Merriam-Webster's Word Central

Merriam Webster's Word Central is a great place to introduce young children to using a dictionary and thesaurus.  There is also a way to search for rhyming words (did you know that there is no word in the English language that rhymes with "month?")

The site also has some fun word games, will allow your child to discover new words with a "Daily Buzzword" and lets children submit their own fun words.  Some funny examples of submitted words are:

• grufton - a grumpy engineer or mechanic
• hapbee - happy even if you are doing something you didn't want to do or didn't wish for
• yetzagurpledink - a strangely delectable drink made from ice cream, marshmallows and grapes with grape soda added

and many more!

Check out Merriam-Webster's Word Central at http://www.wordcentral.com

Build A Bear Workshop

Build-A-Bear Workshop has a great selection of fun and educational free children's games and printables on their website.  Your child can also send customizable "Bear Hug" e-cards to family and friends. 

Games include a flash-card game that helps children practice their math skills and a concentration-like game that shows bears dressed in outfits from around the world. 

Build-A-Bear Workshop is one of my kid's favorite places to go, and the website is one of there favorites on the web.  My son sends e-cards to all our family and friends for every special occasion and holiday. 

Check it out here: http://www.buildabear.com

ClubCaveKidz.com and ItchTheCaveman.com -- Community and Free Online Games for Kids

Great Green Gobs Inc, a social-community design company, has launched two new sites that feature free games online for kids: ItchTheCaveman.com and ClubCaveKidz.com

ItchTheCaveman.com provides free online games for kids, coloring pages, comics and other interactive pages for kids. Users can create their own profiles under a "My Page" category, which allows them to post pictures, create their own blog, invite friends, change their page layout, etc. -- all of which is monitored to provide against improper behavior.

ClubCaveKidz.com also has free online games and provides much of the same content as ItchTheCaveman.com, but does not allow for user interaction, in the event parents do not want their children in a community environment.

Among the things a kid can do:

1. Download coloring book pages
2. Subscribe to eComic Books
3. Create a Blog
4. Upload pictures (all of which are monitored to protect against inappropriate behavior
5. Dress a Caveman
6. Read "Itch the Caveman" comic strips
7. Purchase branded "CaveKidz" products (t-shirts, mugs, etc.)
8. ... and much more

Parents can be assured that we protect against improper behavior because we monitor, review and authorize any pictures submitted, as well as user profiles and comments.