One thing I've noticed about online games is how long kids stick with their favorites. They will come into the library and play the same game every day after school for weeks and weeks. It's got a very interesting real-world social element, too, which is why we need more spaces in libraries for group gaming. My reviews of some gaming sites:
1. Fun Brain. This used to have fewer ads and had more educational content at one time. The math arcade style games are still fun, but beyond Mad Libs, there isn't much for reading comprehension games. The best part of Fun Brain now is that it has a direct link to one of my all-time favorites: Poptropica.com!
2. Poptropica. I love the diversity of the avatar characters, the fun quests, and the fact that it keeps growing with new islands. Like all of the role-playing games these days, however, it tends to be better if you subscribe and pay for the privilege, which is a shame. Still, the free parts are pretty good and I love the adventuresome atmosphere.
3. Nick Jr. Sweet games with favorite TV characters as the stars--preschool gold. I miss Nick Magazine.
4. PBS Kids or PBS Kids Go! Again, really nice stuff for preschoolers. We link directly to Sesame Street on our web site, and it's such a tried and true favorite. Nobody tops Sesame Street for PreK learning.
5. Whyville. For all those 8-12 year old tweens who are begging to get on facebook. This might hold their attention for a while at least until they are chomping at the bit to play in the big leagues. It's a good safe start.
6. Neopets. I like Webkinz better, personally, but for collectors and fans this is a cute site.
7. Club Penguin. I have a soft spot in my heart for Club Penguin. Like some of the other sites, subscription access is better, but this has a ton of stuff for free that the others don't offer. There is some merchandising, of course, but not as much as Neopets or WebKinz. I just think the penguins and their houses are adorable and I'd like to do a Club Penguin Party at the library sometime this winter.
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