Comments on: Interesting software for kids

Question: Interesting software for kids

antipasta_explosion — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:27:36 -0800

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.

By: phrontist

phrontist — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:34:59 -0800

The Incredible Machine

By: niles

niles — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:22:45 -0800

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.

By: fvox13

fvox13 — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:30:50 -0800

Another vote for TIM.
Also, check out Quarky and Quaysoo's Turbo Science, which, according to Wikipedia is now free to download.

By: Smart Dalek

Smart Dalek — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:33:35 -0800

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.

By: JujuB

JujuB — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 21:26:59 -0800

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.

By: Davaal

Davaal — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 18:08:27 -0800

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.