Critical Thinking Resources

Puzzle Books

This book series by Barry R. Clarke features a mix of logic puzzles, lateral thinking challenges, and mathematical brainteasers, often presented with a humorous or whimsical twist. These puzzles require critical thinking skills like breaking problems into smaller parts, questioning assumptions, and thinking creatively.

Kialo Edu

Kialo Edu is a free, online discussion platform for educators and students alike. Kialo Edu strives to teach critical thinking by fostering reasoned, inclusive discussions that students are genuinely interested in having, all while making teachers’ lives easier. Its ultimate goal is to make the world a more thoughtful place.

Raising Critical Thinkers

Author Julie Bogart has written two books about critical thinking and kids. The first, Raising Critical Thinkers, is "a guide for parents to help children of all ages process the onslaught of unfiltered information in the digital age." The second, Becoming a Critical Thinker, is an "accessible workbook...full of valuable insights, thought-provoking questions, and useful exercises to help teens and preteens expand their perspectives, skillfully navigate thorny issues, recognize bias, identify misinformation, and become more comfortable with dissent and differences of opinion".

Does Coffee Cause Cancer?

Part science book, part romantic comedy, this book by Dr. Chrisopher Labos teaches about key issues that make medical research so hard. A medical doctor and epidemiologist goes to a medical conference and bumps into a series of colourful characters, debunking a variety of food myths along the way. Learn about topics such as selection bias, p-hacking, confounding variables, and the basics of epidemiology through this unique blend of genres. Recommended for ages 16 and up.

Pixel's Books

Child psychologist Dr. Ronald Crouch and his eleven-year-old son, Denali, created the Pixel's Big Books series to help little kids deal with big feelings. The website has free videos for each section of the books!

Thinking is Power

Run by science educator Melanie Trecek-King, Thinking is Power is a website with videos and articles about critical thinking, information literacy, and science literacy. As it targets adults, it is the perfect complement to Critikid for parents who want to learn alongside their children.

Media Literacy

Cyber Sprinters

This fun and free game make by the National Cyber Security Office (UK) teaches 7-11-year olds how to make smart decisions about staying secure online. It can be played on phone, tablet or desktop.

Interland

In this action-packed game made by Be Internet Awesome, kids learn about online safety through four different games:

Kind Kingdom: Spread kindness and stop The Hater’s negativity from taking over
Mindful Mountain: Share with care and avoid the Imposters trying to steal your info
Reality River: Cast your line and protect the river from phish-y scams
Tower of Treasure: Defend the tower from hackers by using powerful security tools

Band Runner

This free game by CEOP Education teaches children ages 8-10 about safe online behavior. CEOP has also developed resources for kids ages 4-7 and 11-18.

Gali Fakta

Gali Fakta is a free, 5-minute media literacy game inspired by WhatsApp. It is designed for an Indonesian audience, but can be used by kids (and adults!) from around the world. A study of 1006 participants showed that people who played the game were significantly more inclined to perceive false headlines as less accurate and were less likely to share them.

Media Masters Rock

Media Masters Rock is a free online resource for kids (grades K-8th) to help them be better 21st century digital media citizens. Ed-videos, posters, study guides, lyric videos, and more are all FREE. Created by PBS TV Star - Steve Trash. He’s licensed all the materials through Creative Commons, so everything can be copied and shared.