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).

Math Matters

Many children who have difficulty with math find it hard to understand why it is important to master this subject. Kids want to know "why do I have to learn this anyway?". So much of their future success in many professions can hinge upon a grasp of tough concepts. It is vital that they become proficient in the basics in order to succeed in advanced courses. Fortunately, at Learning Is Fun Store, we have software programs that will help children conquer their doubts and find out why it's important to become a math master.

A great teaching program that kids can relate to is Math for the Real World. Children get a dose of reality as they become members of a rock band ready to tour, in the process they learn how math plays a part in everyday life. They must manage their money, buy food, and use maps as they help their band climb the charts.

Kids practice; logic, fractions, decimals, perecentages, time, money, volume, weight and measurements. There are multiple levels of difficulty, over 4,000 problems and a reference library with detailed explanations for everyday problems.

Kids, parents and teachers are fans of the colorful character, Carmen Sandiego. A great way for children to gain respect for math as well as tons of practice is Carmen Sandiego Math Detective. The greatest landmarks in the world are disappearing thanks to Carmen and her sinister band. They have developed a shrinking device and your child must go on twelve amazing adventures to help restore them to their right size.

This game will have them determine missing numbers, ordering whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, integers and monetary values. Children will also develop geometry skills as they study shapes, angles and spatial relationships, construct geometric models, calculate area and perimeter, and apply concepts. There are hundreds of problems for them to solve while playing this entertaining game.

What child doesn't love a super hero? Mighty Math Number Heroes is an engaging way to learn important everyday skills from a gang of endearing characters.

Children learn about prediction, graphs and charts from Handsome Chance as they test their ideas on the probability machine. Fraction Man helps kids create fantastic fireworks displays as they practice basic arithmetic and learn about fractions and decimals. Geometry Man and his computer will assist kids as they build geometric shapes and solve brainteasers. With an exciting game show format, Star Brilliant and a cast of wacky contestants will have your child solving a variety of challenging math problems.

Music Appreciation for Kids

It is a sad and unfortunate fact that in today's economic climate, schools have had to cut programs that at one time were taken for granted.  An education should be so much more than just reading, writing and arithmetic.  For a truly well-rounded learning experience, children of all ages should have exposure to the arts as well.  Many of us can remember a time when schools would provide children with an introduction to culture by hiring music and art teachers who would come into the classroom.

In some instances, it is now up to parents to help make up the difference on their own.  In this article, we will focus on how to instill a love of music in children that will help them appreciate all the different ways that it can be expressed, even if they never learn how to play a note.  At Learning Is Fun Store, we have some fine programs that will do just that.

Designed for children ages 8 and up, Creating Music: Playing Music is an extensive and entertaining introduction.  Children get to experience the magic of music before they even pick up an instrument.  Interactive games teach them fundamentals such as pitch, rhythm, the sounds that musical instruments make, and musical styles.  Adorable characters make learning fun as they guide your child through the program. 

Kids will also learn about composers, classical music and how written notes tell the orchestra how the music should be played. Children get to experiment with their own interpretation of music and then watch the music performed.


The Magic of Music is the ultimate home learning guide and is a multi-media experience for ages 10 and above.  This fabulous four CD-ROM program will take your child on a journey throughout history and there are presentations, performances and photographs to help enrich their experience.  They will trace the development of Western music from Gregorian chants to modern composers and listen to madrigals, troubadours, renaissance choral works, baroque opera, concertos and symphony performances.  Children will explore the great composers along with their works and contributions to symphonic music.

Kids will also have the fun of learning about the birth of jazz in New Orleans, Chicago and New York City dance halls. Learn about swing, big bands, bebop, cool jazz and soulful jazz.  They will also get to explore three different cultural groups; sub-Saharan Africans, Native Americans, and Polynesians and how they express their culture through music. Learn how geography influences music and listen to a variety of musical excerpts.  This is a very well-rounded teaching approach that can be enjoyed again and again.

Critical Thinking Skills for Kids

Critical thinking is an essential part of any child's development.  The ability to approach a problem from many different angles is a skill that should be honed to it's sharpest level.  It is so important to be able to employ these skills whether trying to solve a difficult math problem, or, just maneuver your way through the pitfalls that everyone experiences in living day to day.   At Learning Is Fun Store, we have entertaining programs that make developing these skills easy and fun.

