Allen Rausch has worked for game developers including Acclaim Entertainment, Toys ‘R’ Us, Interplay Entertainment, UbiSoft, Riot Games and Nexon America. The PC Editor for GameSpy.com for seven years, he has been a contributing author for games, a noted columnist-reviewer and an editorialist for publications such as PC Gamer, GameSpot and Gamasutra.
State-of-the-art for baseball video games. Lighter modes likehome-run derby make the game fun for younger kids, and truebaseball fans will love this game. Sony Computer EntertainmentAmerica; $59.99; us.playstation.com; ages 10 and up.
MLB 11: The Show
This kid-safe Web browser comes with a ton of great games,videos and Web destinations for kids, and includes safe email andvideo chat functions. Best of all, easy-to-use parental controlsgive complete control over what’s available for your kids. Fuhu;free; foozkids.com; ages 2-11.
Fooz Kids
An extraordinary digital update version of Dorothy Kunhardt’sclassic touch-and-feel children’s book. The illustrations areinteractive, with excellent reading of the text and vocal feedback.Random House; $3.99; randomhouse.com/kids/apps; ages 2-6.
Pat the Bunny
A delightful “e-toy” app that lets kids cut hair, style it,color it and experiment with all sorts of wild hairstyles forpeople and animals. Tocaboca; $0.99; tocaboca.com;
ages 2-6.
Toca Hair Salon
This is an amazing iPad-style touchscreen computer that comeswith fun apps including a virtual art studio and digital camera.New apps are $10 each. Includes impressive online and parentfeatures, including emails that track kids’ educational progress.LeapFrog Enterprises Inc.; $99; leapfrog.com/leappad;
ages 4-12.
LeapPad
An online art studio with an amazingly powerful set of art toolsfor kids. Disney Interactive Media Group; free; disney.com/create; ages 5-15.
Disney.com/Create
