Kid-Key-Lock

"Kid-Key-Lock is a simple but effective program to prevent small children from accidentally deleting files or changing system settings while they are using your computer."

Kodu Teaches Your Kids to Visually Program Their Own Video Games

10 Video Websites for Kids That Are Safe and Fun

Zoodles Corrals Kids in a Safe and Educational Browser

"If you're looking for a kid-friendly way to let a young child interact with your computer without the risk of them deleting important files or getting into content they shouldn't see, Zoodles is a kid-friendly browser."

Alice

Alice is an innovative 3D programming environment that makes it easy to create an animation for telling a story, playing an interactive game, or a video to share on the web. Alice is a teaching tool for introductory computing. It uses 3D graphics and a drag-and-drop interface to facilitate a more engaging, less frustrating first programming experience.

Science News for Kids

"Science News for Kids is a web site devoted to science news for children of ages 9 to 14. Our goal is to offer timely items of interest to kids, accompanied by suggestions for hands-on activities, books, articles, Web resources, and other useful materials."

inudge.net - Nudge

Nudge is a cool little web-based multi-track music maker.

Create Your Own Comic Book, No Experience Necessary

"The real fun, though, is adding characters. For someone with no artistic talent, this is huge. There’s roughly 50 different hero and villain poses to choose from. Again, you can rotate and resize any of them."

Auburn Elementary's Big List of Links For Students

Organized by subject and grade.

Storybird: cute web-based storybook publishing

"Storybird is a place for kids and parents to read and create storybooks. It's completely kid-friendly and features a gallery of great artwork that you can use to get started. "

Qimo - an Operating System designed for kids

"Qimo is a desktop operating system designed for kids. Based on the open source Ubuntu Linux desktop, Qimo comes pre-installed with educational games for children aged 3 and up.
Qimo’s interface has been designed to be intuitive and easy to use, providing large icons for all installed games, so that even the youngest users have no trouble selecting the activity they want. "

toneMatrix - click synth

Click your pattern and hear it played, then modify it as you wish. See you in a few hours! :-)

KidsMenu is a Kid-Friendly Interface for Windows

Help Keep Children Safe Online with KidZui

"If you are looking for a fun way to help keep your children safe online KidZui may be the perfect option."

Big list of links for kids

Separated by subject and age.

CrazyLittleFingers Rewards Your Toddler's Curiosity

"Windows only: CrazyLittleFingers is a keyboard locking application... CrazyLittleFingers corresponds the keystroke to a picture and sound related to the key."

Baby Smash! Kid-Proofs Your Computer

Two cool programs for kids of any age

My kids and I have been using some cool programs lately. Both are free, and Windows, Mac, and Linux versions are available.

Phun: physics simulator -- build and wreck stuff to your heart's content with this 2D physics sandbox. There's lots of videos on YouTube and other Phun-user sites that show just how complex you can get with this; but even very young kids can get the hang of it easily. My favorite part: create a shape, then liquefy it and watch gravity do its thing. The clouds that roll by occasionally are a nice touch.

Audacity: simple sound editor that lets you do multi-track recording… record a song, then add some sound effects and a beatbox track; or see what's it like singing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" with a few clones of yourself. Some hints:

• change a few settings to make things easier: have existing tracks played while recording new tracks (so you can hear to match things up); and set recording to mono mode so you can fit more tracks on the screen and not have to look at empty ones (mic recording is mono anyway)
• start with a "click track": make a track of "one… two… three… four… one… two… three… four" to help keep the beat, then just delete that track as the final step; and start your other tracks after the first set of counts (like bands do when the drummer counts it down)
• to record multiple tracks, just record something and hit Stop, then hit Record again: a new track will be created and recording will start.

Enjoy.

Cyber Security Tip -- Keeping Children Safe Online

"Children present unique security risks when they use a computer—not only do you have to keep them safe, you have to protect the data on your computer. By taking some simple steps, you can dramatically reduce the threats."

Kidnetic

From the Cool Tricks and Trinkets Newsletter:"Kidnetic is filled to the brim with adiverse selection of original games, challenges, quizzes, and educational tools guaranteed to keep children actively inspired for hours at a time."