Even young children should be encouraged to use their thinking skills.  A wonderful program for youngsters is Clifford Thinking Adventures, which features Clifford the Big Red Dog.  Clifford is a good dog and a true blue friend and it's time to celebrate his birthday. 

Your child needs to help his friends make it a special day by journeying through Clifford's neighborhood to find things that will do just that.  In the process, children experience engaging activities that will promote logic, problem solving, listening & following directions, memory, matching and spatial reasoning skills.

There is nothing better than a good mystery to get the mind working.  Elementary school children will enjoy playing Carmen Sandiego Jr. Detective, a globe-trotting adventure that has your child chasing wily Carmen and her gang through all sorts of exciting locales, including Brazil, Italy and Saudi Arabia. 

Not only does this program promote deductive reasoning and memory skills, it also teaches about other cultures, geography, how to read a map, and social studies.  Loaded with beautiful pictures and music, it will hold your child's attention so that they keep playing and learning.




Anyone, adults included, age 11+ can benefit from NeuroActive Program Learning.  This edu-game was designed by both brain experts and educators to help develop learning abilities.  Very user friendly, it is a series of sixteen different exercises that last four to six minutes each. 

These fun exercises help improve learning, make reading faster, boost memory, retention and problem sovling skills.  When used at least three times a week for fifteen to twenty minutes a session, it will produce measurable improvements.  By mixing up the different types of exercises, all areas of the brain are targeted and trained.

Spelling "Success"

English is loaded with all sorts of rules that are supposed to help you figure out how to spell words properly.  Of course, for every rule, there are exceptions, and, some words just don't have any logical reason for being spelled the way they are.  This can be confusing for children (and even adults), sometimes you just have to memorize the way a word is spelled.  You can help take the sting out of learning with software that entertains and teaches at the same time from Learning Is Fun Store.

Many adults have played Bookworm, now there is a version specially designed with children in mind, Bookworm Adventures.  Lex the charming bookworm is their guide for spelling fun.  Children practice their spelling prowess in three different engaging games.  In Adventure mode, children spell to help Lex solve the great library mystery.  In the fast-paced Arena game, kids fend off ornery monsters by spelling words correctly.  Children can also visit the mini-game hut where they can spell words for as long as they like at their leisure.

Very versatile, Mrs. Flinkster's Spelling Accelerator Grades 1-5 will follow your child throughout grammar school.  The program includes six different spelling games, each done in a different learning style, to help your child retain what they learn. 

Very easy to customize, parents can load spelling lists and the program will test children after they have played.  This is a great way to improve quiz grades.  Mrs. Flinkster's also comes with 1,000 pre-loaded words for each grade to help further their spelling acumen and improve vocabulary.






More than just a spelling game, Words Rock also challenges grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary skills.  Done in a "battleship-style" format that most kids are familiar with that is loaded with neat graphics and the possibility of earning points at every turn.  Children from kindergarten to eighth grade can enjoy the game.

Children become slug busters, chasing down clues to uncover the slippery slug's hiding places.  There are more than 3,200 activities that will keep them engaged and learning.  Designed to self-adjust for each player, a kindergartener has just as much of a chance at winning as an older child.  Up to four children can play at a time and parents can also monitor the progress that they are making.

Foreign Language Learning for Children

Schools traditionally start teaching students foreign languages in middle school.  Studies have shown that younger children have a great capacity for learning languages and that it helps stimulate cognitive and creative abilities, as well.  Parents can be a step ahead by helping their youngsters learn at a point in their lives when it is so much easier for them.  At Learning Is Fun Store, we have entertaining software programs which are intended to do just that.  Children play and learn through engaging activities that will make them want to learn even more.

A wonderful introduction into understanding other languages is Foreign Language Success for Kids.  Children learn quickly and easily by participating in interactive activities and playing fun games.  There are four different languages for them to learn; Spanish, French, German and Italian.  They will learn basic vocabulary skills, greetings, important phrases and play number games.  Included is a printable picture dictionary along with interactive quizzes and tests.

