Parents' Guide to

iCivics

By Conny Coon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Engaging games give kids safe, smart civics lessons.

Website https://www.icivics.org/
iCivics Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this website.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 5 parent reviews

Pat C.
Pat C. Adult
August 20, 2017
age 10+

Disappointed teacher

I used iCivics for a semester for my 9-11 yo class at a homeschool resource center. I liked the organization. It gave me a bit of a jumping off point when I was organizing a new class. But it was too shallow and not challenging enough for my students. It didn't engage them or light their fires. They were bored, even with the games. I phased it out in favor of other materials. Good starting point. But ultimately not satisfying.
brennanh
brennanh Adult
March 5, 2016
age 7+

18 and still love it

I first played on iCivics in history class in Jr. High. I still play it as a senior in high school and still learn a lot and have fun. Executive command and win the White House are great games

This title has:

Great messages
See all 5 parent reviews

What’s It About?

iCIVICS is essentially an engaging educational site cleverly disguised as a gaming spot, with innovative games, cute animated characters (Liberty Belle and Chuck Freepress), and a real-world reward component. The more games you play and the more "Impact points" you earn, the more impact kids can have on an actual community service project. Games focus on core civics concepts such as rights, the court system, governance, freedom of speech, and constitutional law. Each game is creatively executed and educates while it entertains. Instructions and information are clearly presented and easy for tweens and teens to comprehend. Kids can drop in to play or become members and create a safe account that enables them to save in-game progress, unlock special features, and compete with other members. Educators have access to free, standards-aligned civics curriculum and comprehensive teaching materials.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5):
Kids say (12):

Who says studying civics can't be fun? At iCivics, learning about government, citizenship, civil rights, politics, public policy, and The Constitution is exciting, entertaining, and engaging. Through interactive games ("Cast Your Vote," Immigration Nation," "Responsibility Launcher"), kids can get a grasp of often-complicated concepts and improve their understanding of civics curriculum. Educators of all levels can turn to these online tools to supplement their in-class teaching and turn kids on to some of the more staid civics lessons through gameplay. The language and look used throughout iCivics is geared to the computer-savvy student and it offers a fresh, fun-filled way to learn through play.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the importance of understanding democracy and how our nation's government works.

  • Talk about how the Internet is a valuable tool for helping with school subjects such as social studies and math.

  • Talk about the importance of making smart decisions about technology even when it's being used to help with schoolwork and learning.

Website Details

  • Subjects: Social Studies: citizenship, government, power structures
  • Skills: Responsibility & Ethics: following codes of conduct, honoring the community, respect for others
  • Genre: Educational
  • Pricing structure: Free
  • Last updated: October 17, 2019

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