The Best Computer Gear for Kids
by Phoebe Assenza
Who says learning can't be fun? These techno toys help teach math, science, spelling, and other basic skills.
Sure, it's only mid-July but time on the Computer Cool School feels more like play than prepping for school. This combo features a kid-friendly keyboard, writing tablet, CD-ROM and its own games and activities, covering reading and writing, math and science, and art and music. It plugs into your home PC, and there are additional games available with popular characters for preschoolers like Dora and Diego, Scooby-Doo, and SpongeBob.
Price: $50
For ages: 3 and older
Available at: Amazon.com
Tiny hands need tiny gear for their preliminary pointing and clicking. The Tiny Mouse is about half the size of a regular mouse, and works the exact same way, and plugs into the same computers as its adult-size counterparts. There are two multicolor options to choose from available from Chester Creek Tech, both with optical tracking.
Price: $20
For ages: 3 and older
Available at: Chestercreektech.com
Kind of like an updated and more advanced Speak & Spell from the 1970s, the Nitro Notebook also teaches phonics, spelling, and reading, but features additional logic, Spanish, and math lessons among its 80 built-in activities. If the idea of your grade-school age granddaughter coming anywhere near your hard drive makes you uneasy, you'll appreciate its self-contained laptop design, which she can play with on her own.
Price: $50
For ages: 5 to 7
Available at: Amazon.com
The kid-size KinderBoard is like training wheels for grandchildren just learning to type. Bright and oversize (1-inch square), keys teach them where the letters are, and the individually colored sections help them differentiate between consonants, vowels, numbers, and punctuation. This one has USB connectivity so it can plug right into your PC or MAC.
Price: $55
For ages: 3 and older
Available at: Amazon.com
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