If you’re sick of trekking down to Best Buy every few weeks so your kids can pick out a $20 CD ROM learning game they’ll be sick of in a week, Intel has the cure for your time and money woes. If you use the family computer as a learning tool over the summer months and want to save money on educational programs, you need to check out Intel AppUp.

If your computer runs on a recent version of Windows, you can download the Intel AppUp App store and get to loading up your family computer with useful apps today. Don’t let the word “app” fool you – these are fully functional computer programs. And thousands are available within a matter of minutes (and pennies). Below I’ve listed some of the best educational picks of recent weeks and the words the developers have published that best describe them.

Reading Trainer by HeKu IT GmbH  $4.99

Reading Trainer is the ideal app to double your reading speed while improving your retention at the same time: significant increases in your reading speed; eye-exercises and improvements in your mental capacity. This app provides everything you need to read texts of all types faster, more effectively and most of all, with better retention. The PowerReader allows you to get your daily work done while practicing important reading skills. Learning reading techniques has never been this much fun! Double your reading.

PBS Kids by PBS FREE

“The PBS Kids application includes games, videos and more available on your windows desktop.” It’s free. It’s educational. And it’s chock full of the characters most kids love learning from. We own the iOS equivalent for this app and our kids still hold it among their very favorite apps.

Crayola Art Start by Core Learning $7.99

Crayola® Art Start is an excellent art software program for young children. They will easily learn basic digital drawing and painting techniques and basic computer skills, including importing, editing, and exporting digital images. The program has a simple and intuitive interface yet it includes powerful draw and paint tools based on the award-winning Crayola Art Studio program. There are four digital art tools that simulate the appearance and application of the real Crayola crayons, markers, and paints.

Word Zapper by NTP $2.99

Is your brain flabby? Time to ZAP it into ACTION with Word Zapper! The rules are simple. Combine the six letters on the screen to make as many words as you can before the timer runs out. As you wind your brain up, you’ll nail the high score. The goal of every level is to solve the 6 letter word. Once you do that, you are allowed passage to the next round. If you get stuck, just tap The Zapper to rearrange the letters! Doing so will often reveal previously overlooked letter combinations to give your brain a jolt!

BrainPOP Featured Movie by BrainPOP (FREE)

BrainPOP Featured Movie is your go-to resource for free digital content that rotates daily and ties in to current events, historical figures and milestones, holidays, and much more. Watch the animated movie and then test your knowledge with an interactive quiz. Make it part of your kids’ days – and yours – at home, at school, and everywhere in between. Our award-winning resources have been trusted by thousands of parents and teachers for more than 10 years. Our topics cover Science, Math, Social Studies, English, Engineering and Technology, Arts and Music, and Health.

Xavier the Mouse by TnT Gaming $4.99

Journey with Xavier the Mouse to the land of Silverwood. The adventurous young mouse sets out to find his Grandma Rose. On the way he visits all his friends around Silverwood. Complete various Educational tests in categories like Math, Science, Language Arts, Colors, Shapes, Music. Play on Preschool, Kindergarten, or First Grade difficulty level. The Educational tests are tailored to the learning objectives of each grade level. Every time you play the questions are randomized. Play again and again to drill the subject of your choice. For Children ages 4 to 6.

TyperSpace by Robot Super Brain $4.99

3, 2, 1… Blast Off! Engage the Typer Drive to soar through space from planet to planet as a member of Team K.I.D.! Collect star letters to power your flight. When you arrive on a planet, type words correctly to feed wacky, hungry aliens. Visit Planet Mythos, Inkling, Cigam, and other weird destinations on your journey through the universe. Soon you’ll be typing at light speed!

What are your favorite Intel AppUp apps for learning? Let me know in the comments below.

Hannah Camacho is an educator, mom to three wonderful children ages 3 and younger and proud wife of an Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran. She has been a BlogHer featured tech blogger and is very involved in the world of mobile app marketing and PR when she’s not chasing her three busy little ones.