The games have can be adapted to your child’s skill level, then grow more challenging as your child learns, a personalized chart shows your child their learning progress with the games.

The PBS Kids Play Software includes:

• Three months of the online service
• 25 printable “Do Together” projects
• Healthy Computing Guide for Kids
• Personal progress chart with 90+ PBS KIDS character stickers
• PBS Parents Guide shows how and what children are learning
• Bonus DVD featuring SteveSongs, Super WHY!, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and more!

You can find PBS Kids Play at the PBS Kids website.

Image: PBS Kids

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My son enjoys science and space, so getting him to do activities like the ones listed below is easy, and it’s a bonus that he’s learning something at the same time.

• Learn more about the moon with a skywatchers guide to the moon.
• A printable maze to help the astronaut get to the moon.
• Sun, moon and stars fun recipes and activities.
• Planets coloring pages
• Kids can play space games, blast off to Mars, or play space trivia, at the official NASA website.
• Make a flying saucer out of paper plates.

What space and moon activities have you come up with to entertain your children, and teach them a little at the same time? If it’s something fun, please share it here.

Image via sxc.hu

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We got lucky and got a Wii Fit shortly before Christmas when a friend found one in stock at a local store and gave me a call. Santa gave it to the family for Christmas. We played Wii Fit on New Years Eve until right before the ball dropped.

It’s more than just a game, it can help children and adults map their progress toward fitness. It encourages you to get moving. Granted getting outside, and walking, playing, or exercising is your best bet, but the Wii Fit can make exercise fun.

So far I look forward to doing a couple of the aerobics, yoga poses, and balance exercises each day. My son watches me do it, then he wants to have his turn, to see if he can beat my records. So far he’s stomping me in the ski jump, and the hula hoop. My husband’s ahead in the slalom ski, and I’m beating them all in the yoga poses, and running. We all have our favorites.

What do you think of the Wii Fit? Have you had a chance to test one out yet?

Wii Screen Shot Photo by me

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Guitar Praise from Digital Praise is a way to allow even younger children to rock out without the fear they will be listening to inappropriate lyrics.

The Guitar Praise song list includes names you’ll recognize if you follow the Christian Rock scene, with names like Skillet, StellarKart, Newsboys, todyMac, Petra, Casting Crowns, 12 Stones, and Red on the list.

Their guitar is supposed to be similar to the Guitar Hero(tm), or Rock Band(tm) guitars. The game is played on your PC or Mac, instead of on a gaming system.

I’ve never had the opportunity to play Guitar Praise, so I’d love to hear from you if you have it. How does it compare to the other rock type games?

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I’d love to let my 4-year old triplets get their hands on it and give it a good test run!  Would it stand up to the challenge?  We’ll never know unless Little Tikes sends me a free sample (hint, hint Little Tikes).

The Young Explorer computer system comes preloaded with a bunch of educational software including Millie’s Math House, Sammy’s Science House, Bailey’s Book House, Trudy’s Time and Place and Thinkin’ Things.  The Young Explorer PC Pal is a $2,299.99 variation that comes with no software preloaded, but still, that’s a steep price tag!

The Young Explorer is intended for children ages 3-7.  The cabinet doors lock, the bench opens for storage, and wiring stores safely inside a ventilated cabinet.  It’s on castors, so you can move it.  However, the castors lock so it doesn’t roll away when you don’t want it to. 

The computer is loaded with all the features you and your kids should need including an internal DVD-ROM, 40 GB hard drive (minimum), 256mb RAM (minimum), Microsoft XP Professional, a sound card and 2 external speakers, a surge protector, 19″ widescreen flat panel LCD monitor, and a custom Little Tikes Learning Keyboard and Tiny Mouse.

So cool!

What do you think?

Image: LittleTikes.com

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Forget Halo 3 and World of Warcraft, Solitaire is on every Windows PC.  It’s pre-installed, completely accessible and free.  As a result, most people will admit to trying it at least once.  In fact, it can be quite addicting.

Confession time – have you played Solitaire while at work?

Image: Flickr

Post from: Play Library

The computer is the place to be for kids of all ages. This is where they go for entertainment, educational purposes and to stay in contact with friends and family.

PBS has just opened beta testing for a new website called PBS Kids Play!.

The service, PBS Kids Play!, opens today (pbskidsplay.org) for a free beta trial period. It’s designed to let children 3 to 6 play and learn with the help of characters such as Curious George and The Berenstain Bears. Activities will be added every week featuring Bob the Builder, Thomas & Friends and characters from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.

