It's All Fun and Games!

It's that time of year again when parents and grandparents start to shop for the holidays.  Ideal for stocking stuffers, software games make an enteraining present that kids and the whole family can enjoy.  Easy to load and play on your computer, they make an entertaining reward for after homework, entertain a child under the weather, prevent boredom in bad weather, and, bring the family together for game night.  Following is just a sampling of the selection you'll find at Learning Is Fun Store.

Time management at it's finest - Babysitting Mania has twenty different crazy households and over 100 levels of zany fun.  Each job starts off easy enough, then escalates to a new level of hilarious chaos.

Unruly kids, lists of chores to do, and parties to host.  Can you keep your composure and get everything cleaned up and the kids to bed before their parents come home?  A babysitting job like no other, this is intensely enjoyable for all ages.




Kids of all ages can enjoy the thrill of racing a 10,000 pound big rig around a race course at break neck speed!

Big Rig Racing lets the player choose from eight different 5 ton trucks racing at over 90 miles an hour on a wet track.  The Challenge Mode lets you race against computer opponents, while the Time Trial Mode will test your skill at cornering and improving your overall performance. 

Animal lovers will enjoy an amusing adventure with Dr. Daisy Pet Vet.  With her schooling complete, Dr. Daisy must complete five rotations to complete her residency --  from the local veterinary clinic, to a sea park, all the way to a big city zoo.

Help Dr. Daisy treat her animal friends who have come down with an assortment of hilarious ailments.  Diagnose 30 animals with unique and humorous maladies including chickens with chicken pox, bald eagles with pattern feather loss, lactose intolerant cows, and flamingos with pink eye.



Bring all the fun of an old fashioned game arcade home with Game Room Excitement.  All of your favorite games are gathered together for the whole family to enjoy!

Test your coordination skills as you shoot the puck past your opponent in an ultra-realistic game of Air Hockey. Strap on your kneepads for some fast kicking fun in Foosball, or wax up the board for some competitive Shuffleboard.
 

Finding the Best Educational Software for Your Child

The end of the school year is rapidly approaching and soon parents will be faced with how to keep their children occupied during the dog days of summer.  It is the time of year that almost every child looks forward to the most, and, there are so many outdoor activities that they can and should participate in.  It is also a good idea to try to keep your child's scholastic and reasoning abilities sharp for next year.  A few good software programs can help you do that.

When you start to shop around, there are so many titles available that it can get to be a little bit overwhelming and confusing.  Fortunately, there are a few good websites that you can visit that will help you sort through the maze and give you some feedback as to what may work best for your child.  I would recommend sites such as SuperKids and Learning Village.  They provide unbiased reviews and contain additional information that you may find helpful.

A good way to help exercise a child's brain and let them have fun at the same time is Kids' Sudoku!.  Much like the game that adults have learned to love, this version of Sudoku has a 4 x 4 board just for them.  Tile sets include numbers, stars, lettters, symbols and colors.

It's easy for children to play and will keep them entertained for hours on rainy days.  With over 10,000 puzzles, this software is loaded with thinking fun.  In case your child gets stumped, the program includes hints, an auto-solver function, and children can undo moves and print puzzles as well.

Older children and adults who want to stay sharp too will enjoy the challenge of NeuroActive Program Learning.  Designed for anyone over the age of 11, this is a series of sixteen different exercises that improve learning, make reading faster, boost memory, retention and problem sovling skills.

Lots of fun, it is recommended that you use this program at least three times a week.  Users see noticeable results in just a matter of weeks.  Each exercise lasts four to six minutes, and, by mixing up the combination that you do on any give day, you train different areas of the brain.  You will also find useful information on how your brain works and tips and tricks for improving performance.

Kindergarten, Here We Come

Once upon a time, kindergarten was mostly used as a time to get children used to socializing with each other and getting them used to the idea of school.  Now children are expected to have a basic grasp of many early learning skills by the time they get there.  You can instill your child with the confidence that he or she needs by starting them off on the learning process early.  By providing them with fun lessons, you can help instill a love of knowledge that will grow with them over time.  At Learning Is Fun Store, we have a selection of entertaining programs that have children playing while they learn.

A two disc set that is packed with lots of learning and creative activities is Arthur's Kindergarten.  Children will laugh a lot with Arthur and Francine and PALS technology will have them addressing your child by name as they provide support and encouragement as they play.  There are nine stimulating learning activities and more than sixty creative activities for children to enjoy.

There is a wealth of information for them to learn including; letters, numbers, phonics, colors, shapes, vocabulary, rhyming, art, music composition, instruments, creativity, problem solving, arithmetic, matching, sorting, money values, spatial relationships, nature and science.  A special bar tracks their progress and the difficulty levels automatically adjust as your child's abilities grow.




