You probably remember the "stupid smelly bus" or the time Junie B. Jones wore a giant bunny suit to Lucille’s Easter party. If you grew up in the late 90s or early 2000s, Barbara Park’s rambunctious kindergartner—pardon me, first grader—was basically a cultural icon. But if you go looking for Junie B Jones games today, things get a little weird.
Actually, they get confusing.
If you search the App Store or Google Play, you’re mostly going to find "June’s Journey," which is a hidden object game for adults about a 1920s detective. That is definitely not our Junie B. There are no "official" high-budget console games where you play as Junie running through the halls of Room Nine. Honestly, it’s a missed opportunity. But just because there isn't a "Grand Theft Auto: Room Nine Edition" doesn't mean there aren't ways to play in her world.
The Mystery of the "Living Books" That Weren't
There is a weird corner of the internet, specifically on sites like the Angry Grandpa’s Media Library Wiki, that lists PC games from 1996 and 1997 like "Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus." They even claim these were made by Living Books, the legendary studio behind the Arthur and Dr. Seuss interactive CD-ROMs.
Don't be fooled. These are fake.
They are what the internet calls "fanon"—fan-created fiction that looks like a real product entry. There were never any official Living Books adaptations of Junie B. Jones. It’s a bummer, I know. Seeing Junie’s world in that classic 2D animated style would have been "wowie wow wow" levels of cool.
What You Can Actually Play Right Now
If you want real-deal Junie B Jones games, you have to head over to the Penguin Random House official site. They’ve kept a repository of activities that are basically "analog" games. We're talking about things that actually engage a kid's brain instead of just tapping a screen.
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The official "Junie B. Kids Club" has historically offered a mix of digital and printable experiences. You’ll find things like:
- Tic Tac Toad: A classic twist on Tic Tac Toe featuring Junie’s favorite (and sometimes feared) creatures.
- The Word Wizard: A vocabulary-building game that honestly feels like a puzzle Junie herself would struggle with—and then triumph over.
- Junie B. Quiz: For the superfans who remember exactly what the "B" stands for (it's Beatrice, but she doesn't like it).
These aren't "games" in the sense of Minecraft or Roblox. They are extensions of the books. They use the same Denise Brunkus illustrations that made the series so visually distinct.
Classroom Gamification: Baamboozle and Kahoot
Because the series is a staple in elementary classrooms, teachers have taken matters into their own hands. If you are looking for a competitive way to experience Junie B. Jones, the "gaming" has moved to platforms like Baamboozle.
There are community-created trivia games where you have to answer questions like, "Why is Junie holding up her foot to Mrs.?" (To show off her shiny shoes, obviously). Or, "What is the bus driver's name?" (Mr. Woo). These platforms have turned reading comprehension into a literal game show for seven-year-olds. It’s the most active "gaming" scene the franchise has ever had.
The "Junie B.'s These Puzzles Hurt My Brain!" Era
In 2011, a book was released that basically served as a handheld game console made of paper. Junie B.'s These Puzzles Hurt My Brain! Book is a collection of 50-plus activities.
It’s got:
- Mazes that involve navigating the cafeteria.
- Connect-the-dots that reveal her latest "disaster."
- Real-deal word searches.
It’s a different kind of gaming. It’s the kind that doesn't require a Wi-Fi connection or a charger. For parents trying to limit screen time while keeping the Junie B. spirit alive, this is the gold standard.
Why We Never Got a "Real" Video Game
It’s kind of a mystery why a franchise with over 60 million copies sold didn't get a Nintendo DS game back in the day. Fancy Nancy got one. Pinkalicious got one. Even The Berenstain Bears had a weirdly difficult Game Boy Color title.
The likely reason? Junie B. Jones is a character-driven series. The "action" happens in her head and through her unique use of the English language. It’s hard to translate "meanie Jim being a jerk" into a boss battle. The magic of the books is Junie’s voice—her "grammatical mistakes" and her very specific way of viewing the world. That’s hard to capture in a 2005-era handheld game without it feeling cheap.
Bringing the Games Home (Actionable Steps)
If you're looking to play with Junie B. today, don't waste time on the App Store. Here is exactly what you should do:
Visit the Official Activity Site: Go to the Penguin Random House kids' section and search for the Junie B. Jones printables. They have "Activity Packs" like the Toothless Wonder Fun Pack or the Stuck Inside? Fun Pack. These are free, high-quality, and official.
Check Out Yoto: If you want a "modern" tech experience, the Junie B. Jones collection on Yoto is fantastic. It’s not a game, but it’s an interactive audio experience where kids use physical cards to play the stories. It feels like "tech" without the blue light.
Classroom Trivia: If you’re a teacher or a bored parent, go to Baamboozle and search "Junie B. Jones." You'll find hundreds of ready-to-play trivia games that work perfectly on a tablet or smartboard.
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Make Your Own "Top-Secret Personal Beeswax": The best game is often the one you create. Get a composition notebook and follow the prompts from Top-Secret Personal Beeswax: A Journal by Junie B. (and me!). It’s the ultimate way to "play" Junie B. Jones by stepping into her shoes as a chronicler of daily "disasters."
The world of Junie B Jones games might not be filled with flashy graphics or 3D models, but it’s very much alive in print and through community-driven trivia. Stick to the official sources to avoid those weird "fake" PC game listings, and you'll have plenty of ways to keep Room Nine part of your daily routine.
To get started right now, you can download the official Junie B. Jones Activity Packs from the Penguin Random House website to get the latest printable mazes and "Tic Tac Toad" boards.