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We know you treasure every moment spent with the kids. But sometimes you have to let the rugrats fend for themselves so you can shower, cook or enjoy a much-needed quickie. So come on: Give yourself a 20-minute break and let these educational, nonaddictive—and totally entertaining—websites play babysitter.
Ages 2–4
The Internet incarnation of Nickelodeon’s überpopular Noggin TV network, dailynoggin.com offers a slew of colorful games and stories, although we had to mute the cloyingly cheerful music. Little ones can make their own music videos by choosing sounds, pictures and dance moves in the Schmancy Schmashup Game, or they can sit back and watch an animated version of “The Three Little Pigs.”
At no-cost mothergoose.com, tots can bake a virtual cake, learn how to plant a flower and more. Pictures displayed above each game title make navigating a snap for prereaders.
Ages 5–8
Moma.org/destination allows young culture enthusiasts to take a realistic virtual tour of the Museum of Modern Art (well, realistic if you ignore the fact that the tour guide is an alien). As kids wander the site, images of works on display in the museum invite investigation; clicking on each piece allows viewers to learn more.
One of our favorite drills in elementary school was Math Baseball: Answer a question correctly, move to the next base; give the wrong answer and you get an out. So we were thrilled to discover a free online version at Funbrain.com. Your tyke’s not a fan of arithmetic? Play Mad Libs online on this totally retro but still hip site.
Kids can also impress friends with their knowledge of New York State trivia by clicking through Iloveny.com/kids. Let them be the first to divulge which fish was adopted by the state in 1975 (it’s the trout) and that the largest city in New York is their hometown. Or have them paint online pictures of the state insect, the ladybug. (We really think it should be replaced by the cockroach).
—Danielle Braff
