Discovery

Kids Domain

Vicki Hyde, NZSM

You can keep everyone occupied for hours with this site, which has a huge and up-to-date listing of freeware and shareware sorted by age range (from baby "keyboard bangers", 4-8 years and 8 years on up) and subject (including science, language, social studies, maths, thinking games, art and straight-out fun).

There are links to a vast number of sites which offer samples of commercial software, lovingly crafted freeware and screen savers, and demos.

Each listing indicates the suitable age range, subject category and type of material. PC and Mac requirements are provided, along with an idea of what the software does and whether it's fun, interesting or frustrating.

The science section has an interesting range of links including demos from the highly successful Magic Schoolbus series, tips on how to build a bug's brain, the US Environmental Protection Agency's Happy Earth Day Colouring Book, clip art and even a demo of the latest Star Wars learning game.

Online contests and activities keep things lively in the Kids section, and you can find out about what's new on the site by joining the free email newsletter service (there's one for kids too!).

A Grownups section provides another set of handy links for parents and teachers to educational tools, computer tools and the like. Feature articles in the review section cover issues like buying software for schools and trends in creative thinking games.

Be prepared to spend a lot of time here.

Vicki Hyde is the editor of New Zealand Science Monthly.