Can Video Games Really Replace Some Educational Activities?

Understanding the Appeal — and Potential — of Video Games

If you're a parent of a child between 6 and 12 years old, chances are you've wondered whether your child's love of video games might somehow be turned into something more productive. After a long day, it can be hard to negotiate screen time, homework, and emotional balance. Especially when your child seems more engaged in building pixelated worlds than tackling their math worksheet.

You're not alone in this tug-of-war. Many parents are asking the same question: Can video games replace, or at least supplement, some educational activities? And more importantly, should they?

When Learning Disguises Itself as Play

First, it's essential to acknowledge that not all screen time is created equal. While some video games are purely recreational, others have been shown to foster important cognitive and social skills. In fact, researchers have explored how certain types of games can help children develop problem-solving skills, language acquisition, and even communication abilities. When children are actively engaged in a game that challenges them to think critically or collaborate with teammates, they are—often unknowingly—building important life skills.

Of course, this does not mean all educational needs can or should be outsourced to video games. But these tools offer something traditional classroom activities might not: intrinsic motivation. Many kids who struggle to focus on homework are perfectly capable of memorizing complex game strategies or learning intricate gameplay mechanics. The difference is engagement, not ability.

Reframing What Counts as "Educational"

The line between education and entertainment has become increasingly blurred. This blurring, however, isn't necessarily a bad thing. Learning that feels like play can be deeply effective. But what matters is setting boundaries and being purposeful in how digital tools are integrated into a child's routine.

Instead of thinking of educational activities and video games as competing forces, consider how they can complement each other—especially if your child is struggling with traditional learning. For example, a child who loves story-based games might benefit from audio storytelling, which builds focus, comprehension, and imagination in a screen-free format.

Imagine evenings where your child enjoys a narrative video game and then winds down by listening to an audio adventure from the LISN Kids App, which offers original audiobooks and series for children aged 3–12. This gentle, engaging platform can be a great alternative for screen-weary moments, offering vivid storytelling without visual overstimulation. You can find it on iOS or Android.

What Games Can Actually Teach

If selected with care, video games can foster skills similar to those targeted in educational settings. Here are just some areas where games and education intersect:

• Reading and language: Role-playing games (RPGs) often include rich dialogue, vocabulary building, and narrative structure. Some games even offer multi-language modes for immersive learning.
• Math and logic: Puzzle games, building simulators, and strategy games demand logical thinking, spatial awareness, and numerical reasoning.
• Collaboration and communication: Multiplayer online games can build teamwork and leadership skills, particularly when playing cooperatively with peers. Check out our article on how kids can improve communication through gaming.
• Emotional regulation: Games that introduce timed challenges or difficult quests help children practice resilience and manage frustration.

That said, it’s crucial to ensure your child plays age-appropriate games and that screen time remains supervised and balanced. A helpful guideline is the 5 Cs: Content, Context, Child, Character development, and Communication. These criteria can help you evaluate whether a game is contributing positively to your child’s growth.

Replacing, Supplementing, or Distracting?

So, can video games replace traditional learning tasks or educational activities? It’s not a clear yes or no. Video games aren't a substitute for foundational literacy, math, or emotional development that comes from real-world interaction and structured learning. But they can absolutely supplement education, especially when tailored to a child’s specific needs and interests.

For instance, if your child struggles in school yet thrives in gaming environments, this could be a clue to how they prefer to engage and absorb information. You might explore educational digital games designed for numeracy or literacy improvement. Pairing these activities with traditional homework or screen-free learning time (such as audiobooks or drawing) creates a more holistic experience.

It's useful to reflect on when video games begin to influence learning, since some research shows that cognitive benefits depend on age and developmental stage. Timing and game content both matter.

Helping Without Overwhelming

As a parent, your support, interest, and boundaries are key. Ask your child to tell you about the games they love. Sit with them. Listen to the stories they build or the goals they're trying to achieve. Encourage them to think critically about their decisions in-game. This kind of co-exploration invites conversation and helps translate digital experiences into real-life learning moments.

And when the screens need to go off, and everyone needs a break—including you—a calm and imaginative tool like LISN Kids can provide a welcome transition. You’re not alone in navigating this digital world with your child. With the right tools and mindset, you can turn screen time into something that supports—not competes with—their development as thinkers, doers, and dreamers.