Spring Break Savers

“Let the wild rumpus start!” – Where the Wild Things Are

Ahhh – hear that? It’s the gleeful cheers of giddy children being released for Spring Break!! In my household, not only does Spring Break signify more time spent outside, but it also means our game consoles and PC’s are going to get a hefty workout.

For parents who game, choosing game titles and/or websites for their children may be a no-brainer. But for the majority of parents who don’t game, a trip to the local game store, or searching the web for kid-friendly sites can be a major source of frustration.

So, for the next few days, i’ll be listing Spring Break saving video and online games that are child-friendly and virtually worry-free.

Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean Online - Some people may save the best for last, but I had to share this gem with you first! Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean Online game is an amazing, FREE, multiplayer game for the PC. Note: If the game is made by Disney, then it is probably kid-friendly. The Pirates of the Caribbean Online game is no exception and it actually won Gameindustry.com’s 2007 Online Game of the Year.

In this game, players have the chance to create their own pirates, go on various adventures, and dig for buried treasure. There are also mini-games throughout the island that include finding members for a virtual crew, scavaging for goodies, or repairing a boat for a sail across the virtual sea.

Players have the option to roam the island alone, or can ask others to join their online crew. Now, if the thought of your child playing online with others makes you wary, please note that communication between live players is not required, and may not even be noticed by younger children. That being said, if you have a tween that can type, they will be able to chat with other players. So, as with all online chat features, parents may want to be in the room while their older child chats online with others.

Incidentally, this game requires registration, and there is an option for paid membership. However, the game can be played just fine for free, and creating an account is completely worth the effort. Overall, Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean Game Online is loads of fun, and the best part is that it will keep your Spring Break’er nicely entertained and out of trouble.

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