Global Awareness Apps, Games, and Websites

Planet Earth is a pretty big deal, and your kid might have a few questions about it. With these awesome products, kids can learn about different parts of the world and the challenges we face in the 21st century. Whether your kid is managing a historic nation in Sid Meier's Civilization V or catching up on the latest news with News-O-Matic, this list will have an amazing age-appropriate and entertaining game for everyone. If your kid wants to focus on a more specific global topic, check out our Cultural Appreciation Games and Geography Apps, Games, and Websites.

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Barefoot World Atlas Poster Image

APP

Barefoot World Atlas

age 6+

Delightful way to learn about animals, people, and more.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad (2012)

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APP

News-O-Matic: Reading for Kids

age 7+

Fun, interactive way for kids to learn about current events.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad (2020)

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BrainPOP Featured Movie Poster Image

APP

BrainPOP Featured Movie

age 8+

Daily films from educational group provide tons of learning.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Windows app (2011)

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The Daring Game for Girls Poster Image

GAME

The Daring Game for Girls

age 8+

Great girl-power messages, lots of variety and fun.

Platforms: Nintendo DS , Nintendo DSi , Nintendo Wii (2010)

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Maggie's Earth Adventures Poster Image

WEBSITE

Maggie's Earth Adventures

age 8+

Save the planet with these terrific learning activities.

URL: http://www.missmaggie.org/ (2013)

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National Geographic Education Poster Image

WEBSITE

National Geographic Education

age 8+

Rich resource preps kids to be conscientious citizens.

URL: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/education/ (2013)

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WEBSITE

National Geographic Kids

age 8+

Lots of educational content, but stuffed with ads, promos.

URL: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com (2007)

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Time for Kids Poster Image

WEBSITE

Time for Kids

age 8+

Terrific news/info resource boosts brain power.

URL: https://www.timeforkids.com/ (2007)

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Aquation: The Freshwater Access Game Poster Image

APP

Aquation: The Freshwater Access Game

age 9+

Kids think globally about water resources in empowering sim.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android (2018)

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WEBSITE

BrainPOP

age 8+

Videos and activities are fun, accurate, and valuable.

URL: https://www.brainpop.com (2012)

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APP

The Explorers

age 10+

Gorgeous crowdsourced glimpses into nature and culture.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android (2019)

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Google Maps - Transit & Food Poster Image

APP

Google Maps - Transit & Food

age 10+

Sublime navigation tool with cool extras.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android (2012)

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Mayan Mysteries Poster Image

GAME

Mayan Mysteries

age 10+

Cartoony learning adventure about ancient Mayan culture.

Platforms: Linux , Mac , Windows (2012)

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Kiva Poster Image

WEBSITE

Kiva

age 11+

Micro-loan site gives everyone the chance to help.

URL: http://www.kiva.org (2012)

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Sid Meier's Civilization V Poster Image

GAME

Sid Meier's Civilization V

age 11+

Excellent strategy game is educational and accessible.

Platforms: Windows (2010)

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APP

Google Earth

age 12+

Must-see geographic exploration tool; watch for iffy videos.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Mac , Android , Chromebook , Windows app (2018)

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The Learning Network Poster Image

WEBSITE

The Learning Network

age 12+

NYTimes blog gives young people fluff-free news, discussion.

URL: https://www.nytimes.com/section/learning (2011)

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Stop Disasters! Poster Image

GAME

Stop Disasters!

age 12+

Natural disasters become less scary in sim games.

Platforms: Mac , Windows (2007)

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YourCommonwealth Poster Image

WEBSITE

YourCommonwealth

age 12+

A global community of civic-minded young people.

URL: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org (2012)

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Half the Sky Movement: The Game Poster Image

GAME

Half the Sky Movement: The Game

age 13+

Empowering sim explores women's issues and activism.

Platforms: Facebook (2013)

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