Free Downloadable Kids Games
From LoveToKnow Kids
Did you know that there is a multitude of free downloadable kids games just waiting for your kids to play? We’ve scouted out some of the best games for your kids to try. We’ve also got some great tips for choosing appropriate games and advice on some great Websites. Keep reading!
Safety First
Before you allow your kids access to the computer, it’s important that you understand the safety issues involved as well. While it’s great to be computer savvy, it’s just as important to be safety conscious. Although many free downloadable kids games don’t offer chat sites, others do. Do your kids understand the risks involved with using the Internet? If not, it’s time they did.
Online sexual predators are very adept at searching out sites that cater to kids, and these often include gaming sites. These predators often make contact with kids through chat rooms and/or e-mail and often under the pretense of being kids themselves.
- Be sure you know what sites your kids are using.
- Keep the computer in a common area of the house.
- Monitor your kids’ computer activity regularly.
- Caution your kids to never give out personal information about themselves, including their names, hometown, school, address, etc.
- Report any suspicious behavior to the Website moderator and to local authorities, and tell your kids to notify you if anyone tries to contact them over the Internet.
Shareware
Many downloadable games are actually considered Shareware. Shareware is basically try before you buy software, and the distribution of this software gives users a chance to try out the program before buying it. If you try a shareware program and continue using it, you are expected to register (purchase) the program. Registration can include anything from the simple right to continue using the software to an updated program with printed manuals. Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software, and the copyright holder retains all rights.
Freeware
Some downloadable games are actually Freeware. According to Webopedia, Freeware is copyrighted software given away for free by the author. Although it is available for free, the author retains the copyright, which means that you cannot do anything with it that is not expressly allowed by the author. Usually, the author allows people to use the software, but not sell it.
Recommended Free Downloadable Kids Games
Before you begin downloading any game, make sure your computer has enough space to handle the download. Larger files, including many games, can take longer to download than smaller, text-only files. Also, be sure and delete any games that your kids no longer use to free up space on your computer. When you download a game, a shortcut may be created on your desktop. Deleting that shortcut doesn’t mean you’ve necessarily deleted the game, however. You may need to access the control panel of your computer and delete the game by using the “add or remove programs” option. You should also pay attention to whether the download is PC or Mac compatible as well.
Big Fish Games
Big Fish Games offers a new free game download every day. For example, one of their featured games is “Travelogue 360 Rome” in which kids explore Rome and solve a mystery. This game is fun and educational! Free kids games include categories, such as action and adventure, mahjong, and puzzles. This site offers games for PC and MAC users alike. Users must sign-in before using the site.
Download Free Games
Download Free Games features over 303 quality game downloads and over 174 free Web games - selected for quality and maximum fun! All games are free to try (or completely free). Game categories include arcade, board, cards, chess, puzzles, racing, simulation, war & strategy, and word.
Pyramid Games
Pyramid Games features games like “Professor Fizzwizzle and the Molten Mystery”, a Shareware game, but you can own a registered version for a fee as well. Other popular games include “The Magician’s Handbook: Cursed Valley”, “Snowy Lunch Rush”, and “Burger Island”.
Kids Domain
Kids Domain offers great game downloads for kids as young as two and as old as 100! Many of these games focus on educating your kids, while at the same time providing lots of fun activities for all ages. There are even sections called “Keyboard Bangers” and “Cyberpets”.
Learn4Good
Learn4Good has free games and hours of fun for children, teens and big kids. This site has spent months creating this gaming area, and they believe they have put the best games into one place. Just click on a category, and play loads of free online games, downloadable, educational games and jigsaw puzzles. Categories include role playing, sports games, simulation games, and more.
Check out these sites and any others that you might find. Be sure you look at the site, reading all of the fine print, before you turn the computer over to your kids. Now, have fun!
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