Best Educational Games

Pushing Pencils

We have some of the best educational games around for learning and enrichment--and quick history lessons, too!

The first pencil with an eraser top was patented on March 30, 1858, by Hymen Lipman. But today, many people write and correct their words with a different device.

To find out what it is, follow each step below. Write the letters that result from each step in the blanks. Be sure to work with a pencil and an eraser in case you need to change an answer!

Printable Puzzle & Answers

"Pushing Pencils," one of the best educational games from www.word-game-world.com.

Reference: https://pencils.com/hymen-lipman-pencil-patent/

Extension Activities

1. Discuss the pros and cons of using a regular pencil vs. a mechanical pencil. List instances of when one is better to use than the other.

2. Research any of these topics:

How many pencils are made from one tree?
How many trees are used to make pencils each year?
How many pencils are made around the world in a year?
How far would all of these pencils reach, if they were laid end to end?

3. Beyond pencils, think about other simple, but super-helpful tools and gadgets. Work with a partner, or try out an AI program to learn about the origins of one of these:

stapler, paper clip, ballpoint pen, felt tip marker, graph paper, ruler, Elmer's glue, construction paper, the standing desk, the computer mouse.

Turn your facts into an educational game:

like the popular TV Jeopardy!
a new matching game with questions on blue set of cards, and answers on white cards
a quiz game, with more points given to teams who answer the most difficult questions
a word search game. Write a set of statements about your topic, omitting a few key words in each statement. Hide those words in the word search puzzle. Have friends find the words in the puzzle and write them into the correct blank on their page.

More of Our Best Educational Games

Come to Your Senses! Early learners can find 10 words in a word search, then complete a short matching exercise, all about the five senses

Animal Safari - Find 18 three-letter animal names hidden in a word search puzzle. But there's a catch: The word list is not provided. Kids can play with a partner, or on their own to see who can be the first to find all the words.

Personified state of Nevada, pushing a cart of silver nuggets

A State by Any Other Name Each clue is the nickname for one of the 50 states in the U.S. You supply the state that matches! Even if you know only a few answers at first, you should be able to complete this interesting crossword puzzle!

Spelling Word Games for Kids: Spelling doesn't have to be "ho-hum," and these games will prove it! Games include Tic Tac Toe Spelling, Spelling Relays, Cover Up, Team Spelling Bee Games, Waffle Words and more.

Spelling Relay and Buzz-Buzz: Two simple and effective games that can be played with your entire class and require no paper and pencil. These games are great for reviewing spelling words at any grade level.

Wide Awake! Can you unscramble this challenging list of words before you doze off? All of the words mean to be AWAKE and PAYING ATTENTION! This word game is a little tougher than many of our kids' puzzles, so it's perfect for upper elementary kids who need a challenge. (Note: Adults will like this one, too!)

Saxophone Spelling - Partners compete to see who can complete the diagram first, and who can spell the most words using the letters in SAXOPHONE. Musical history lesson and extension activity included!

Animated piece of paper and pencil, smiling

Quick Draw - Free Reading Game: Kids must follow directions and draw simple objects correctly. Accurate reading comprehension is a must! Students can add additional directions, making this a game to reuse throughout the school year.

Photo of outer space with planets, from our educational Space Word Search

Science Crossword Puzzles Try out this astronomy crossword that features facts and terms about our Solar System. You could say this crossword is out of this world!

Math Crossword Puzzle If you're good with addition and subtraction facts, this puzzle will be a breeze! You'll also have to know how to spell the number words correctly.

An Amazing Athlete - Spot the 15 differences between to pictures of a very, very busy athlete. Build your own mental abilities as you play these fun memory games online!

Find more of our best educational games and puzzles by using the tabs at the left in our Kids' Corner!

My other site, Spelling Words Well, is LOADED with spelling, reading and writing games and activities for all ages. Be sure to check it out!

Ann Richmond Fisher has been a published puzzle writer and educational author for more than 30 years. Ann LOVES to concoct new puzzle formats and solve word games of all kinds! Her puzzles have appeared in Highlights for Children, local newspapers, and dozens of books published by The Education Center, McGraw-Hill and more. Ann is a former classroom and homeschool teacher. See Ann's spelling website at www.spelling-words-well.com.