Here are the year's best video games for young kids

This year has been an innovative one for kids' video games. While most of the really good kids' games are on the Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS and the PC, this year's list includes a few titles on the Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3 and the Sony PlayStation Portable.
Most exciting, though, is the growth of family games, where up to four family members can play together around the same console with games that appeal to all ages. Because family games are a great gift for all ages, we'll start with those first, and then make recommendations by age category.

If you are using this list as a resource for buying gifts for kids, remember to ask what system they own so that you pick up games that play on their system.

All the titles on this list are rated "E" for Everyone, or "E10+" for Everyone 10 and older, by the Entertainment Software Rating Board.

Best family games

Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo, $49.99, Nintendo Wii)

Perfect for families that enjoy sports competition. With more than a dozen different sports from table tennis to archery, there is something for everyone. Family members simply move their arms to mimic playing a sport and then start trash talking. Make sure to try Frisbee Golf.

New Super Mario Bros Wii (Nintendo, $49.99, Nintendo Wii)

Perfect for families that have a love affair with all things "Mario." This is a great way for experienced family members to introduce nongamers to a raucous, side-scrolling platform adventure. Playable by four players at once, a nice feature is that a good player can pick up one who is struggling and carry him through a level.

Lego Rock Band (Warner Bros. Interactive, $49.99, Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3. Also on Nintendo DS for $29.99)

Perfect for families that love music. Unlike other versions of Rock Band, this one has a difficulty level that is so easy that both little kids and grandparents can join in the rock fest. The music playlist has oldies and hot new releases, and all ages will enjoy the clever Lego antics. Seeing David Bowie as a Lego guy is a show-stopper.

For ages 4 to 6

ItzaZoo (Sabi Games, $19.99, Windows)

Perfect for kids learning to read. Emerging readers go on adventures with friendly animals at the zoo. Kids read what the animals need by moving their computer mouse over talk bubbles which are read aloud. Then, they draw requested objects that magically get incorporated into the story. This is one of the most innovative games of the year.

Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom (2K Play, $39.99, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2)

Perfect for preschoolers new to the Wii. With simple controls for preschoolers, kids join Dora in a world where she can fly using butterfly wings, jump across giant dancing flowers and ride a Pegasus.

For ages 7 to 10

Boom Blox Bash Party (Electronic Arts, $39.99, Nintendo Wii)

Perfect for kids who would rather knock down block structures than build them. From Steven Spielberg, this four-player game has more than 400 puzzles that make destroying block structures an art form.

A Boy and His Blob (Majesco, $39.99, Nintendo Wii)

Perfect for kids who like gentle heroes. In this inventive adventure story, a little boy and his blob solve problems by having the blob transform into helpful things like a trampoline or a hole in the ground.

MySims Agents (Electronic Arts, $49.99, Nintendo Wii)

Perfect for sleuth wannabes. Kids solve a series of intertwined mysteries while using cool spy gadgets and traveling to exotic places.

For ages 10 and above

LittleBigPlanet (Sony, $39.99, Sony PSP)

Perfect for PSP owners who are into platform puzzlers. Based on last year's PlayStation 3 award-winning game of the same name, this expanded portable version still stars the adorable Sack Boy. As you help him to navigate more than 30 levels filled with crazy contraptions, you earn tools to create your own levels.

Spore Hero (Electronic Arts, $49.99, Nintendo Wii)

Perfect for kids who like a little punch in their adventures. As kids explore a far away planet, they earn body parts to add to their self-designed Spore Hero. They must fight others to earn respect, and solve environmental puzzles by constantly evolving their hero using some of the more than 250 body parts.

Scribblenauts (Warner Bros. Interactive, $29.99, Nintendo DS)

Perfect for gamers who like to use their imaginations. The shtick here is that you solve puzzles by imagining what would help you and then spelling that object to have it arrive on your screen. With more than 10,000 words that have matching objects, no two players will solve the puzzles in the same fashion.

Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box (Nintendo, $29.99, Nintendo DS)

Perfect for puzzle lovers who like a reason to put their brains through mental calisthenics. With a fun mystery theme and gorgeous hand-drawn graphics, this game makes it fun to solve challenging brainteasers.