Chemistry is the branch of science that mainly deals with the study of nature, behaviour, and characteristics of the substances that exist in the universe. The substances that make up the objects present in the universe can be broadly classified into elements and compounds. Elements are substances that exist in nature freely, while compounds are substances that are made by a combination of two or more elements. Further, chemistry can be prominently divided into five subdisciplines, namely organic chemistry, physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, and analytical chemistry. Generally, the learning process of chemistry typically involves studying the concepts theoretically and applying them in real life; however, one can also learn the concepts, theories, and phenomena related to chemistry by playing games. Learning while playing games help a person understand the concept with ease and retain the information for a significantly longer duration of time.
Example of Fun Chemistry Games for Kids
There are a variety of fun chemistry games that a child can play to gain strong conceptual knowledge of the subject. Some of them are listed below:
1. Atom Structure Puzzle Game
Atoms are known as the fundamental building blocks of all the objects that exist in nature. Organic chemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the study of elements and compounds at the atomic and molecular levels. One can easily learn the basic concepts of organic chemistry such as structure and composition of an atom, characteristics of the atoms of different elements, the effect of the configuration of electrons, protons, and neutrons of atoms on the physical characteristics and appearance of a substance, etc. by playing fun chemistry games. Atomic structure puzzle game is a prominent example of the fun chemistry games designed for kids that help them understand the internal composition and structure of an atom. The game typically consists of a frame that is generally made up of wood, plastic, or cardboard and contains multiple voids or slots. The game is provided with balls or disks that represent the different parts of an atom. The prime objective of the game is to appropriately fit the disks and balls that represent the parts of an atom in the voids contained by the frame. The game also helps a child develop motor skills and improves his/her hand to eye coordination.
2. Balancing Chemical Equations
Balancing the chemical equations is yet another example of the fun chemistry games that a child can play to get hands-on with the concepts and theories of organic and inorganic chemistry. A major portion of chemistry deals with a chemical reaction of two or more substances. A perfect chemical reaction requires the combination of an adequate amount of substances. This adequate amount of substances involved in the reaction is generally estimated with the help of balanced chemical equations. The balancing of chemical reactions is generally performed by observing the number of atoms present on the reactant and the product side. One can easily learn and practice how to balance chemical equations by playing games. Balancing the chemical equations games are generally available in digital format and can be played online or offline on mobile phones, laptops, or other gadgets and devices. Although, some of the textbook versions of the game are also available in the market. Balancing chemical equations game generally contains a set of incomplete chemical equations. The prime goal of the game is to fill the blank spaces present in the equations with the appropriate numbers or letters. This particular game helps a child learn about the nature, characteristics, and behaviour of different elements and compounds present in nature. The game also enhances the memorising ability and information retaining capacity of the player.
3. Chemical Compound Quiz
Quiz games are one of the best examples of fun science games designed for people of all ages including kids and adults for educational, personality development, and entertainment purposes. A chemical compound quiz is a classic example of the chemistry games that help a child learn and practice the general concepts of chemistry such as properties, composition, nature, and behaviour of substances. The quiz generally consists of a question and a set of possible solutions. The players playing the game are required to mark the correct solution of the questions in a particular time span. The first player to answer all the quiz questions correctly wins the game. The game tends to enhance the player’s decision making capability, ability to respond spontaneously to situations, and confidence.
4. Chemistry Crossword Puzzles
A chemistry crossword puzzle is yet another example of the chemistry fun games designed for children. Playing chemical crossword puzzles helps a child improve his/her knowledge of the subject and memorising ability. A chemistry crossword puzzle typically contains a matrix or a grid that is subdivided into multiple equidimensional square blocks. Some of the squares contained by the grid are completely filled with a dark colour, while some of them are empty. The empty blocks of the chemistry crossword puzzle are arranged in the form of rows and columns that are connected to each other in a random manner. The first block of each row or column is attached with a number that corresponds to a clue or a hint to look for the appropriate word that is to be filled inside the empty blocks of the row or column. The prime aim of the puzzle is to fill the entire matrix or the puzzle grid with correct solutions. Some of the prominent chemistry topics that one can learn while playing a chemistry crossword puzzle include atomic structures, names and properties of elements, chemical reactions, bonding of substances, laboratory equipment, etc.
