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[Elfeater]

At my school we are helping 1st graders with computers.
Games like balloons tower defnce 3. Games that make
you think but with no blood. Links please.

[Un67]

Music Catch 2?

I have to admit that it's not really a "thinking" game, but it would help them learn to use the mouse better (I guess?) and introduce them to awesome music that isn't whatever they hear on the radio.

Wait, no. Wonderputt. This is an awesome game. The premise is simple, but you definitely need to think when you aim and the way the game is presented would be excellent for first graders.

[Yodamaster]

I find Doom 3 to be pretty thought provoking.

[Ozyton]

Transformice

herp

[Frumple]

Gods alive, do not use anything multiplayer unless it's in-house. At least not until 3rd grade or so. Recipe for absolute disaster, that, and probably losing your job once the parents find out what the kids have been exposed to.

Unless they can't read. Might be okay if they can't read. (Yes, I realize it was a joke suggestion. Still...)

I'd, uh. I'd say maybe find a working windows version of Odell Lake, or Odell Down Under? I played those when I was in first grade (earlier, actually). They were awesome, though they're pretty old nowadays.

Alternately, give a search of 'edutainment'. There's a whole host of games specifically for early education learning environments.

[beorn080]

Oregon Trail.

Sim City. Original version.

[mr. macduggan]

Hands-down, Pajama Sam. Those games (I think that there are 3) were beastly awesome point-and-click adventure games aimed at kids about that age group. I played them as a kid, and I still get awesome nostalgia from them. They're also challenging enough to keep a kid going for some time. I didn't actually beat the third one until I gave it another shot at age 13.

[Rex_Nex]

I find Doom 3 to be pretty thought provoking.

Indeed. On the topic of philosophy-inducing games, I must wholeheartedly add "Grand Theft Auto". It's take on the American criminal underworld is absolute genius; I have a feeling those first graders will leave your classroom with knowledge decades beyond what most have.

[Il Palazzo]

These are not free(but cheap), mind you.
Professor Fizzwizzle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gwkAHtRkgI - how the game looks like

It's a puzzle game stylized as a platformer. You push some barrels and crates to get to the exit point.
Starts off easy, but soon enough ends up being a real brain teaser. Scratch that, it's fucking HARD. My hair, my poor hair...

World of Goo

Another puzzle game with deceptivelly cute graphics. I guess kids will just ignore the somewhat Terry Gilliam-ish imagery and focus on the challenges. Nowhere near as hard as the Prof. but that is not to say it won't strain any player's(1st grader or adult) grey matter.

[quinnr]

Hands-down, Pajama Sam. Those games (I think that there are 3) were beastly awesome point-and-click adventure games aimed at kids about that age group. I played them as a kid, and I still get awesome nostalgia from them. They're also challenging enough to keep a kid going for some time. I didn't actually beat the third one until I gave it another shot at age 13.

And Putt-putt (whatever the purple car was called) by that same company. Because that game was awesome, too.

[Rex_Nex]

I STILL play World of Goo. For young players, the puzzle solving dynamic is great. For me, the dynamics of construction involved in that game take the cake, however.

Basically the premise of the game is simple; you get little goo balls rolling around on some terrain. You then build things with them; bridges, towers, pitfalls, whatever suits your obstacle. There's enough levels to keep them occupied with some time, and I really doubt any of them will actually beat the game.

[Duke 2.0]

Hands-down, Pajama Sam. Those games (I think that there are 3) were beastly awesome point-and-click adventure games aimed at kids about that age group. I played them as a kid, and I still get awesome nostalgia from them. They're also challenging enough to keep a kid going for some time. I didn't actually beat the third one until I gave it another shot at age 13.

And Putt-putt (whatever the purple car was called) by that same company. Because that game was awesome, too.

Nostalgia is rushing in like nothing else. Probably the only point and click adventures I ever played.

 Some Civilization games that are less difficult could be handy. It'll help you remember various names absolutely forever.

[Elfeater]

Thanks for the suggestions.  And where can I get world of Goo.
( one of my buddies can't read) and btw I'm not the teacher we have 1st
Buddies in 8 th grade so my teacher did this with us.
 

[Sensei]

Hands-down, Pajama Sam. Those games (I think that there are 3) were beastly awesome point-and-click adventure games aimed at kids about that age group. I played them as a kid, and I still get awesome nostalgia from them. They're also challenging enough to keep a kid going for some time. I didn't actually beat the third one until I gave it another shot at age 13.

And Putt-putt (whatever the purple car was called) by that same company. Because that game was awesome, too.

By the company, Humongous: (in order of difficulty)

Putt Putt
Freddi Fish
Pajama Sam
Spy Fox

Man I loved those games. Also, Rollercoaster Tycoon, and Trackmania Nations (without online support, of course) if the computers can handle 3D well.

[Catastrophic lolcats]

Do they have to be new games?
Because the old Maxis games like Simtant, Simtunes, Simtown would be prefect.