Top 10 Sites for Students

Top Ten Sites for Teachers

Yahoo! Teachers, a social network for teachers

"When launched, it will allow teachers to create, modify and share standards based curriculum."

10 ways to entertain young children for $1 or less

"These classic toys and activities can be created with stuff you probably already have lying around your house. "

iKeepSafe Internet Safety Coalition

"The iKeepSafe.org website uses an animated icon / mascot named Faux Paw the Techno Cat to teach children the importance of protecting personal information and avoiding inappropriate places on the Internet."

WebWiseKids

"Web Wise Kids is about empowering today’s youth to make wise online choices. Through state-of-the-art computer games—based on real-life scenarios—community and youth leader involvement and parents, Web Wise Kids creates a safer, more friendly internet experience."

SafeKids.com

"Your family's guide to making the internet and technology safe, fun, and productine."

FBI Publications - A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety

"While on-line computer exploration opens a world of possibilities for children, expanding their horizons and exposing them to different cultures and ways of life, they can be exposed to dangers as they hit the road exploring the information highway."

Tips for Kids - ways to keep kids safe around dogs

Leave no child inside

"Getting kids outdoors more, riding bikes, running, swimming—and, especially, experiencing nature directly—could serve as an antidote to much of what ails the young. "

Cozi, family-ready software

"Through Cozi users can access their family calendar, schedules, and notes information that are stored in the family's personal system, even when they are on the go. Reminders can be sent out and accessed by any PC or mobile phone you choose. "

Kidz CD 1 - Surf Station

"Surf Station is a web browser interface for young children (6 years or younger) that allows them to access popular internet contents in several categories including Games, Stories and Television."

Meet Me at Midnight

"Fascinating game teaches kids about art."

Great American Backyard Campout

This yearly event encourages experiencing a night outside.

Periodic Table of the Elements - Flash Version

"The Royal Society of Chemistry has created a fascinating virtual look intothe Periodic Table of Elements. The site offers an original artistic interpretation of each element, information on its history, electronconfiguration and current uses."

Free Software to assist running a Derby

Free software to assist in running a Pinewood Derby or other race. Automatically uses Partial Perfect N charts, takes care of lane assignments and scoring. Nice. Please read all items, or at least the one dated today, so that you're aware of two bugs. I don't know if you're out there anywhere, dknowles67, but thanks for the software, and if there's any chance we could get you clean up those two things, that would be sweet.

parent hacks

"a collaborative weblog of practical parenting wisdom"

FunBrain.com

Education Site for K-8 Kids and Teachers

Carve your own virtual pumpkin

Exploratorium: the museum of science, art and human perception

A magnificent site. The Gardening section is wonder to behold, I'd reccomend starting there.

Just Free Stuff! Freebies For Teachers

HomeworkSpot.com: Homework Help, Science Fair Project Ideas, Math Help, Homework Helper

"Simplifying the Search for the Best K-12 Homework-Related Content Online"

Surfing the Net with Kids: Guide to the BEST KID SITES

"... browse the kids sites, view the inspirational Light an Educational Fire movie, subscribe to my free website reviews newsletter, and take advantage of a free trial membership in the Surfnetkids Printables Club."

The Educator's Reference Desk: Resource Guides

"2,000 lesson plans, 3,000 links to online education information, and 200 question archive responses. "

StudyDog Reading Program

"StudyDog is a complete and entirely free Early Reading program downloaded over the Internet to a computer in your home or classroom."

Teaching Your Baby Sign Language

"Most parents must play the guessing game to figure out what their child is suggesting or impatiently demanding. That is, unless they know sign language."

Great American Backyard Campout

August 20th.

Toddler Keys -- software

Lock keyboard and CD drives, provide positive reinforcement for keypresses

Kool sites for parents and kids

Kim Komando's list of good links for internet information and safety.

