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Family Fun
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Arty the Part-Time Astronaut - Arty and Greg blast off in their little spaceship to study the solar system. You're the captain, and you can choose which planets to visit. You'll learn interesting facts like how long it would take to get to each planet in your family car. Engaging graphics and animation make this one a stellar package!
Berit's Best Sites for Children - Over 1,151 sites are reviewed by librarian Berit, who rates them on a five-point scale. Check out anything that got a five out of five and you'll find a real gem of a Web site. Arranged in general categories such as Holidays, Just for Fun, and Serious Stuff, you'll also discover sites to help you find a pen pal or a safe chat room. This site is part of the popular 'Theodore Tugboat' home page, which has a separate review in the TELEVISION--PROGRAMS section of this book.
Big Chalk - bigchalk.com 's K-12 education site offers resources for teachers, library media specialists, parents and students with online periodicals, state standards, homework help, lesson plans, test practice and school technology guides.
Blocks: a Digital Building Toy - Though it's disguised as a building block toy, this one is really teaching programming. It's simple to use the various colorful block shapes to build houses, trees, and more. What fun when you discover you can "instruct" the game how to build a "tree"-then whenever you type the "function" called "tree," it will automatically be drawn for you. Soon you'll have a whole forest!
Broadcast.com - If you have audio capabilities on your computer, you should visit a live broadcast site like this one. More than 500 live radio and TV stations may be accessed. The AudioBook Channel and CD Jukebox offer 3,100 full-length CDs and over 1,600 full-length audiobooks. In addition there are hundreds of live special events scheduled every week! This site is in the parents part of the book because some of the programs are about health topics and relationships, which you need to preview for your kids.
Bubblesphere - You don't need a lot of skills to learn to blow soap bubbles, right? So what is with this guy who calls himself "Professor"? Turns out he really is an expert. At his home page, he reveals the ultimate soap solution for making the most colorful, sturdy bubbles. He explains how to make your own bubble-blowing tools from soup cans and coat hangers (ask your parents for help). You don't even need anything special--he teaches you how to blow bubbles using only your HANDS! But wait, there's more. Check the bubble FAQ, bubble games, and the other wonders of the Bubblesphere.
Cammunity.com - Cammunity.com broadcasts the most compelling live entertainment and information from 10,000 webcams and many special event webcasts from around the world. Need help setting up a webcam? The CamAssist area can help. Come venture around the world right from your computer. Visit exotic places, see live events, see all types of animals and explore.
Carousel! Your Carousel Information Center - Everyone has seen carousel horses, but did you know that some carousels have frogs, roosters, and fantastic creatures like sea monsters on them? Find out about the history of carousels, see some detailed wooden horses, and listen to carousel music--guaranteed to make you smile! This site tells you where antique carousels can still be found and ridden (look in the History section, under Census). They are something of a rare species, since many old carousels have been taken apart and the horses and other figures have been sold. Maybe you can help save an old carousel in your town.
ChildFun.com - There are so many activities and adventures at ChildFun.com, and all the free themes to make planning your own preschool curriculum a breeze. Every mom with bored kids on vacation is sure to find something to keep them busy, and what grandma doesn't love a homemade gift - you can find it all here.
Children's Creative Theatre Guide - Take a trip through time as you explore the history of theater from the ancient Greeks till today. If you're unfamiliar with theatrical terms, there is a handy glossary where you can discover, for example, that the apron is the part of the stage that projects towards or into the auditorium. There are some drama warm-up exercises you can try, and when you're ready, your family can put on the skit that's provided. This site was created by students for the ThinkQuest Junior competition.
Children's Television Workshop - Sticker World - Everybody likes stickers--big ones, little ones, animated ones. Yes, that's right, at this site, you can collect online stickers that do things. Lions roar, flowers bloom, dragons breathe fire, test tubes boil, machines run--you get the idea. You begin with a limited number of starter stickers. Create your own free home page and decorate it with your stickers. Visit other kids' pages to "trade" stickers with them and play games. Collect points by visiting other kids' pages, and then "buy" more stickers for your collection. It's fun, free, and fabulous!
Childslife.com - Childslife.com is The Local Resource For Parents Nationwide, which includes Child and Parent Resources, Calendar of Events, a Weekly Newsletter, Playgroup listings and Fun Places to Go.
