From a very early age, people learn from games and play. Parents and preschool teachers use games to teach colors, numbers, names, and shapes; the process is drill and practice. Games engage everyone, capturing their attention. People willingly spend time on task. Although students in high school and college continue to play games, games rarely continue as part of the educational system past the early grades. On a soccer field, at a table with a deck of cards, in front of a computer screen--games catalyze learning. Most games were not designed to be educational, yet they are immersive, experiential learning environments. Ignoring the educational power of games dismisses a potentially valuable learning tool. Digital games, in particular, carry enormous potential to draw students into a topic and help them learn information, skills, attitudes, and ways of thinking. The time has come for games to be reintegrated with education, ending a longstanding rift between work and play. (Contains 10 endnotes.)