Interesting software for kids

January 19, 2007 5:27 PM

I'm looking for a Windows gadget/soundbox software program for a young kid. Not kid paint software. I'm thinking more like a big screen full of clickable shapes/objects that make noise effects or do cool mechanical things with one another. Even a game would be fine if it has tinker value.

Our 3-year old is pretty intelligent and shows an exceptionally strong interest in gadgets, machines (the more complicated parts there are, the more he loves it), and music/sound effects. He's good at using the mouse and likes dabbling with the Band In A Box MIDI program (but it's too complicated to change instruments and there's lots of screen real estate that messes things up by bringing up unrelated menus). So I figure there might be a software program out there that he'd like to use. Free or shareware/payware is fine.

I can assure you we're supplementing his interests with regular real-life toys, activities, and music. This would just be a gee-whiz thing for him to tinker with. I would Google this but I want to ask first rather than start installing a slew of random programs and risking adware/spyware infections.

posted by antipasta_explosion to computers & internet (6 comments total)

The Incredible Machine
posted by phrontist at 5:34 PM on January 19, 2007

Seconding TIM. It is an amazing game.

Similar is Widget Workshop [wikipedia], which also lets you build "stand alone" widgets (small exe files) to show off your creations.
posted by niles at 7:22 PM on January 19, 2007

Another vote for TIM.
Also, check out Quarky and Quaysoo's Turbo Science, which, according to Wikipedia is now free to download.
posted by fvox13 at 7:30 PM on January 19, 2007

There's lots of musical nicknacks at the BBC Virtual Studio. Global Star's Model Train Simulator may be worth a look, as well as Airfix Dogfighter, which simulates model airplanes flying on their own in an indoor environment.
posted by Smart Dalek at 8:33 PM on January 19, 2007

When my son was 3 to 4, he loved the "I Spy" series by Scholastica. You may be familiar with the books of "I spy". Well, the windows based game is great.
posted by JujuB at 9:26 PM on January 19, 2007

the students in my lab beg to play Kid Pix all the time. kid pix has paint, but it s a lot of other features also. check out kidsplat also. ust google 'em.
posted by Davaal at 6:08 PM on January 20, 2007