8. Computer Games.

They isolate children socially and distract them from learning, right? Think again. Researcher have found that kids who clock up regular console time can improve their hand-eye coordination, thier grip on science, even their IQ.
A 2002 study of 700 children found that stimulation and adventure games such as Sim City and RollerCoaster Tycoon develop children strategic thinking and planning skills. And research by Peter Excell, head of computing and communications technology at Glyndwr University in Wales, suggests computer games are a great way to explain the basic of physics. (A weapon thrown in a game, for example, has to follow a certain trajectory, illustrating the laws of gravity.)
Bishop John Robinson Primary School in Thamesmead, London, actually started a pilot project in September last year using 16 Nintendo DS consoles running the Math Training Game with a Year Five class- who were so engaged that other classes are now sharing the consoles and some students and some students have asked their parents to buy the games to use at home.

BUT WATCH OUT!!
Some games can creat stress-like symptoms, with younger children more effected because they are less able to distinguish between fact and fiction. Ensure the computer is somewhere you can see it.