ABCya!
Common Sense says
A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this website.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that ABCya! is an educational games website that organizes games by grade level (pre-K through 6+) and subject categories, including letters, numbers, holiday games, and more. Games include arcade-style ones 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 are self-explanatory -- even for kids in younger grades. The free version includes banner ads, which appear on the home page and all game pages. The ads are for ABCya! subscriptions, as well as for third-party products, vetted for appropriateness. If parents sign up for a free subscription, they can save up to three favorite games. Or buy a subscription for $9.99 per month, $44.99 for six months, or $69.99 for a year for premium features including getting rid of all ads. Read the developer's privacy policy for details on how your (or your kids') information is collected, used, and shared and any choices you may have in the matter, and note that privacy policies and terms of service frequently change.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
BEWARE... A cheap cash grab to get money from YOUR kids...
One problem: IXL
What's it about?
First, students select the appropriate grade level (K–5) from the ABCYA! home page. Then they choose a category of games: Letters, Numbers, Holiday, Strategy, or Skill. Next, kids tap on a game that looks interesting and read (or listen to) 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. A videos section includes how-to videos for a variety of arts and crafts projects.
Is it any good?
Kids have complete freedom to choose from hundreds of safe, educational games neatly categorized by grade level and subject, but the games provide practice only and there are ads. There's a lot of variety in what kids do in the games, which helps keep things fresh for them. However, some games are better than others, and the only way to tell what clicks for your kids is to try them out. Although ABCya! features categories for grades pre-K–6+, the content really is best for early to mid-elementary grades. All the games require good mouse and keyboard skills, which may be difficult for young kids. Also, some games could really benefit from extra supports, like a way to repeat game instructions, or help when kids can't find the right answer. These games really are best for reviewing stuff kids have learned in other ways. The free web version offers lots of content, though kids will need to learn to stay away from the ads. The paid subscription is a nice option for getting rid of the ads. The subscription also adds the ability to save favorite games, set a screen time timer, and access the content on mobile devices. For some families, those features may be worth the investment; others can be perfectly happy with the free version. Overall, this game website has some great options for engaging kids with educational material.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about using sites like ABCya! to practice skills. Which games are most helpful? Which are favorites? Why?
Talk to your kid about ads. What's advertised on the site? Why do some sites have ads and some don't? What happens when you click on one?
Website details
- Subjects: Language & Reading: following directions, letter or word recognition, phonics, reading, spelling
Math: addition, division, fractions, geometry, multiplication, numbers, patterns, subtraction
Social Studies: geography
Arts: drawing - Skills: Thinking & Reasoning: deduction, logic, solving puzzles
Self-Direction: identifying strengths and weaknesses, set objectives - Genre: Educational
- Topics: Numbers and Letters
- Price: Free
- Pricing structure: Free (subscribe to use an ad-free version on up to five devices: $9.99/month, $44.99/6 months, or $69.99/year)
- Last updated: April 16, 2020
For kids who love learning online
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