This database is based on a mixed-method study VHIL employed with parents of school-aged children during the 2020 pandemic. 311 households were asked what VR applications their children use, which yielded a final list of 169 VR applications deemed to have educational value. The applications were coded for the school subject they relate to.
The database is meant to support parents and educators who are looking for educational VR content for children. The VR apps are categorized by the school subject(s) they relate to.
You can browse and search the database on this webpage. We have also made a version available for download, which in addition to the short descriptions of each app and their categorization by school subject also includes the number of individual households that mentioned making use of each app (frequency column).
VR application | Description | Categories Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 1, 2, 3... Bruegel! | Step into Pieter Bruegel's painting and play hide and seek with 218 hidden children. | History, Visual & Performing Arts |
| 1943 Berlin Blitz | Ride with BBC reporter, Wynford Vaughan-Thomas, on an allied bombing raid over Berlin at the height of World War II. | History |
| 3D Organon VR Anatomy | Explore the human body by manipulating atomical structures and studying definitions. | Biology, Anatomy |
| A Journey into the Brain | Explore the structures and processes of the brain. | Biology, Anatomy |
| Access Mars | Explore a 3D replica of Mars' surface, recorded by NASA's Curiosity Rover. | Astronomy |
| Adam Savage's Tested VR | Step into the workspaces of famous makers and learn about their process of ideation and creation. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Adventure Climb | Rock climb through a canyon, enjoying views or racing to the top. | Phyiscal Education |
| Anatomy Explorer 2020 | Explore the human body by traveling through and manipulating atomical structures. | Biology, Anatomy |
| Anatomyou | Navigate anatomical structures and learn about bodily processes. | Biology, Anatomy |
| Angry Birds | Try to destroy various structures by slingshotting angry birds. | Physics |
| Anne Frank House VR | Walk through the "Secret Annex" where Anne Frank and other persecuted Jews hid from Nazis in WWII. | History, Civics |
| Apollo 11 VR | Take part in an immersive documentary about the Apollo 11 program, become an astronaut, and journey to the moon. | Astronomy |
| Art Plunge | Plunge into five famous paintings and explore the scenery. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Arte Trips | Discover the stories and intentions of European painters by jumping into their masterpieces. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Ascape | Travel around the world and learn about each destination. | Geology |
| Athenian Acropolis | Explore the landscape of ancient Athens and learn about its historical significance. | History |
| Audica | Shoot and smash targets to the beat of popular songs. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Audioshield | Block and punch incoming targets that are synched to the beat of songs from your own playlists. | Phyiscal Education, Visual & Performing Arts |
| BBC Earth: Life in VR | Discover the California coast by diving with sea life and listening to narration. | Biology, Environmental Science |
| Beat Saber | Slash the beats of popular songs in the correct direction as they come at you. | Phyiscal Education |
| Becoming Homeless | Step into the shoes of someone with diminishing resources who can no longer afford a home. | Civics |
| Biodive | Become a marine biologist and learn about the ecosystems in various dive locations. | Biology, Environmental Science |
| Blocks | Build 3D objects using six tools, bring your models to life, and share your creations. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Box VR | Punch incoming targets that are symched to the beat of songs and track your fitness progress. | Phyiscal Education |
| BrainVis | Interact with colorful neuroimaging data of the brain and visualize different MRI scans. | Biology, Visual & Performing Arts |
| Buzz Aldrin: Cycling Pathways to Mars | Meet Dr. Aldrin, the pilot on Apollo 11, and hear about his plan for inhabiting Mars. | Astronomy |
| CalcFlow | Experiment with vector calculus by manipulating vectors, creating parametrized functions, or solving sample problems. | Math |
| Capcom Go! | Control an interactive Apollo planetarium to explore the universe or tour the International Space Station. | Astronomy |
| Cirque du Soleil | Watch from up close as the famous acrobatic group performs their most iconic shows. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| ClassVR | Headset and educational content for many different school subjects. | Physics, Chemisty, Biology, Math, History, Geology, Civics, English Language, Phyiscal Education, Visual & Performing Arts, Educational Package |