Cirque du Soleil - Since its beginning in 1984, over 18 million people have seen a Cirque du Soleil show. They have performed all over the world, and often several of their circus companies are touring at any one time. What makes Cirque du Soleil so different? For one thing, there are no animal acts. For another, this is a reinvented circus--one that is part theater, part magic, part imagination, and mostly just plain fun! To see the impossible become reality, visit this site and find out where they will be performing next.
Citysearch.com - The place to go if you’ve been given a longer reprieve. You can find out about day spas, outdoor activities, golf, cultural tours, festivals and all the other fun things you used to do with your spouse.
Cye - Cye is a gadget lover's dream: a robot that learns the lay of your house, and can perform tasks ranging from vacuuming to serving hot chocolate at your Christmas party.
Disney.com -- Where the Magic Lives Online! - Oh yes, the magical world of Disney. The Walt Disney Company produces movies, television shows, and music, and they are nearly all fun. If you want to keep up on the latest from the folks at Disney, take a look at their official home page. You'll find clips from recent Disney movies, which you can play on your computer. You can listen to recordings from the Disney Channel. You can also get all kinds of great graphic images of your favorite Disney characters. Don't forget Disney Online and Radio Disney. There are online games, activities, and much, much more. If you like Disney, this is a must-see.
DLTK's Printable Crafts for Kids - DLTK's Crafts for Kids features a variety of fun children's crafts including projects for holidays, special days and featuring some of children's favorite characters. There are lots of printable templates suitable for ages 2 and up. You'll find crafts with Blue's Clues, Pooh, Barney, Disney Characters, Veggie Tales, Holidays, Bible Themes, Animals and Numbers just to name a few!
Epinions.com — Kids & Family Section - From advice on relationships to reviews of nursery furniture, this site combines the opinions of its community members as well as professionals.
Families of America - This website offers information, news and ideas for families to use, whether you are following the current news headlines or looking for an activity to do with your family, Families of America is a great resource to find the information you need.
Family Corner.com - Parents searching for good solid advice on their family and home life will find everything from teething, fitness, teenagers, home decorating and harvesting your herb garden. Send a beautiful electronic greeting for the holidays, try inexpensive gift ideas, have a blast with the new concentration game, or make a beanie snowman. This comprehensive site offers these activities and much more.
Family Play - FamilyPlay has hundreds of fun activities for parents to do with their kids. Search the interactive database for personalized activities, get advice from our resident child development experts or find a Golden Books bedtime story to read tonight.
Family Wonder - This site offeres tons of activities for your family to do, as well as reviews on movies, television shows, kid websites, toys and more. This site also allows parents to add to the activites that are suggested. There are also contest the kids can enter, and also a large online store featuring toys, videos, music and other entertaining products.
Family.com - Presented by Disney Online, this site offers lots of intriguing feature articles on family activities, travel, recipes, education, and more. A recent peek revealed these articles: "Out of the Woods: Camp Crafts to Make at Home," "Preparing for Kindergarten: What Your Preschooler Needs to Know," and lots more. Besides this, you can Go Local for links to parenting news in your city or state. We were able to find out about this week's family activities in our town. Coverage is currently limited to the U.S. and its territories, Canada, and Australia.
FamilyFun.com - The Web site of the popular magazine, Family Fun provides links to articles about travel, crafts, activities, food, and learning.
Figure This! Math Challenges for Families - Everyone can take turns guessing how to solve them, but be forewarned, many are real head scratchers. There are resources to help you get started, and you can always ask for a hint. Go to the Challenge index if you just want to choose to work with a specific kind of problem: geometry, measurement, numbers, or algebra. Other parts of the site help parents and kids get the most out of math education, including a sort of script to follow when asking kids if they need homework help.
Frisbee Dog Club - National Capital Air Canines Homepage. THE Washington D.C. Area Frisbee disc Dog Club. Where the Fur Come to Fly.
Golden Books Ramblin' Road Trip - Rev up your engines! You're headed for a great adventure. Pick your vehicle to begin your fantastic voyage. You'll visit faraway lands with Prince Know It All, have a picnic with a bunch of hungry pigs, be a pinch hitter for the Orange Blossoms, and rescue Hippo from a horrible case of the hiccups. And that's just the beginning!
Graffiti Walls - Let's be honest. Graffiti is ugly: it makes buildings and signs look hideous. On the other hand, it is kind of fun to be able to leave a mark somewhere. The problem is that graffiti makes whatever is marked look awful. Now, through the wonder of the Internet, you can leave your mark and never worry about defacing property. It's at this site, and there is one for kids aged 11 and younger and one for kids aged 12 and up. Spray paint, scratch, do what you like. It's designed for fun with no unsightly mess to clean up! The walls are closely monitored for appropriate content to keep the site enjoyable for all. You have to register, but it is free.