Designed with the help of leading educators, Dr. Seuss Kindergarten is an entertaining learning adventure for youngsters.  Children go on a magical journey with Gerald McGrew as he finds animals for his exotic zoo.  With more than 250 lessons, children build early math, reading, memory and other essential skills.

Loaded with all the charming characters and fun rhymes that Dr. Seuss is known for, activities take on a truly humorous twist that will provide your child with tons of laughter as well.  Activities include finding missing beginning and ending consonants; counting, adding and subtracting fruit with the Lorax, and hunting for exotic animals.



When you combine the best of Bailey's Book House and Millie's Math House, you get Millie & Bailey Kindergarten. This engaging Edmark program is equal parts of learning and fun.  Children experience independent play carefully balanced with directed learning and gentle, positive feedback that develops confidence and skills.

This is a charming program for children to learn early reading, language arts, math and science with age appropriate activities.  But, Millie & Bailey provides so much more by including a healthy dose of thinking and social skills.  Children will develop their skills in; problem solving, creativity and imagination, listening and observing, following directions, curiosity and risk taking, communication, courtesy, self-esteem and confidence.

Creative Fun for Kids

There is something about childhood and creativity that just seem to go hand in hand.  Youngsters just love to draw, color with crayons, paint and craft.  As we become adults, our busy lives seem to squash a part of ourselves that was once so very vivid.  You can help bring out the creative genius in your child, whether they are a budding Renoir or not, with tools that allow them to express themselves and enjoy this special time.  At Learning Is Fun Store, we have some very special programs that won't make a mess and will keep kids occupied for hours on end.

You can trust Disney to come up with something truly amazing for kids, Magic Artist Studio/Magic Artist Deluxe.  This is actually two software programs in one.  The studio version allows children to bring their artwork to life with the magic of animation.  Imagine the fun they will have when they can add butterflies that soar through the air or make roses sprout on their canvases.  Children can include Disney characters that will dance to disco, rock, classical, and island beats.

Magic Artist is an amazing toolbox loaded with dazzling colors and magical tools that allow them to create their own masterpieces just like magic.  Children can splatter paint, use a glitter pen, add interesting textures, and so much more.  They can create their own backgrounds, or, use ready made ones.  With "stamps", they can add Disney characters and props to their creations -- the possibilities are endless.

It is criminal, but, many schools have had to eliminate programs that used to be taken for granted.  Art education has been eliminated in many schools, there just hasn't been any choice.  There are some fine programs designed by teachers that will help you fill in that gap,  Fun with Real Art Grades 1-3 and Grades 4-6.  Almost like having your own personal teacher, these programs help kids learn about real art principles such as value, space, form and texture.

Children also learn about the various mediums and techniques that artists use.  There are fun projects that will have them rubbing, printing, stamping, and creating collages to create their own artwork.  Done in an enjoyable workbook format that is also printable, this is an engaging and hands-on way to introduce kids to the creative process.

A fantastic program that gives children tons of ways to have creative fun is Paper Activities: Coloring Workshop.  Children use templates that allow them to create masks, paper dolls, party hats, stickers, bookmarks, party invitations, greeting cards, coloring books, and more.

Child friendly and very easy to use, there are 100 creative projects for children to select, print, color and create.  Kids can use whatever they have on hand; crayons, colored pencils, markers or paint to decorate them.  The possibilities are limitless, and, this is a great way to entertain kids on rainy days or perk them up when they are unwell. 

Early Learning - Get a Head Start

Children's brains are like little sponges, and, every day they gather more and more information.  Even very young children can begin to absorb the basic skills that they will need as they progress in their formative years.  Parents can use this time as a bonding experience, and, have fun with their youngsters as they build early developmental skills.  At Learning Is Fun Store, we have programs that are designed by experts to make early learning a fun and easy experience that will help build a solid foundation for their future.

JumpStart Baby is a magical way to introduce babies as young as 9 months of age to early learning.  It is filled with age-appropriate activities that have been extensively researched - all that your baby has to do is tap a key.  They are rewarded with colorful and captivating images and sounds.

Teddy the Bear is your guide on this learning journey that you and your baby can share together. Your baby will be introduced to letters, numbers, shapes, music, colors, clothing, cause & effect, parts of the body, and will develop listening skills as well as coordination.  There is even a Digital Baby Book that will enable you to capture your experiences scrapbook style.

Designed by learning specialists and tested by parents, Reader Rabbit Playtime for Baby and Toddler is loaded with colorful, eye-catching graphics.  Fun-filled activities include; popping bubbles for pictures and songs, finding hidden animals and learning their sounds, matching letters on the Alphabet Express, and coloring with silly crayons that make funny sounds.