| CNN VR | Watch or read CNN's latest 360º videos and breaking headlines. | Civics |
| Color Space | Step inside a 360º black and white scene and color each object to bring the visual and auditory environment to life. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Complete Anatomy | Explore an interactive 3D anatomy atlas and learning platform. | Biology, Anatomy |
| CoSpaces | Build, animate, and explore your own 3D creations. Collaborate with others or build on your own. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Creed: Rise to Glory | Fight as Adonis Creed against the world's top apponents to establish your boxing legacy. | Phyiscal Education |
| Dance Central | Dance solo to 32 choreographed routines or socialize and compete with your friends. | Phyiscal Education, Visual & Performing Arts |
| Deep Diving VR | Experience what it's like to dive in the ocean. Approach sea life, explore new areas, and use your tools. | Biology, Environmental Science |
| Digital Combat Simulator | Simulate becoming a pilot of military-grade vehicles. Fly through cities, run missions, and shoot down targets on the battlefield. | History |
| Discovery VR | Transport to new parts of the world and immerse yourself in a broad range of exciting stories. | Media Player |
| Dissection Simulator | Learn the fundamentals of animal anatomy through performing guided dissections of various animals. | Biology, Anatomy |
| Dreams | Play thousands of games created by players across the world. Or design and publish games for others to play. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Ecosphere | Venture to nature's most diverse ecosystems and meet the communities protecting our wildlife. | Biology, Environmental Science, Geology |
| Eleven Table Tennis | Practice table tennis with AI or in minigames, then play against opponents from around the world. | Phyiscal Education |
| Engage | Collaborate, create, share presentations, train, and learn with others around the world in a virtual work environment. | Physics, Chemisty, Biology, Astronomy, Environmental Science, Math, Anatomy, History, Geology, English Language, Foreign Language, Phyiscal Education, Visual & Performing Arts, Educational Package |
| Everest | Embark on an expedition to the summit of Mount Everest. Listen to audioguides about Everest as you traverse precarious paths. | Geology |
| Everybody's Golf | Play golf on three new courses and practice your putting at the driving range. | Phyiscal Education |
| Everyday Golf | Play golf solo or with friends on up to 63 different holes. Improve your skills by looking at your swing analysis. | Phyiscal Education |
| EXA: The Infinite Instrument | Compose, record, and perform music using instruments that you design yourself. Play with EXA's sound library or start from scratch. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Experience: Colorblind | Experince what it's like to be colorblind. Allow the narrator to guide you through various tasks and color tests. | Civics |
| Facebook 360 | Share or watch immersive stories, places, and experiences on Facebook. | Media Player |
| Fancy Skiing | Avoid obstacles as you ski down various slopes. | Phyiscal Education |
| Fantastic Contraption | Create life-sized contraptions and use your creativity to solve various puzzles. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Foton | Learn about science through playing a collection of game-based learning experiences. | Physics, Chemisty, Biology, Astronomy, Environmental Science, Anatomy, Educational Package |
| Gadgeteer | Build gadgets and chain-reaction machines to solve fun, physics-based puzzles. | Physics |
| Go Guess | Test your knowledge of the world. Get teleported to a random location, then guess where you are. | Geology |
| Google Arts & Culture | Step inside a virtual gallery and learn about art curated by museums around the world. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Google Cardboard | Launch your favorite VR experiences from your mobile device. | Media Player |
| Google Earth | Explore the world's cities, landmarks, and natural wonders from a ground view or aerial view. | Geology |
| Google Expeditions | Explore the world with over 1000 VR tours. | Physics, Chemisty, Biology, Astronomy, Environmental Science, Math, History, Geology, Civics, Visual & Performing Arts |
| Google Sites | Go on a virtual tour to a variety of landmarks around the world in cities or in nature. | Geology, Visual & Performing Arts |
| Google Tilt Brush | Paint in a three dimensional space with dynamic brushes and audio-reactive features. Upload your creations to the web. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Google Tour Creator | Create a virual tour by highlighting 'points of interest' in a 360º photo and adding details explaining its significance. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Gravity Sketch | Express your ideas through sketching, building models, creating scenes. Export and share your work. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Hand Physics Lab | Experiment with finger and hand dexterity in VR by working on activities with various objects and tools. | Physics |