Great Circus Parade - Wisconsin's National Treasure - Hey, look at this poster. It reads: "Come to the Great Circus Parade! A two-hour processional over a three-mile route, authentically re-creating turn-of-the-century circus street parades. Features 60 historic wagons, 700 horses, cavorting clowns, wild animals in cage wagons, and the fabulous 40-Horse Hitch." Sounds like fun! Look over there--isn't that Buffalo Bill Cody in his beaded buckskin jacket? You can learn something about circus history, including circus trains, at this colorful, animated site. If you have Java, you'll also hear vintage calliope music.
Hampster Dance - OK, we know "hamster" isn't supposed to have a p in it. But that is the name of the site. And what a sight! This page is guaranteed to make you smile. Be sure you have your sound turned on. This may take some time to load because there's a whole lot of dancing hamsters in here.
Hand Shadows on the Wall - All this amusing activity takes is a bright light and a blank wall or bedsheet. Use your own two hands to create shadows of animals, birds, insects, and weird undersea creatures. This site will show you the moves!
Headbone Zone - This site offers lots of fun games, and in some of them you may be able to win prizes if you get the high score of the day. See if you can guess the riddles in Riddleopolis. Pick a category and answer the trivia questions--just watch out for the Randomizer, which can make your score go up or down! Then there is the Rags to Riches game, where you play the part of a big-time rock band promoter and try to rake in cash. Take your band, Groovy Gravy, on a ten-week concert tour. You set the venues and ticket prices, decide when to record new songs, and plan your advertising campaign. Don't miss the Headbone Derby, either. This popular and long-running series challenges you to travel the Net looking for clues to help you solve mysteries. There is a lot more on this site too, including monitored chat rooms. We're sure this will be one of your favorite Internet destinations!
Juice Bottle Jingles - You know how you can tap a half-filled glass and make a musical note? And if you have a whole bunch of glasses, you can fill them with various amounts of water and make different tones? Well, if you don't know, this site explains the science behind it and teaches you how to re-create a juice bottle musical instrument at home. While someone else collects the supplies, go ahead and practice online. Behold a virtual six-bottle xylophone, and a tunebook for your playing (and listening) pleasure. Just follow the notes to tap out such all-time favorites as Jingle Bells and Mary Had a Little Lamb.
Kid's Domain Summer Fun - This is a must-see site for all families looking for some summer fun!! Lots of games and pictures to color, software downloads, clip art, and a list of links to similar sites.
Kids Crafts - Search for great craft projects in any number of ways. Select over 450 projects listed, try a keyword, post an inquiry to the Craft Bulletin Board, or ask a Craft Wizard for help. You'll find crafts for holidays and many based on your favorite books. Completed craft pictures, craft templates, easy to follow project directions, and a craft materials list are included to help you. This is a great resource for teachers, parents and kids who like crafts.
Kids Domain - This is a must-see site for all families. Lots of games and pictures to color, software downloads, clip art, and a list of links to similar sites. Click on Surf Safe and learn what rules you should follow when using the computer. Or go to Kids Can Program and find software that will help you develop your computer skills. Finally, take a minute (or lots of minutes) to scroll through the What's New section to find new games, ideas, activities, and more.
Kids Stuff with Magical Balloon-Dude Dale - For a beginner's guide to twisting balloons, try this site. You can learn how to make an airplane, a cobra, a dog, and several other objects. Don't miss the balloon sculptures in the gallery for some wonderful inspiration!
Kids' Clubhouse - For some wacky word puzzles and math and logic brain teasers, visit this site hosted by publisher Houghton Mifflin. There are also author interviews and book reviews for kids, by kids. They offer summer reading contests, too.
Klay Doodle - Think of this as an online craft. There's an empty clay tablet, just waiting for you to draw on it with your mouse. Go on, try! Can you write your name? Draw a house?
Learn2 Juggle - Intro - Forget starting out with watermelons; learn to juggle three items with this easy-to-use tutorial. Don't expect to be able to do this right away! This site suggests that you should try three half-hour practice sessions to get the hang of it, and then practice about 90 more minutes before you're ready to perform in public. All you need to know is here--just provide three handkerchiefs or beanbags.
