• Linux games for children are fun and educational.black video games controler or games pad image by Warren Millar from Fotolia.com
  
  Linux is a computer operating system that is distributed free or for a minor cost. Numerous free games for children can run on Linux. For teachers or parents who are apprehensive about installing a Linus operating system, the games generally are available for Windows or Mac systems as well.
  
  

Childsplay

• Childsplay is for preschool to early elementary children and offers memory activities for learning sounds, images, letters and numbers. It has games for teaching children how to use the computer mouse and keyboard. Children can also do puzzles or play Pong, billiards or a Pacman-like game.
  
  As of 2010, two variants of the software are in development. The first is Cognitionplay, intended for children who have emotional and cognitive delays. The second is Schoolsplay, suitable for group and classroom use. All three programs run on Linux, Windows and Mac operating systems. Schoolsplay will also be available for the OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) XO laptop.
  
  

Extreme Tux Racer

• Extreme Tux Racer is a game for Linux, Windows and Mac. The object of the game is to race a penguin to the finish line while the bird eats herring to score points. SuperTuxKart is also a racing game in which penguins vie to be first at the finish line.
  
  

Food Force 2

• Food Force 2 is a branch project from the World Food Program software. The software teaches children about difficulties in getting aid to starving people.
  
  

GCompris

• GCompris is educational software for children ages 2 to 10. The software is free for Linux distribution but is crippleware, meaning that Windows and Mac users must pay a fee to gain access to all the activities. The activities that GCompris offers for younger children include learning how to tell time, doing puzzles of famous paintings and learning how to work with the mouse and keyboard. Older children have activities such as algebraic concepts, chess and sudoku.
  
  

GNU Chess

• GNU Chess is a chess game for older children. The game works on Linux, Unix and Windows. The software is also available for GP2X, a Linux-based hand-held device that runs open-source software.
  
  

KTuberling

• KTuberling is part of the KDE games module. The software is a drawing game for preschool and younger elementary school children that allows them to put faces, clothes and other accessories on a virtual potato head. The children can also build a town with features like a school or zoo and can create moonscapes with spaceships and aliens. KTuberling has several languages that speak object names to aid in vocabulary development. The game also runs on Windows and Mac.
  
  

LinCity-NG

• LinCity-NG is a simulation game involving building and maintaining a virtual city. The goal is to build a thriving economy or evacuate all the citizens from their homes with spaceships. The software is available for Windows and Linux. Another simulation game for Linux, Windows and Mac is Cultivation, in which gardeners must grow food in a shared space.