Online games are a great way to help your preschooler master basic skills, and keep him busy on rainy afternoons. What's great is that they generally are free, and feature his favorite television characters, so practicing basic skills becomes fun rather than a chore.
Nine Great Sites for Preschool Games
These nine sites provide great opportunities for kids to learn and enjoy being online. All of these sites cover basic skills, but they are meant to complement and inspire off-screen activities and creativity.
Sprout
Universal Kids is the popular website that kids love and parents trust.
- Ranger Rob Chipper Challenge: Navigate Ranger Rob's truck using arrow keys and the space bar.
- Job Site Dash: Choose a truck and avoid job site obstacles while collecting stars.
- Making a Game With Dot: Work with Dot to choose a fun game, like a back-and-forth volley using the space bar to play.
- Kody Kapow Training Day: Focus on balance, patience, or focus in this fun game.
Nick Jr.
Nick Jr. lets kids play games with the Nick Jr. gang, including Dora, Diego, Blue, The Backyardigans, Lazy Town, and more:
- Music Maker: Click on instruments to make music.
- Fun With Peppa: Choose from a few different games that help Peppa and her little brother get through the day.
- Finding Feelings: Match the images with the emotion described by the narrator.
- Rusty Rivets Big Bot Party: Welcome new friends by helping Rusty Rivets pull together a fun party.
Sesame Street
Sesame Street is a classic that has provided extraordinary learning opportunities for generations of kids. On the Sesame Street website, there are loads of free preschool games, organized by learning concepts. Choose from games that involve letters, numbers, shapes, sorting, and other basic skills.
PBS Kids
PBSkids.org and the PBS station are synonymous with quality children's programming. Preschoolers will love practicing basic skills such as counting, shapes, colors, numbers, and letters, with the help of popular PBS characters like The Cat in the Hat, Elmo, Curious George, and Arthur.
Crayola.com
Crayola provides a variety of products for creativity, so why should their website be any different? In the Crayloa Kids Playzone, games are centered on color and creativity, two of the trademarks of Crayola. Kids can choose to become the star of their coloring story or turn their photos into coloring pages. They can also foster their creativity by building a snowman, painting an Easter egg, or creating a fireworks display.
Fun Brain
Fun Brain offers many games for a variety of age levels, including preschoolers. From puzzle games, to connect the dots, to the Imagination Station that features creative games, there is no shortage of fun activities for your preschooler.
Fisher Price
Fisher Price, the toy manufacturer giant, knows a thing or two about learning toys for young children, and this is reflected on their website as well. The large variety of free preschool online games includes counting, coloring and puzzle games. In addition, you'll find games that are based on their product lines, such as Rescue Heroes and Sweet Streets.
Disney Junior
The main Disney site has games for kids of all ages, but their Disney Junior section includes games specific to their preschool programming. Kids can choose games by character, and play any number of games associated with that character including memory, matching, dress up, coloring, and action games. Little Einsteins, Chuggington, Rolie Polie Olie, Winnie the Pooh, Doodlebops, Charlie and Lola, and a number of other shows are all represented.
Set Limits and Have Fun
Online games can be so much fun for preschoolers, but be aware that getting them to stop can be a challenge! Set up time limits for computer play, using a timer to help your preschooler understand when time is up. Give helpful countdown reminders to let him know how much time is remaining, so he can prepare to finish a game. With limited exposure to online games, you'll find your child is exploring and learning in a unique way.
