Monday, March 14, 2011

Keep kids entertained while they're off school with educational websites and games

Keep kids entertained while they're off school with educational websites and games

Keep kids entertained while they're off school with educational websites and games

Posted: 13 Mar 2011 09:37 AM PDT

"I'm bored!"

You can count on hearing those dreaded words if you're sticking close to home over March Break or going on a road trip or long plane ride.

Boredom busters to the rescue! Pack up some back-seat survival gear and beat off boredom with the latest in video games and wickedly entertaining websites:

Build brains with great animation software. Create cartoons with sound in mere minutes with Flip Boom Classics. Perfect for ages 6-12, kids bring cartoons to life by simply drawing and colouring a series of pictures, dragging and dropping sounds, and recording their own voice over the animation. Just press play and the characters start moving. Projects can be shared with friends on YouTube or via iPod. For ages 13 and up, check out Flip Boom All Star. Import digital pictures, draw using fun tools and drop in ready-to-animate drawings. Import MP3 files for sound and upload animation to Facebook, YouTube or iPods. Check out toonboom.com/kids.

March 6 mayhem! Nintendo DS launches Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version. Players get to catch, train and battle more than 150 never-before-seen Pokémon in a whole new region in hopes of becoming the Pokemon League Champion. To do that, players fight other powerful trainers and work to expose the plans of the puzzling Team Plasma. The new Global Link feature lets players enjoy the action even while away from their DS. The black version uses a metropolitan area called Black City, while the lush White Forest is featured in the Pokémon White Version; up to five players in multiplayer modes, $34.99. Check out nintendo.com/ds.

Burn off the energy with Wii's Mario Sports Mix - featuring four fast-paced sports to entertain Mario fans with athletics and imagination. From volleyball, basketball, hockey and dodgeball, the action heats up in the Mushroom Kingdom with added challenges and twists like coins and special items for bonus points. Each character has a powerful special move - things get tricky when fields slide around on the DK Dock volleyball court. The basketball courts offers extreme point swings thanks to bonus circles; great for all ages, one to 4 players, $49.99. Check out mariosportsmix.nintendo.com.

Little Big Planet 2 gets rave reviews as a fantastic create-your-own video game marvel. Sackboy provides great magic and variety as players make their own advanced content in this whimsical adventure. The fun storyline lets players create endless activities, including racing games, mini games, action/adventure games and even multiplayer shooters; PlayStation 3, ages 6+, $59.99. Check out littlebigplanet.com.

The epic journey continues with Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation. Nintendo DS fans will enjoy the thrills and spills of this classic-role playing adventure. Be a hero and recruit monsters to lend a hand as you explore multiple worlds in a bizarre alternate universe and face enemy monsters. Plus, take a stand against the villainous Murdaw, the face of terror and evil. Levelling up opens up new spells and skills. Special features include enhanced graphics and touch-screen mini-games; rated T for Teen, $34.99.

Coming to a screen near you - the Nintendo 3DS. A 3D hand-held gaming system that doesn't require special glasses. Not available until March 27, the dual screen system comes in Cosmo Black or Aqua Blue and the 3D effect can be modified by the player or even turned off completely. It comes pre-loaded with games, applications and features, including three cameras. Take photos in 3D and then the fun begins with the built-in game, the Face Raiders. There's a sound manipulation tool or enjoy listening to your MP3 music files; $249.99. Check out nintendo.com/3ds.

Keep kids safe and creative online with these top fun websites picked by familyfun.com:

The Travels of Wiglington and Wenks Virtual World (ages 7 and up): Avatars play games and delve into history; wiglingtonandwenks.com

Funbrain (ages 6 and up): Problem solving games build math and reading skills; funbrain.com

Kideos (ages 3 and up): Prescreened videos that entertain; kideos.com

NGAkids Art Zone (ages 7 and up): Fashion online masterpieces with cool tools and interactive activities; nga.gov/kids/zone

The Toymaker (ages 5 and up): Create whimsical paper toys and miniatures; thetoymaker.com

iTwixie (ages 8 and up): Express yourself on tween girl social networking site; iTwixie.com

Exploratorium (ages 8 and up): Interactive online exhibits entertain and educate; exploratorium.edu/explore

Shidonni (ages 3 and up): Sketch a creature and bring it to life - add habitat, food and sounds; shidonni.com

Activity TV (ages 6 and up): Learn how to juggle, make magic and even cartoon on this easy-to-follow activity site; activitytv.com

Fizzy's Lunch Lab (ages 4 and up): Good nutrition is fun through games, recipes and even dance-along clips; pbskids.org/lunchlab

Starfall (ages 3 to 7): Learn to read with phonics; starfall.com

National Geographic Kids (ages 5 and up): Fabulous photos, games and activities that educate and inspire; kids.nationalgeographic.com

PBS KIDS Island (ages 3 to 6): Learn to read with carnival-themed games and activities; pbskids.org/island

World of Cars Online (ages 4 and up): Design a four-wheeled vehicle, then race it against others - based on popular Disney/Pixar movie Car; worldofcars.com

Keep kids busy with these fun activity books:

Klutz Safety Pin Bracelets, $21.99, ages 8 and up: Pin-bling is the new thing! Spend your break making unexpectedly elegant jewelry. Safety Pin Bracelets show how anyone can craft an entire collection of brilliantly sparkling jewelry out of garden-variety safety pins. Book includes 12 unique bracelet designs, simple step-by-step instructions, hundreds of safety pins, a thousand glass beads and stretch silver cord.

Klutz Thumb Wars, $14.99, ages 8 and up: Bring on the sibling rivalry. Everything you need for a thumb-thumping throw-down is in this kit: an ultimate guide that covers everything from classic challenges, training exercises, fake outs, trash talk and never-before-played games. Comes with the sensational Sleeve of Doom - the ultimate instrument of combat, ensuring no one gets the upper hand.

Klutz Me versus You, $12.99; ages 8 and up: Add some competition to the backseat. Two little books, one epic competition! Just pick an activity, flip to the page and bam - bring it on! Enjoy like travel bingo, car window scavenger hunts, speed mazes, jumbles and more. A throwback to a time before ear buds and video screens.

Klutz - The Fabulous Book of Paper Dolls, $19.99, ages 4 and up: A classic pastime updated for a new generation. These paper people wear their clothes with the help of reusable, press-on, peel-off adhesive dots - no tabs. And no scissors, either - the dolls, clothes and accessories are perforated, ready to pop right out and play.

Klutz Kids Cooking, $19.99, ages 6 and up: If you're hanging around the house, teach kids to cook. Great kid-friendly recipes with plenty of safe ways for kids to contribute. Scoop up the fun - comes with a child's first set of measuring spoons.

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