When schools are closed because of ice and snow, the novelty of sleeping in and staying home can wear off by about 9 a.m. There's nothing worse than bored, cooped up kids. A few child-friendly, interactive websites can help you keep the kids engaged on days you need to stay close to home. Here are some best bets for fun websites to keep kids busy.

Preschoolers
1. Starfall
With it's activities, songs and simple games related to letters, words, stories and plays, Starfall is a literary powerhouse. You're kids probably won't even realize they're learning language while they're playing.

2. Storyline Online
What do screen actors do when they're not on set? They read children's stories, of course!  Streaming videos along you to read favorite children's books with Betty White, James Earl Jones and other famous stars. For the holidays, Lou Diamond Phillips is reading "The Polar Express." Storyline Online also provides parents with book-related activities to do after they read the book.

3. Disney Preschool
When you can't make it to preschool, Disney brings it to your laptop. With coloring pages, games, music, stories (be sure to check out the Me Book) and craft activities, you can find lots of things to do to fill up your little one's non-napping hours.

School-age kids
1. Club Penguin
Turn your computer screen into an arctic tundra and encourage your child to waddle around on Club Penguin, a Disney-owned and operated website that allows kids to play games and interact under the guise of a penguin avatar. Club Penguin is moderated and chatting is highly filtered. 

2. Classic Arcade Games
Treat your kids to the same games we played as kids, on ataris, clunky Nintendo consoles and in the arcade. You'll find all the old favorites, including Tetris, Duck Hunt, Galaga, and the always-thrilling Pong. Be sure to see if you can beat your kids high scores.

3. Fantage
Kids can explore and create their own virtual worlds using Fantage. Kids can customize their own avatar and then socialize with each other while playing games. Play is work in Fantage, so the more you play, the more currency you earn to buy things like shoes and garden gnomes.

As with all websites, it's always a good idea to monitor your child's Internet use. St. Louis Sprout and About does not guarantee the safety of these sites.    

Best Bets articles represent the views and the research completed by St. Louis Sprout & About journalists and are not driven by advertising or requests by vendors or venues. Best Bets do not imply an endorsement of a business or activity.

Add Comment