Just the other day, my eight-year-old asked a question that we couldn't answer.  My daughter's response?  "That's Okay, Mom, I can Google it."  Talk about putting fear in our hearts!  When my husband and I were growing up, we had a set of encyclopedias -- a static row of books that "fed" us information that was validated and served in controlled doses.  For better or for worse, those days are gone. 

Some people like to call the Worldwide Web the "wild wild west."  In some ways, it is.  You can find anything and everything with a few clicks.  Frequently, there is no "truth test," or process for validating something before it is published online.  Our vigilance as parents takes on a whole new dimension when our kids reach an age where we need to start dealing with Internet safety and protecting our kids online.  Still, there are some excellent resources for kids that offer safe places to "play."  Here are a few websites that engage kids by requiring them to participate in the fun.

PBS Kids (http://pbskids.org) is loaded with great games for ages preschool to preteen.  The site is organized by show, and there are "levels" for many of the games.  When it comes to reading, it is hard to beat PBS Kids Island, where kids can play reading games WITH you. 

Mrs. P's Magic Library (http://mrsp.com) is a digital library filled with interactive stories.  Each of the books (which is a literature classic) carries an age rating so parents know the appropriate audience both in terms of comprehension and content.  The site also has a YouTube channel so you can take the books with you.  This is an ad-free site.

Funbrain.com (http://funbrain.com) is an ad-free site LOADED with educational games for language arts and math.  It is geared for elementary-aged students, ages six to nine.

PrimaryGames.com (http://primarygames.com) is another ad-free site filled with educational games for elementary-aged children.  You can navigate the site by subject area (reading, math, social studies, etc.) or topic (holidays, seasons, puzzles, etc.). 

Today's kids are growing up in a world where access to information will always be at the tip of their fingers.  Even without television, a "screen" is their window to information and fun.  Luckily, as parents, we have ways to connect kids with fun and learning in safe environments.