TV 'may stunt toddlers' learning'

Tux Paint

"Tux Paint is a free drawing program designed for young children (kids ages 3 and up). It has a simple, easy-to-use interface, fun sound effects, and an encouraging cartoon mascot who helps guide children as they use the program. "

LIKEaBIKE

"As early as two years old, children can fulfill their urge to be active with this walking bike and have their first experience of riding on two wheels."

At What Age Should Children Be Allowed Online Alone

"Kids love to go online. There is so much to explore and learn. At what age should you allow your child to go online by themselves?"

Ten Safety Rules for Kids Who Use the Internet

"If you have a child in the home who has access to your computer, these ten safety rules will help them enjoy the Internet safely."

Keeping Children Safe Online

"Children present unique security risks when they use a computer—not only do you have to keep them safe, you have to protect the data on your computer. By taking some simple steps, you can dramatically reduce the threats. "

Hector Protector Button/Screen Saver

"The function of this button is to give a child the ability to quickly cover the screen of the computer with a screensaver of Hector Protector™ when they encounter material that frightens or upsets them."

Science Toys

"Make toys at home with common household materials, often in only a few minutes, that demonstrate fascinating scientific principles. "

10 Commandments for Kids Online

The Kids on the Web: Homework Tools

Yahooligans! The Web Guide for Kids

Seussville

If you like Dr. Seuss, you'll have lots of fun at this site.

KidsCom, fun site for kids.

Same as below, but for older kids.

KidsCom Jr., a Web site for kids and preschoolers

National Geographic Kids

Games, Stories, News, Animals, Pictures, Postcards, more.

KidZone - National Wildlife Federation

Goodnite Stories

Read/See/Hear/Fill-in/Decide a story.

Bob the Builder

The official site of everyone's favorite master of construction.

MSN Kidz Homepage

MSN Kidz site for kids 8 and over.

MSN Kids Homepage

MSN Kids site for kids under 8.

Ask Jeeves Kids

Search engine/reference books for kids.

Sesame Workshop

Many great things from the same people who bring you Sesame Street.

KidsHealth

Excellent site with information about health and the human body, for parents, kids, and teens.

FunBrain.com - Kids Center

Lots of fun games and activities, and parent/teacher resources.

NickJr.com -- direct link to games and stories

Nick Jr.

"Nick Jr. -- Play to Learn with Blue's Clues, Dora the Explorer, Little Bill and More!"

The Kids on the Web

"This is an on-going list of sites that offer information for and about kids. Among other things, it includes a lot of stuff for them to play with, information for adults, and info about schools and education. "

GetNetWise

"The Internet is an increasingly important place to work, play and learn for both adults and children. At the same time, we are concerned about the risks we face online. The challenge is to stay 'one-click' ahead of those who would misuse your and your child's sensitive information. GetNetWise can help."

parenting: resources, skills, advice and information at parentstages.com

Informational site for expecting/new/growing parents.

Crayola Creativity Central

Lots of stuff to do for kids, parents, and educators.

ParentsTalk

"ParentsTalk is a parenting magazine with parenting tips, family activities, crafts for children, help with a difficult child and other parenting information. Get parenting advice from parent experts. Share your stories and insights on the parent message boards."

DLTK's Printable Crafts for Kids

"DLTK's Crafts for Kids features a variety of fun, printable children's crafts, coloring pages and more including projects for holidays, educational themes and some of our children's favorite cartoon characters. "

Nursery Rhymes from Mother Goose

Nursery Rhymes, Fairy Tales, Short Stories, & Songs

FamilyFun

"Great ideas - Practical advice - Fun stuff to do."

Mama Lisa's House of Nursery Rhymes

Parents.com

Lots of information for parents, from the company that produces Parents magazine.

Activity Idea Place

"We host over 2400 activity ideas for Early Childhood Education professionals."

KiddoNet

"KiddoNet's mission is to offer kids an on-line space with high quality content and web tools that allow them to create, learn, play and communicate safely." Lots of kid-safe content, and an area for parents, but even more impressively: a kid-safe browser, with safe email and parental control.

Toddler Keys - lock keyboard and CD drives from SnapFiles

"Toddler Keys is a useful tool for parents that allows you to lock your computer keyboard, CD drive doors and power-off button."