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Web Sites for Kids
Internet Use in Discovery Club
- The staff at Discovery Club areresponsible for monitoring children while on the internet.
- DiscoveryClub's computer use guidlelines state that children should be limitedto 15-20 minutes (20 -30 during summer) of "free choice" computer useper day at a maximum.
- Groups with access to theschool's computer lab will use the internet for technology basedprojects or for other enrichment activities that integrates technology skills.
Discovery Club approved websites fall into three categories, Amuse and Entertain, Search for Information, and Interesting Information and Education, and all have been reviewed by our staff to review for OFF LIMIT(inappropriate) content. OFF LIMIT content includes: gambling, smoking,swearing or drug references; suggestive clothing or characters, sex ornudity; extreme violence, living targets for weapons (human or animal),blood; or links to other inappropriate sites.
The following list includes both commercial and non-commercialsites, and a brief description of the websites thatare currently allowed during Discovery Club computer "free choice"time. The links for these sites can found under, "Just for Kids". Parental or other adult supervision is highly recommended when children have access to the internet.
Amuse and Entertain
Grades PK-1st
Coolmath4kids.com
Thename of the site says it all. Solve math problems to advance in thegames for all age levels. Kids surprisingly CHOOSE to spend a lot oftime on these games, and have lots of fun problem solving!
Etch-a-sketch.com
On-line computer version oaf the old favorite. Practice both spatial skills andeye-hand coordination and innovation and creativity.
Funbrain.com
Fun games to play for PK-6 age-levels, with an educational goal. The kids may notice-or not.
Kids.nationalgeographic.com
Thiswebsite has amazing images and explanations of animals and places onearth for kids to explore. Of course they do also have interactivesections like an online coloring book and a games section. And yes, thegames section is very cool, with one game where you race a turtle in ascene that is reminiscent of Finding Nemo. The current affairs sectionis written in easy-to-understand language, so kids can keep on top ofnew archaeological digs and historical discoveries.
Lego.com
Productplacement can’t bother you for this site. Lots of games, both actionand some building. Kids, especially boys, get excited about this site.CAUTION: Can be challenging for younger kids find their way around,“Star Wars” type violence on some games.
Seussville.com
Lots of fun for the little ones, with many mini-games.
Grades 1st-3rd, and 4th-6th
Clubpenguin.com
Kidsneed a paying membership and parental permission to play at mostlevels, but it is very popular and enjoyable for kids. An on-linesociety, where kids like to hang-out, work and design their own igloos.Gives kids a chance to learn on-line etiquette, and simple chatting.
Coolmath4kids.com
Thename of the site says it all. Solve math problems to advance in thegames for all age levels. Kids surprisingly CHOOSE to spend a lot oftime on these games, and have lots of fun problem solving!
Discoverykids.com
Games at this site compliment shows found in Discovery channel. Some good challenges in science and technology.
Etch-a-sketch.com
On-line computer version oaf the old favorite.
Funbrain.com
Fun games to play for PK-6 age-levels, with an educational goal. The kids may notice-or not.
Funology.com
Agreat place for kids to find things to do — not just at the computer,but anywhere. The million and one games, magic tricks, recipes,experiments and craft projects will put a stop to the “Mom, I’m bored”syndrome.
Freerice.com
Fun and learning combined. Kidsgain practice on school subjects while playing games that can leadsocial awareness, collecting rice to feed kids in the world.
Funschool.kaboose.com
Givesgood ideas on things to do when you can’t think of something yourself.The games are divided into categories such as math, science, language,spots, history, etc.
Cartoonnetwork.com
Free games based on TV shows kids watch. Games include characters from the shows.
Kids.yahoo.com
Lots of pre-adolescent pop cultural icons, plus facts and info. Some simple, fun games offered.
Kids.nationalgeographic.com (http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/)
Thiswebsite has amazing images and explanations of animals and places onearth for kids to explore. Of course they do also have interactivesections like an online coloring book and a games section. And yes, thegames section is very cool, with one game where you race a turtle in ascene that is reminiscent of Finding Nemo. The current affairs sectionis written in easy-to-understand language, so kids can keep on top ofnew archaeological digs and historical discoveries.
Lego.com
Productplacement can’t bother you for this site. Lots of games, both actionand some building. Kids, especially boys, get excited about this site.Can be challenging for younger kids find their way around, “Star Wars”type violence.
PBS Kids (pbskids.org)
Theactivities and games on this award-winning site feature many of thecharacters from kids’ favorite TV shows, including Caillou, Clifford,Barney and Oscar the Grouch. Easy navigation makes it friendly foryoung and first-time Internet users. There’s also an extensive resourcesection for parents and teachers.
Scholastic.com
Lots of make your own stories and games based on books.
Sports Illustrated for kids (sikids.com)
Theactivities on this site are fun for both boys and girls. A spectrum ofactivities that from sports updates and statistics to designing amascott and decorating its room.
Search for Information
Ask Jeeves Kids (ajkids.com)
The best search engine for answering simple kid questions like, “How does an iceberg form?” or “What causes hiccups?”
Fact Monster (factmonster.com)
Thisis a one-stop reference source of kid-friendly facts and articles. Theaward-winning site also has loads of interactive tools that encouragekids to improve their math, spelling and vocabulary.
How Stuff Works (howstuffworks.com)
Thisaward-winning site clearly and concisely tells kids (and adults!) howdifferent things work — from the everyday (how automobile engines run)to the unusual (how Jell-O sets).
Kids Click! (kidsclick.org)
Thissite was created by a group of US librarians so kids could findage-appropriate Web content on everything from science to health topopular entertainment. All links are non-commercial and non-violent.
Yahooligans! (yahooligans.com)
Theultimate kid-friendly search engine. Based on the popular adult Yahoo!site, it‘s a safe place for children to look for information and has agreat list of age-appropriate reference links.
Information and Education
Grades 1-6
Archkidtecture.org
archKIDectureis an independent architecture education project that encourageschildren to explore and participate in the built environment.
Cartoonster.com
Kids learn how to make an animated cartoon. Good for a cartoon unit.
Coolmath4kids.com
Games,brain twisters and coloring-book activities for a variety of age groupshelp make math fun. A great site for kids who are struggling withmultiplication and need to practice their skills.
Exploratorium.com
Fungames and information to challenge the mind. A science focus withhistory of events and options with guidance for doing experiments.
Funbrain.com
Interactive tools and games like Grammar Gorillas and MathCar Racing entice kids to learn.
Kidsreads.com
Thebest place on the Web for kids to find information about their favoritebooks and authors, including excerpts from the hottest new releases.
MathsIsFun.com
Theidea behind the site is to offer mathematics as well as some fun bits,and to combine the two wherever possible. MathsIsFun.com is developedand maintained by Rod Pierce, who loves mathematics and fun. The maincontent of the site is aimed at basic math skills. However you willfind some more complex stuff, and some easier bits.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (nasa.gov/home/index.html)
Aperfect place for budding astronomers to learn about the galaxy. Kidscan receive up-to-the-minute bulletins about space programs or use themultimedia section to view current images in space.
San Francisco Symphony (http://www.sfskids.org/templates/home.asp?pageid=1)
Thereare all kinds of really cool activities for kids at this site. Anexample, “The Music Lab,” where kids can learn about tempo, rhythm,pitch and other aspects of music through an awesome interactive game.As they adjust the music, they can watch the metronome and listen tothe music being played to learn about how the various elements of soundcome together to make beautiful music.
ScienceMadeSimple.com
Thisno-frills site helps kids learn science the easy, hands-on way withclear, detailed answers to their questions and lots of fun projects andexperiments.
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