5. Element Hangman
Element hangman is a digital chemistry fun game that a child can play online or offline on his/her mobile phone, laptop, or any other gadget to gain an understanding of various chemistry concepts and theories. The game basically contains a dropdown menu that contains the alphabet or the letters of a language. The gaming software tends to pick up the name of an element randomly and plots some of the hits related to the element in front of the user. The main idea behind the game is to guess the name of the element in the minimum number of tries. The game also contains a fictional character called an atom man. The atom man is made up of a number of game blocks. The game is designed in such a way that with every wrong guess, a part of the atom man vanishes or gets removed. If the player is unable to locate the name of the element in the given number of tries and all the parts of the atom man get removed, the player tends to lose the game. The game tends to enhance a child’s ability to respond spontaneously to situations, solve problems, and handle pressure. Element hangman is one of the best games that help a person learn about the characteristics of the elements that exist in nature. It also helps a person memorize the names of the elements and compounds and their positioning in the periodic table.
6. Little Alchemy
Little alchemy is a classic example of a fun chemistry game that can help a child learn about the process of mixing two or more different elements together and observe the nature of the products obtained by their combination. The game is available in both online and offline modes over the internet and can be played on mobile phones, computers, or other devices. Initially, the user interface or the screen of the game has four basic elements or game objects. These four elements are usually air, fire, water, and earth. Little alchemy is basically an experiment game in which the player is required to try and combine different elements together to form new product elements by dragging the base elements into the game screen one by one. The main objective of the game is to form all the possible combinations of the elements and generate the maximum number of new products or compounds. With the help of the little alchemy game, a child can learn about the mixing of different elements and the nature of compounds formed by their combination in a fun and easy manner.
7. Chemistry with Minecraft
Minecraft education edition has listed various chemical updates within the past few years, which is why such games serve to be prime sources that allow a child to improve his/her knowledge regarding the subject in a fun and easy manner. Generally, the game requires the player to have a fine knowledge and understanding of the basic elements present in nature and their prime characteristics. The game tends to teach the player about the process and the result of the combination of different elements. The prime aim of the game is to develop a virtual environment for the child that simulates the real-life experiences of certain chemical experiments and reactions. The engaging and interactive interface of the game allows the child to learn the basic theories and the fundamental concepts of chemistry quickly in a comparatively more effective manner than the traditional learning processes. Also, learning chemistry with the help of the Minecraft game helps him/her to retain the information for a relatively longer duration of time.
8. Chemical Maze Puzzle
A chemical maze puzzle toy is usually made up of silicon or plastic. It contains two cavities on each side of the maze. To play the game, the larger cavity of the maze is filled with hydrochloric acid, while the smaller cavity and the maze portion of the puzzle are filled with oleic acid and potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide solution. The sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide solution is generally formed by dissolving solid crystal bits of the compounds into the water. A few drops of oleic acid is then added to the base solution. The solution is required to be distributed evenly along the maze and the smaller cavity. The final step of the game is to put the food colouring into the acidic or the basic side of the maze and observe the reaction. The game can be played as a multiplayer game or as an individual player game. The main aim of the game is to find the shortest route that connects the two cavities located at the opposite edges of the maze in the minimum possible time. The player may learn about the acidic and basic nature of different solutions, the concept of surface tension gradient, and get an idea about pH gradient by playing a chemical maze puzzle. Along with strengthening the chemistry concepts, the game also provides the child with an ability to build a certain set of personality development skills such as confidence, critical thinking, and the ability to memorize data.
9. Chemistry Kit
A chemistry kit is one of the best examples of fun educational games that help a child learn about the fundamentals of the subject and apply them in real life in a fun and easy manner. A chemistry kit generally contains a manual that has a textual description of a number of fun chemistry experiments and games. The props and material required to perform the activities listed in the manual are provided along with the kit. Some of the most common experiments and fun games that are generally listed in a chemistry kit manual include a baking soda volcano, a chemical rocket, discolouration of a leaf, etc.
