Numbers and letters games teach pre-K children the alphabet and how to count. Several websites, such as PBS Kids, have games where kids can play along with characters from their favorite shows. Printable games can teach about numbers and letters, but some also teach about time and reading clocks. Printable word games are also available to pre-K kids to get a start on learning how to read.
Children love cute animals, and that love can become a game. Printable and online games require the player to recognize an animal by looks, what they eat, the sounds they make and where they live. These games help a child learn sounds, recognition of shapes and about the natural world. Online games, such as those at Sheppard's Software, name an animal or describe it, and the player must click on the correct picture of that animal.
Teaching a child colors can be as simple as pointing out objects around the room, but it is easier done with simple colors such as red, blue, green and others. There are online games that will say a color and ask the player to click on the object that is that color. Another way to teach children how to recognize colors and objects that are those colors is with coloring books. Many websites, such as Fisher Price, have free printable coloring pages. All you need are the crayons.
Everything in the world is a shape or made up of several shapes. Children learn the basics of shapes when they are very young. Many online games will ask the player to click on a specified shape. PBS Kids has a game with Curious George that requires the player to control the little monkey and collect certain shapes that move along a conveyor belt. Printable games, and some online games, will also teach pre-K kids about patterns.