognition, phonics, reading, spelling
- Mathaddition, division, fractions, geometry, multiplication, numbers, patterns, subtraction
- Science
- Social Studiesgeography
- Artsdrawing
- Hobbies
Skills
- Thinking & Reasoningdeduction, logic, solving puzzles
- Creativity
- Self-Directionidentifying strengths and weaknesses, set objectives
- Emotional Development
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Tech Skills
- Health & Fitness
What's it about?
First, students select the appropriate grade level (K-5) from the home page. Then, they choose a category of games: Letters, Numbers, More (Shapes, Patterns, Geometry, Mouse Manipulation, and Art), Holiday, or Just for Fun. Next, kids tap on a game that looks interesting and read the instructions. Some games include grade levels within the game, so kids may need to choose their grade level again. A few games include multiplayer gaming, which requires kids to create a username to play. A passcode can be set on the games so that only kids within the same class or friends who know the passcode can access the same game. Gameplay may include the use of the mouse, arrow keys, keyboard, and printables.
Is it any good?
ABCYA! gives kids the freedom to choose from dozens of safe, educational games categorized in ways that even younger kids can probably begin to conceptualize why certain games are grouped with others. The site creators say they need to include some ads in order to keep the site free for all users, and the ads (other than on the main page), aren't terribly intrusive. Still, the prevalence of ads is the only downside to this otherwise well-organized, fun, and sticky educational gaming website.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about which games your kids like best and why. Help your kids explore other similar games on the site that approach different school subjects in the same gaming style that they enjoy most.
Talk to your kid about your family's screen time limits, even for educational game sites.
What kids can learn
Kids can practice their skills at grade levels K-5th in many different subject areas, including math, language, art, typing, and more. Games range from the kindergarten-level Alphabetical Order to first grade Sight Words Bingo or fifth grade Division Drag Race. All subjects and most skills covered are listed in a brief synopsis paragraph on each grade's main page, which also lists all the game categories. ABCya! empowers kids to assess their strengths and weaknesses and play games at the appropriate grade level to match their learning needs.
Subjects
- Language & Reading: following directions, letter or word recognition, phonics, reading, spelling
- Math: addition, division, fractions, geometry, multiplication, numbers, patterns, subtraction
- Science:
- Social Studies: geography
- Arts: drawing
- Hobbies:
Skills
- Thinking & Reasoning: deduction, logic, solving puzzles
- Creativity:
- Self-Direction: identifying strengths and weaknesses, set objectives
- Emotional Development:
- Communication:
- Collaboration:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Tech Skills:
- Health & Fitness:
How kids will learn
Kids learn by choosing and playing the fun, sticky games on ABCya! This empowering website allows kids to adapt their learning experience by choosing games with the sort of gameplay that they prefer. Kids also learn by identifying what skills they want to practice and then setting their own objectives (for example, to score a certain number of points in the division racing game before moving onto another game). There's a lot to do and practice on this engaging site.
How parents can help
- If your kids are having a bit of difficulty with a particular subject, identify games at an earlier grade level.
- If your kids are breezing through a subject, challenge them to try games at a higher grade level.
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- Teens & kids
Kid, 10 years old
March 30, 2013
AGE
abcya is great
It is a great website with grades 1st through 5th grade. I am 10 and still go on that website.
What other families should know:
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| Genre: | Educational |
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