Free games for babies, toddlers and a few for mostlymommies, too!

Wow - new site to add to the permanent free games page!

Kodomo Games
These free games for babies and toddlers are all "bash games", meaning the games are played by  hitting any key(s) on the keyboard. The screen will react no matter what the baby has pressed and it's usually accompanied by fun sounds and colorful actions. I really like the game Shape Matcher - eye catching and educational.

Enjoy and many thanks for the site contribution! My 6 month old was very entertained during this review and we'll be back!

Word comprehension and vocabulary game that also teaches donating and "global hunger"

I came across this site while trying to find a way to encourage a little more spelling time. While the kids learn the meanings and spellings of words (levels 1 - 60 provide the ability for those as young as 7 or 8 to start enjoying this game) and when they are correct they see 20 grains of rice added to the bowl on the right. Once you have 100 grains, the bowl is emptied into a bag which you see beside the bowl. You have a visual representation of how well you're doing BUT those grains of rice on the screen represent actual grains of rice that will be donated through the UN World Food Program. Yes, there's an FAQ which explains why, if they have rice available, they don't just donate it without making us play their game. Thank goodness because that was the first question my 8 year old asked. Turns out the game was written by a guy who wanted to help his son study for the SATs!

FreeRice.com - You can change the level underneath the list of choices (start at 1 and it will progress based on how well you answer) and don't forget to show them how to click on the little speaker thingy to HEAR how the word is pronounced. Right or wrong, the word will appear with its definition at the top. When you get the word again, you'll know it - sometimes... hahaha - and hey Moms, isn't it nice to exercise your own brain at a grownup level once in a while? The levels past 30 or 40 can hold challenges for you, too. Push your own vocab up to the 60 level and I'm sure it'll trickle down.

Free games for kids to teach math and logic

Wow - my kid came home from school raving about this site. I went to check it out and promptly lost 45 minutes playing...
Now, be warned - the site is in French but is graphic based - you should be able to find something you like and that your kids enjoy in no time at all.
It's educational, too! Really, you won't believe how much time your kid will enjoy learning when it's presented with color and fun.

GoMaths - educational math and logic games for kids

Traffic Jam - this is the game I lost all the time on... I never would have known what to do without my kids so I'll tell you. You have to get the red car out the door. Move the other vehicles blocking the way - they only move back and forth in the direction they are pointing. You'll need to rearrange the other vehicles in order to provide a clear path for the little red car. Play with your child for the first 5 minutes and you'll find them instructing you. This will be followed quickly by "here, let me do it" at which point you lose all input. If this time works out to sneak away and make Oppycakes for days' worth of healthy eating, you're ahead of the game.

Of course, if you want to take a nice bubble bath, too, I won't tell. You deserve it.

Healthy Kid Friendly pancake recipe

or... "how to get omega 3s and whole grains into your kid - with a smile".

So, after several reworks of the original recipe, here is the final version. Until next time I make them.

2 1/2 cups quick cook oats
2 cups plain yogurt
2 cups milk
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
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1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup almond meal
1/2 cup flax meal
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
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4 eggs

I put those little dashed lines in for a reason! Mix section 1 together in a large mixing bowl. (oats, milk, yoghurt, applesauce) Mix section 2 together in a different bowl.

*** dish saving tip - before you measure the liquid ingredients into section 1, use your still dry measuring cup to measure out the section 2 ingredients. Also, once you've added section 2 to section 1, use the same bowl to beat the eggs before adding them.

On a preheated griddle (or in my case, frying pan) plop down about a 1/4 cup of the batter. I always let them cook a little long because the texture makes me think they're not done. But they are - they're supposed to have an inner consistency similar to oatmeal. The kids love them that way.

I keep stacks in the fridge now (why not with those ingredients?) and one likes to pop 'em in the toaster and eat them with syrup and the other likes 'em cold with applesauce.

Well, enjoy!