Nobody wants to raise a TV-bound couch potato, but there are times when you just *need a minute* — and when your little ones could use some indoor fun.  So we’ve found several online game sites that provide ample entertainment and a decent helping of education as well (so as to ease the nagging mother-guilt but free me to sew on a button or start another pot of coffee)

Starfall — Designed to help children learn to read, Starfall features phonics and alphabet games.

Highlights Kids — The kids’ site for Highlights Magazine, there’s plenty of fun as well as writing prompts, printable pages, and word games.

KidZone — You’ll need to help your child get started with most of this site’s games, but worth that effort because it’s primarily an educational resource your child will be getting more out of the activities.

Practice Math Test — Doesn’t sound fun, huh?  Well, mine are K4 and K5 so they think getting problems right is just a kick!  I haven’t explored much on this site, so I can only recommend this particular page.

PBS Kids — All your favorite characters (and their obligatory stuck-in-brain musical accompaniments) in one spot!

Veggie Tales – All *my* favorite characters (and their widely more enjoyable stuck-in-brain musical accompaniments)

Hermie — Max Lucado’s lovable critter and friends

*There is a nagging place in the back of my brain saying that I’ve posted all this before; If it’s WFMW-ja-vous, that’s fine; if I’m really repeating myself, I am very sorry… but somehow not completely surprised.