The Ultimate List of Second Grade Learning Games
Educational apps and games that make learning fun for 7-8 year olds without the screen time guilt.
Look, I get it. You want your second grader to have some screen time that doesn't involve watching someone else play Roblox on YouTube or begging for more Robux. You want something that's actually educational but won't make them roll their eyes and ask to watch Bluey instead.
The good news? There are genuinely great learning games out there that second graders actually enjoy. The tricky part is finding ones that hit that sweet spot of educational value without feeling like digital worksheets dressed up with cartoon characters.
Second graders (ages 7-8) are in a fascinating developmental window. They're solidifying reading skills, getting comfortable with addition and subtraction, starting to understand more complex problem-solving, and developing longer attention spans. They're also way more digitally savvy than we give them credit for.
A quality learning game for this age should:
- Build specific skills without feeling like homework
- Offer genuine engagement (not just flashy rewards)
- Allow kids to progress at their own pace
- Not be riddled with ads or in-app purchases
- Actually teach something beyond "tap the right answer"
Math Games
This is the one your kid's classmates are probably already playing. It's an RPG-style game where kids battle monsters by solving math problems. The curriculum aligns with what they're learning in school, and it adapts to their skill level.
The catch: The free version is solid, but your kid will 100% ask about the paid membership because their friends have cool pets or whatever. You can absolutely say no—the educational content is the same.
[Math Playground](https://screenwiseapp.com/media/math-playground-game
Less flashy than Prodigy, but honestly more focused. It's a collection of logic games, word problems, and math games that feel more like puzzles than drills. No epic storyline, just solid math practice that doesn't feel like practice.
This one's brilliant for kids who are still building number sense. It uses visual representations (cute little creatures called Nooms) to teach basic arithmetic concepts. It's more expensive upfront (one-time purchase, no subscriptions), but there are zero ads or upsells.
Reading & Language Arts
It's basically Netflix for kids' books. Thousands of titles, including popular series like Dog Man and Magic Tree House. Second graders can read independently or follow along with read-to-me options.
Reality check: Some kids will just look at the pictures and click through. That's fine occasionally, but you'll want to check in about what they're actually reading.
Don't let the name fool you—this isn't just for kindergarteners. The later levels are perfect for second graders working on phonics, sight words, and reading fluency. It's engaging without being overstimulating, which is rare.
[Spelling Stage](https://screenwiseapp.com/media/spelling-stage-game
If your kid has weekly spelling lists (and let's be honest, what second grader doesn't?), this app lets you input their actual words and turns practice into a game show format. Way more effective than you calling out words while making dinner.
Science & Problem-Solving
Kids experiment with the periodic table through fun, safe virtual experiments. It's not teaching chemistry in a formal way, but it's building curiosity and scientific thinking. Plus, Toca Boca games are reliably well-designed and kid-safe.
This is coding disguised as a puzzle game. Kids program a robot to light up tiles by sequencing commands. It teaches logic, sequencing, and basic programming concepts without requiring any actual code. Second graders eat this up.
Okay, this one requires buying the physical Osmo base, but hear me out. It combines physical manipulatives with iPad games—kids solve tangram puzzles, spell words with letter tiles, do math with number tiles, all while the iPad camera tracks what they're doing. It's half screen time, half hands-on, which feels like a win.
All-Around Learning
ABCmouse (for younger second graders)
Yes, it skews younger, but the second grade curriculum is actually solid for kids who need reinforcement or are working below grade level. The interface can feel a bit dated and overly reward-focused, but the educational content is comprehensive.
Adventure Academy (from the ABCmouse people)
This is basically ABCmouse's cool older sibling. It's an MMO-style game where kids complete quests that involve reading, math, science, and social studies. Way more engaging for second graders than ABCmouse, though it can feel overwhelming at first.
Completely free, no ads, high-quality content across all subjects. The second grade section is excellent. If you're looking for one app that does it all without any upsells or pressure, this is it.
I know someone's going to ask. Yes, Minecraft can be educational—it teaches spatial reasoning, planning, creativity, and even basic resource management. But let's be real: most second graders are playing it in creative mode building houses for their pets or watching YouTube videos about it.
That's not inherently bad, but it's also not the same as targeted skill-building. If you want Minecraft to be more educational, look into Minecraft Education Edition or play with them and actually talk about what they're building and why.
Apps with constant ads: If your kid has to watch an ad every 30 seconds, they're not learning—they're being marketed to.
Anything with loot boxes or gacha mechanics: Some "educational" apps have adopted these, and no. Just no.
Games that are just digital flashcards: There are so many apps that are literally just "tap the right answer" over and over. That's fine for occasional drill practice, but it's not engaging or building deeper understanding.
Here's the thing: even educational screen time is still screen time. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends
limiting recreational screen time for elementary kids, and yes, that includes educational games.
That said, 20-30 minutes of a quality learning game is probably more valuable than 20-30 minutes of passive YouTube watching. Think of these as tools, not babysitters. They work best when:
- Used intentionally (not just "here's the iPad, leave me alone")
- Balanced with non-screen activities
- Occasionally done together so you can see what they're actually learning
- Not replacing homework or reading actual books
Second grade is a sweet spot for learning games because kids are independent enough to navigate apps but still young enough to be genuinely excited about "playing school." The games on this list are ones that actually teach skills, not just keep kids quiet.
Start with the free options like Khan Academy Kids or [Math Playground](https://screenwiseapp.com/media/math-playground-game. If your kid gravitates toward a specific subject, consider investing in a premium app for that area—a one-time $10 purchase beats a subscription you'll forget to cancel.
And remember: the best educational "game" is still reading actual books, playing outside, building with LEGO, and having conversations. These apps are supplements, not replacements.
But when you need 30 minutes to make dinner and want to feel like they're doing something productive? Yeah, these are solid choices.
Want more recommendations? Check out our guides on educational apps for elementary kids or alternatives to YouTube for kids.
Curious about what other second grade families are doing? Take the Screenwise survey to see how your family's screen time compares to others in your community.
Still have questions? Ask our chatbot about specific apps or how to balance educational screen time with everything else.