Downloadable desktop games for kids

Desktop games and toys add a little extra zip to your desktop - and there are all sorts of games to choose from. You'll find them useful to keep your little ones occupied for a few minutes each day, too!

The desktop toys and games I've found don't need to stay on your desktop all the time.

So they won't distract you when you have other important tasks to complete :)

A couple of tips: choose one or two desktop games max - if you have too many of these things working all at once in the background, you can slow your computer down a bit.

The best thing is to make sure you exit the game each time you've finished playing.

So - here's a set of desktop game suggestions you might like to try - have fun! Links open a new browser window.

Play in a desktop virtual playroom!

Screenshot of Souptoys desktop game

You can block out your desktop to play without being distracted by your thousands of desktop icons... and fill your screen with as many bouncing balls or colorful blocks as you wish - you can push, throw, roll and add a couple of teddies to the wonderful chaos - or start building some truly beautiful creations of your own.

Your child will want to see you play first, to get the idea - there's a neat little tutorial to start you off.

Absolutely... enchanting! Hope you enjoy it.

Yahoo Widgets for your desktop

Your first install may take a few minutes as your widget taskbar - or "dock" - is also installed.

All your widgets are stored in this dock, which you can hide if you want. We started off with the Ladybug widget, and then progressed to Bouncy Ball.

Widgets are customizable - you can add more balls in Bouncy Ball, for example - or you can set them to stay on top of any window you have open.

Simple desktop fun from Lego and Pingu

Lego Desktop Soccer Players
Your child can click a player and let him or her run across your screen kicking a ball. Drag the ball or the player, click on the player to see some ball skills... pretty simple, but small kids will enjoy it.

My Friend Pingu
Even simpler, this one, as Pingu walks, skates, plays football or plays an accordion. Watch Pingu for a minute or two and he will blink up at you, do a few fast exercises, and roll about. The sound effects are fun, and he's watching me write this - he's rather sweet actually..:)

Google Gadgets for your desktop...

• click several times on the screen to feed the fish
• simply hover your mouse on the screen, then move it slowly - and the fish will follow

Once downloaded, your child will enjoy customizing the colors of the fish, water and the fish food!

How to get Google Gadgets for your desktop

• Go to the Google Desktop download page
• Ensure during installation that "sidebar with gadgets" will be included

After you've installed Google Desktop, you can add gadgets. Configure your gadgets so that they are saved - I didn't do this and they all disappeared when I closed the dock!

More desktop games coming up I'm sure, as these kinds of games really seem to be blossoming at the moment! I hope you've enjoyed this selection.