Podcasts, games, & apps that help you learn while having fun

Discover the best podcasts, games, and apps for fun learning! Boost your knowledge effortlessly with these engaging and entertaining tools – a smarter way to enjoy education!

Many people today consider their downtime as a critical part of their wellness. In fact, the modern epoch of entertainment has started to prioritise this personal space. From film to music to gaming, there’s an added emphasis on wholesome content that helps people unwind.

While this may not ring true across the board, the concept of bridging entertainment with learning, relaxation, and even rejuvenation has proved popular. This is especially true in the era of ‘doom scrolling’: people want meaningful entertainment now more than ever before.

After all, it feels good to unwind after a long day – but it feels even better to take care of ourselves along the way. If you’re looking to marry fun with learning something new and keeping your mind engaged, then we’ve got the perfect list for you.

We’ve curated four of our favourite podcasts, games, and apps that will get your mind off the grind without going offline entirely.

Roulette (game) – get a grasp on mathematical probabilities

Let’s start this list with a surprising contender: the casino game of roulette. Most of you probably imagine a spinning wheel and a crowd of shouting players. In reality, most people play this game straight from a mobile device or laptop – no need to head to a physical casino.

You might also be surprised to learn that this game evolved out of a failed physics experiment from the 17^th century. French mathematician Blaise Pascal was attempting to create a perpetual motion machine. His failed experiment eventually became the roulette wheel.

Roulette players regularly juggle probabilities as they place their bets, using information based on the roulette board and previous lands to craft an approach at every turn. You’ll be surprised by the amount of mathematics involved.

This American Life (podcast) – learn some things you never knew you never knew

If you’re new to podcasting, you’ll be happy to learn that most shows are designed to both entertain and educate. That being said, how can you weed out the good from the great? Skip through the duds by starting with our recommendation: This American Life. 

The story focuses on a new theme each week, covering a massive range of interests, and hosts tons of different guest personalities, from celebs to ordinary people. If you don’t want to listen to what’s up next on the docket, you can delve into the podcast’s archives.

Around since 2007, it was one of the first podcasts to bridge entertainment and education – and it does it well.

Memrise (app) – entertaining language acquisition

Roulette helps players learn more about mathematical probabilities. But you might be hard-pressed to find an entertaining solution when it comes to language acquisition. That’s why we recommend Memrise.

This app is geared toward helping beginners learn the basics of a new language, just like hits such as Duolingo and Babbel. However, there’s one key difference: Memrise was developed with relaxation and entertainment in mind.

The app uses short videos to teach tone and pronunciation, which adds a realistic and immersive element that makes it stand out. The app also lets users skip over lessons they’ve already taken, which lets you move at your own pace.

Stardew Valley (game) – just let go

If you were shocked to see roulette recommended on this list, you may also be surprised that our next gaming suggestion is a farming simulator. Stardew Valley tasks players with growing from their own plot of land – with plenty of side quests peppered throughout. 

So, what makes Stardew Valley a great candidate for this list? Along with its inherent entertainment value, the game touches on a series of life lessons. In particular, the game helps players set a routine and make small accomplishments as they advance.

This has made it a top choice for gamers who want to relax with a sense of purpose that helps soothe their minds after a long day.