Charming and captivating, Mia's Language Adventure draws children into learning French and Spanish via an engaging mystery adventure.  Mia's grandmother, Mimi, wins an art contest and then is kidnapped, they must help Mia find her.  While the story is in English, children participate in activities that will teach them letters, numbers and hundreds of words.  Kids also receive instruction in grammar and how to construct a sentence in these languages.

Muzzy, a colorful BBC character and award-winning language program, is a highly entertaining way to get kids learning.  Muzzy Start a Language! Spanish uses memorable cartoon characters, lively humor, and interactive play to stimulate a child's natural ability to absorb language.  They learn how to use hundreds of Spanish words in conversation via segmented activities.  Included are; transportation, clothing, families, shapes, colors and more!

Preschool in a Box

It isn't necessary to send your child to preschool in order to get them ready for their elementary school years.  There are so many wonderful programs available for your home computer that will help you teach so many skills.  This software also has the added advantage of helping your child become comfortable with computers and technology savvy.  At Learning Is Fun Store, you will find a wide selection of programs that are all tried and true.  Your choice mainly depends on the characters that you think your child will enjoy the most!

Filled with charming characters, Dr. Seuss Preschool is enchanted learning for children.  Horton the elephant and other Seussville characters guide your child through more than 250 skill-building lessons. Children discover; numbers and counting, letters and phonics, shapes and colors, and early reading.  Colorful environments, original music and skill levels that adjust as your child progresses will hold their interest.  They will also develop their listening skills and learn how to follow directions, which is so important.

Chances are your child is already a fan of Sesame Street.  They can enjoy learning with characters Ernie, Bert, Elmo and Zoe any time with Sesame Street's Let's go to Preschool.  This engaging program will guide them through early language, reading and math fundamentals and multiple skill levels adjust as they gain confidence in their new found skills.  Children will also explore cause and effect, music, and creativity with this fun-filled software.

From Edmark, a leader in educational software, comes Millie & Bailey Preschool.  This program has become a favorite of parents, teachers and children for all the learning and developmental skills that it teaches.  Multiple skill levels ensure that the program grows right along with your child as they learn letters, rhyming, phonics, comprehension, numbers, similarities and differences, quantities and size relationships.  This program also helps develop critical thinking, problem solving, creativity and direction following skills along with a healthy dose of courtesy, confidence and self-esteem!

Scientific Thinking

Kids' have a natural curiosity about how the world around them works, and, you can help satisfy their questions.  Science is a subject that will help them hone their thinking skills as they learn how to make observations and use their deductive reasoning skills to predict what will happen.   At Learning Is Fun Store, we have a selection of fun software that will enable them to do simple experiments on and off the computer that will keep them engaged and entertained as they learn.

With eight different interactive environments for children to traverse, MyFirst Amazing Science Explorer is packed with learning activities.  Children learn the answers to hundreds of questions, such as; why is grass green or how does a light switch work?  There is information about electricity, forces and energy, heat, light and sound, living things, materials, reactions, simple machines, and space.  Included are twenty printable experiments that use simple household items and a printable scientific notebook that children can use to document their observations just like a real scientist!

Thinkin' Science - ZAP! is another engaging program that is loaded with entertaining interactive experiments in an accurate onscreen environment.  Children will get to observe reactions as they experiment with bending, bouncing and blending light; see, hear and control soundwaves to make BoogieBots dances; tinker with electricity by manipulating onscreen images of circuits and switches and learn about voltage, current and resistance.  Complex scientific concepts are explained in an easy to understand fashion.

One of the coolest software programs ever, The New Way Things Work is a wild ride through history that explores 150 of the greatest inventions of mankind.  With the help of author/illustrator David Macaulay, this program is packed with awesome machines, movies and animations that explain the workings from 7,000 BC to the present.  There are clickable maps loaded with links that will help users solve questions and the Mammoth School House where children can test themselves on their newfound knowledge.

Test Taking Skills

It's time for students to begin preparing for SAT, PSAT and ACT tests.  For those who are planning on attending college, this can be a very stressful time.  So much emphasis is placed upon these scores and not every child performs well in this type of test environment.  You can help alleviate anxiety and prepare your child for what to expect with software that is designed to give them lots of practice.  They will also learn what areas they need to bone up on to increase their scores.  At Learning Is Fun Store, we have a selection of very helpful software that will help give your student the edge.

