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Not many
children will want to hit the workbooks during summer
vacation. Happily, they can still learn as they play with "edutaining" software programs. We've selected some outstanding
programs that are especially appropriate for reviewing concepts
learned during the school year, and for getting a head start on
the school year to come!
Here they
are...our choices for the best summer "fun and learning"
software:
Sharpen
Kids Early Reading Skills
 This
software is ideal for children needing to brush up on
their phonics skills--particularly for kids just graduating from
first grade. Flash Action: Phonics Made Easy is filled with
exercises that are fun to complete, and excellent for reinforcing
early elementary phonics essentials.
 What does it do?
Essentially, the program offers electronic interactive flash
cards, as the name of the series suggests. Kids complete the
exercises and work toward opening up games. The exercises span
such things as consonant sounds, beginning and ending sounds,
blends and digraphs, short and long vowels, and word
families.
Why do we recommend this
title? It's such a fun program that kids actually enjoy
playing and don't easily stop. The graphics are bright and
everything is clear and straightforward. Animations are cheerful,
and the reward games actually have academic value. There's some
solid learning to be found in this little gem, and the price is
right, too.
Who is it for? Best for
children working at a late first-grade and early second-grade
level.
See our screenshot
gallery for pictures from, and notes about, the game here.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy:
Flash Action Phonics Made Easy
at Amazon.com]
Logical Thinking
 Chess
is certainly a brainy game, but it can also be great fun. If you
are interested in getting your kids interested in the game, Learn
to Play Chess with Fritz and Chesster will motivate children to
learn the rules of the game and offer them valuable interactive
lessons and tips at the same time.
 What does it do?
Children progress through a series of mini-games that help them
get acquainted with the basic rules of the game of chess. Later,
they "work out" at the gym...the Intelligym, where they
participate in interactive chess lessons. Eventually, they get to
play complete games. Children gradually build logical thinking
skills as they learn to strategize and plan ahead.
Why do we recommend this
title? This is a very unique program for a few reasons:
rather than enduring dry lessons about the game of chess, kids
take part in a charming animated adventure story (the goal is to
beat the dastardly King Black in a chess "duel"), the
games and mini-games are clever, and the game progresses in a
logical, organized fashion so that kids aren't expected to learn
too much at once.
Who is it for? Children ages
8-9 through 12. The game is, at times, slow-moving--some children
might become impatient with the pace, especially those who already
know the rules of the game.
See our review
of the game here.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: Learn to Play Chess with Fritz and Chesster
at Amazon.com]
The 3 R's
 A
nice software bundle of previously released titles is especially
appropriate for reviewing second grade skills in reading and math,
and offers a bit of history too. JumpStart 1st-3rd Grade
Learning Playground includes 3 titles that will have kids
learning as they play.
 What does it do?
The three titles included in the bundle are: JumpStart Reading
(originally for second grade), which is an excellent title for vocabulary, reading
comprehension, and spelling practice in an adventure-style
setting; JumpStart Math (originally
for second grade) which also features an adventure setting and a range of
skill-building activities; and JumpStart Explorers is a
fun game that has kids transported back in time to learn a bit of
history and interesting facts about world cultures.
Why do we recommend this
title? Kids work towards goals in adventure settings and they
drill basic skills as they play. Although the titles are older
ones, they have quite a bit of appeal.
Who is it for? Best for
children coming out of second grade, simply because it will help
reinforce and review concepts they likely encountered in the
school year.
See our review
of the game here.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: JumpStart 1st-3rd Grade Learning...
at Amazon.com]
Math, Science, and Logic
 Achieve! Math & Science
Grades 1-3 bundles a number of titles together to create one
very educational package for children on the younger end of the
suggested age group.
What does it do?
Two math titles, Mighty Math Carnival Countdown and Mighty Math
Zoo Zillions, offer a range of unique activities that exercise
children's early math skills. Children learn money math, 3D
geometry, addition, subtraction, place value, and more with these
titles. Sammy's Science House offers a nice exploration of early
science concepts like weather, animals, and seasons. The fourth
title, Thinkin' Things Fripple Town is a wonderful exercise in
both art and logic.
