Computers and information games

Explore information technology across grades. Choose by skill and readiness; the grades are a starting point, and this collection does not cover a whole curriculum.

These are enrichment activities with suggested grades, not a complete state curriculum. Schools may teach topics in a different sequence. Read how we choose games.

Grade 3: Input and output devices

Computers work with information. Input is information sent into a computer, for example words typed on a keyboard, sound from a microphone or movement picked up by a sensor. The computer processes it, then sends information back out as output, for example text on a screen, sound from speakers, a page from a printer or movement from a motor.

This game asks children to sort devices into input and output devices, and checks the idea that a computer processes information between the two. Devices that do both jobs, like a tablet’s touch screen, are asked about separately, so every sorting question has one right answer. The topic links to programming, where students use “various forms of input and output”, such as key presses, sensors, sounds and lights.

Suggested grade 3 practice, selected by skill and reading demand. US states and schools teach these topics in different grades; this is not a state-standards alignment claim.

CSTA 2026 PK–12 Standards teaching connection: Hardware and software. This game introduces a related computing concept. Extend it with creating, testing or discussing a real example. The suggested grade is editorial; no specific CSTA performance code, certification or full coverage is claimed. Read the framework.

Play Input and output devices · Free printable

Grade 4: The internet and networks: routers, servers and the web

A network is a group of computers and devices connected so they can share information. The internet is the biggest network in the world: a network of networks joining billions of devices. Servers store information such as webpages, clients are the devices we use, cables and Wi-Fi carry the data, and routers make sure it reaches the right place.

Suggested grade 4 practice, selected by skill and reading demand. US states and schools teach these topics in different grades; this is not a state-standards alignment claim.

CSTA 2026 PK–12 Standards teaching connection: Networks. This game introduces a related computing concept. Extend it with creating, testing or discussing a real example. The suggested grade is editorial; no specific CSTA performance code, certification or full coverage is claimed. Read the framework.

Play The internet and networks: routers, servers and the web · Free printable

Grade 5: Search engines: how results are chosen and ranked

A search engine is a program that finds webpages for you. It cannot read the whole web every time you search, so it builds an index in advance, using programs that crawl from page to page. When you type keywords or a question, it searches its index, picks matching pages and ranks them, putting the ones it thinks are most useful at the top.

Suggested grade 5 practice, selected by skill and reading demand. US states and schools teach these topics in different grades; this is not a state-standards alignment claim.

CSTA 2026 PK–12 Standards teaching connection: Algorithms and information evaluation. This game introduces a related computing concept. Extend it with creating, testing or discussing a real example. The suggested grade is editorial; no specific CSTA performance code, certification or full coverage is claimed. Read the framework.

Play Search engines: how results are chosen and ranked · Free printable