This addictive, design-based puzzle game is loosely based on the principles of chemistry and chemical bonding.
There are a million word scramble and Scrabble-like games in the App Store that — don't get us wrong — we love dearly. But Psychobabble offers something a little different. Build your vocabulary and quicken your brain with this word association game.
Image: Ultralingua, Inc.
This quiz game is good for history students and trivia buffs alike. Test your knowledge of important battles, generals, statesmen and weapons of WWII. The faster you answer, the more points you earn.
WWII not your thing? Try one of the other history games by this developer.
Image: Maple Leaf Soft, Inc.
Learn presidential facts, quotes and historical events as ammo against an oncoming alien invasion. Unlocking more presidents also unlocks bonus games: Heads of State and Executive Order. We're still waiting for the Bill Pullman update, though.
Image: Dan Russell-Pinson
Using realistic physics principles, players design and build bridges and other structures as strongly and cheaply as possible. Test your designs by adding strain with your fingers, or tap the screen for an explosion to commit "ultimate annihilation."
Image: Jundroo, LLC
Expanding on DragonBox Algebra 5+, this game teaches students more advanced concepts in mathematics and algebra. Instant feedback makes for effective lessons as students explore and learn at their own pace.
Image: WeWantToKnow AS
This simple language app gamifies foreign language education by awarding points for every level you finish. It only gives you three wrong answers before you have to restart the level. You'll breeze through lessons without even realizing how much you're learning.
Image: Duolingo
Build and perfect your own organisms, unlocking and adding different traits to ensure their survival. Play in Evolution or Survival mode, explore your surroundings in the primordial ooze and avoid larger creatures to stay alive.
Image: Electronic Arts
There's a reason you learned more from Bill Nye than your actual science teacher. Mr. Nye made learning fun.
If your middle/high school student is struggling to grasp some concepts in school, there's an app for that. Bonus points: if it's part of our list, it's a fun one.
See also: 6 Apps That Make Mornings More Manageable
The App Store is filled with productivity and educational apps to help your student achieve straight As. But sometimes a good game can provide the extracurricular support a student needs to truly understand a difficult lesson. We've selected a game for eight school subjects to give your student's educational performance a boost.
Don't see your problem subject here? We certainly haven't exhausted the supply of educational games. Search the App Store for a game suited to your child's age level, subject matter or gaming style. And share your favorite educational game in the comments section below.
Image: Flickr, GoodnCrazy
Celeste SE combines 3D graphics of the heavenly bodies with fun facts about astronomy. Aim your device's camera at the sky and see exactly where each object is located, day or night.
Algebra Tutor is one of the highest-recommended math apps in the Market. It gives step-by-step instructions and shows where you've made mistakes. Even for older Android users, the app is good for brushing up on rusty skills.
Need to work on your language skills? Try CueBrain, which offers vocab training in a variety of languages.
For a modern fount of knowledge, we can't beat Wikipedia. Its Android app brings the website's bottomless depths of knowledge to your fingertips in a convenient interface. This is currently the highest-rated encyclopedia app in the Android Market.
For geography nuts, MapMaster is where it's at (rimshot!). This educational game tests your knowledge of famous places and capitals around the world. You can also compete against up to 10 friends on the same device.
Reading music is a dying art -- even many professional pop stars wouldn't know a middle C if it bit 'em. Stay ahead of the curve with this simple and enjoyable music reading app.
This one is great for students and for parents of younger children. Flash Card Maker Pro, as the name implies, lets you make your own study aids. It uses speech recognition for optimal memory building and fact retention.
Finally, we give you the Kindle app for Android, which you can use to download classics by authors from Leo Tolstoy to Jane Austen. Best of all, both the app and a huge library of literary classics are completely free.