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  • Great software especially for kids aged 2-10.
  • Anything that increases basic knowledge and skills. Spelling, vocabulary, maths, science, languages, etc.

Also, I'd love to hear about software to help and encourage an interest in programming from an early age. Is there something better than Logo, or is it still good?

Even more interesting would be software that can be customised by parents, i.e. to learn specific things, or target weak areas.

One application per reply please.

Thanks.

PS> Free or open source, and even old software (running on emulators?) too.

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Similar question here: superuser.com/questions/56261/… – w4g3n3r Oct 20 '09 at 3:31
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closed as not constructive by random♦ Aug 25 '11 at 16:55

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10 Answers

up vote 2 down vote

Tuxpaint is an excellent cross platform painting program for kids. I'd highly recommend it. The guys that built that also built tuxmath and tuxtyping.

I haven't used these yet, but I will tonight as they will probably be really good as well.

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yes,you can specify edubuntu which comes with these – kishore Jul 27 '09 at 1:22
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up vote 2 down vote

Alice is good for kids beginning programming. It's an entire drag-and-drop interface that allows quick creation of 3D animations so they see results instantly.

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Yes, because we all want our kids to be programmers :] – Gnoupi Oct 19 '09 at 14:06
Read the question - "Also, I'd love to hear about software to help and encourage an interest in programming from an early age. Is there something better than Logo, or is it still good?" – John T Oct 19 '09 at 15:23
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up vote 2 down vote

There is a whole gamut of things at EdUbuntu.
If you are willing to pay some, there is SmartKidsSoftware.

Actually, I have also liked the Lego Digital Designer a lot
But, it can be a little out of context here; depends on what you mean by education.
For starters: Play LEGO Preschool

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+1 for Edubuntu. – Umber Ferrule Oct 21 '09 at 12:32
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up vote 1 down vote

Applications from LearnNowBC were on the school computers when I was in grade school, still worth a look. They include:

  • Bailey's Book House
  • Millie's Math House
  • Sammy's Science House
  • Trudy's Time & Place House
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up vote 0 down vote

Rocky's Boots of course!

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up vote 0 down vote

Lucas Learning's Pit Droids is wonderful. It's partly a maze game, with programming and elementary mathematical elements. It's a whole lot of fun and encourages mathematical sorts of thinking.

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up vote 0 down vote

Some web-based resources for younger kids (around 3 years old):

http://ask.metafilter.com/82171/Whats-good-on-the-net-for-a-3yearold

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up vote 0 down vote

I would love to be proven wrong, but I highly doubt you will be able to find quality open source/free educational software for kids. I really think that this type of software takes the dedication, experience and resources that the run-of-the-mill open source developer cannot provide.

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I think you are right. Unless, of course, you want to teach your kid to be a programmer and a linux geek ;) For this you will find the expertise. – Gnoupi Oct 19 '09 at 14:08
OS developers have demonstrated dedication, experience, and often resources. Don't sell them short. They also tend not to have any experience teaching children, and I don't think raising a few is an adequate basis for educational software. – David Thornley Oct 19 '09 at 14:13
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What I am trying to get at is the fact that in the big educational companies, there are people who are far more qualified through years of education, experience and whatever else who will know how to create a proper education program. I am not trying to sell OS developers short. It's just that these types of people are not commonly programmers, let alone open source developers. – joshhunt Oct 19 '09 at 23:20
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up vote 0 down vote

For what it's worth, I did some JumpStart stuff when I was young (which was only half a life ago). I don't even know if they sell it now, but I did some of their grade targeted games - e.g. Jump Start 3rd grade with that crazy robot with a Jetpack. IDK, it seems like they were good to me, but I haven't gone back and evaluated them or really even know much (as in a knowledgeable opinion) about other things in the educational software vein.

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up vote 0 down vote

About 5 years ago I helped with a K-12 computer class that taught programming using StageCast Creator, a graphical programming language that does not require typing. It creates Java executables that run on Macs and Windows.

I liked it much better than I did Logo; StageCast can create games, graphics, and simulations.

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