10. Backside Attack
Backside attack is a game application that is easily available on the internet that helps a child develop and learn the basic concepts of organic chemistry with ease while playing. The game was created by Dr Neil Garg, an organic chemistry professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, USA, and his six students. The game is primarily based on one of the most common chemical reactions that exist in organic chemistry called the SN2 reaction. Backside attack game allows the player to learn about the nature of the SN2 reactions and various other fundamental chemistry concepts such as solvent effects, steric factors, nucleophilicity, leaving the group ability, etc. The game is available on android as well as the IOS platform and can be accessed on mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and other gadgets. The game typically consists of an interactive display or a screen that contains game objects such as syringes, laboratory flasks, and molecules of different substances. The player is required to shoot the molecule into the flask with the help of the syringe game object and complete the chemical reaction. The completion of the chemical reaction in the desired and most accurate format is considered as a win and leads to levelling up of the game. The complexity of the game levels tends to increase as the player advances further in the game. This helps a child gain skills and qualities such as confidence, critical thinking, and spontaneity along with the knowledge of the subject.
11. Bugs on the Run
The bugs on the run game is yet another example of the fun chemistry games that a child can play to understand chemical concepts in an easy manner. The game contains a chameleon game character who is hungry and feeds on the bugs provided by the player. The main objective of the game is to feed a fixed number of bugs to the chameleon in a given time frame by moving the mouse pointer on the game screen. To move the bugs from one platform to the other and finally to the position where the chameleon is present, the speed of the molecules present in the piston is usually varied. The fast movement of the molecules pushes the piston upwards and is obtained by supplying heat. Similarly, the slow speed of the molecules tends to return the piston to its original position. The slowing down of the molecules is generally achieved by cooling the molecules down. A similar process is used to move the molecules present in the balloon game objects towards the desired location. Heating the molecules contained by the balloon causes them to move at a relatively fast speed, thereby increasing the volume of the balloon and allowing it to float. Similarly, cooling down the molecules contained by the balloon causes a reduction in the size of the balloon causing it to sink. The game basically deals with the atomic structure of substances and the effect of heating or cooling on the speed, behaviour, and other related characteristics of the molecules.
12. Chemical Chess
A chemical chess game is a classic example of chemistry fun games designed for people of all ages including children as well as adults. Chemical chess typically contains a chessboard and chess pieces. The top face of the chemical chessboard is marked with longitudinal and latitudinal lines. The chess pieces of chemical chess are flat and shaped like a cuboid. Typically, four types of chess pieces are provided with a chemical chess game. These four colours are black, white, red, and blue. Each chess piece is marked with names and symbols of chemical elements, organic and inorganic compounds, numbers, and arrows patterns. The main idea behind the game is to form various chemical equations by assembling the game pieces on the chessboard in a particular pattern. The equations must justify their actual existence in real life and can not be vague. This particular game helps a child learn about the reaction of elements and compounds with each other and the nature of the resultant products formed by their reaction. Also, a child can memorize the names of the elements and the composition of various compounds.
13. Chemistry Tree Game
The chemistry tree game mainly aims at enhancing the pre-existing knowledge of the basic chemistry concepts possessed by a child. It is an interactive tool that helps demonstrate the existence of certain complex chemical theories and phenomena in a fun and easy manner to the player. The game interface consists of a number of colourful circular nodes that are interconnected to each other in a random manner. One can easily play the chemistry tree game online or offline on a computer, laptop, or other gadgets. Each circular game object located on the game interface contains a single line sentence or a word associated with it, known as the clue or the hint. The clue pops up on the screen when the player hovers his/her mouse pointer over the node. The main aim of the game is to arrange the game objects in the workspace in a dedicated pattern according to their structure, behaviour, or other related properties. A child can easily learn about the structure and properties of matter, atoms, ions, compounds, and elements by playing the chemistry tree game. This particular game also helps a child build and enhance certain personality development skills such as confidence, motor skills, concentration, hand to eye coordination, etc.