Why do we recommend this
title? Children explore math and science concepts in ways
that stretch their thinking and offer them a chance to truly
understand the concepts, rather than learning only by rote.
Who is it for? Best for
first and second graders who prefer open-ended games to fast-paced
arcade or adventure programs.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy:
Achieve! Math & Science Grades 1-3
at Amazon.com]
Math & Science
 Math & Science
Excelerator Grades 3-6 bundles 4 excellent software programs:
two Geosafari CD-ROMs for math, and two Mango Plumo titles for
science. Lots of skills practice and concepts to learn.
What does it do?
The two math titles are based on the Geosafari Knowledge Pad
electronic toy. These programs offer math quizzes that feature
bright graphics and a scoring format. Decimals, percentages,
number lines, fractions, multiplication, and division are the
games' focus. The Mango Plumo titles star a perky little bird and
feature adventure formats with creative and unique science lessons
about weather and space.
Why do we recommend this
title? Lots of learning and variety is packed into this
bundle. The science lessons are quite unique and offer useful
information. The math quizzes are actually quite fun to complete
and feature lots of variety.
Who is it for? Best for
children at a third to fifth grade level.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy:
Educator's Choice Math and Science...
at Amazon.com]
Logical Thinking
  The I Spy series of CD-ROMs
simply gets better and better. The latest release is
fantastic. The
trademark I Spy riddles and lush images come alive in I Spy
CD-ROMs, and I Spy Fantasy is
jam-packed with things to do and to see. Fortunately, the game is
as rich in educational value as it is rich with visual
stimuli.
Replay value is high because of the fact that there
are three levels to the game. Completing the game the first time
takes many hours for most kids. Most will find the game compelling
enough that it begs to be played on the second and third level.
Gorgeous screens, pleasingly stumping riddles, and rich replayable
content set I Spy Fantasy apart. Highly recommended!
Who is this
game for? The box reads ages 6-10. Many six year olds will find
the game a little too difficult to complete on their own. This
game is best for children ages 8-10, especially those who enjoy
solving riddles and problems.
Our Rating:
A+
See our full
review of the game here
and a screenshot gallery here.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy: I Spy Fantasy
at Amazon.com]
Math
  Math
Missions Grades 3-5: The Amazing Arcade Adventure is an excellent program for
a variety of math exercises within the context of an adventure.
What does it do?
Children attempt to rebuild a city by helping out store clerks who
are not very adept at math. Kids
earn money by playing a variety of activities found in the city.
Kids do real-world math problems in graphing, fractions, rounding
off, percentages, and more--and they work towards owning and
managing an arcade.
Why do we recommend this
title? This CD-ROM strikes an excellent balance between fun
and learning.
Who is it for? Three
difficulty levels are intended to cover third to fifth grade math. The
program is likely to be too challenging for children just entering
third grade, and is therefore best for children working at a
4th-5th grade level.
See our full
review of this excellent software here,
and our screenshot gallery of the
game here.
Our rating of
the game: A+
[For more information,
user reviews, or to buy: Math Mission 3-5 With Bonus Card Game (3rd - 5th Grade) (DVD Box)
at Amazon.com]
Problem Solving for Older Kids
  The
Incredible Machine Even More Contraptions
is a classic software game that is now offered in Hoyle Puzzle
Games 2003.
What does it do?
Incredible Machine Even
More Contraptions
features 250 new puzzles, taking the form of mind-bending
contraption challenges. It is an addictive game of trial-and-error
as players work through zany puzzles that become progressively
more involving as levels advance. This game is now available in
Hoyle Puzzle Games 2003, along with a wide assortment of fun
puzzles, such as word games, tiles, and arcade-style solitaire.
Why do we recommend this
title? With pleasing
graphics, and the option to play head-to-head, this title is a
must-buy for puzzle lovers ages 9 through adult. It
makes an extra special gift for all those kids (and adults) who
love to tinker.
Who is it for? Children
ages 9 through adult, especially those who like to work their
brains and solve visual problems.
See our full
review of this excellent software here,
and our screenshot gallery of the
game here.
Our rating of
the game: A
[For more information,
user reviews, or to buy: Hoyle Puzzle Games 2003
at Amazon.com]
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