How to Use Online Games in Your Classroom When You’re Already Short on Time 🕒🎮

As teachers, we all know the struggle—there’s just never enough time! Trust me, I get it. You know how often I’ve heard people say teaching and being a mom are two of the hardest jobs? And here I am trying to do both. 💪 I’m doing my best to give my students a rich, engaging learning experience, all while trying to offer my own kids the same love and attention at home. Honestly, some weeks, I spend more time with my classroom kids than I do with my own!

In the classroom, we’re juggling so much. We’ve got lessons to teach, assessments to grade, standards to meet, assemblies to attend (yes, another one during core reading time! 😅), class parties to plan—the list goes on! 🎉 So how do we find time to squeeze in online games when we already feel like every minute of the day is packed?

I asked myself the same thing when I first started teaching. Back then, I had nearly 30 students and only 4 classroom computers! 😳 Trying to manage centers with just a few devices was tough, and the constant search for quality, ad-free online resources? Forget about it!

But now, with most students having 1-to-1 devices and a whole host of better online learning platforms, things have changed. 🙌 More resources are subscription-based (meaning no annoying ads for our students), and there’s a world of educational games that can actually help us teach. So let’s make it work—here are three totally doable ways to fit online games into your classroom routine:

1. Use Online Games as an Incentive 🎮🎉

Finished your work early? Were you a great friend today? Maybe you nailed that math lesson? 🙌 Reward your students with a few minutes of their favorite online educational game. It’s a win-win—students are motivated to stay on task, and you get a chance to incorporate learning in a fun way!

2. Use Online Games During Pack-Up Time 🎒🔔

You know how crazy pack-up time can get. 🙃 Students are racing to their lockers, there’s paper on the floor, and you’re trying to keep an eye on everything. Simplify this time by having students work quietly on their devices. Whether it’s a math game or an interactive reading activity, online games can keep them engaged while you manage the end-of-day chaos.

3. Use Online Games for Extra Practice 📝📱

Instead of handing out yet another worksheet, assign students a task on an online platform like SplashLearn or have them read a book on Epic!. Not only do they get extra practice, but they also have fun doing it. And trust me, they’ll be way more excited about an interactive game than a printed worksheet!

Now, I know it takes time to find good resources (and time is exactly what we don’t have). So guess what? I’ve done the work for you! 🎉 I’ve put together an incredible list of online learning resources for K-5th graders that won’t break the bank or bombard your students with ads. Many of these sites ask you to sign up for a free teacher account, which lets you assign individual tasks, personalize instruction, and track progress. Talk about getting more bang for your zero bucks!

If you’re interested, let me know which websites you’d like to try—or if there’s a hidden gem you think I should add to the list. 💻 Drop your questions in the comments—I’d love to help! Thanks for reading, and happy teaching! 💛