Game On, Brain On: Breaking Barriers to Fun in Education

Level #2: Fun vs. Learning — The Great Divide

Two different learning scenarios. Traditional vs. Game-based.

Ever notice how a toddler’s eyes light up when they figure out how to stack blocks without falling? Or how a kid will spend hours perfecting their Minecraft fortress? Somewhere along the way, we decided this wasn’t “real” learning, and suddenly, it lost its spark. How did we end up here? When did we lose our sense of wonder?

Welcome to the second episode of our “Game On, Brain On” series. Last time, we explored why your game collection might be your best learning tool. Now we’re diving deeper into something that’s been bugging us: this weird idea that learning and fun are somehow enemies. Let’s break down these barriers and power up our understanding of how learning really works.

Why Fun Matters for Learning?

Picture this: a classroom where students are slumped over desks, their eyelids drooping as they struggle to memorize the capital of every country ending in ‘stan.’ Now, flip the scene: these same students are huddled around a map of Risk, frantically trying to conquer Kamchatka before their friend’s armies overrun Asia. Same geography, wildly different energy.

Here’s the thing about traditional education: it’s gotten stuck in this weird idea that serious learning can’t be fun. As if making something engaging somehow makes it less valuable. This isn’t surprising when you realize our education system was built in an era that valued standardization over creativity. But what if this assumption is exactly what’s holding us back?

“Not Quite My Tempo” — Scene from the movie Whiplash

The real issue isn’t with the learners — it’s with a system that fails to replicate how learning happens organically in the wild, driven by curiosity and the thrill of figuring things out. But somehow, when learning enters the classroom, everything changes. That natural joy of discovery gets squashed under the weight of future goals that feel about as relevant as last year’s memes. Instead of following their curiosity, students become pawns in someone else’s game, chasing grades and test scores that often feel meaningless. No wonder the spark dies out.

The Science of Engagement: Your Brain on Fun

Before you throw this away as just another “make everything fun!” manifesto, let’s geek out for a minute about what actually happens in your brain when you’re enjoying learning. It is very interesting.

You know that feeling when you’re so absorbed in something that time just flies by? That’s your brain having a party. Scientists have found that our brains form stronger connections when we’re emotionally engaged in learning. It’s like the difference between trying to memorize a phone number versus remembering every detail of your favorite game’s lore. One sticks, one doesn’t.

The moment of a core memory creation from the Inside Out movie.

There’s this game designer, Raph Koster, who really nailed it in his book “A Theory of Fun for Game Design.” He suggests that the feeling of fun is actually your brain’s way of high-fiving itself for learning something new. Once you master one pattern, your brain gets excited about finding the next challenge. If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “Just one more turn” in a strategy game, you know exactly what I mean.

Now, when I talk about making learning fun, I’m not suggesting we turn calculus class into a comedy show. I’m talking about the kind of engagement that makes you forget to check your phone for hours because you’re too busy figuring things out.

Remember when you were completely absorbed in a game, plotting your next move in Catan or trying to beat that final boss in your current video game? It wasn’t always laugh-out-loud fun. Sometimes, it was challenging, even frustrating, but you kept at it because something about it grabbed you. That’s the kind of learning experience we’re after.

Zelda Breath of the Wild — Waterblight Ganon Boss

These are the moments when real learning happens — when you’re so caught up in the challenge that learning becomes a natural part of the process. Take it from someone who spent way too many hours trying to defeat Divine Beast Vah Ruta in Breath of the Wild. Was it always fun? No. But that moment when everything finally clicked? Pure magic.

The Power of Well-Designed Games

Well-designed games are already experts at this. They weave learning into engaging gameplay, using storytelling, competition, and a safe space to experiment and even fail. This combination creates ideal conditions for learning and skill development.

Part of the official trailer of the Portal 2 Video Game

Look at how games naturally teach complex skills. Take Pandemic: on the surface, you’re just pushing cubes around a board. But dig a little deeper, and you’re actually learning teamwork, resource management, and crisis handling without a single PowerPoint slide in sight.

