Every parent knows how easy kids get bored, especially preschoolers, and finding new attractions can be exhausting, time-consuming and expensive. When the traditional preschool games have been played a thousand times over and all fresh ideas have been exhausted, a look at what online games have to offer may be time well spent.

The computer is a convenient and efficient tool in motivating and helping children learn and there are plenty of good sites offering interesting and educational games in a fun and safe environment, many of which are tailored specifically for parents with preschool children.

To avoid any concerns over the benefits associated with online play, many of today’s website-based games have been designed by teams of psychologists and teachers to aid the development of preschool children. Parents and kids can choose from a huge selection of games for each set of skills; from developing concentration skills and memory to helping a child’s emotional development. On a few of these websites each game also comes with useful information for grown-ups about the educational benefits and what skill set the game helps to develop.

Good online websites aimed at children’s play should be imaginatively designed, colourful, positive and fun. Before parents go online with their child it’s important to spend time researching sites first to ensure they’re appropriate. Although a lot of online games offer clear benefits to the children it is extremely important to remember that moderation is also important when it comes to spending time using computers. In light of this parents are advised to check what the recommended time a child should spend in front of a computer at his or her age is.

One of the key factors in successful online games playing is that it’s an activity that should be embraced by parent and child together. This approach obviously helps negate any fears over possible safety issues but importantly is a very good reason to spend quality time together in a structured and educational way. Once parents and children begin to explore the exciting world of online preschool games it should provide plenty of ideas and inspiration that can translate into the real world where learning and exploring can continue together off-line and outdoors.