No computer skills are required, and toddlers can play on their own with just a little practice.  Young ones learn colors, shapes, matching, animal names and sounds, cause and effect, listening skills, language development, parts of the body, letters, numbers, following directions, and memory skills.  The program adjusts for skill levels and can be personalized to include your child's name throughout.

Babies as young as two will be taken on fun learning adventures in Sesame Street Elmo's World.  Based on the popular series, this award-winning software is a world of discovery as children learn about six different topics; food, pets, telephones, bugs, shoes and farms. 

They also get to explore Elmo's room through a series of point-and-click activities guided by his pet goldfish, Dorothy. Multiple skill levels adjust to your child's learning level and help develop problem solving, self-esteem, social development, language development, and critical thinking skills as well as familiarity with the computer and mouse.

Fun Software Games for Kids

Children need to study and get plenty of exercise to stay fit, but, sometimes, it's just fun to sit down at the computer and play a game.  Software games can be a fun reward for a job well done and you don't have to worry about your kids visiting unsavory websites.  At Learning Is Fun Store, we have a nice selection of games that kids will enjoy playing (grown kids, too) as well as some family favorites for game night.

Most children love furry friends, Animal Agents is a mystery adventure for children that they will adore.  The main character, Sarah, discovers her beloved pet rabbit, Fridolin, is missing.  She then finds out that pets all over town have disappeared.  Sarah and her gang must solve clues in order to get them back home.

There are over 1,000 hidden clues, twenty different locations and 60 different levels for children to play through and explore.  Children can play as Sarah or any one of the main characters, they each take a different path, so, the game stays exciting.  Engaging fun for ages ten and up.


Crazy arcade-style fun that both young and old will enjoy, Defend the Castle  will have you defending your treasure tower from a band of colorful marauding pirates.  Be careful not to let your guard down, or they'll overtake you.  Use a variety of fun weapons to defeat them including balloon guns and air horns.

There are fun cartoon-style graphics, multiple bonuses and the game can be played in puzzle or arcade mode. Fun for the whole family; easy enough for kids, challenging enough for adults.


Forgive the puns, but, eggs-tremely entertaining and egg-sterically funny, find out who comes in first, the chicken or the egg.  Egg vs. Chicken pits you against a gang of ruthless roosters and marauding hens as you launch eggs to battle them.

An amusing match that can be played in five different eras and locations, five different types of eggs to launch and 11 different types of chicken hordes to play against.  This fun feud is entertaining for any age level.

Learning Software Suites - Knowledge Bargains

While the economy is improving, most of us are still trying to watch the bottom line on everything that we buy.  Sometimes, just a little extra investment up front can save us money in the long run.  Such is the case with educational software suites for students.  This software is organized by elementary, middle and high school years.  All core subjects for the appropriate grade levels are covered by this software, improving grades and confidence, making them a true bargain.  At Learning Is Fun Store, we are pleased to provide our customers with the Advantage™ series.

You can build a solid academic foundation for your child with Elementary Advantage 2012.  What could be better than a program that combines lessons, exercises, brain-building games and quizzes, along with additional learning resources, to engage, reinforce, support, and motivate your student. 

This software covers all the formative years from first to fifth grade.  Subjects covered include; math (counting, place value, adding, subtracting, multiplication, division), science (general science, astronomy, chemistry basics), English (phonics, vocabulary, grammar, spelling, reading, writing) and beginning Spanish. 

This program also includes iPod study materials and Encyclopaedia Britannica® Student Edition.


Make the transition from grammar school to upper grade levels easier with Middle School Advantage 2012.  Interactive lessons keeps kids engaged while standards-driven curriculum reinforces learning.  Brain-building games keep children motivated and additional study tools and reference aids enhance the learning experience. 

Included are lessons in; math (pre-algebra, algebra, algebra II), science (living organisms, the human body, cell biology, genetics), U.S. history (colonization to contemporary times), and foreign languages (Spanish, French, German, Italian).

This program also includes iPod study materials and Encyclopedia Britannica® Ready Reference.

The number one way to keep older students learning and motivated is award-winning High School Advantage 2012.  One of the many advantages of this software is that kids can learn at their own pace and revisit topics as many times as they need to.  Interactive lessons, multi-media presentations, rewarding brain-building games along with exercises and quizzes keep the learning process fresh. 

A great booster for preparing for college years, subjects covered include; math (algebra II, geometry, trigonometry, calculus iPod study material), science (biology, chemistry, physics), English (emphasis on research, writing and presentations), and foreign language conversational skills (Spanish, French, German, Italian).