When the trial ends before spring, the service will cost $9.95 a month or $79 a year. PBS expects some local TV affiliates to offer it at a discount or free to donors.

How do you feel about PBS charging for preschoolers to play on this site? Would you be willing to pay under $10 a month if your child enjoys it enough?

PBS is on the air because of donations, so I personally see no problem with it. I can choose to pay and let my child use it or not. If I choose to not to, there are many other free resources out there. I also see this as a way for the public to help support television that many parents rely on for good, quality and clean shows for their kids to watch. What do you think?

You can read the rest of the article here. 

Post from: Play Library

1. American Idol Talent Challenge

DVD with 12 songs with and without vocals from the show – Talent Challenge lets you sing alone or with a star

Cool voice mixer attaches easily to your TV (cable included) and DVD player for just the right vocal blend

Use your DVD’s remote to select real judge’s comments from the show and to view outrageous auditions

Adjustable echo effect for pro vocal sound.

Comes with Microphone and AC adaptor

Price: $49.99

2. Aqua Dots Super Studio

The Aqua Dots Super Studio has everything you need for the complete Aqua Dots experience. All you need is water and imagination Create multiple designs using the included templates. You can even create your own designs! Wow your friends with unique designs using Aqua Dots beads. Adding water makes the Aqua Dots magically come together. The built in dryer makes finishing off your creations quick and easy.

Price: $24.99

3. Barbie Girls

Finally, an MP3 player that is perfect for girls of all ages who can’t get enough of Barbie! Barbie Girls allows girls to connect to their favorite things: music, fashion, and going online. It’s the next generation of fashion doll play! This doll is actually an MP3 player that holds 512 megabytes of music, for young ladies with an eye for fashion and an ear for music! Just plug this USB MP3 player into your computer and transfer all your favorite songs for your listening pleasure. What makes this MP3 player so unique is that it allows hip young girls to customize how they want their Barbie Doll to look! Mix and match trendy clothes, change the hair color, and accessorize to the fullest with this hybrid of a doll and an MP3 player!

Price: Device: $59.99. Fashion Pack: $9.99. Deco Pack: $9.99

4. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Bundle for Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii, XBox 360, Playstation 2

The third game from the Guitar Hero series is here, and ready to rock your face off. Channel your inner guitar god as you thrash your way through all sorts of venues, In addition to standard Guitar Hero features you know and adore, this game features all kinds of killer new options, such as the new multiplayer action-inspired battle mode, grueling boss battles, a bevy of exclusive unlockable content and authentic rock venues. The expanded online multiplayer game modes will also allow axe-shredders worldwide to compete head-to-head for true legendary rock status. Best of all, check out the new songs! Fresh downloadable content will be offered on multiple platforms, and players can now shred to a set list from many of the greatest rock songs ever recorded.

Price: $119.99

5. Hannah Montana Singing Doll and Hannah Montana In-Concert Pop Stage

Hannah Montana Doll Description:

Hear Hannah Montana sing her most popular chart topping songs.
There are 2 styles of Hannah Montana with 2 different songs for listening to your favorite pop star.
Comes with microphone, brush, poster, and bracelet or backstage pass.
The outfits are authentic outfits that are seen everyday on her hit t.v. show – Hannah Montana.
Choose from either Hannah singing, “Best of Both Worlds” or “The Other Side of Me”. Collect both dolls, sold separately.

Pop Star Stage descritpion:

Hannah’s stage has working lights and sound.
Plug for your Ipod and MP3 player (not included) allows girls to play all of Hannah’s songs directly from the stage.
Stage plays two of Hannah’s chart topping songs.
Girls can pretend they are Hannah Montana and sing to her music.
Comes with concert accessories to help Hannah put on a great show.

Price: Doll – $19.99 Stage – $59.99

6. Hasbro Nerf N-Strike Disk Shot

Get ready for some seriously fun target practice with the Nerf N-Strike Disk Shot. This set lets you take your shot at three different games, loading the disk launcher and shooting disks with your blaster gun. Recommended for children ages six and older, the ultimate targeting challenge is now safe and fun for kids.

Price: $49.99

7. Rubiks Revolution

Designed as the perfect complement to the original 3×3 cube, Rubik’s Revolution is an electronic cube that challenges both your speed and smarts. Rubik’s Revolution is a new kind of electronic cube that offers at least 6 different ways to play. It has multiple built-in games that features light, voice and sound effects. Each game has multiple levels to unlock and each challenges both your mind and dexterity. Additionally, this cube offers not only individual play, but also exciting multi-player gaming. Ready to capture the hearts and minds of puzzle lovers from ages 5 to 105.

