Welcome to FamilyGames.com. The games and educational software on this site are by Nick Sullivan of AHA! Software. N.B. The items on this page are older than those on our home page. Some information may have changed since they were prepared. To confirm any details, please use current sources on this site.

News, announcements and specials archive, page 1

The Meadow, by Clicktoy Interactive

This looks like a terrific game for toddlers, and great value at just $20.

We quite often receive requests from other game publishers to list their products here at FamilyGames.com, but our criteria of quality, suitability and safety are hard to meet. All the more welcome then is The Meadow, a strong entry from Clicktoy Interactive that was released last year for Windows and is now available for Macintosh as well. Recommended for ages one through five, The Meadow has no competitive element, no scores, no winning or losing. Like our own activity game I Live at Santa’s House the software furnishes a safe but stimulating environment for children to inhabit and explore.

The pleasant outdoor setting takes in a variety of meadow and woodland scenes, complete with cheerfully animated animals and natural features. Your child interacts with this world by means of the computer keyboard. The keys are divided into groups, each with its own type of effect: for example, the function keys activate environmental features like clouds, rain and wind; while the ordinary letter keys are each associated with an animal behavior. This well-designed interface allows for plenty of variety yet is easy to use and understand. Just as importantly when dealing with such young children, it also blocks access to the desktop, so there is no danger of small fingers causing big problems for your computer during unsupervised use. However, as we often say of our own games, the best rewards emerge from moments shared, so be sure sometimes to sit down with your little one and together enjoy a brief but restorative excursion into the untroubled world of The Meadow.

Click here to download the trial version of The Meadow for Windows
Click here to buy the full version of The Meadow for Windows immediately
Click here to visit the Clicktoy Interactive website, which features an entertaining video about The Meadow

Alphen is FreeFunFiles Editor’s Pick

FreeFunFiles.com, an attractive and well-organized software distribution site that’s always worth a visit, have awarded our Alphen game their Editor’s Pick award in the Children’s Games category for May 2009. We’re grateful, of course, but we would like to point out that Alphen isn’t just a children’s game. Not by any means. If you’re looking for an unusual and fast-paced word game, Alphen just might be for you too, whatever your age!

Electronic Delivery — $10.00 USD

Sample version (free)

Alphen: This is a great choice for anyone who enjoys a fast-paced word puzzle! Race against time to unscramble the letters in a group of words. Your only clue is a category: the first word might be a flower, the second a vehicle, etc. Figuring out one word narrows the choice of letters for the rest, making them easier to solve. Alphen’s easiest level is suitable for children 8-10; the hardest will challenge serious puzzle fans.