• Teach your child how to have fun while learning with educational computer games.Boy whit computer. image by maron from Fotolia.com
  
  The computer can be a potentially dangerous place for a child considering the wide variety of information and material that is available on the Internet. There are many safe, enjoyable, and even educational computer games that are available online for free or in retail stores. Consider enhancing your child's education with thought-provoking and rewarding computer games and activities.
  
  

Typing Games

• Whether you buy a game in a store or take advantage of the many free games online, typing games are enjoyable and educational for kids 5 years and older. Typing games generally start off with the words appearing slowly in a variety of ways such as floating down from the top of the screen or appearing on objects. After a few minutes, the pace will speed up and the difficulty of the words will intensify. These games help your child learn correct spelling and also teach and advocate the "home row" typing method. This method is a standard way of typing that is known to improve typing speeds. For free typing games online, check into websites such as Free Online Typing Games.
  
  

ABC Ya!

• ABC Ya! is a free website that hosts interactive learning games for children from kindergarten to the fifth grade level. The games are lumped into grade categories so that you can easily find the games that are most appropriate for your child's skill level. The games teach basic computer skills while enhancing math, spelling and general knowledge such as counting money and matching games to improve memory. The games include colorful characters and level advancement which will help drive your child's competitive side. The site also features holiday activities in which your child can print out a picture or card the he has created.
  
  

Oregon Trail

• Oregon Trail is a game that was invented in the 1980s and has since been remade with new graphics and challenges. This game serves as a learning tool that is even used in some schools. The premise of the game is you and your game family are on a covered wagon on the Oregon Trail. You have to accomplish tasks in order to get supplies to cure illnesses or to fix your wagon when it needs to be repaired. This game teaches children life lessons of frugality and decision making through prioritizing. Oregon Trail also teaches players basic historical knowledge about the Oregon Trail. Some editions of this game may be downloaded online while others are available for purchase wherever computer games are sold. This game is most appropriate for children ages 9-12.