7 Great Apps for Middle-Schoolers

There is much more out there in the world of apps than games that are nothing more than visually-enticing time-wasters. Many apps offer valuable skill-building activities, which give players the chance to work on essential abilities without feeling like they’re learning in the old-fashioned way. The use of technology and games is a truly effective learning method for kids in middle-school. Below, we highlight seven noteworthy apps to consider for your middle-school student.

Story Starters Pro
This is a great app for kids who like writing, journaling, and storytelling. With a vast archive of exciting prompts, including images, words, phrases, and sounds, Story Starters will stimulate the young writer into creativity. With great potential for classroom application as well as for individual students working to improve in writing, language, and conversation skills, this app makes writing—a subject kids often find dry—exciting, unpredictable, challenging, and fun.
For iPhone, 99 cents

HandyBot
Just as honing communication skills is important for middle-schoolers, so is building up logic and critical thinking ability. HandyBot, a “cute little robot with one handy arm,” allows kids to work on logical thinking using knowledge of lines, angles, and shapes. The best part is that this app is not overtly educational; it plays much more like a game in which you are trying to get HandyBot down the hole, so kids hardly notice that they are skill-building while they work to beat the level.
For iPhone & Andriod, Free

Catch the Shapeshifter
Just the name itself sounds interesting, and, indeed, this is a fun, creative app that will entice kids to play. Unique and challenging, Catch the Shapeshifter allows players to work on visual perception, attention, and focus through an addicting puzzle platform. With 50 levels of difficulty and gorgeous 3-D designs, this app offers a plethora of brain-friendly activities for kids, from building quick reflexes to honing visual perception.
For iPhone ($2.99) & Android (Free)

Fitness Race: The Step Counter Game
With childhood obesity a pervasive problem in our society, we can use technology to fight the battle for good health. This app allows young folks to count their running and walking steps and convert them into energy for a virtual race in order to beat their opponents. Fitness Race takes exercise beyond just boring old numbers and charts by making it a fun activity that kids can use for competition. In an age when, often, we equate technology with inactivity, why not use it to help kids stay active?
For iPhone & Android, Free

Journey of Haha
This is a fun and challenging puzzle/adventure app that charges players with collecting items, solving puzzles, defeating enemies, and unlocking doors to move to the next level. The skills utilized help players to use their wits, critical thinking, and common sense to meet the challenges as they help Haha find the ancient artifact that she seeks in the castle. With over 50 challenging rooms to navigate and increasing difficulty with each level, Journey of Haha challenges kids’ puzzle-solving and critical thinking ability.
For iPhone & Android, $1.99

Algebra on Nudge
While some of the apps listed above are more “game-like,” there is value, too, in apps that are more directly geared towards academics. Here, we can find practical and healthy uses for smartphone technology, which often gets a bad rap. Algebra on Nudge offers accessible help for students struggling to master solving linear equations. With multiple levels and a clean, simple interface, this app is a perfect and visually-pleasing way to supplement classroom learning.
For iPhone & Android, Free

Wordrops-Addictive Word Puzzle Game
This is a fast-paced spelling and thinking game that can help kids get better at language mastery. With the ability to play against other users and to play in Spanish and French as well as English, Wordrops offers a lot of flexibility for a wide age-range of players. The game, which features letters that fall across the screen quickly which the player must make into words, will hone many language-related skills, including spelling, vocabulary, verbal processing, and critical thinking. This game is perfect for the player who loves fast-paced, challenging word games.
For iPhone, 99 cents

Written by Phil Lane

Learn More!