Using games to familiarize students with the Chromebook keyboard is a fun way to build confidence and proficiency. Here are 4 student-friendly Google Games that teachers can use to teach the space bar and arrow keys.

Google Garden Gnomes

Use Google Garden Gnomes to teach the space bar. In this game, students launch garden gnomes across a garden planting flowers and bouncing off of mushrooms, logs, and purple rocks by only pressing the space bar. Students get lots of space bar practice figuring out the different trajectories of the various gnomes as they try to travel the furthest distance.

Chrome Dinosaur Game

Another option is the Chrome Dinosaur Game by typing chrome://dino/ into the Chrome browser. This launches a runner version of the game without flying pterodactyls. Students use the space bar to jump over the cactus as the dinosaur runs across the screen.

Snake Game

In the Snake Game, students must move the snake on a checkerboard using only the arrow keys while eating fruit and avoiding any obstacles. For an extra challenge, student can play the Snake Game on Google Maps and navigate cities such as London, San Franciso or Tokyo.

Google Pac-Man

Google Pac-Man is my favorite to use with students as it was a classic from my childhood. This game is played just like the original but on a Google doodle background.

Just for Fun

If students are already familiar and proficient with the arrow keys and space bar, these games are just fun to play and can provide a welcome break during the day.