Comments on: Good websites for toddlers

Question: Good websites for toddlers

itchy — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 23:49:43 -0800

Hi, does anyone have any good recommendations for great web sites for 2 to 4 year olds? My 2 1/2 year old has started getting interested in playing on the computer. I know a couple of sites for kids his age, but would love recommendations on other good sites for 2 to 4 year olds, particuarly ones that are educational, entertaining and easy for him to navigate (he's only using the mouse, not the keyboard at this stage). Thanks!

By: AmbroseChapel

AmbroseChapel — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 00:09:14 -0800

This recent post on Parenthacks and its comments might be of interesting to you.

By: AmbroseChapel

AmbroseChapel — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 00:11:09 -0800

D'oh! I meant "of interest" or "interesting", pick one...

By: anjamu

anjamu — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 00:39:18 -0800

The games at Orisinal are simple, cute, and full of good music. I'm 21 and I love it.

By: patricio

patricio — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 01:35:55 -0800

CBeebies and/or the BBC's children's site might have some good things.

By: ceri richard

ceri richard — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 02:00:37 -0800

Boohbah!

By: k8t

k8t — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 02:18:03 -0800

I second Boobah. I think that someone asked this question a few months ago though.

By: mikepop

mikepop — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 05:14:50 -0800

Noggin has some good games/activities.

By: chr1sb0y

chr1sb0y — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 05:38:27 -0800

Sesame Street's kids game site is pretty good for simple and educational games that are not time-dependent (there's no rush to beat a clock or catch things that move too fast), and probably has the most games of any of the suggestions here. Noggin comes in a strong 2nd in our family, followed closely by the Nick Jr. playtime site. Orisinal is pretty wonderful, but my kids (2 and 5) would be incredibly frustrated with those games - they require the speed/reflexes/mouse skills of a young adult, IMO. If you want your kids to be able to play a bit longer (more than 3 minutes), without the need for adult help to get to a new game (navigation on some of those lovely sites is really hard for little hands), go on ebay and buy up the following (slightly dated but still great) CD-roms for 2-3 bucks each: any Huggly adventures, Maisy, the older curious george game, clifford games, and putt-putt games. My 5 year old still uses most of those, but started trying them out at 2 1/2 or 3.

By: Lucinda

Lucinda — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 05:39:48 -0800

My kid has really liked this site for a while. You drag your mouse over a pyramid of teddybears and they fall down and bounce around.

By: Robot Johnny

Robot Johnny — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 06:20:17 -0800

Here's a previous thread with lots of great suggestions.

By: machinecraig

machinecraig — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 07:00:04 -0800

Best kids site I've found?
Starfall.com
This place is amazing. Very high quality games and edutainment. No banner ads (which tend to confuse kids). Everything is safe for kids to click on. I can't say enough good things about it.

By: achmorrison

achmorrison — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 07:06:34 -0800

I've been thinking recently that kids at that age might benefit more from exposure to a calculator more than a computer. They have their whole lives to have to use computers, but most kids (parents, too?) aren't ever very comfortable with math. So, I suggest getting your toddler a calculator (four function is fine to start with) and spending the time to show how it works. It is a great chance to work with them on counting skills and introduce them to addition. Plus, it's easier to curl up next to your kid with a calculator than a computer.

By: mkultra

mkultra — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 07:10:39 -0800

Noggin, and not only because our own sad_otter works there.

By: kokogiak

kokogiak — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 07:15:22 -0800

PBS Kids is the big fave in my household.

By: coevals

coevals — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 11:53:41 -0800

Up to ten has always been a favorite here. There are loads of easy mouse and arrow-key games.