One of the best prepatory programs out there is SAT, ACT, PSAT 2012 Platinum Edition.  This engaging program turns weaknesses into strengths by helping students target areas that need improvement.  There are over 3,000 questions and 17 full-length practice tests to help give kids the confidence that they need to succeed.  It is also loaded with tips and strategies that will help them manage their time and optimize their scores when the big day arrives.

Created with the assistance of Kaplan, futureU - The Prep Game for SAT is a fun way to help prepare for this test.  Designed to compliment traditional studying methods, futureU is a series of six mini-games that build reading, writing and math skills.  There are hundreds of questions and students can keep track of their progress and identify areas that need further work.  A real confidence booster, this program also includes sections about test taking and time management.

For some children, the math section of these tests can be extremely daunting.  A wonderful program that will help refresh what children have learned and hone their skills at the same time is High School Advantage Essentials Math Test Prep.  It includes sections on Pre-Algebra, Algebra I & II and Geometry.  This program goes over all key areas of importance and provides valuable instruction for students who are feeling a little shaky in math.

Higher Mathematics

Higher mathematics can be quite daunting for kids who don't have a natural love of this subject.  It can be easy to get lost in a hurry when you haven't grasped a basic principle and the rest of the class is moving on.  Fortunately, there is help available that will allow a student to go over difficult topics as many times as necessary without any judgement.  At Learning Is Fun Store, we have software programs that allow kids to learn at home at their own pace in a more relaxed environment.

Extremely comprehensive and one of the best math learning systems available, Math Advantage 2012 gives you so much bang for your buck.  Designed around national standards, this interactive program will keep your child engaged as they progress through math courses.  It covers everything from basic algebra and geometry to calculous and trigonometry and is suitable for students from 6th to 12th grades.  Brain-building games help to reinforce learning and  provide a welcome reward for achievements.

If your child is nervous about taking tests or preparing for standardized tests such as SAT's, High School Advantage Essentials Math Test Prep can be a great solution.  This interactive software reviews all the major topics covered in Pre-Algebra, Algebra I & II, and Geometry.  A great confidence booster, it can help alleviate the stress that students can feel when it's time to put the pencil to the paper.

From a very trusted source, DK Multimedia, Teaching Pro Advanced Mathematics is another fine program and it is like having your own personal tutor.  Animations and friendly audio tutors provide thousands of in-depth lessons in Algebra I and II, Geometry and Trigonometry.  As an added benefit, this software is loaded with tips and tricks rarely taught in school as well as ways to avoid common mistakes.  Stress-free quizzes help reinforce learning.

Creative Writing Fun

Children have such wonderful imaginations and they are at a time of their lives where creativity is at an all time high.  Now is the time to help them learn how to express their ideas and share their stories with others.  At Learning Is Fun Store, we have included some highly entertaining software that not only spurs creativity, but, also helps hone reading, writing, and spelling skills.

From a trusted source, Edmark, Stanley's Sticker Stories is a fun way for children to learn how to create their own storybooks.  Stanley, along with favorite characters Millie, Bailey, Sammy and Trudy, help children create stories with more than 300 word and phrase stickers they can use while building their stories.  Their story will come to life on screen and children can add their own words and record sounds that will make the characters talk, sing and laugh.

Early elementary school students will have an exciting time when they join Curious George when he Reads, Writes & Spells for Grades 1 & 2.  Children join cub reporter, George, as he writes for his towns newspaper.  Your child will help him complete assignments and become part of his stories while practicing reading, writing and spelling skills.  There are a dozen interactive episodes for them to become involved in as well as thirty different stories that they can print.

A unique program that will have your child writing up a storm is Storybook Weaver Deluxe.  This software is loaded with thousands of story-starting images that children can use to write about and illustrate their stories.  There is so much for them to choose from and they can also use the program to keep an illustrated diary or travel journal.  Children can print their stories to keep and share.  There is also a text-to-speech feature that will have the computer reading their story out loud to them!