One of the first things that springs to mind when you think of children's games is cute animals. And while many games feature animals as a sideline, Animal Jam by National Geographic is a world created just for children. In this game the child will become one of several animals, and explore a world full of fun and information. Becoming a tiger or a wolf as you run around a new brightly coloured world is exciting. With a huge variety of animals available to you to play.

But its not just what you look like that engages children either it is what you can do inside of the game that matters. In many of the games available there are mini games that your children can play. From little arcade games to educational quizzes and everything in between. These games are fun to play and have simple controls, so a child can really play and enjoy in a relaxed environment.

In games such as Second Life you can also purchase and play with toys. There are stores that specialise in children's toys, that can be moved and played with inside of the world. In ourWorldourWorld you can also go to areas full of toys or games tables and the children can play social games and interact with other players while they have fun with the toys and games available.

Another big part of most of the games available is owning and looking after a pet. In WoozWorld for example you can own almost any animal as a pet. Giving your child some of the fun of looking after an animal without all of the mess that can be involved. But these pets do need looking after, some of them need feeding and walking. And as much as you can play games with your pets, they do need a level of care that can engage the children that own them as well as being huge amounts to fun to play with.

Many people play these virtual worlds for the social aspects of the game, and children's games are no different. Animal Jam is aimed solely at children, and creating a safe environment for them to play in and meet other children. With a clear and simple set of guidelines on what is acceptable the children are free to run around and speak to other players. There are some really cool little places kids can go and chat and play games together.

Almost every world available has some areas for children to play in, parks and beaches to soccer pitches and all of these give the children the opportunity to meet people. Helping to develop social skills and just talk about kids stuff to other kids is wonderful, and there are plenty of lovely safe places where children can do just that.

As well as being fun to play many of the games available also have a huge educational value. Teaching everything from basic mathematics to cool information about wildlife or creative thinking games. Roblox Roblox for example less of a game to play than a tool to let imagination to run wild. Children can create games for others to play and there are many games designed to be fun and teach the child playing something. But its not just through games, some of the National Geographic games have instruction videos and clips of amazing animals and places in the world with information given about why the waves more of the geyser sprays water.

So as well as being fun to play and educating your children virtual worlds also offer a way for them to express themselves. In all of the worlds available you can customise your look, from the colour of your stripes in Animal Jam to the outfit you wear to a birthday party in IMVU there is the potential for the children to create their own special world just the way they like it.

Whether exploring a specialised children s world or entering into a pure virtual world like Second Life there will be so much for a child to explore and do. From learning about geography to designing their own den to live in there is so much available for children to do. Along the way they can meet new friends and play some fun games. Virtual Worlds offer a huge amount to explore and it’s all available from the safety of your own home. Discovering new things and places to play is a fantastic experience for any child and virtual worlds are there waiting to be explored.