Legends - Visiting this site is like entering a wizard's storeroom, stocked with lots of neatly labeled jars full of strange herbs, exotic powders, and unusual amulets. There are some books left on the dusty shelf, and they are about people like Robin Hood, King Arthur, and Peter Pan. Pirates, fairies, and even artists like William Morris are represented here. Shhh--did you hear someone coming?
Lego Mindstorms - The Official Lego Mindstorms Web Site has the latest official news and information on Lego Mindstorms, a line of products that lets you build and program robots that do what you want.
Liana's Paper Doll Boutique - All sorts of paperdolls and paperdoll clothes, from Roman togas to mermaid tails to power suits. Designed for kids of all ages.
Metropolitan Museum of Art Explore and Learn - That's a nice painting, but can you explain why you like it? This site defines what elements go into works of art: composition, texture, pattern, and light are some you'll learn about as you explore the pages of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Nappaland - The Nappaland.com webzine provides a variety of resources for Internet readers, including: Media Minutes for Families: A monthly column that explores current media trends and products, Nappaland's MovieSpot: A monthly column that offers parent-focused reviews of current theatrical movie releases, and Nappaland Kids' Klick: A monthly feature of stories and articles for kids to encourage positive reading habits in children.
National Hollerin' Contest - Is Mom loud when she calls you to dinner? Is Dad a real foghorn when he yells for you to clean your room? You know, they might have some raw hollerin' talent. In Spivey's Corner, North Carolina, there's a National Hollerin' Contest every year. Listen to this page and see if you think Mom or Dad should enter. You can even order a CD of the all-time best hollers! Hollerin' history is a real scream. Be sure to see what all the noise is about.
Noggin - Noggin is...a TV network. No, it's also a Web site. No, it's...well, maybe YOU can figure it out! And it's from the folks at Nickelodeon and Children's Television Workshop, who put their heads together and came up with the concept of Noggin. There are online places for you to explore (look in Phred's closet for a dress-up game, for example) and some word games in a new language called nogginese. You can also watch some Noggin TV from this site if you have the right plug-in.
ParentsTalk: Because You're Always a Parent - ParentsTalk: a community for moms and dads of all generations! You'll find family fun ideas and activities, Experts' Advice offers tips on parenting, finance, health, toys and more. Gain insight into kids - see what kids think, say and feel. Find quick-and-easy to exotic recipes from around the world.
Pasadena Tournament of Roses - Alas, you won't be able to take time to smell the roses at this Web site, because there aren't any! But all the info is here about this traditional New Year's Day parade, held in Pasadena, California. All the floats must be completely covered with flowers or other natural, organic material.
Paw Island....Please Choose Your Adventure..... - Paw Island is a magical world of dogs and cats. Join Mayor Graham Paw, Fifi LeGrume, and Buford Wagley in a wild adventure that's sure to please the whole family. Visit Fifi's Fur Salon, the Town Hall, and Buford's Bait Shop for fun and laughs.
PBS Online Presents... Life on the Internet - Want to get up to speed on the information superhighway? Check the map here at the PBS Online Beginner's Guide. Learn about Internet search tools, netiquette, and applications such as e-mail and Web browsers. Take a detour to the Backgrounders area to find out how people around the world actually use the Internet. You may be surprised to learn that the list ranges from rock stars to the Vatican's religious leaders! Don't forget to visit the Timeline of Internet history and the section Young, Smart, and Online. Maybe you'll get some ideas that will let you create your own spot in the Net's future history.
Pumpkin Masters - Welcome to Pumpkin Masters, the company that helps you and your family create great jack-o'-lanterns and wonderful Halloween traditions. With our simple carving method you can produce the awesome pumpkins pictured on this site and have fun doing it. Put away those unsafe knives and start making pumpkin masterpieces!
Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus - Welcome to the official Web site of The Greatest Show On Earth! Whether you're looking for current show dates or online fun and games, they hope you'll take some time to experience all the miraculous wonders of their state-of-the-art silicon cyberspectacular -- designed to dazzle and delight Children Of All Ages!
Secret Language - Psssst! Want to send a secret message to a friend, one that nobody else can possibly decipher? Head on over to this page at San Francisco's Exploratorium, where you can print out a copy of some substitution cipher wheels. Put one inside the other, twirl them around a little bit, and you're in the spy biz!