Price: $19.99

8. Fisher-Price Smart Cycle

Just because it’s raining, snowing or otherwise blustery outside, that doesn’t mean that your child can’t get the exercise she needs. The Fisher Price Smart Cycle combines the fun indoor activity of video game playing with the physical activity the great outdoors will give you. Designed for kids ages three to six, the Smart Cycle “physical learning arcade system” is an all-in-one stationary bike, video game console, and educational tool. Your little one will exercise her brain and her body — and have loads of fun in the process.

Price: $89.99

9. Spotz Creator Machine

The SPOTZ MAKER lets you show off your own style and creativity! It’s so easy! In just 3 steps you can set your individual style: Choose it! Punch it! Twist it! Each Spotz is personalized by YOU because you choose the image inside and the colors showing off what’s unique about you! Of course, don’t forget you can LIGHT UP your favorite Spotz and decorate the Spotz Maker with cool Jotz! It’s all about you, your Spotz and your style!

Price: $29.99

10. Swypeout Online Battle Racing

Swypeout Battle Racing is a unique combination of collectible trading cards and an online car racing community website. Use your digital cards and pass them through the card swiper to instantly unlock and add cars and other accessories to your website, allowing you to challenge others around the world. Who will become the #1 ranked swypeout battle racing champion? Play smart to increase your chances of owning the title! Includes one card swiper, five digital cards and instruction booklet.

Price: $24.99

11. Transformers: Arm Blasters Roll Blaster and Hasbro Transformers Ultimate Bumblebee

Hasbro Transformers Ultimate Bumblebee description:

The Hasbro Transformers Ultimate Bumblebee Figure is the premium movie-based Transformers toy on the market. Standing more than 14 inches tall, this action figure is more than deserving of the title “Ultimate.” With his sleek design, his battle and conversation sounds, and his advanced animatronics system, Ultimate Bumblebee is one of the most fully featured action figures you’ll ever find.

Transformers: Movie Air Vehicle Arm Blasters Roll Blaster description:

Take on the Autobots as one of the most powerful Transformers there is: Starscream. As second in command of the Decepticons, it’s your job to locate the AllSpark and conquer the world in the name of Megatron. Convert your supersonic jet into a mighty double blaster and begin the battle.
Fly into action as the evil Decepticon nemesis with this awesome Starscream jet vehicle that easily converts to a launching-dart arm blaster with just one pull! The pull-back handle gets you ready for dart-blasting action, and there?s even convenient dart storage under the wings. Blaster comes with 4 foam darts. Measures 15″ x 7″.

Prices: $29.99 and $89.99

12. Jakks EyeClops Bionic Eye

Say goodbye to normal magnifiers! With the Jakks EyeClops Bionic Eye hand-held device, kids can view everyday objects at 200 times their regular size. Recommended for kids ages six and up, the EyeClops creates hours of endless play and exploration that’s fun for the entire family.

Price: $39.99

So there you have it, the top 12 toys of the season! What was the theme throughout? Technology…kids are all about technology.

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As you can see we’ve got a biker Beagle, a basketball playing Cocker Spaniel and a very stylin’ Chihuahua. My kids are in the process of building their Webkinz a house made out of cardboard boxes in the garage/play room. What’s next – transportation around town?

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We joined the craze late and are just now experiencing what Webkinz is all about. I actually tried getting my kids interested in it when it first came out, but my two older ones thought it was a little babyish. I mean hello, it’s a stuffed animal mom.

My daughter and I were in Justice for girls the other day and she saw a Webkinz Chihuahua and decided to spend her allowance on it. It is a cute stuffed animal!

When we got home, she hopped on-line immediately to register her chihuahua, give it a name and see what this website was all about. To make a long story short…I now have to set the timer and give her a limit to her addiction.

Also, we just received in the mail the Beagle Webkinz and the Webkinz Cocker Spaniel as well as some clothes for them. These are for my sons, who after seeing how much my daughter enjoyed it, wanted in on the action too!

I was really impressed with everything the website included and it’s something I am comfortable with them being on. I give my kids the safe internet talk at least once a week. Yeah, they get tired of it but I’m taking no chances.

Okay, so now we have a house with 3 Webkinz and 2 computers. Hmmmm, did life just more complicated or what? I’ll be sure and post a picture of our Webkinz all dressed up in the next few days.

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