When we launched the Community Games Contest this April, we invited educators to design a Breakout EDU digital game that their students would love and share it with teachers everywhere. The response blew us away. From beach-themed phonics adventures to courtroom hijinks and pirate-talk grammar lessons, the submissions showcased incredible creativity, thoughtful learning design, and engaging gameplay.
A huge thank you to everyone who submitted a game. After reviewing every entry, we’re thrilled to announce the contest winners and honorable mentions.
And the winners are…
🏆 Category Winners
Elementary Winner: Beachy Blends by Cynthia S.
Pack your beach blanket and sunscreen, because it’s time for a sunny phonics adventure! Cynthia’s winning game invites early readers to practice consonant blends through beach-themed puzzles filled with swimming, kite-flying, and sandcastle fun. Aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.1.2.b, Beachy Blends provides students an opportunity to practice foundational phonics skills, showing just how powerful creative themes can be in making learning feel like play.
Cynthia shared that creating the game was inspired by her students’ interest in designing their own Breakout EDU experiences. After exploring the creative process herself, she guided her fourth- and fifth-graders in developing their own games, culminating in a STEAM Night showcase where students proudly shared their creations with families.
Middle School Winner: Disorder in the Court by Christopher K.
Court is about to begin… if Larry Litigator can remember the law in time! In this clever civics-themed game, students race to unlock an ultra-secure briefcase after a forgetful lawyer loses his legal knowledge on the way to his first major trial. Along the way, players review constitutional amendments, landmark Supreme Court cases, court jurisdictions, and the steps of a trial through engaging, puzzle-based challenges.
Christopher shared that the game was inspired directly by his students, who wanted a fun way to review the court system before their end-of-year test. Disorder in the Court turns civics review into a high-stakes courtroom adventure packed with critical thinking and collaboration.
⭐ Honorable Mentions
Elementary Honorable Mention: Coral Reef Crossing by Andrea G.
In this ocean-themed adventure, students explore the Great Barrier Reef and learn about coral reefs and marine life. Coral Reef Crossing combines exploration and puzzle-solving to create an engaging social studies experience.
Middle School Honorable Mention: Find Yer Own Words Scallywags by Jennifer M.
This pirate-themed game gives students a fun way to practice paraphrasing and avoiding plagiarism. With creative puzzles and a strong theme throughout, Find Yer Own Words Scallywags makes ELA review more engaging.
Try the Winning Games
All four of these games are live in the Community Games section right now, alongside lots more incredible games shared by our educator community. Explore the winning entries, assign them to your students, and discover new ideas to bring into your classroom.
Explore the Community Games Library →
Inspired to Create Your Own?
Winner Christopher K. says it best: “The more games you play, the easier I find it to create your own. Also, don't be shy about sharing your games. If your students enjoy them, others will as well.”
Use the Game Design Studio to build your own game and publish it to the Community Games library. Every shared game helps other educators unlock engaging, student-centered learning experiences.
A huge congratulations to Cynthia, Christopher, Andrea, and Jennifer — and thank you again to every educator who submitted a game this year. We can’t wait to see what this community creates next.