Free Online Preschool Games

From LoveToKnow Kids

Free online preschool games are an excellent way to keep your child occupied on a rainy day. Often children will learn valuable skills that will prepare them for school as well as getting them familiar with the computer. As an added bonus, many games can be played independently, so once you set them up you can let your child play while you tend to other things and just check in periodically.

Family with laptop

Benefits of Online Games for Kids

Your children can learn many important skills through play. You see this from the time they are babies, learning about the world around them through games and interaction with things in their environment.

Computers have become an essential part of life in today's society, so it stands to reason that computer play will help your child transition into adulthood just as any other type of play. Some of the skills your child learns by playing on the computer include:

Math skills
Letter sounds
Keyboard skills
Using a mouse

Online games should not be a replacement for physical activity or other forms of play. Moderation is the key to success. By allowing your preschooler to play online games you offer options that will teach skills that will be needed in the future.

Finding Free Online Preschool Games

Walk into any discount or electronics store and you will find rows of preschool software titles. Some are wonderful; some leave a lot to be desired. While you can often find a title for around $10, many times they cost even more. This can be discouraging if you find that your child doesn't like the game or it isn't compatible with your computer. Since most retailers will not allow the return of opened software, this amounts to a huge waste of money.

The solution is to find free online preschool games that your child can try. If you or your child dislikes the game, there is no money lost. If it is a hit, you have hours of free entertainment. There are many options available that you and your preschooler will love. Check out some of these sites:

Fisher Price offers online games and activities for babies through preschool. Their wise recommendation is to play the games yourself so you can determine what games will fit with your child's level of development. Just don't forget to give your child a turn.

Mother Goose.com offers simple online games based on popular Mother Goose rhymes.

Learn4Good has a nice list of free games for all ages.

Lego.com has some fun online games designed for preschoolers. Puzzle and matching games stimulate your child's mind while she has fun.

PBS Kids has lots of games for preschoolers based on their favorite shows. Buster, Maya and Miguel, Arthur and the Berenstain Bears are just a few of characters who are waiting to play with your preschooler.

Treehouse TV offers all kinds of preschool activities. This site will keep your child busy for a long time!

This is a small list compared to the many sites you have available to you. Some sites will require special programs such as Shockwave or Flash Player, which many computers already have. If you don't have them, usually they can be downloaded free from the game site.

Open up a whole new world of learning for your child with free online preschool games. He can learn from today's technology without breaking the bank..

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