My son loves playing any kind of spatial skill testing game.  This is a good one:

Mosaic: Tomb of Mystery

where you learn about Egyptian Heiroglyphics as you fit pieces of King Tut's tomb together.

Enjoy!

Hi Miguelblanco,

Non-violent is what we're all about here at Big Shoe. Any one of our games is non-violent, although a few have more mature content or are just too difficult for kids to play. My 6 year old loves to play any of the Diner Dash games. He loves to do the spatial puzzles in Mosaic (and learn about King Tut in the meantime). He enjoyed playing Emerald City, although he can't read yet, so I have to play along with, but that makes it more fun for both of us. Here are some PC links for you to try: (Mac is also available, search from home page)

Diner Dash

Mosaic

Emerald City

Enjoy!

Zeek

Hi Miguelblanco,

There are so many fun games here!! Do you like strategy games: I haven't tried it yet, but this one sounds cool; Capitalism 2.

Capitalism 2 lets you build the empire of your dreams! You become a corporate CEO and face real-world challenges as you build a business empire! It's a comprehensive business simulation that gives you the power to manipulate the free market, with complex business strategies that might make you millions! Choose from over 60 product types to manufacture and market, as you hire and fire upper management positions! It's time to try your hand in the corporate world with Capitalism 2!

Here's the link: Capitalism 2

Let me know how it goes!

Zeek

Great creepy fun! You are guided around the town by ghosts and this is a scary game. Hidden objects are hard to find so turn up the bright on your screen to catch everything. Also, save after every level! I played with my 6-year-old and the eerie music freaked him out! But he loved it, especially putting the gravestone puzzles together (he needed a lot of help). Sound effects and graphics are really terrific. Nice twist at the end. Would like to see the puzzles changed up a bit, although they do increase in difficulty.  Also, be careful to save after every level.  Fun game for Halloween!

Here's the link: Ghost Town Mysteries: Bodie

Have fun! Lisa

Oh, Yeah! This is what I'm talkin' about!

This is an awesome game! Gorgeous graphics and animations and super fun. You are led by a 'Tinkerbell' like fairy through a castle that has been cursed by a witch. As you find hidden objects and solve the puzzles, many of which are solved using objects you find, you reverse the curse, room by room. The game devs have really been considerate to facilitate travel throughout the castle so you are never stuck in one place, wanting to use an object that is needed in another section of the castle. The hidden objects are perhaps a litte too easy to find but I enjoyed them, the puzzles are quite varied and not too difficult to solve. 'Tinkerbell's' voice getting a little on my nerves, but other than that, excellent game. And yay, there is a Mac version! Suitable for all ages.

Here's the link: Princess Isabella: A Witch's Curse

Enjoy! Lisa

G.H.O.S.T. Hunters
Was really looking forward to playing this game: who doesn't want to investigate a haunting? But, sadly, this game is LAME! Although the screens are well done, there is almost no story connecting them and no puzzles are other diversions in between screens. In addition, you have to continually replay screens searching for additional objects that were there but unclickable the first time through. I also didn't like being penalized -30 seconds for over clicking--not that it made any difference because you have a ridiculous amount of time to find objects. I bailed after 30 minutes because it was so boring (I missed the puzzle element) but if all you want to do is find hidden objects, then you will LOVE this game!

If you must try this game, here's the link: G.H.O.S.T. Hunters The Haunting of Majesty Manor

Lisa

Hi Game Geek,

Absolutely! My fave is Chocolatier which has the unbeatable combo of shopping the world for chocolate recipe ingredients, making the chocolate and selling it.  Yumm!

Here's the link:

Chocolatier

Have fun!

Zeek

Hi Kimmy,

Here's the link:   Cake Mania Main Street

Have fun!

Zeek

Hi Cat,

There are actually a great deal of games for the little ones that are non-violent and often educational.

Fisher Price has some really cute free online games, one of them teaches the child about different instruments and sounds.

Here's the link: Fisher Price

Nick Jr. has some free online games as well, and they offer their 100 plus arcade games based on their shows like Dora, etc. for a monthly subscription fee of  $4.95 (12 month sign up) or $6.95 (3 month sign up).

Here's the link: Nick Jr.

Have fun!

Zeek

Yep, cake is fun, but go classic if you haven't with the game that started the whole time management thing off, Diner Dash. Help Flo realize her dreams and manage your own restaurant.

Check out the free game download here:  Diner Dash

My suggestion for you is Word Monaco, but WARNING, this is very addictive. Check it out, I'm sure you will love it!

Here's the link for more info:

Word Monaco

Yeah, Plan it Green is a great way to forget real environmental problems for a few hours by solving them virtually. If we'd done things this way in the first place, we wouldn't be in the mess we're in! 

You can find more info here:

Plan it Green

Enjoy!

Zeek

I thought Mahjongg was Chinese, not Mayan!  Had no idea there were so many games out there!  I like Plant it Green - looking forward to trying it.

I haven't had chance to check this site out yet at any length - thought I would start here to see what people were saying - Mahjong used to be quite a problem for me - had a hard time giving it up - i will have to stay clear of that one - I will have to stick to boggle. Still enjoyable, less addicting. Can you recommend any other word games for me? Thanks!

Guest

I liked it alot! it's very colorful and it makes you want to play, but should be longer on time, and the island is in the way. but all in all it's a good game, kids loved it!

What games do you recommend for preschool kids who can't read yet?

Is there a game where you create and run a company?

I've never played many computer games. What's a good free one to try? Not something simple like dice or cards, something more fun. I used to like games like Pacman and Asteroids, if that's any help! But it doesn't have to be an old school type game!

Thanks for any recommendations! Seems that so many of the "popular" games are violent and that is not something kids should be spending their time with.