Critical Thinking Resources For 8 to 12 yo
Critikid's Courses
Fallacy Detectors
Develop the skills to tackle logical fallacies through a series of 10 science-fiction videos with activities. Recommended for ages 8 and up.
Social Media Simulator
Teach your kids to spot misinformation and manipulation in a safe and controlled environment before they face the real thing. Recommended for ages 9 and up.
Worksheets and Lesson Plans
Logical Fallacies Worksheets and Lesson Plans
Teach your grades 3-7 students about ten common logical fallacies with these engaging and easy-to-use lesson plans and worksheets.
Elementary School Worksheets and Lesson Plans
These lesson plans and worksheets teach students in grades 2-5 about superstitions, different perspectives, facts and opinions, the false dilemma fallacy, and probability.
Middle School Worksheets and Lesson Plans
These lesson plans and worksheets teach students in grades 5-8 about false memories, confirmation bias, Occam’s razor, the strawman fallacy, and pareidolia.
Critical Thinking Bundles
Logical Fallacies Teachers' Bundle
Includes 2 items: Fallacy Detectors, Logical Fallacies Worksheets and Lesson Plans.
Kids Bundle
Includes 5 items: Fallacy Detectors, Social Media Simulator, Logical Fallacies Worksheets and Lesson Plans, Elementary School Worksheets and Lesson Plans, Middle School Worksheets and Lesson Plans.
Milo's Mind - The Book
Milo’s mind is full of BELIEFS—but not all of them are true. Luckily, he has a helpful guide: RATIONALITY, a detective who helps him ask questions and search for evidence.
In this picture book for kids ages 6-9, young readers will discover how critical thinking, curiosity, and the courage to rethink what you believe can turn you into a real-life superhero.
Critical Thinking Books
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.
Becoming a Critical Thinker
Julie Bogart's 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".
Milo's Mind
Milo's mind is full of beliefs—but not all of them are true. Luckily, he has a helpful guide: rationality, a detective who helps him ask questions and search for evidence. In this picture book by Stephanie Simoes, young readers will discover how critical thinking, curiosity, and the courage to rethink what you believe can turn you into a real-life superhero. For ages 6 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!
Critical Thinking Websites
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.
Media Literacy Sites
Cyber Sprinters
This fun and free game made 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.
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.