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The Oregon Trail – Great History Simulation Game

Oregon Trail

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. It is a fun app that kids can play games and learn history at the same time.
The Oregon Trail is a great History Simulation game for kids that is available on iPhone, iPod, iPad and Android devices, as well as on computers. Kids role play games in historical setting, a hands on supplement to social studies. The students will love it.
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. It is also available for Android on Amazon App store and Google Play.

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.
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Looking for more history simulation game app for kids? Check out 4 History Simulation Apps for Kids. You may also like 10 History Apps for Kids
history simulation games for kids
apps for kids learn history


{ 38 comments… add one }
  • Jennifer

    The Oregon Trail game on Android is not the same game we played as kids…this is Oregon Settler, building a settlement/town. I was a little let down, so I uninstalled the game after a few days. I wish the original game was available for download.

  • Stephanie

    2/10/2017 I tried to download the app and it says it’s unavailable. : ( I was really looking forward to playing this with my kids, we’re studying westward expansion this year!

    • I just checked, it is there. I just clicked on our app store button at the end of the post, it leads to the app on app store.

  • Colby

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  • Alexandria

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  • Heather Goyette

    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.

  • Dave K. Smith

    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?

  • Celina

    I just bought it and yes it used to be more expensive so thanks for making me check it out again!

  • patgarcia

    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

  • Matt

    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.

  • Rob

    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.

  • JulesPaige

    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.

  • Rhonda

    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

  • mtywtk

    I played this game on a PET computer – boy do I feel old!

    • Play the app version, it will make you feel younger again. 🙂

  • Emily Rain

    whoa… i’d like to try this one. =)

  • Angela

    My first video game! Brings back found memories of the Apple II in the school library.

  • Connie

    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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