14. Escape Rooms
Chemistry-based escape rooms tend to form one of the best examples of fun chemistry games that are suitable for children for the purpose of learning and practising the fundamental concepts and theories of chemistry. As the name itself suggests, an escape room is an indoor game that is played by forming a team of two to six players. The players playing the game are locked inside a room and are required to look for the clues and hints that may help them find the key to the locked door and escape the room. The main objective of the game is to apply the conceptual knowledge of chemistry theories, phenomena, and concepts in practical life. This particular game helps the players improve their presence of mind and observation skills. Also, such games build a child’s interest in the subject. An escape room chemistry game can also be viewed as a creative way of performing chemical experiments in real life. The child playing the chemistry-based escape room tends to learn about the names, nature, and behaviour of certain elements by observing the reactions between chemical substances and by analysing the product substances formed as a result of the reactions. Such games help the player develop a certain set of personality development skills such as pattern-recognition ability, problem-solving capability, information retaining capacity, and critical thinking.
15. Daily Chemical Compounds
A daily compound game is a digital game that a child can play for the purpose of enjoyment as well as learning. The game can be played online or offline on a desktop or a gadget. The game console mainly consists of a miswritten or partially written name of a compound. A picture that depicts the real-life application of the compound is placed in front of the partially written compound name and acts as the hint to the solution. The user is required to interpret the item in the picture and complete the name of the compound by dragging and dropping the accurate alphabets into the blank spaces. This particular game helps a child gain knowledge of the compounds used in our day to day life by allowing him/her to relate the theoretical concepts of chemistry in real life. Such games tend to improve the player’s memorising ability and information retaining capacity. Some of the offline versions of the game are also available in the market in toy form or in textbook format.
16. Chemistry Gridlock Puzzles
Chemistry gridlock puzzles are chemistry-based puzzle games that are nothing but a gaming approach to learning the fundamental and complex concepts of chemistry. The structure of a chemistry gridlock puzzle resembles the sudoku puzzle game. The dimension of the grid of a chemistry gridlock puzzle is usually equal to 4 x 4. The parent grid of the puzzle is further divided into multiple small square blocks that tend to form rows and columns. Thick partition lines are used to divide the parent block or the grid of the puzzle into multiple subgrids. In the case of a 4 x 4 chemistry gridlock puzzle game, the parent grid is further divided into four subgrids, each having dimension equal to 2 x 2. The main objective of the game is to fill the grid blocks with the appropriate solution according to the problem statement of the puzzle game in such a way that each row, column and subgrid of the matrix contain a unique reference to the substances. Various online and offline versions of the game are available over the internet. The textbook format of a chemical gridlock puzzle is also available in the market. Such games help a child improve his/her ability to concentrate, memorize, think, and solve problems. Also, such games are useful in practising and learning the fundamentals of chemistry.
17. Chemistry-based Scavenger Hunt
A chemistry-based scavenger hunt is yet another example of the fun chemistry games that are best suited for children to master their existing knowledge and learn new concepts related to the subject. A chemistry-based scavenger hunt is quite similar to that of a chemistry-based escape room as the main objective of both games is completing a task with the help of clues and hints that are based on the fundamental theories and phenomena of chemistry. The only difference is that a chemistry-based escape room is played inside a room, while a chemistry-based scavenger hunt is generally played in an open space. The players playing the chemistry-based scavenger hunt game are provided with a set of clues that help them reach certain locations or obtain certain objects. The game locations or the game objects found with the help of a set of hints help them obtain another set of hints and so on. The number of levels that a team of players or an individual player is required to clear to reach the final destination is decided by the host or the maker of the game. The player or the team that manages to reach the last level of the game in the minimum time is declared the winner of the game.
18. Noble Metals Hunt
Noble metals hunt is a digital game that can be played online on a desktop, a laptop, a mobile phone, or any other gadget. The game console of a noble metals hunt game consists of a display screen that has multiple game elements embedded in it. The game elements typically include obstacles and collectables. The main aim of the game is to avoid obstacles and collect the maximum number of collectables. The colour and texture of the collectable game objects represent the structure of various metals. This particular game helps a child learn about the structure, appearance, properties, names of different metals and other related chemistry concepts in a fun and easy manner.
