Can Video Games Help Kids Learn History and Geography?

When video games become more than just screen time

You're not alone if you’ve ever stared at your child sinking into a video game and wondered, “Can this possibly be doing anything good for them?” Especially when school is a daily struggle—homework battles, memorization woes, and the frustration that comes with trying to spark interest in subjects like history and geography.

But what if there was another angle? What if, instead of always pulling your child away from video games, there was a way to meet them halfway—and even use those moments to help them learn?

How games can build curiosity and context

Unlike textbooks or worksheets, video games drop children into rich, interactive worlds. These environments often depend on real-world history and geography to make the gameplay compelling and believable. For example, games like Assassin’s Creed Discovery Tours let kids explore historically accurate depictions of Ancient Egypt or Renaissance Italy.

Your child might not remember the exact dates from their textbook, but they might never forget walking along the Nile or climbing the Roman Colosseum. Learning becomes anchored in a vivid mental image, tied to an experience they controlled—which can be far more impactful than passive exposure.

This isn't about replacing school education. It's about enriching it through motivation. If your child feels detached in the classroom, but fascinated by ancient legends in a game setting, that’s a spark worth nurturing.

Understanding what makes a game educational

Not all video games are designed with learning in mind, and that’s a key distinction. Just because a game features a medieval town doesn’t automatically teach history. But thoughtful selections can make all the difference.

To determine whether a game supports learning, ask yourself:

• Does it create a meaningful connection to historical or geographical concepts?
• Does it encourage curiosity—does your child start asking questions after playing?
• Is it reinforcing inaccurate stereotypes, or is it culturally respectful and based on research?

If you're trying to figure out whether a game is truly educational or just feels like it is, this guide on evaluating educational video games can help you make more confident choices.

History comes alive through storytelling

We often forget that history is a tapestry of human stories. The dates, maps, and treaties your child struggles to memorize have much more emotional weight when they understand the people behind the events.

Games that use historical backdrops or roleplay strategies—like building early civilizations or navigating political tensions—allow kids to step into different roles, fostering empathy and strategic thinking. Even simpler games that involve map usage, time periods, or historical characters can help frame learning in a more engaging light.

That’s also why non-screen alternatives—like audiobooks and audio series—complement screen-based learning so well. For families looking to integrate more diverse learning mediums, the iOS / Android app LISN Kids offers original educational stories for children aged 3–12. Whether your child is more into pirates of the Caribbean or the mysteries of ancient China, these immersive stories can reinforce what they experience through games and expand their historical world.

Geography becomes a game board

In many games, navigation is key. Whether it's reading maps to access hidden treasures or traversing virtual continents, children often practice geographic awareness without realizing it. Games like Where on Google Earth is Carmen Sandiego? or GeoGuessr directly engage geographic reasoning and location recognition skills.

But even games not marketed as “educational” can foster spatial awareness and map-based problem-solving. Logic and strategy-based games often rely on a player’s understanding of terrain, direction, and resource management—all real-world skills geography helps build.

Bridging the gap between entertainment and education

If your child resists traditional learning, remember that interactive play isn’t always a distraction. Sometimes, it’s a different language—a format that simply resonates more deeply. As explained in this article about learning through interactive play, some children thrive when cognition is tied to action.

Your role as a parent is not necessarily to find the perfect educational game, but to pay attention to what energizes your child’s curiosity. Ask questions after they play: "Where was that city located? Did that character really exist? How did people live during that time?" These moments of connection can organically grow into learning opportunities.

If screen time still feels tricky to balance, this guide on video games and listening skills offers a reassuring, research-backed look at what to moderate—and what to embrace.

From resistance to curiosity

When school subjects become battles, it’s easy to assume that a child just “isn’t into learning.” But perhaps it’s the format—not the subject—that feels inaccessible. By reframing play as a vehicle for understanding the world, you may find that your child isn’t resisting history or geography—they’re simply waiting to explore it through their own lens.

And sometimes, that lens comes with a controller in hand.