| Headmaster | Graduate from soccer school by heading soccer balls into targets, hoops and cups. | Phyiscal Education |
| Hockey Player VR | Hone your puck skills and play hockey against AI or others online. | Phyiscal Education |
| HoloLab Champions | Take part in a chemistry game show. Complete lab experiment challenges to become a champion. | Chemisty |
| Homestar | In this planetarium experience, relax under the stars, find constellations, and recreate the sky from a date of your choice. | Astronomy |
| Hoover Dam: Industrial VR | Fly overhead the Hoover Dam and pick any spot to land, explore and understand the machinery. | Physics, Geology |
| Horizons | Control music which controls the colorful visuals and sounds of the fantasy world around you. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| House of Languages | Learn languages through seeing objects and their corresponding names, then repeating the words. | English Language, Foreign Language |
| Hulu VR | Experience you favorite TV shows and movies in a variety of virtual environments. | Media Player |
| Human Anatomy | Interact with, manipulate, and learn about various anatomical systems and structures in the human body. | Biology, Anatomy |
| InCell VR | Race through a recreated human cell to the nucleus in the correct pathway in order to cure the human. | Biology |
| InMind VR | Journey through a patient's brain in search of neurons causing mental disorder. | Biology |
| InMind VR2 | Navigate through a teenager's brain and control hormonal reactions to key moments that impact his future. | Biology |
| International Space Station Tour | Step aboard and learn what it was like to live onboard the longest inhabited space station to orbit Earth. | Astronomy |
| Jaunt VR | Experience an array of premium cinematic VR experiences. | Media Player |
| Jurassic World | Experience what it's like to be in the presence of living dinosaurs. | Biology |
| King Tut VR | Explore the Ancient Egyptian ruins that King Tut was buried in. | History |
| Kingspray Graffiti VR | Create street art in realistic environments with lifelike spray paint colors and drying effects. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Knockout League | Box against different characters. | Phyiscal Education |
| Kolb Antartica Experience | Enter the Antartic world to learn about the geography and conduct research about the environment. | Biology, Environmental Science |
| Labster | Receive a fully-online biology degree through performing various biology, ecology, and animal physiology experiment simulations. | Physics, Chemisty, Biology, Environmental Science, Anatomy, Educational Package |
| Let's Create! Pottery VR | Experience all the stages of creating ceramics. Pick your clay, work the potters wheel, and design with glazes. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Let's Dance VR | Follow the dance moves of the avatar to pass levels and learn to dance Hip Hop. | Phyiscal Education, Visual & Performing Arts |
| Life VR | Immerse yourself in many experiences from the Meredith brands. | Media Player |
| Lifeliqe | Explore interactive 3D models and experiences to learn about 10 different scientific topics. | Physics, Chemisty, Biology, Astronomy, Math, Anatomy, History, Civics, Educational Package |
| LittlStar | An immersive VR platform and community for mobile content and 360º videos. | Media Player |
| Lyra VR | Compose and perform music in a 3D space. Record, manipulate, and loop sounds. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Marimba VR | Pratice marimba in a virtual world. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| MasterWorks | Travel to various famous destinations within three different continents in a time period of your choice. | Environmental Science, History, Geology |
| Medium VR | Sculpt, model, and paint in a 3D immersive environment with a variety of tools and features. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| MEL Chemistry VR | Take courses that fit the school chemistry curriculum. Understand rather than memorize complex concepts. | Chemisty |
| Mindshow | Create 3D animations. Use already-existing characters or import your own, then act out and record motions in real time. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Minecraft | Build structures, explore, and battle monstrous mobs. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Mission ISS | Become an astronaut and take a trip into orbit to experience life on board the International Space Station. | Astronomy |