19. Periodic Table Puzzle Game
A periodic table puzzle game is a prominent example of the chemistry fun games that a child can play to learn and memorize the names of various elements existing in nature and their location in the periodic table. The game is available in digital video game format as well as in traditional cardboard toy format. The gaming console of a periodic table puzzle game typically consists of an empty periodic table frame and colourful game blocks that represent the names of the elements existing in nature discovered to date. The game blocks and the frame are generally made up of plastic, wood, or cardboard. The main aim of the game is to place the element game blocks into the periodic table frame in an appropriate order. Likewise, in a digital periodic table puzzle game, the player is required to drag and drop the puzzle pieces or element blocks in their dedicated positions. The game helps a child improve his knowledge of the nature and behaviour of different chemical elements. Also, a child is able to develop and improve certain personality development skills such as pattern recognition ability, critical and logical thinking, information retaining capacity, concentration, etc. by playing the periodic table puzzle game. The colour code of the element game blocks tends to help the player easily remember the group to which a particular element belongs.
20. pH puzzle game
The tern pH is an abbreviation term that can be expanded as the potential of hydrogen or power of hydrogen. The pH value tends to inversely denote the concentration of the hydrogen ions present in a particular solution. This means that a lower pH value denotes a higher concentration of hydrogen ions in the solution and vice versa. It is an indicator to determine the magnitude of the acidic or basic nature of a solution. Usually, pH is represented as a graduated meter or scale. The pH scale is generally logarithmic and its value ranges from 0 to 14. The midpoint of the scale, i.e., 7 is called the neutral point. A solution having a pH value of more than 7 indicates its basic nature, while a solution with a pH value less than 7 is known to be acidic in nature. A digital pH puzzle game typically makes use of an interactive game screen that consists of a properly graduated pH scale game object and multiple daily life objects, each of which has a different pH value. The player is supposed to drag and drop the game objects in their respective places according to their pH value. The traditional toy format of the game is also available in the market that is generally made up of cardboard or plastic. The game tends to correlate the theoretical chemistry concepts in real life with the help of an interactive gaming interface, which is why by playing a pH puzzle game, a child is able to understand the concept of pH and remember the pH values of various daily life objects in a fun and easy manner.
21. Photosynthesis Puzzle Game
Photosynthesis is the chemical process by virtue of which plants are able to prepare their food in presence of sunlight and carbon dioxide. A photosynthesis puzzle game is available in a digital video game format over the internet. A child can play the photosynthesis puzzle game online or offline on a laptop, mobile phone, desktop, or any other gadget for educational as well as enjoyment purposes. The game typically consists of a gaming console that has a play area, multiple game objects, and controllers. Generally, an incomplete digital representation of the process of photosynthesis is overlayed onto the play area of the gaming console. The picture typically contains a plant and the elements that are required during the process of photosynthesis. The main idea behind the game is to drag and drop the game objects or the elements required in photosynthesis into the empty places present in the picture to complete the puzzle. The game helps a child learn the chemical process of photosynthesis in a fun way and allows him/her to remember it for a longer period of time.
22. Molecular Shapes Puzzle
A molecular puzzle game is yet another example of a fun chemistry game that a child can play to enrich his/her knowledge of the structure and composition of chemical compounds. The game is closely correlated to the fundamentals of molecular or atomic chemistry. One can also learn about the atomic bonding of elements and geometric shapes of molecules by playing the molecule shape puzzle game. The play area of the game typically contains images and names of different molecules. The main aim of the game is to match the images of the molecules with their correct names by dragging and dropping the game elements in their correct places. The game also improves the player’s memorizing ability, concentration power, and information retaining capacity. Molecular shapes puzzle game tends to form a classic example of the games that are capable of demonstrating the concept of VSEPR or valence shell electron pair repulsion theory in an easy interactive manner.
23. Vitamins Puzzle
The main aim of a vitamins puzzle game is to develop the knowledge of the name and chemical formula of different vitamins. It also helps a child to know the use of essential vitamins in their daily life. The chemical names and composition of the vitamins may appear to be complex and hard to remember to a number of children, which is why playing the vitamin puzzle game is usually preferred to teach them about the applications of different vitamins in real life, thereby enhancing their knowledge of the subject in a fun and easy manner and allowing them to remember the information for a significantly longer duration of time. The game is usually available in a digital format over the internet. The play area of the game contains the chemical name or the general name of the vitamins and the source from which they are obtained. The player is required to drag and drop the images of the sources of vitamins onto their respective chemical and generic names. The vitamin puzzle game helps a child correlate the theoretical concepts of chemistry in real life by acknowledging the presence of vitamin sources around him/her.