Secrets@Sea - Assume the role of a spunky detective as you investigate strange whale behavior around Alanamorris Strait. Could it have something to do with those toxic waste barrels? Where did you put your bus schedule--it's time to ace the case! This wonderful adventure game from the Vancouver Aquarium will keep you busy for a long time as you examine your field guide, collect creature cards, and examine your notes. Can you crack the code and save the whales?
Smithsonian Magazine Presents Kids' Castle - This site offers a neat mix of feature articles, message boards, and wonderful photos from the collections of the Smithsonian Institution. For example, here's a question: are fairies real? Find out how even Sherlock Holmes' author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was fooled.
State Fair Of Oklahoma - Here you can find information about the thousands of events that are going on at the State Fair Park in Oklahoma City.
Surfing the Net with Kids: Calendar, Factoid & Contests - Did you miss Shamu's birthday or maybe Elephant appreciation day last year? How about International Joke Day? If you tune into this site, they will keep you informed of these events as well as other events, contests and holidays.
The Great Circus Parade Train - It runs only once a year and creeps along at 10–30 miles per hour, but it's certainly the most spectacular train to grace Wisconsin's tracks. Circuses have used locomotives since the 1870's, so the Great Circus Train is really nothing new. It's an authentic re-enactment of old-time circus operations. In fact, dapple-gray percherons are used to load and unload the flatcars, as was done before the invention of the internal combustion engine. The Circus World Museum craftsmen even built working replicas of the special tools used for horse and train work in the 1800's: runs, jacks, and pulleys that link horsepower to load. Using horses is extra work for everybody, but it keeps the past alive. Even the train's cars bear the names of famous circuses, illustrating how they might have looked in the late 1800's. The cars were purchased from an actual circus (World of Mirth Carnivals) and research later revealed that some of the cars spent their early years with some big-name shows like Sparks, Hagenbeck-Wallace, Tim McCoy's Wild West and Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey. When it's not in use, the Circus Museum keeps its train on a railroad spur built decades ago by Ringling Brothers for this very purpose.
The Prince and I - The teenage prince lives in a beautiful castle, but there's a small problem. How can he be king someday if he can't read? He needs some friends to help him learn! Become a "Friend of the Prince" (it's free), and you can submit stories to be posted at this site. Some of them are very imaginative and funny. There's even a mission you can go on to explore the village (if you can--we got lost), make your way through the forest (we got lost there, too), find the missing prince, and give him a message. (Hint: Don't play the Shockwave version; play the regular version. Make a map. If you get lost, click on Help and watch for the hands on the screen. They will point you in the right direction. If you lose the Forward button and the hand says to go forward, just click where the button used to be.) This royal site is produced by the National Film Board of Canada.
Trooping the Colour - One of the largest military parades in the world, the Trooping of the Colour, is held every June to celebrate the official birthday of Elizabeth II of England. It's not on her real birthday but on her "official" birthday. It's a grand show of heraldry, music, prancing horses, and dashing soldiers. The presentation of the flag ("the colour") to Her Majesty is the highlight of the event. The flag is weighty and cumbersome, but no one would turn down the honor of carrying it, and the soldier who carries the flag during the ceremony must train for months. Learn about one of the most stirring parades in the world at this Web site.
US Swing Dance Server - Swing dancing has gotten hot! If you¹re a little confused by the names of the dances‹lindy hop, West Coast swing, and the hustle‹just triple-step in here. There are instructions, videos, an events calendar, and links.
Wendy's World of Crafts - There's got to be something here for your family to try! How about mashing up rose petals and making a rose bead necklace? Or maybe you¹d rather try growing a sweet potato vine indoors. Or you could make your own play dough, finger paint, or everyone's favorite: ooblick! All the instructions for indoor and outdoor fun are provided.
WorldVillage - WorldVillage is the award-winning virtual world with something for everyone. The Village Online contains online games, software reviews, feature articles, cool sites, and hot downloads. The Village Chapel is a great place for spiritual renewal. WorldVillage is a virtual world for real people.
Yahoo! Get Local - All this national and international news is sometimes overwhelming! If you just want to focus on your local community news, this is the place. You need to set up a profile the first time you use it. You have to type in the name of your city, and sometimes your ZIP code, but that's about it. Then, every time you go to this page, it will bring up your local news. This may include links to your local TV station's and newspaper's Web sites, local team scores, movie listings, special event calendars, weather, and lots more. If you ever want to change to another city, a button at the top of the page will let you do that.
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