Premium Picks: Children's Software Worth Paying More For

This is the one non-learning title on the list, aimed at making marketing materials rather than teaching children. Buyers are split on quality and value, with some feeling it earns its cost and others calling it not good. The most serious complaint is functional: one reviewer reported the software would not download to their PC.

If you need a simple publishing tool for a home business or school fundraiser, treat the purchase as a gamble on compatibility and confirm your setup will accept the download before committing.

Oregon Trail stands out for replay. Players choose an occupation, travelling companions and a destination, then face rivers, hunting, and disease on the way west. Buyers describe hours of fun for both kids and adults, and many say it teaches a lot about pioneer life, including the perspectives of Irish, African American and Native American settlers.

The catch is age. Reviewers report real compatibility trouble, especially with Windows 10, and some mention font requirements that no longer apply. Feedback on the version itself is divided, with some calling it outdated and others saying it was ahead of its time.

Mythic Ocean is the most modern title here and the only one on Nintendo Switch rather than an older PC platform. It mixes visual-novel conversations with free exploration of an ocean, and your advice to six gods and a cast of sea creatures shapes how the world turns out. The product details point to thousands of possible outcomes, which is where the extra value comes from.

Buyers describe it as very well liked, and it is pitched at both children and adults. It rewards patient players who enjoy talking through choices and seeing consequences over time.

Jumpstart Kindergarten packs 16 games and puzzles covering over two dozen early skills, from pre-reading and rhyming to counting, shapes and telling time. Its special features include progress reports and automatic difficulty adjustment, which means it tries to keep pace with a child rather than sitting at one level.

Reviewers say it is easy to use and that 6-year-olds in particular enjoy it, with parents of 4 and 5-year-olds noting real help with math and reading. The older system requirements (Windows 98 through XP) are the main concern, and several buyers say it does not run on their computers.

This sequel adds five new restaurants, seven customer types (four of them new), and more than 130 decor upgrades, so there is a lot to build out over a long session. Players seat customers, take orders, serve drinks, deliver food and collect tips, while helping Flo and fellow owners take on a tycoon.

Opinions are mixed. The listed compatibility runs from Windows 98 through Vista, which is well behind current systems, so older machines or emulation may be needed.

Math Blaster Ages 6 to 8 offers the broadest skill list on this page, covering addition, subtraction, multiplication, fractions, number patterns, charts and problem solving. The product details describe over 60 skills, more than 300 lessons, and five difficulty levels, along with printable puzzles and an interactive math board.

Buyers find it wonderful for educational purposes, but reliability is the sticking point. Some report it runs without problems, while others say it freezes often. The listed requirements are Windows XP through Windows 7, so check that your system meets them before buying.