By Kimberly Blaker.
Limiting the time kids spend on the computer can be a daunting task. But there are plenty of fun educational sites kids will love that make learning a blast and make their time spent plugged in healthier.
Alternate opening: Hey, kids! Are you on the scout for fun new websites? Wading through hundreds of search results is boring. So, check out these fun sites.
Animals Abound
Travel to faraway states and countries at National Geographic for Kids to discover all kinds of critters and cool places. In addition to freaky creatures, there are fun things you can make as well as photo tips with Hilary. You’ll also discover lots of other weird stuff.
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/
Space is a Blast
At NASA’s Star Child, there’s plenty to discover. Do fun activities, learn the orbit each planet belongs to, and match planets to their descriptions. You can even calculate your own weight and age on each planet. For teens, click on a link to NASA’s teen site and explore web pages to solve problems.
http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/StarChild.html
Pop, Dong, Kerplunk
This site will keep you busy for hours. Brain Pop is a fun site dedicated to health, science, and technology. Thrill at the awesome background sounds, and find experiments, activities, cartoons, quizzes, and animated movies.
http://www.brainpop.com/
Math, Money, & More
Math has never been so cool as at Coolmath4Kids.com. Do brain benders, jigsaw puzzles, and play the lemon-aid stand game to improve your math and money skills.
http://www.coolmath4kids.com/
Basics & Beyond
FunBrain.com offers all levels of educational games in every subject. Play Grammar Gorillas, connect the dots by ones, fives, and even backward, or take the Brain Bowl quiz. There are even parent-kid challenges and parent quizzes. Click ‘search for games’, and discover many more awesome activities.
http://funbrain.com/
Make me a Genius
Exercise the left side of your brain with this fun science and math site loaded with fun games, quizzes, jokes, and videos.
http://www.starfall.com/
Medicine Madness
At PBS’s A Science Odyssey, take an interactive visit to the doctor, play a game show called “That’s My Theory,” read comic stories about scientists, and learn about the discovery of penicillin.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/
Presidential Probe
There’s plenty to learn at The American Presidency—even for parents. Do activities and read fun facts about the campaign trail, life in the White House, and assassinations. Then, take a poll and share your thoughts.
http://americanhistory.si.edu/presidency/home.htm
Coding Fun
At Code.org, kids can learn computer science by creating online projects. These free courses are really more like free fun. Pre-readers can watch videos and listen to audio recordings as they move through interactive learning segments. The courses progress according to age, all the way through the teen years.
https://code.org/student/elementar
Keepin’ It Green
ClimateKids is another NASA site for kids. It answers kids’ questions about weather and climate, the atmosphere, water, energy, plants, and animals. After clicking to read lots of fascinating facts, kids can scroll to the bottom of the page for fun activities, videos, games, and more.
http://www.kidsplanet.org/
Keepin’ It Green
ClimateKids is another NASA site for kids. It answers kids’ questions about weather and climate, the atmosphere, water, energy, plants, and animals. After clicking to read lots of fascinating facts, kids can scroll to the bottom of the page for fun activities, videos, games, and more.
http://www.kidsplanet.org/
Forest Fire Facts
Visit Smokey Bear and get the Bear Facts, learn fire safety, and help Smokey in one of several interactive games.
http://www.smokeybear.com/
