The Oregon Trail is an educational simulation game teaching kids what it was like to be a pioneer traveling west in the 1800s. It is based on the classic PC simulation game The Oregon Trail, which was created in the 1970s.
In the game, kids join a historic wagon train traveling west ward from Missouri to Oregon. To start, kids can choose who they want to be, a farmer, a carpenter, or a banker. While making the choices, kids are presented the pro and con of each. Farmer is accustomed to eating less, so his food will decrease slowly. Carpenter is handy, so his wagon condition will decrease slowly. They also get to choose the type of wagons they want to use, based on the cost and the functions.
During the game, kids have to learn to make all the decisions during the trip, such as how fast they want to travel, when to rest, what route to take, and what supplies to buy. At almost all the key decision points, the app offers pro and con’s to help kids decide what is good for him/her. For example, on choosing traveling speed, the faster you go, the quicker the health condition declines.
While playing the game, kids will also run into difficult situations, such as losing all the food to robbery, being sick when no money left. To win the game, kids have to learn how to overcome these obstacles, and many times, this means trade-offs. 
As some fun activities, there are 8 mini-games, such as hunting, fishing. Once a while, a historic figure comes out to issue side quests …
What the kids learn:
Kids can learn about the history of the American westward expansion of the 1800s. In addition to interesting historical facts about life on the road, kids also learn how to make decisions in real life scenario, and how to deal with tough situations such as illness and hunger. They also learn setting realistic goals for themselves. I remember my son told me one day after playing Oregon Trail: “I’m ahead of schedule, and I did not lose any of my children”.
iGameMom Comments:
The Oregon Trail does a great job in bringing history alive. Kids learn historical facts, as well as being resilient and making decisions at difficult situations.
The Oregon Trail works on iPhone, iPod, and iPAD. The basic app is $0.99. From what I know, it used to be $4.99. If you ever want to get it, now is a good time. To win the game faster, you can buy the “game money” with “real money” via in-app purchase. However, for education purpose, the basic model is sufficient.
It is also available for Android. Some readers asked, so I am posting the app link at Amazon for Android as well. It is $4.99.
If you would like to check it out or purchase it, please use the App Store button provided below. The cost is the same to you, but iGameMom gets a small percentage. Thanks for your support! Note: The button works for all countries.
For iPhone, iPod, iPAD ($0.99) 
For Android device ($4.99)
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for reminding me about this game! Had it on our Apple IIe! I told my son about this and he’s excited to play.
Hope you both enjoyed the game!
I also remember playing this game on an Apple II back in grade school. Thanks, I’ll have to check it out.
enjoy the updated version. Do you see the difference between app and computer game?
I just bought it and yes it used to be more expensive so thanks for making me check it out again!
you are welcome! This is what I am here for. Enjoy the app.
Good morning,
This is an excellent game for parents and grandparents helping their kids or grandkids with Social Studies and I have recommended it to my Facebook family.
Thank you.
Ciao,
Patricia
Thank you Patricia. It is a good educational app!
love this game…and nice and newly updated version of the old classic. My 7 year old loves playing this n the ipad while on trips in the car. Nice and easy, but you still have to learn how to play and strategize at the same time!
I agree. It is easy to play, but there are a lot more to learn if you want to be good at it … and this is the good about this app. Everyone can play at his own level.
My wife and I used to own and run a small game and toy shop here in central Arizona. We sold board, card and dice games; nothing electronic. We used to have game nights at the store, too. Kids of all ages would show up and play. Person to person across a table is a great way to learn and socialize. Oh, and the name of our shop: I’m Game. Good to see someone promoting games for learning! And thanks for visiting my blog!
What a nice thing you did for the kids. Kids learn via play, and iPAD games should be part of their play. It should not be all, but should be part of it.
I remember when this game first came out. I think I was living in Indiana at the time and there were several monitors set up at the Children’s Museum. Not as easy as it looks as you have to account for many things to make your ‘expedition’ work. I agree it is a good learning tool if you have the time to ‘travel’ with it. I’m guessing improvements have been made. Because at the time the only thing it had going for it was text! Have fun playing.
Sound like the game has evolved overtime. It is been quite easy to play now. My son did not need any help, had all figured out on his own. It is all visual now.
When you get a second, can you stop by here please? Hope you can figure out why…it’s a bit of a mess. Just holler if you need help.
Rhonda
Thanks for the award. I am honored!
I played this game on a PET computer – boy do I feel old!
Play the app version, it will make you feel younger again.
whoa… i’d like to try this one. =)
Great!
My first video game! Brings back found memories of the Apple II in the school library.
My younger son loved this app. His class was studying the Oregon Trail and he couldn’t get enough. We were just talking about this yesterday- 3 years after he got it.
It is such a fun game, once you played the game, it is hard to forget.
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