| Mona Lisa: Beyond the Glass | Step into the Mona Lisa painting, meet the live Mona Lisa, and learn about Da Vinci's story and techniques. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Mondly: Learn Languages in VR | Practice and learn language in a fun way. | English Language, Foreign Language |
| Multiverse | Enter the multiverse. Step into the planetarium and learn about astronomy solo or with friends. | Astronomy |
| Museum of Other Realities | In this multiplayer art showcase, connect, share and experience a growing collection of interactive art with others. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Nanome | Learn chemistry through collaborating with others and manipulating chemicals and proteins. | Chemisty |
| National Geographic Explore VR | Take part in a variety of nature experiences. Travel around the world to learn about culture, animals, or science. | Biology, Environmental Science, Geology |
| Nature Treks | Venture on treks through various natural environments, control the climate, encounter animals and enjoy relaxing scenery. | Biology, Environmental Science |
| Nefertari: Journey to Eternity | Step into the fabeled tomb of Queen Nefertari and immerse yourself in its art, history, construction, and mythology. | History, Visual & Performing Arts |
| Netflix VR | Enjoy TV shows and movies in a cozy virtual living room. | Media Player |
| Notes on Blindness | Venture into the thoughts and experiences of a person documenting what it is like to slowly become blind. | Civics |
| Number Hunt | Test and improve your speed and knowledege of math by achieving target numbers before other players. | Math |
| Ocean Descent | Dive into an ocean adventure, witness the incredible marine life and face danger. | Biology, Environmental Science |
| Ocean Rift | Explore up to 12 habitats and swim with and learn about the creatures you come across. | Biology, Environmental Science |
| Oh Shape | Dodge obstacles, punch walls, and make fun poses to clear each map in this workout rhythm game. | Phyiscal Education |
| Orders of Magnitude | Ride through the universe at large and microscopic scales. Learn while enjoying relaxing visuals. | Biology, Astronomy |
| Our Solar System | Learn about the solar system and each of its planets in five lessons. | Astronomy |
| Paint VR | Use an assortment of brushes and other tools to paint in a virtual space. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Piñata Party | Eat virtual candy while burning real calories. Smash a piñata with friends and race to collect the most candy. | Phyiscal Education |
| Poly | Browse others' art, share your own art, and remix 3D assets. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Prime Video VR | Watch amazon prime movies, TV shows, purchased subscription channels, and other VR content. | Media Player |
| Quill Theater | Paint, illustrate, and animate on an infinitely scalable canvas. Use watercolor, pencil, oil paint, and other intuitive tools. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Quill | Paint and animate in virtual reality on an infinitely scalable canvas | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Racket Fury | Customize your environment and play a game of ping pong against AI or other players. | Phyiscal Education |
| Racket NX | Try to hit targets with a ball by swinging your racket. Play by yourself or with friends in a large dome playing field. | Phyiscal Education |
| Roblox | Play multiplayer games within environments created by a global community and become anything you can imagine. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Rome Reborn: The Roman Forum | Take an interactive, self-guided tour of the Roman Forum in 320 AD. | History |
| Rumpus | Work on a live-coding playground for the room you are in, while you are in the room. | Engineering |
| ScienceVR | Immerse yourself in a range of interactive scientific experiences. | Physics, Biology, Math, History |
| SculptrVR | Sculpt anything in your imagination using various tools. Join a multiplayer mode to create with up to 4 friends. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Sharecare VR | Navigate a real-time simulation of the human body. Learn about its functions and even customize physiology to simulate diseases. | Biology, Anatomy |
| Shark Week | Explore underwater ecosystems and search for sharks. Assist on scientific expeditions and collect data on missions. | Biology, Environmental Science |
| Sketchfab | Publish your own work and explore others work on this platform of user generated VR content. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Sketchbox | Prototype ideas in VR and AR. Import assets, group objects, and export to share. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Sky VR: Hold the World | Transport to London's Natural History Museum where publically inaccessable, world-famous collections come to life. | Biology |
| Space Engine | View a to scale model of the universe, visit any part of the galaxy and watch orbital motions at any speed. | Biology |
