Looking for fun and educational computer games.........

[Chloe]

to put in my dc Easter baskets. I know it's a little early, but we have a lot of travel plans in March, so I need to get this together soon. My dc are 10, 8 and 5. I'm particularly interested in something for the 5 yo. I'll probably get my 8yo Restaurant Empire, as he loves to cook and "play restaurant". My 10 yo wants Mall Tycoon, but I'm not so sure about that. I may get her the Zoo Tycoon Expansion Pack since we have the regular one, which she loves. Are these any good? I'm just stuck on what to get the 5 yo. He uses and likes Jumpstart Spanish, JS Preschool, Blues Clues and a FisherPrice farm one.

Thanks!

[Chloe]

Anyone?

[MNClaire]

My son, when he was five, like the Reader Rabbit pc games. They were much more of a challenge to him than something along the lines of Freddie Fish. Also, the Jump Start pc games are nice, too.

[Adrianne]

Mighty Math Zoo Zillions - this will grow with them until about 2nd grade.
Thinkin' Things Toony The Loon's Lagoon
Thinkin' Science

These are all educational games by Edmark. both of my boys ds9 and now ds5 enjoy them at around K-2 grade.

Adrianne

[Unicorn]

How about Jumpstart Kindergarten. My dc loved Clifford the Big Red Dog Reading (dd nine is playing it now-even if she is too old for it). Jumpstart Explorers was fun- and for the older, how about Carmen Sandiego. My dc also like Roller Coaster Tycoon. Oh, and we have one called, Let's Ride-Silver Buckle stables. They love that one! My dc are 9,9, and 11 btw.

[Jennifer in NH]

Zoombinis Mountain Adventure and Zoombinis Logical Journey. great math games for kids from as little as 3 years old to at least 12. Heck, I find myself playing it sometimes! My 5 year old DS and my 7 year old DD just LOVE them!
The 7 year old also still uses Clifford's Reading too, and Reader Rabbit. Reader rabbit has some for younger kids too.
jenny

[Cindyg]

Timez Attacks for the oldest.

For the little ones, we loved Mickey's Disney Kitchen. I don't know if it's still available; maybe you could find it on e-bay. But this was a great free-play game. It isn't like typical games where you are limited to choices on a menu. You could wander around Mickey Mouse's kitchen trying different things. It was really cool for a preschooler.

I bet you don't have a Wii, but Endless Ocean seems truly educational.

We've had many computer games over the years, but I can't think of anything else that stands out as being educational.

[Chloe]

Now that's more like it! Thanks, Ladies!

Cindy, we do have a Wii. I'll have to check out Endless Ocean. Dh says he's heard of it, but doesn't know anything about it.

[Cindyg]

I just thought of another one. Brain Age. Great for logic and thinking skills.

And in the Endless Ocean brochure, there was an ad for a vision training game. I don't remember the name of it, but it will be by the same people who sell Endless Ocean.

And that reminds me of Lexia. Lexia is a high dollar option, but it's not your average computer gameware. It is truly educational and could count as curriculum. They have a phonics component, a vision training component, and a logic component. These are around $100 each. We have their vision software, and my son used it daily for about a year. He has just now asked for the logic program. I told him I was willing to buy it for our logic curriculum for next year. (We have to finish what we've already purchased.) But the point is -- these programs are good enough that kids ASK for them!

And one more: Flashmaster. Flashmaster is not really a computer game either. It's an electronic device that just does one thing: math flash cards. But it's a super tool, and because it's small and electronic, it really appeals to some kids. My son LOVED it for a few days. Now I have to schedule it. (He doesn't love it enough to do it on his own.) But he still thinks it's neat.