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Throughout the year, we were busy
evaluating and testing kids' games, and now it's time to round up
the titles we deem the year's best.
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 Gary
Gadget: Building Cars
Here's a game that truly requires children to put on their
thinking caps. In Gary Gadget Building Cars, children build cars out
of gadgets and "thing-a-ma-bobs". Gary collects all sorts of gadgets
and decides to build a car "to see what's at the end of the road".
There's plenty at the end of the road--an auto show, neighbors
needing help and offering Gary more parts, gas stations, and the
like.
Children initially collect items from Gary's junk piles on his
lawn, and then build a car part by part from the parts. The pickings
are slim at the outset, but once players have built a road-worthy
car, they are able to explore the neighborhood and earn new parts.
If they attempt to drive an unfinished car, they will learn why they
can't yet drive ("Without an engine, we're not going to get very
far!", Gary comments). Essentially, kids continue to create and then test their cars.
They discover missions as they drive around the neighborhood--find
Freddy's dog, rescue Mia's cat from a tree, and so forth.
Why do we recommend this
title? This game is unique in that children truly experiment as they
play. Through trial and error, as well as solid thinking skills,
they make their way through the game. Children need to figure out
which combinations of parts will work for various missions and
driving feats. For families looking for a unique title, this
one is sure to delight. It's nothing like the standard activity
centers or adventure learning games that are commonly produced.
Who is it for? Best for ages 6+. Younger players will
need some help to begin with--the software does some
hand-holding, but won't tell you exactly what to do.
Our rating of
the game: A
See our full review of
the program.
[For more information,
user reviews, or to buy:
Gary Gadget: Building Cars (Win/Mac)
at Amazon.com]
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 Miss
Spider's Scavenger Hunt
This cute, activity-packed game features multi-level games that
encourage children to explore early learning (logic, math)
concepts.
Why do we recommend this
title? This CD-ROM is engaging, educational, and filled
with rich content. Its replay value is stronger than most early
learning titles.
Who is it for?
The program is best for children ages 4-6.
Our rating: A
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy:
Miss Spider Scavenger Hunt ]
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Microsoft Encarta Premium 2007
This latest edition of an
excellent reference software suite is not only beautiful to look at,
it's filled with multimedia and helpful content and easy to use.
This reference library—including an electronic encyclopedia,
atlas, dictionary, thesaurus, and more—will help
make any family's research efforts easier. It makes a
fabulous gift for the family! The search feature is
excellent, with content from all titles in the suite
seamlessly integrated together. Streaming live media and
easy updates contribute to an exceptional
product. With Encarta Kids added to the
product, children younger than 12 can enjoy the encyclopedia as
well. The
dictionary/thesaurus/almanac is contemporary,
the "extras" (such as games, curriculum guides,
report-writing feature, 3D virtual tours, and the
Discovery Channel content, etc.) are
fabulous, and the integration between the handpicked web
links and the encyclopedia itself is smooth. Of course, all of the features
that won our hearts in previous versions make Encarta Premium
2007 a must-own family software program. CD-ROMs and a DVD-ROM are
included in the same package.
What does it do?
Children will find the up-to-date information they need for school
reports and projects. Project starters are also included, as well
as games that help hone their trivia and geography skills.
Why do we recommend this
title? This series is vibrant and
alive with up-to-date content and fabulous features that attract
both kids and parents--and hold their interest. Kids won't only be
turning to this resource for their homework needs -- they'll enjoy
browsing the reference library just for the fun of it!
Who is it for? Best for
children ages 7 and up. Adults will turn to this reference
suite as well.
[For more information, user
reviews, or to buy:
Microsoft Encarta Premium 2007 at Amazon.com]
Our rating of
the software: A+
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 Nancy
Drew: Danger by Design
The Nancy Drew series of software is revered and long-standing.
This fourteenth title features Minette, a fashion designer whose
investors are concerned about her erratic behavior. Kids play as
Nancy Drew and investigate a maze of underground catacombs,
cafes, ancient bunkers, and abandoned metro tunnels to explore
and find clues.
Why do we recommend this
title? Children get the
opportunity to step into teen sleuth Nancy Drew's shoes as she
interviews mysterious characters, solves plenty of logic puzzles,
and more. Kids will relish the chance to play detective. Fun,
exciting, and challenging!
Who is this game for? Best for kids who are
up to the challenge of a mystery adventure, approximately ages 11
and up.
Our Rating:
A
[For more information, user reviews, or
to buy: Nancy Drew: Danger by Design ]
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 Dora
the Explorer: World Adventure!
Kids join Dora and Swiper in an adventure around the
world--to France, Tanzania, Russia, and China--on a search
to retrieve friendship bracelets. A variety of activities
are presented in this easy-to-play, engaging software game
for young fans of the television show.
Why do we recommend this
title?
Multiple levels of challenge, a variety and satisfying number of
activities, and good game options set this title apart.
Who is it for? Best for children ages 3-5.
Our Rating: A
[For
more information, user reviews, or to buy: Dora the Explorer: Dora's World Adventures ]
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 Strawberry
Shortcake: Her Berry Best Friends
Kids choose activities to play in Strawberry Land, earning items
for Strawberry Shortcake's new scrapbook as they do. Players choose
a level of difficulty as they enter each activity.
Why do we recommend this
title?
This game is brimming with
multi-level activities appropriate for Strawberry Shortcake fans. It boasts a very encouraging format. Children receive
positive feedback whether they've successfully completed an activity
or not. For example, when a cookie failed to match the given design,
kids were told that it "tastes good anyway". Children are never
penalized for mistakes--if they want to earn the token, they simply
need to repeat the activity. A help icon would have been
appreciated, however, because children didn't always listen to the
instructions and were occasionally at a loss. They needed to exit
the activity and then come back in order to hear the instructions
repeated. Although the educational content is not striking, the game is
busy and fun, offering kids plenty to do.
Who is it for? Best for children ages 4-5.
Our Rating: A-
See our
full review of
the program.
[To buy:
Strawberry Shortcake: Her Best Berry Friends ]
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