Websites that take the work out of learning
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Limiting the time kids spend on the computer in this digital era can be a daunting task. But there are plenty of fun educational sites kids will love and that make learning a blast.
Try these entertaining sites, but as a parent, set time limits for all of your child’s screen usage time: TV, DVD, video games and online.
Space is a Blast
At NASA’s Star Child there’s plenty to discover. Do fun activities, and learn which orbit each planet belongs to, match planets to their descriptions, and even calculate what is your own weight and age on each planet. Teens, also, can click on a link to NASA’s teen site and explore web pages to solve problems.
starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/StarChild.html
Pop, Dong, Kerplunk
This site will keep you busy for hours. Brain Pop is a fun site dedicated to health, science and technology. Thrill at the awesome background sounds, and find experiments, activities, cartoons, quizzes and animated movies.
www.brainpop.com/
Go on
Whiz over to Energy Quest and learn about fossil fuels, alternative fuel vehicles and more by playing games, doing experiments and projects and entering an art contest.
www.energyquest.ca.gov/index.html
Basics & Beyond
FunBrain.com offers all levels educational games in every subject. Play Grammar Gorillas, connect the dots by ones, fives and even backward, or take the Brain Bowl quiz. There are even parent-kid challenges and parent quizzes. Click ‘search for games’ and discover many more awesome activities.
funbrain.com/
Forest Fire Facts
Visit Smokey Bear and get the “Bear Facts,” learn fire safety and help Smokey in one of the interactive games.
www.smokeybear.com/
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Discovery!
At DiscoveryKids watch fascinating videos about alien planets, play a selection of games such as Build Your Own Rollercoaster and explore interesting topics.
discoverykids.com/
Sensational Animal Sounds
Kids Planet by Defenders of the Wild is an animal sound delight. Calls from the wild welcome you while you choose between taking an animal quiz, touring the “Web of Life,” learning how to defend the environment or playing a game of “Who Am I?”
www.kidsplanet.org/
Medicine Madness
At PBS’s A Science Odyssey, take an interactive visit to the doctor, play a game show called “That’s My Theory,” read comic stories about scientists and learn about the discovery of penicillin.
www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/
Math, Money & More
Math has never been so cool as at Coolmath4Kids.com. Do brain benders, jigsaw puzzles and play the lemon-aid stand game to improve your math and money skills.
www.coolmath4kids.com/
Online Adventures
Take a journey to The Greatest Places and visit the Amazon, Tibet, Greenland and other fascinating countries. Learn neat facts, watch videos, send postcards, play games and find great activities to do at home.
www.greatestplaces.org/
Road Safety Fun
Are you going on a trip? Then visit AAA’s The Otto Club for some great travel games. Print out cards for a game of License Plate Bingo to learn what road signs mean and find links to other neat sites.
www.ottoclub.org/
Presidential Probe
There’s plenty to learn at The American Presidency—even for parents. Do activities and read fun facts about the campaign trail, life in the White House and assassinations. Then, take a poll, and share your thoughts.
http://americanhistory.si.edu/presidency/home.html
KIMBERLY BLAKER, of Arizona, is an author and freelance writer. Her articles have appeared in more than 200 newspapers, parenting and women’s magazines, and other publications throughout the U.S.