The key here isn’t about disguising learning or sneaking vegetables into the gaming sauce. It’s about creating environments where learning happens naturally through play. The best educational games nail that sweet spot where entertainment and education become inseparable. They give you immediate feedback, gradually ramp up the challenge, and pull you in with compelling narratives. That’s when the magic happens. Learning feels less like a chore and more like an adventure.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Sure, this sounds great, but you can’t just toss Codenames into a classroom and call it education.” And you’re absolutely right. Like any good game, we need to acknowledge the challenges before overcoming them.

What about math? — School of Rock movie scene.

Let’s be real; transforming education isn’t as simple as pressing the start button. Parents and teachers rightfully ask, “But will they actually learn?” It’s a fair question. Instead of replacing traditional education, we’re leveling it up by adding new tools to the teaching toolkit.

The secret sauce? Intentional design. Just like you wouldn’t throw random ingredients into a pot and call it dinner, effective educational games need careful planning. They need clear learning objectives baked right into their core mechanics. Just as you’d design the perfect game level, you want it challenging enough to be interesting but not so hard that players rage quit.

And here’s something crucial: not everything needs to be (or should be) taught through games. Different players… er, students… learn differently. The goal isn’t to turn everything into a game; it’s about finding the right tool for the right job.

Level Complete: Success Stories

But enough theory. Let’s look at where this is already working. Some folks are absolutely crushing it, blending fun and learning:

1. Quest to Learn, a New York City school, has transformed its curriculum using game-based principles. The result? Students who are more engaged and better at problem-solving than their traditionally educated peers.
2. Or take Foldit — here’s a game where players solve protein-folding puzzles for fun. Sounds nerdy, right? Well, these players have cracked scientific problems that have stumped researchers for years. Talk about leveling up!
3. Then there’s Asmodee Research, showing us how games can do more than just entertain. Their Access+ line adapts classic games for players with cognitive impairments, proving that well-designed games can be both fun and therapeutic.

The [Not] Bored Approach

The initial setup of Frango Morango a [Not] Bored Game.

At [Not] Bored Games, this stuff isn’t just theory; it’s our playbook. Take Frango Morango, for instance. Is it only a game about trading wacky crops, or have we created an environment where practicing negotiation skills feels natural and engaging? Players develop real communication abilities through play, building confidence with each session.

Learning isn’t hidden; it’s an integral part of the fun. Just like a well-balanced recipe, every ingredient adds to the flavor. No need to hide the vegetables when they’re delicious on their own.

Choose Your Adventure

Character selection in the Super Smash Bros. Nintendo Game

So, what’s next? Well, that’s up to you. Just like choosing your player in a game, it’s time to pick your path and start your quest to bridge fun and learning. Here’s your quest log for bringing more joy into learning:

1. Try: Start small, but start now. Play a game of Frango Morango with us and see how game mechanics can transform negotiation skills into an engaging challenge. Or boot up your favorite game with fresh eyes — what are you really learning as you play?
2. Learn: Want to dive deeper? Follow our “Game On, Brain On” series, join our Discord community, or check out some of the amazing resources we’ve mentioned. There’s a whole world of game-based learning out there waiting to be explored.
3. Share: Spread the word that learning and fun aren’t enemies — they’re a power-up combo. Start a game night with purpose. Share this article with that parent or teacher who’s always looking for new ways to engage with their kids. Get the conversation going in your circle.

The future of education isn’t about choosing between serious learning and engagement. It’s about recognizing that they’re strongest when they team up. That satisfaction you feel when you finally beat a tough level or solve a tricky puzzle? That’s what learning should feel like.

A player selecting the Refuse Negotiation Card from his hand in a Frango Morango game.

So the next time someone tells you learning can’t be enjoyable, challenge them to a game. They might just remember the thrill of a challenge — the kind that makes learning feel like play again.

Stay tuned for more mind-bending revelations about the power of play in our “Games for Learning” series. Don’t forget to follow us to uncover all the wisdom that awaits and the surprises to come.