Computer games can provide instructional learning for children through a fun and educational environment. All of these games are CD based and install on your computer's hard drive. All work with Windows and require XP and later, 128 megabytes of random access memory (RAM), a Pentium 2 or later processor and 60 megabytes or more free hard drive space. Choose games based on your child's learning level. Pick from offerings such as Zoombinis Logical Journey, where children solve puzzles using basic logic skills; Reader Rabbit games, where children learn math, phonics, vocabulary and reading skills based on their age and learning level; and I Love Science, where children learn scientific concepts in a fun way by completing science-based games and activities. Each of these instructional games is for children aged 5 to 8 years.
Hands-on math games provide excellent instructional techniques and practices for 5 to 8 year olds. These games are appropriate at home and in the classroom. Choose a game based on the child's learning level. In "Math Strategy," 13 playing cards of varying values are placed face down on a table. Two children take turns picking up one or two cards, decide each turn how many cards they want, then add the cards together for points. The child who picks up the last card gets 50 extra points. The child with the highest total at the end of 10 rounds wins. This game requires strategy both with addition and how to pick up the cards so the first player doesn't always end up with the 50 extra points. In "Decision Maker," children add, subtract or multiply the face value of two cards, receiving one point for every correct answer. Whoever reaches 10 points first is the winner.
The Internet has a wealth of resources for instructional and educational games. There are many sites that offer hundreds of games for children to play and from which they can learn at the same time. ABC Ya has addition, counting, subtraction and puzzle games. Learning Games for Kids offers games for typing, math, science, vocabulary and geography. Play Kids Games allows children to play math, geography, science, alphabet and memory games. Choose games with your children's interests and skill level in mind.
Play hands-on games such as Story in a Jar to instruct children in vocabulary and reading. In this game, children place story phrases and words into a series of jars. In the first jar, place beginnings. In the second jar, place events and use a third jar for adjectives. Create a fourth jar for endings. The children should pull out a random slip of paper from each jar to create impromptu stories with hilarious results. There are no real objectives to this game, but you could award a prize for the best story. Play the Name Mix Up Game to build vocabulary and language skills. Write each child's full name on a piece of paper, then cut it up into individual letters. Have each child make as many words as possible from the letters in their name.