Useful Children's Websites
The school holidays can be a challenging time for us parents. Keeping our little ones occupied and entertained over the long summer vacation is no easy task and can be made considerably more difficult by bad weather when we're confined indoors. Television is a tempting option but by substituting the computer screen for the TV screen, you can encourage your children to do something far more productive by using the Internet.
With ever more websites for children appearing, there is a growing array of online resources for children and families to refer to. Here we review a selection of useful sites to keep you all busy and entertained throughout the Summer holidays.
Websites for Rainy Days
Check out these sites for some great indoor activity ideas:
A multitude of games, activities and craft projects for your under-sixes, whoever their favourite CBeebies Character may be. You can search by Character or Theme to find a fun and educational activity - just make sure you've stocked up on paper plates, rubber bands, glue and paint!
A fantastic site for kids and grown-ups alike. Select your template, free of charge - anything from a tiara to the Taj Mahal - print, cut, fold and glue. You can also select a template and
e-mail it to a friend.
If you're feeling brave, check out this site for some useful hints and tips on getting your children involved in the kitchen. There is also a good selection of simple, child-friendly recipes to try. For 'Mess Limitation' go for the 'Lunch on a Stick' option.
Fun and Engaging Websites
The following websites all have a significant 'Fun Factor' and kids will all enjoy the interactive games and activities:
An amazing interactive site by the artist Keith Haring, full of activities, stories and animations. If you want to find your children something constructive to do, search the parent/teacher lesson plan database with over 160 fun and educational activities to do. Check out the on-line Colouring Book - kids and grown-ups alike will find it totally addictive.
Brought to you by 'Innocent Smoothies', this is a great site, packed with games and activities. Don't leave without playing the 'Poo Safari' and matching animals to their respective poo - inspired!
A site which is literally bursting with things to do. With Boredom Busters, jokes, games, craft projects, magic tricks and trivia this site will definitely prevent the "Mum, I'm bored" syndrome.
Homework Sites
If your children have homework projects to complete before the start of the new term, the following sites are excellent resources which will enable them to access the information they need:
Browse by subject and age group to find information geared to your child's specific homework tasks.
An American site offering dictionary, encyclopedia and homework help across a broad spectrum of subjects and topics.
Here you can search by topic, submit a specific question to the Agony Elephant and access hints and tips on how to get the best from your homework efforts.
Websites for Sunny Days
The following sites are great sourses of information on things to do in the great outdoors:
A brilliant site where you can search for family days out on geographical location and children's ages.
Tips and ideas for garden projects to encourage an early love of gardening for children aged between four and seven.
A practical guide to making your own kite.
If kids just want to surf the net rather than visit one of the specific sites featured here, Ask for Kids is a safe search engine for children. For further information on children and family friendly websites follow these additional links:
