Two websites offer free online reading games for children. One, pbskids.org, might require adult assistance when used by children under the age of 6. The parent/teacher section gives a site tour offering a description of each game along with game skills. Thirteen of the 36 games focus on reading skills. Memory, poetry, spelling, reading, story sequence, comprehension, predicting, facts and opinions and descriptive skills are incorporated into these games. A second site, kidsreads.com, presents word search and scrambles suitable for children under the age of 8.
The Learning Company (including Broderbund Software) has created the largest selection of computer software games that allow children to read along with Arthur. While doing this, they develop word recognition, build vocabulary and learn sentence structure. Children are also exposed to logic, deductive reasoning and listening comprehension. CD-ROM reading games available in both PC and MAC format are "Arthur's Tortoise and the Hare," "Arthur's Reading Race," "Arthur's Wilderness Rescue," "Arthur's Reading Game" and "Arthur's 1st Grade Learning System." "Arthur's Schoolhouse" is available in PC. All games give children hints when they become stuck on a task. As children master skills, the levels become more challenging.
LeapPad, a system also created by The Learning Company, uses a cartridge and book that is inserted into a small machine called a LeapPad or Quantum LeapPad. A stylus is attached, allowing children to hear a word as they point to it. This system, given TMA's Educational Toy of the Year award on February 17, 2009, is considered more a game than a book, because it allows children to learn new reading skills without work. Books are divided into levels that correlate to national academic standards. Leap 1 level is geared to ages 4 through 6 or grades preschool to grade one, while Leap 2 targets ages 6 through 8 and grades one through three. All provide audio instruction that advances through reading development stages--early, emergent, transitional, fluent and advanced. Games teaching reading skills are "Arthur and the Lost Diary," "Arthur Writes a Story," and "Arthur Makes the Team."
The first and only Arthur board game was released by FRED Distributing and Sophisticated Games during National Game Week, November 16, 2008. Although this game, "Arthur Saves the Planet: One Step at a Time," focuses primarily on environmental issues, reading is required to play the game. Two sets of instructions are provided to accommodate a larger audience. One set is appropriate for ages 4 and up, while the second set is for ages 6 and up. Two to five players are needed to play the game.