‘Flow’ is a pretty, simple, and strangely compelling free game
"Do you enjoy strange, off the wall games that most people might consider ‘odd’ because they don’t follow set conventions for modern gamers? If so, you’re going to love ‘Flow’, a free browser based game. It offers a very pretty game environment, simple but compelling game play, and can be installed as a Chrome App (shortcut) if you should desire to do so."
Don't Be Bored, Be Unbored
"The hardbound tome is an activity book for children aged 8 and up, with over 350 beautifully designed and illustrated pages that encourage kids to use their natural curiosity and skills to be creative and to try to change the world."
Kurupira Web Filter
"Kurupira is a customizable web filter that enables you to protect your kids from inappropriate online content. You also set daily time limits, restrict access to applications and keep track of websites that were visited"
Are kids saying they're bored? Break out the Bucket of Boredom.
It has some fun thing to do in it, but also some chores and some goofy time-wasting stuff, because our goal was not only to give them something to do, but to get them to stop complaining of boredom and think of things to do themselves (and because if it was all rainbows and ice cream they'd use it all up on day one and get sick of it). So in other words, they quickly learned that they had to really be bored to take the chance on the BoB.
My wife, an inveterate scrapbooker, fancied up our Bucket (a plastic jar with a screw-on lid) with letters and pictures, but even an old shoebox or coffee can would work. We printed out a list of things, cut them apart and folded them, and put them in the Bucket, and when the kids were really and truly bored, and willing to take a chance, they'd draw one out.
Some of the items were retired after one use, some items were put back in after they were drawn, and we added new ones as we thought of them. The kids never knew what was in there, although they did suggest things (that we may or may not have added). Anyway, you get the idea.
Here's the list of items we started with:
Here's the list of items we started with:
Math at Bedtime: Sign Up Here
"Every night across the country children’s literacy is being improved as parents sit down to read their children a bedtime story. We perceive a story to be a relaxing and quiet way to spend the time before we put a child to bed. There is no reason why we can’t do the same thing with math and science."
KidLogger
"KidLogger enables you to log and monitor PC and Internet activity on your computer. The program can keep track of websites visited, applications used, keystrokes typed and even capture screenshots of desktop activity"
Monitor and Analyze Your Child’s Facebook Activity Automatically
"With the media’s glaring attention on cyber-bullies, parents are becoming increasingly concerned about their children’s Facebook activities. Parenting magazines and websites recommend friending your child, but this alone does not provide a clear picture of what is really happening on your child’s Facebook account. Facebook monitoring services are starting to appear on the web. One free one that provides a wealth of information for parents is Minor Monitor."
Little Voice Commander
"This simple program encourages toddlers to speak and experiment by showing pictures of words they are likely to know, such as "dog," "apple," or, well, "baby," whenever a word is spoken or when a key on the keyboard is pressed. A sound file also speaks the word out loud."
The Kid Should See This.
"There's just so much science, nature, music, arts, technology, storytelling and assorted good stuff out there that my kids (and maybe your kids) haven't seen."
Physion - Physics Simulation Software
Free. "Physion is a 2D Physics simulation software. It can be used to easily create a wide range of interactive physics simulations and educational experiments. Teachers may find it particularly useful since it can be used as a virtual physics laboratory through which they can demonstrate some basic physics concepts in the classroom. "
KeyFreeze
"KeyFreeze is a simple program that allows you to lock your keyboard and mouse so that small children can safely chat with their grandparents on Skype or watch a DVD without causing interruptions by playing with the mouse or keyboard. "
Stykz
"Stykz is a stickfigure animation program that was inspired by the popular Pivot Stickfigure Animator software."
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."
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."
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."
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. "
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! :-)
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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.
Exploratorium: the museum of science, art and human perception
A magnificent site. The Gardening section is wonder to behold, I'd reccomend starting there.
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."
Kool sites for parents and kids
Kim Komando's list of good links for internet information and safety.
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. "
KidsHealth
Excellent site with information about health and the human body, for parents, kids, and teens.
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.
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. "
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