| Space Time | Travel to some of the strangest places in the universe and learn about astrophysics and the nature of reality. | Physics, Astronomy |
| Sprint Vector | Compete with others in various multiplayer parkour racetracks. Run, jump, climb, and fly to beat others. | Phyiscal Education |
| Stanford Ocean Acidification Experience | Visualize the impact that ocean acidification has on the marine environments and ecosystems such as coral reefs. | Chemisty, Biology, Environmental Science |
| Star Chart | Explore the solar system through viewing constellations, meteor showers, and other cosmic events. | Astronomy |
| Supernatural | Exercise in the various locations on earth. Get guidance and motivation from coaches. Track your progress. | Phyiscal Education |
| Synth Riders | Freestyle dance to music, ride a unique rail system, meet friends, and track your fitness progress. | Phyiscal Education, Visual & Performing Arts |
| TheBlu | Observe underwater species up close and return to meditative versions of each location. | Biology |
| The Body | Travel through the human body and discover how blood cells spread oxygen and how organelles fight viruses. | Biology |
| The Key | Take part in an immersive narrative about refugees through dreams, challenges and dangers faced, and experiences of loss. | Civics |
| The Line | Immerse yourself in a 15-20 minute interactive story about two miniature dolls, love, and fear of change. | History, Visual & Performing Arts |
| The People's House | Go on a historic visit to the White House duing the Obama administration. | History, Civics |
| Thrill of the Fight | Box with a series of challengers. Evade swings, land jabs, and block punches to win the match. | Phyiscal Education |
| Through the Ages: President Obama | Visit Yosemite National Park with Obama. Enjoy the view while hearing him remark about conservation, preservation, and climate change. | Environmental Science, Geology, Civics |
| Titanic | Witness the sinking of RMS Titanic, explore the shipwreck, and complete recovery missions. | History |
| Titans of Space PLUS | Tour through a holographic miniature solar system, venture beyond to visit stars and planets, and walk in zero-gravity mode. | Astronomy |
| Travel VR | Pick a destination and travel around the world. | Geology |
| Traveling While Black | Learn about the challenges Black American travelers face today through understanding the US history of space and race relations. | History, Civics |
| TribeXR | Take weekly lessons and become a DJ and mix your tracks. Perform on a replica of professional equipment. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Universe Sandbox | Create, destroy, and interact with this physics-based space simulator. | Physics |
| VaR's Video Player | Watch VR and 3D videos and configure the parameters of the player. | Media Player |
| Veative | Learn from a library of modules for science and language learning. | Media Player |
| Versailles VR | Visit the Palace of Versailles and explore each room and many details. | History, Visual & Performing Arts |
| VictoryXR | Immerse yourself in a variety of learning experiences in engineering, biology, and earth sciences. | Physics, Chemisty, Biology, Astronomy, Environmental Science, Anatomy, Engineering, Educational Package |
| VirZoom | Pedal and lean through race tracks, battlegrounds, and soaring skies. Race against others. | Phyiscal Education |
| Viveport Video | Watch videos and explore a vast collection of new 360º material. | Media Player |
| Voixtek VR | Receive lessons and learn how to sing like the top artists with Anderson's voice training technique. Track your growth. | Visual & Performing Arts |
| Voxel Works Quest | A Minecraft-adjacent sandbox game in which the player mines and builds with their own hands. | Phyiscal Education |
| VR Theater for Cardboard | Watch 2D, 3D, and 360º videos from the web, other applications, or mp4 files. | Media Player |
| Vrideo | Stream 3D and 360º videos. | Media Player |
| vrkshop | Build woodworking projects with hand tools. Take on challenges or build whatever you want in free play mode. | Engineering |
| VRLab Academy: Anatomy VR | Explore eight realistic human anatomical systems in an interactive lab. | Biology, Anatomy |
| Wander | Teleport anywhere in the world and choose from a variety of time periods. Walk around and hear about various landmarks. | History, Geology |
| We Wait | Experience an animated story about a refugee crisis. | Civics, Media Player |
| Within | Experience cinematic VR. Watch high resolution immersive stories. | Media Player |
| Wonders of the World | Travel to the Colossus of Rhodes, Taj Mahal, and Machu Picchu. Explore and learn about their histories. | History |
| Wrench | Prepare and maintain race cars in this mechanic simulator. | Engineering |
| YouTube | Experience YouTube channels, 360º videos and creators. | Media Player |