24. Periodic Table Battleship
A periodic table is an arrangement of all the elements that exist in the universe in an appropriate manner according to their atomic number and atomic weight. Further grouping of the elements in the periodic table is done as per the nature, characteristics, or behaviour of the elements. The periodic table battleship is one of the best chemistry games that can help a child learn and memorize the properties and characteristics of the elements known to us to date. A periodic table battleship is easily available in the market and can also be constructed at home with the help of various daily use items such as cardboard, glue, scissors, plastic sheet, etc. The game typically consists of four copies of the periodic table that are properly printed on a piece of paper and contain a transparent covering or lamination on their surface. The periodic tables are further fixed on the inner sides of an empty file folder or a notebook case. The main idea behind playing the game is the same as that of the fun mathematical game battleship. Each player playing the periodic table battleship game is required to arrange the five ships on one of the periodic table sheets in the desired manner with the help of a marker. The five ships of the periodic table battleship game include an aircraft carrier, battleship, cruiser, submarine, and destroyer ship. These ships take five, four, three, three, and two spaces respectively on the periodic table. The players then call out the names of the elements one by one and try to guess the location of the opposite player’s battleships. The player whose all of the ships get exposed first tends to lose the game.
25. Bouncy Ball
Learning the fundamentals of certain chemical concepts, theories, and phenomena with the help of a bouncy ball game is basically a two-part task. The first part of the game includes making the bouncy ball at home with the help of easily available materials. The second part involves the fun activities that a child can perform with the help of the ball. Making a bouncy ball at home enhances a child’s creativity and imagination, while playing with a bouncy ball helps a child improve his/her motor skills and hand to eye coordination. The materials required to make a bouncy ball usually include plastic cups, spoons, warm water, borax, glue, corn starch, food colouring, and a plastic bag. The process of making a bouncy ball is simple and consist of three steps. The first step is to pour the water and borax into a cup and mix them together till the borax get properly dissolved into water. The second step is to pour glue, cornstarch, food colouring, and a portion of the water and borax mixture into another cup. The final step of making the bouncy ball is to stir the solution till a thick paste gets formed. Once a thick mixture of the ingredients is obtained, roll it to form a ball. The child while making the ball is able to learn the concepts of solute, solvent, solution, chemical combination of elements and compounds, the effect of chemical mixing on the properties of substances, and many more. After the ball gets formed the child can play catch, toss, or any other game with it.
26. Atoms and Isotopes Chemistry Game
As the name itself suggests, by playing the atoms and isotopes game a child is able to comprehend the fundamental concepts, characteristics or properties, and the formation or composition of isotopes of various elements in a fun and easy manner. The game typically consists of a game board, colourful beads, and playing cards. To set up the game, the players are required to arrange the colourful beads on the game board in form of three piles. The colour of the beads that are used to form each pile must be distinct and should not be repeated. The piles basically denote the electrons, protons, and neutrons of an atom. The next step of playing the game is to place the game cards on the gameboard as indicated by the game instruction manual. The players playing the game are supposed to pick up the cards one by one and perform the mentioned task. The first player who is able to finish the game task and create an atom with each of its stable isotopes present on the playing card is declared the winner of the game. The child playing the atoms and isotopes game is able to develop quick decision-making skills and fast information processing as well as retaining ability.
27. Slime
Playing with slime is yet another simple fun chemistry game that a child can use to learn various basic concepts of chemistry as well as to have fun. The slimes are easily available in the market. Also, one can easily make slime at home with the help of easily available items such as PVA solution, glue, borax, food colouring, and water. The first step to making slime at home is to pour PVA solution or polyvinyl alcohol solution into a container and add food colouring to it. The second step is to add sodium tetraborate or borax solution into the PVA solution. The next step is to continuously stir the mixture thoroughly till a thick paste is obtained. The final step is to extract the mixture from the container and knead it with bare hands. The slime is ready. A child by making slime is able to learn various chemistry-related concepts such as solute, solvent, solution, chemical composition, the effect of mixing various chemical elements and compounds on the properties of the resultant substance, and many more. Playing with slime helps reduce the player’s stress level and induce creative thoughts in his/her mind. Slime is also used by a number of therapists and doctors to cure syndromes such as stress, anxiety, irritability, and various other neural distresses.