Top 30 Websites for Kids

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Fun and safe things kids can do online

By Haley Overland

Most parents are surprised to learn that the Internet can be a valuable resource for fun and learning – both for themselves and their children. Here are 30 fun online resources parents can count on to keep kids safe, engaged and productive.

1. Arts Alive (http://ArtsAlive.ca) This innovative site was launched by the National Arts Centre to educate young minds about the magic of the performing arts. Through multimedia resources and interactive activities, kids can explore orchestral music, dance, English and French language theatre and more.

2. Art Games (http://www.albrightknox.org/artgames/loader.html) Created by the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, New York, this site offers kids (K-6) fun tools to engage, with or without an adult companion, in playful interactive activities that will teach them all about the works of art in the gallery’s collections.

3. Ask Jeeves Kids (http://ajkids.com) Your go-to search engine for answering kid questions like “What makes it snow?” or “How do birds fly?”

4. Bonus.com (http://bonus.com) Parents can count on this site for free, user-friendly, safe and often educational games for younger kids. Parents concerned about privacy can rest assured – this site does not require registration.

5. CBC Kids (http://cbc.ca/kids) The online companion to CBC’s children’s TV programming, CBC Kids offers kid-friendly activities and games for all ages. Activities include non-violent games like Snowboarding and Spinball, and a special section just for preschoolers.

6. Canadian Wildlife Federation (http://cwf-fcf.org) This site will inspire young nature lovers to learn about and engage in wildlife conservation through such activities as hiking, biking and creating a habitat for birds and butterflies in their own backyard.

7. CoolMath4Kids (http://coolmath4kids.com) Who knew math could be so much fun? Games, “brain benders,” puzzles, colouring-book activities and more will educate and delight children of all ages.

8. Discovery Education (http://school.discoveryeducation.com/) A fitting extension of the Discovery Channel, this site encourages kids to “learn adventurously,” offering fun, interactive games and experiences for scientists, explorers and adventurers.

9. DOGONews (http://dogonews.com/) Kids (K-8) can feel all grown up with their own special online newspaper and web guide. Short, kid-friendly articles enable kids to safely read and learn about real world news events – and report about them too!

10. Ecokids.ca (http://www.ecokids.ca/pub/index.cfm) This award-winning Canadian environmental destination for kids is loaded with games, activities, information, contests and more. Your child can even become an “EcoReporter.”

11. Fact Monster (http://factmonster.com) Packed with information, this award-winning US site offers interactive games and tools that inspire kids (K-8) to excel in vocabulary, math, geography and spelling.

12. Funbrain.com (http://funbrain.com) Kids (K-8) will love these brainy but fun games – from puzzles and web-books to sports games and “archades.” They won’t believe they’re actually learning!

13. Funology.com (http://funology.com) Bust kid boredom both online and off! Games, recipes, crafts, science experiments, jokes, riddles and magic tricks will keep kids happy and productive throughout the summer.

14. GirlSite! Network (http://www.girlsite.org/aboutus.html) Just for girls! Designed by the non-profit organization “GirlSite,” this site will empower girls and young women to share and explore thoughts and opinions about everything from careers and current events, to the arts and much more.

15. Kids Reads (http://kidsreads.com) Kids can learn all about their favourite books and authors, and stay up-to-date on the latest literary buzz through articles, reviews, games, podcasts, bookclubs and interviews.

16. Kidspace (http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/kidspace/) Little astronauts (ages 6-8) will love the fun and educational interactive resources at Kidspace. Learn all about special space projects, space playgrounds and careers. (The site is under construction, but is still worth the visit.)

17. How Stuff Works (http://howstuffworks.com) Ever wondered how the Internet works or how a cheetah runs so fast? Kids and adults alike will enjoy this award-winning site that tells you everything you need to know about how stuff works.

18. Kids Click! (http://kidsclick.org) Launched by a group of librarians at the Ramapo Catskill Library System, Kids Click! will lead you and your young surfers to productive, age-appropriate sites in pretty much every area you can think. (Over 600+ subjects covered!)

19. PBS Kids (http://pbskids.org) This award-winning site offers easy-to-play games and activities featuring kids’ favourite PBS characters – Arthur, Caillou, Clifford, Curious George and more!

20. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (http://www.nasa.gov/home/index.html) Space lovers of all ages can explore the universe, view the latest space images and learn about current space programs, news and missions. Be sure to check out the many Buzz Lightyear games in the Kids Club.

21. National Geographic Kids! (http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/) Games, videos, stories and activities will keep kids up-to-date on everything they can imagine at this award-winning fun, informative and interactive site.

22. Pogo.com (http://www.pogo.com/) This state-of-the-art online game destination offers the best of web-based board games, card games, archade games, word games, puzzles and sports.

23. Science Made Simple (http://sciencemadesimple.com) Science Made Simple is a fabulous science resource for kids – offering answers to scientific questions, project ideas, experiments and more.

24. Shockwave.com (http://shockwave.com) This is ultimate online destination for free online and downloadable games of all kinds – action, adventure, card and board games, puzzles and more.  Over 450 games are available with more being added each week.

25. Starfall (http://starfall.com) This site has been encouraging kids to turn to educational stimulation for entertainment since 2002. Geared toward preschool and school-aged children, it’s a wonderful tool for teaching kids to read all summer long.

26. Treehouse (http://treehousetv.com/) You count on Treehouse for great, virtually ad-free TV, and you can turn to their site for kid-friendly games and activities featuring all your kiddo’s favourite Treehouse characters, from Barney and Dora, to Bob the Builder and Thomas.

27. United Nations Cyber School Bus (un.org/pubs/cyberschoolbus) Available in six languages, this site enables children to be a part of the global online community, learn about different countries and current events around the world and participate in discussions about international issues.

28. Virtual Museum of Canada (http://virtualmuseum.ca) Full of exciting information and discoveries. Kids can explore Canadian museum collections in various thought-provoking and instructive ways.

29. Yahoo! Games (http://games.yahoo.com/) Yahoo's extensive collection offers such games as Text Twist, Checkers, Chess, Solitaire, Beetle Bomp, Crossword and more. Note that finding the most kid-friendly free games may take some parent navigation.

30. Yahoo! Kids! (http://kids.yahoo.com/) Formerly known as Yahooligans, this kid-friendly search engine enables kids to search for all kinds of information safely and enjoyably. It’s also loaded with games, activities, the latest buzz and a weekly kid-friendly horoscope. Fun!