All kids love to play on the Internet. There is so much content out there for them to explore, but how do parents keep them safe while at the same time allowing them to explore? Here is a list of websites that parents can trust and that kids will want to visit over and over again.
This site has a ton of cool interactive places to visit. Find information about animals, people, and places. (Don't worry about those National Geographic pictures from when you were a kid!) This site has games that help kids learn about the environment and nature. There's enough here to keep kids involved for hours and it is updated constantly so every visit is a new adventure.
Forget covert operations and international spies. This website is a great resource for school geography projects. Every country in the world can be found here with information as listed in almanacs. Just type in the desired country in the search box and all the public information that CIA has gathered about that country is displayed. There are also games, tips for parents, information about what careers are available, links to other kid-friendly sites sponsored by the US Government.
This site has lots for little kids to do. The content is animated, brightly colored, and geared towards the younger visitor. There are games, coloring pages to print, and music sections. Kids can also visit the websites of their favorite PBS shows like Sesame Street or Dragon Tales.
Get your kids interested in reading! This website has a section for parents to help them promote reading with their kids and a section for kids to explore. The parent's section also includes games that the entire family can play together. The kid's section lets them catch up on their favorite authors and characters. Each book series has its own mini-webpage with lots of activities to keep kids busy.
The sponsor of this website is Nemours, a company dedicated to the health of infants, kids, and teens. This a great place to consult when kids have biological or anatomical questions that you can't answer. There are videos that explain how different parts of the body work and there is a section that explains illnesses so kids can understand what is happening to them or to a loved one.
Cyberspace seems to have taken over the title of the “Last Frontier” but NASA offers plenty of content to spark the interest of kids. There are sections for homework help as well as general content about the science of space and flight. Kids even have the opportunity to send their names into space on upcoming missions.
This site has a lot to offer in the realm of science. Kids can find ideas for science projects, play games, learn about science fiction, and get directions for fun experiments to do over the summer months. Kids have a chance to submit their own original works of science fiction writing and illustrations.
Kids can have fun learning and playing instruments on the web at this site. They can create original pieces of music or learn how to play popular songs they already know. The site also introduces budding Beethovens to all the different instruments found in a professional orchestra and allows them to hear what each one sounds like.
There are tons of math games for all levels on this site. Kids will spend hours playing the mind-boggling and brain-teasing games. This site is great for all members of the family to go head to head. Many of the games do not require any mathematical knowledge but test your logical ability which is a building block for future mathematical skills.
Can't make a trip to Washington, DC? Kids can explore this website to see why these museums are the best free museums in the world. There are many activities for kids to do in relation to the exhibits located within the museums. The site also has portals to all the museums and has video links that showcase special exhibits.
