What is a break for schools and kids isn't always a break for parents. If you're looking for some quick activities to keep restless minds and bodies engaged this month, I have you covered with a look at five top notch websites for kids. These free services deliver activities in storytelling, paper crafts, creative discovery, exploring science, playing games, and watching cartoons. Meeting the needs of different ages and interests, these brilliantly designed children's websites offer thrifty, creative, cooperative ideas that use the home computer as starting point, not as an electronic babysitter, to exploring engaging young minds towards the world around them.

Storybird

http://storybird.com

It's as if someone shook out all the illustrations from the children's section of a book store. Kids are invited to drag-and-drop the pictures they like onto a virtual book and then create their own story to match. They simply type in the words they want to add (or have someone older do the typing for them). When finished, the software automatically creates the book, complete with cover and pages that can be flipped with a mouse.

You can then published it online to share with others. Kids can then read the books created by other kids, vote for their favorites, and add comments. You can embed your son or daughter's book onto your own web pages (just like a YouTube video). You can start a book and finish it later or even connect with a relative or friend in another city and start a collaborative book where they can work with your little one together. Free with registration, Storybird offers simple controls, but more importantly and impressive range of illustrations and artwork to act as inspiration. 

Here's an example book that I like. Gran's Special Gift by mmcrae31

Canon Creative Park

http://cp.c-ij.com/en/

This activity site from Canon Japan's offers an extensive range of download-and-print activities. From papercraft models and orgiami, to 3D decopauge and paper reliefs, to simple calendars and gift cards. There are activities for those with basic glue and scissors experience, projects that involve simple folds and tabs, as well as rewarding projects for advanced artists who have developed the patience and focus for more intricate projects. 

All of the designs stand out in both their detail and friendly character, encompassing an impressive range of subject matter, from the cute or sweet to the historical and artistic. Make sure to explore their special collections, such as the Architecture Museum or the Dear Teddy Bear which have their own presentation pages with flash animations and hidden gifts. 

 

Let's Explore!

 

http://lets-explore.net

 

 

Amy Anderson's crafty blog for kids offers simple, thrifty, and highly imaginative activities using basic materials. In her hands a bowl of water and some trinkets becomes an ice excavation adventure, a map from the zoo becomes the springboard for a creative drawing project, and a pair of flashlights sets up a new scavenger hunt at night. She has the delightful knack of being able to tap into that part of kids that allows them to find hours of pleasure in just an empty box or a blank sheet of paper. She covers eight different categories, from cooking and creating, to playing outside and pretending. Every adventure is tested by her daughters and she has the photos to prove the results. How does she do it? Make sure to check back every couple of days as she's always adding something new.

 

 Amy's Magnetic Marble Painting Station 

 

 

Exploratorium - The Museum Of Science, Art, And Human Perception 

http://exploratorium.org/

Now into it's 40th anniversary, the Exploratorium Museum in San Francisco offers an exhaustive collection of online exhibits, activities, downloads, and videos. Make sure to check out their Death Spinner optical illusion or their Digital Library of cool microscopic images. For science projects you can do at home, they offer a collection of step-by-step videos that will show you how to make a paper cup speaker, bottle rocket, or bee hummer musical instrument.