Combining Video Games and Education: Mission Impossible or Missed Opportunity?

Can Play and Learning Coexist?

If you're a parent to a child between 6 and 12, there's a good chance you've felt the tension between screen time and schoolwork. Maybe you've walked into your child’s room to find them laser-focused on a video game—only to wonder why that same focus vanishes the moment math homework hits the table.

You’re not alone in wanting more for your child. You want them to succeed academically, but you also want to honor what lights them up. And video games—whether you love them, tolerate them, or fear their pull—are increasingly part of your child’s world. So the big question is: can video games and education actually be allies?

Why Video Games Aren’t Always the Enemy

For many parents, video games feel like a black hole of attention, pulling kids away from books, chores, and outdoors—often all at once. But underneath the rapid clicks and glowing screens, something else might be happening: learning.

Some games teach vocabulary in context, helping kids associate new words with visuals and gameplay—something we explored in detail here. Strategizing, problem-solving, and even managing frustration are baked into many of the games kids love. Of course, digital learning looks different from traditional methods, and understanding how your child engages with content on-screen can help you guide them more effectively.

When the Lines Blur: Learning Through Play

A growing number of educators are exploring how games can sharpen skills like critical thinking, collaboration, and even reading comprehension. For example, games that involve quests or problem-solving often require kids to read instructions, decode clues, and persist through failure. That’s learning, even if it doesn’t resemble what’s happening in the classroom.

Some video games even spark genuine curiosity. A child playing a historical adventure game might suddenly want to learn more about Ancient Egypt or Norse mythology. The key isn’t just what they’re playing—it’s how we, as adults, help them connect that experience to broader educational goals.

Turning Screen Time into Learning Time

Here’s where things get practical. If your child gravitates toward video games, use that passion as a tool instead of a barrier. Here are a few ways to support them:

• Co-play when possible: Join your child in a game and ask them to teach you how it works. This opens a window into their thinking and gives you an opportunity to guide their learning.
• Create structured "game breaks": Instead of turning games into rewards or punishments, encourage breaks that reflect how games teach—10 minutes of a puzzle-based game might naturally segue into creative writing or problem-solving offline.
• Connect game themes to real-world learning: If they’re building cities in a simulation game, dive into urban planning or geography together. If they’re solving puzzles in a mystery game, consider starting a family book club around detective stories.

Balancing Games with Other Activities

Striking a balance between screen time and educational growth doesn’t mean eliminating games entirely. It means creating a rhythm that leaves room for variety. If your child has difficulty focusing after playing, help them transition with something engaging yet calm, like listening to a story. The iOS or Android version of LISN Kids is one gentle bridge between play and learning—

offering original audiobooks and story-series for kids aged 3-12, it’s a great way to wind down while still nurturing vocabulary, imagination, and listening skills.

Watch for Red Flags—but Don’t Panic

Of course, not all gaming is created equal. Some signs that video games may be interfering with school success include:

• Persistent irritability when asked to stop playing
• Decline in academic performance or motivation
• Increased isolation from friends and family

If you’re noticing these red flags, it might be helpful to evaluate your child’s relationship with gaming. Our article on video games versus books can help you assess what’s really going on under the surface.

That said, games and social connection often go hand in hand. In fact, tactical and strategy games—sometimes frowned upon for their competitive or fantasy elements—can encourage collaborative learning and complex communication among peers.

Final Thoughts: It’s Not About the Game, It’s About the Relationship

As parents, the tool isn’t the problem. It’s how the tool is used. When it comes to video games, the goal isn’t necessarily to limit access but to stay involved, guide mindfully, and bridge the digital world with real-world curiosity and connection.

By reimagining video games not as distractions but as potential learning platforms, we open new ways to support our children—especially those who struggle with traditional homework or academic pressures. The journey isn’t about eliminating screens. It’s about creating new pathways of understanding.