While it's true that parents should limit children's screen time, including time spent playing computer games, it never hurts for parents to know where and how to find free, fun and safe online games for kids, as long as parents monitor kids' screen time. The following are five websites providing free games in safe environments for children. Many of the games are also educational in nature and help children explore their creativity.
UpToTen
Set up in 1999, this award-winning children's site is a great place for kids aged zero to 10 to learn new skills while playing. Packed with more than 1000 kids' games, there is something for every child in this age range. Kids can do coloring activities online or print out pages to color; play musical games, puzzles, dress-up, cards, guessing games, hide and seek and cooking games; or engage in educational activities to improve motor skills and learn about shapes, sizes, numbers and alphabets.
Players can also join the site's most popular characters, Boowa and Kwala, on various adventures. New games are added regularly and there is button on the mainpage that leads visitors of UpToTen to check out the latest games on this secure and welcoming online play area.
Club Penguin
Children play games in Club Penguin in the form of colorful penguin avatars. Yes, they become penguins and join others to play a wide range of fun penguin-related activities and chat with fellow players. Kids can color fun pages, read comics, download wallpapers and ask Mum and Dad to buy real Club Penguin toys and gear.
A great thing about this site is that it is safe – it comes with the Ultimate Safe Chat features and has been accredited as meeting the BBB Kids' Privacy Seal of Approval. Also, there is no third party advertising and it's free.
However, children who become members will have access to more special features. They can build and decorate their own igloos and even "buy" a variety of furry pets called "puffles". Essentially, the kids in the guise of penguins play games to earn money so that they can buy things. This is a fun, useful and effective way of teaching children math and money management skills. This feature, however, is limited to paid members.
Cartoon Network
Another great place for free online games is the Cartoon Network website. As the name implies, it is filled with games related to characters and shows on the Cartoon Network channel. Fans of Ben10, The PowerPuff Girls, Chowder, Tom & Jerry, Camp Lazlo, Johnny Bravo, Codename: Kids Next Door, Scooby Doo and more will be able to keep themselves busy playing games featuring their favorite heroes. To play games, send messages or enter contests, kids need to register first. The good news is that registration is free. Kids can also create their very own cartoon show on the site. How cool is that?
Another fun kids' site offering free membership is Neopets. Members can create their own Neopets and the Neopets can engage in fun battles. Players can also play action, adventure, card & board, brain buster, puzzle and multi-player games. In addition, members can take their Neopets traveling around Neopia, which features fantastic virtual places such as Altador, Brightvale, Faerieland, Haunted Woods, Kiko Lake, Krawk Island, Maraqua, Roo Island and Tyrannia. There is also a news section to keep members updated of the latest events and games.
Kids who long to have their very own pet monsters should check out Moshi Monsters – a site where kids can choose a monster, adopt, name and color it. The more their owners play with them, the more lively the Moshi Monsters become. Adopting a Moshi Monster is free. Monster owners can also earn the in-game currency called Rox by solving all kinds of fun puzzles with their pet monsters. These puzzles are educational as they cover a wide range of activities related to numeracy, spacial awareness, geography and vocabulary.
To enjoy more exclusive games and activities, kids can sign up for exclusive paid membership. Paid members can get a Moshi Passport to visit The Underground Disco, The Port, Moshling Zoo, Colorama and Gift Island.
The Internet contains lots of free, fun and educational online games for kids of all ages. Parents can check out websites such as UpToTen, Club Penguin, Cartoon Network, Neopets and Moshi Monsters to see for themselves the various games and activities offered to kids in safe environments.
Find this article useful? Read also Free Creative Play for Children.
Wei Yin Wong - I started my working life as a reporter at an English daily called The Sun in Malaysia 16 years ago, writing health-related articles. ...
