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PC Family
The Complete Back-To-School Guide
September 2001
If you're reading this while lazing around the pool, swaying in a hammock, or sunning on the beach, we don't mean to disturb your peaceful summer reverie. But do you realize that school starts in a week or so?
If you haven't done any shopping yet, don't panic. We did everything (but pay the tab) for you. So settle back and learn about all the tools (and cool clothes) students need for a successful year. And, so you don't have to waste a sunny day dragging your kids around the mall, we make it easy for you to buy them online. Our Back-to-School Guide was compiled and written by the following staff and contributing editors: Tracy Epp, Emily Friedlander, Roberta Furger, Samuel Greengard, and Sharlene K. Johnson.
PRE-K & KINDERGARTEN
Learning
Adiboo:
Discover Nature, Animals & Planets This double CD-ROM set features a seemingly endless array of activities to keep youngsters enthralled for hours. Kids first get to know Adiboo and his dog, Pup, in Play Land, where they help plant and harvest vegetables, cook, tend to the animals, and more. In the second CD, they all set out to explore nature. The emphasis is on open-ended play that encourages kids' individual interests and abilities. (Read the FamilyTested review.) Knowledge Adventure, www.knowledgeadventure.com, 800-542-4240, Windows and Mac, $19.95.
Clifford Learning Activities
A popular pooch since his introduction in children's books some 40 years ago, Clifford the Big Red Dog and his lovably clumsy antics still enchant kids. Now Clifford and his pals are setting out to do good deeds in their community, and kids can help out with 10 different activities. Along the way, they'll build skills in such areas as math, reading, and critical thinking. Engaging characters and adjustable difficulty levels keep them coming back for more. Scholastic Consumer Software, www.scholastic.com, 800-724-4718, Windows and Mac, $19.95.
Franklin the Turtle: Goes to School
This two CD-ROM set has something to please both parents and children. Kids will love joining Franklin and friends at the schoolhouse, playground, and theater for a series of fun, open-ended activities. Parents will be pleased with the way the program tracks student progress by subject area, and with the second CD, which offers ideas for extending the lessons and the fun—beyond the PC. (Read the FamilyTested review.) Knowledge Adventure, www.knowledgeadventure.com, 800-542-4240, Windows and Mac, $30.
JumpStart Languages
Kids often pick up new languages with an ease adults find surprising. JumpStart Languages takes advantage of that quick uptake to lay the foundation for foreign language development and to get kids excited about other cultures. With sections devoted to French, Spanish, Japanese, and English, the program entices kids to learn about the world by exploring the music, food, and stories of each country along with Listen & Learn Language Buddies. Knowledge Adventure, www.knowledgeadventure.com, 800-542-4240, Windows and Mac, $19.99.
Kid Pix Deluxe 3
Delighting kids for a decade, the latest version of Kid Pix proves that creativity never goes out of style. Long known for its wonderful assortment of art tools—from spray cans and paintbrushes to stickers and stamps—the program also offers easy-to-use special effects, sounds, and animations. Kids can create a classic still life, funny portraits from doctored family photos, digital storybooks, comic books, even a movie. If they're not sure where to start, the new Idea Machine will give their creativity a boost. The Learning Company, www.learningco.com, 800-395-0277, Windows and Mac, $29.99.
Math Explorer Deluxe
As children learn number recognition and basic math concepts with the help of White Bear and Little Penguin, this program works in the background to learn a few lessons of its own. By tracking each child's strengths and weaknesses, Math Explorer Deluxe is able to adapt to the individual player's needs. Parents can tap into their child's profile and print corresponding worksheets for educational fun away from the computer. DK Interactive Learning, www.dk.com, 877-342-5357, Windows and Mac, $19.95.
Reader Rabbit Preschool: Sparkle Star Rescue and
Reader Rabbit Kindergarten: Bounce Down in Balloon Town
Prereading, counting, and problem-solving skills all come into play in these colorful adventures. Guided by Reader Rabbit and Sam the Lion, kids enjoy a series of imaginative activities, such as Sparkle Shape Mining and Dunk 'n Rhyme. The programs automatically adjust to the players' skill levels, so children won't be frustrated by projects that are too easy or too challenging. The Learning Company, www.learningco.com, 800-395-0277, Windows and Mac, $19.99 each.
Cool Gear
Dell Dimension 2100
This 800MHz Celeron PC has the power to keep pace with a growing child. The system comes with 128MB of RAM, a 20GB hard drive, a CD-RW drive, a 56Kbps modem, Harmon Kardon speakers, and a 17-inch monitor that won't cramp your child's style. Plus, the setup poster makes installation a snap, and you get a 3-year warranty, including toll-free support. Dell Computer, www.dell.com, 800-999-3355, $882.
Apple iMac
This iMac's cute look and low price make it appealing to kids and parents alike. It's loaded with features, too, including a 400MHz PowerPC G3 pro-cessor, 64MB of RAM, a 10GB hard drive, a 56Kbps modem, and USB and FireWire ports for connecting peripherals such as digital video. Apple offers a 1-year limited warranty and 30 days free Internet access through EarthLink. Apple, www.apple.com, 800-692-7753, $899.
KidzMouse®
Here's a friendly mouse that will create quite a buzz with the pint-size hands in the family. The KidzMouse® is available in three colorful species: There's a bug named MollyMouse, a ladybug called CoolBug, and a bumblebee named BenjieBee. Designed specifically for little hands, the mice work by squeezing rather than clicking. KidzMouse, , www.kidzmouse.com, 888-503-5439, Windows, $23.95 each.
Apollo P-2250 Printer
The Apollo not only prints vibrant colors, it comes in a vibrant color: translucent teal with mist gray. Powered by Hewlett-Packard inkjet technology, it churns out 6 ppm at 600x600 dpi in black, and 3 ppm at 300x300 dpi in color. Snap in an optional HP photo cartridge ($35) and tykes can produce photo-quality prints. Apollo, www.myapollo.com, 877-692-7655, $89.99.
LeapPad Learning System
The interactive LeapPad helps children learn to read at their own pace. Kids use an electronic pen to read and listen to stories, and to hear specific words spoken aloud. The talking book helps teach spelling, syllables, phonics, and more through stories, games, and songs. The LeapPad comes with a 32-page sampler book, additional books cost $14.95 each. Leapfrog, www.leapfrog.com, 800-701-5327, $49.99.
Vtech Mouseland Laptop
Preschoolers will have a blast while they learn with the Mouseland Laptop, which features more than 30 sight and sound activities. With an emphasis on letters, numbers, music, and art appreciation, the toy also includes games that can be played with a friend. VTech, www.vtechkids.com, 800-521-2010, $49.99.
On the Web
Between the Lions (www.pbskids.org/lions)
Prereaders and beginning readers won't be able to get enough of this site, built around the popular PBS series for young children. There are dozens of stories to read aloud, and games and activities that emphasize letter recognition, spelling, and vocabulary-building skills.
Funschool.com
Visit the preschool and kindergarten sections of this K-6 site for a variety of engaging learning games. Here kids can practice "writing" their letters on a virtual chalkboard, work on number recognition, and develop such critical skills as sequential reasoning. One cautionary note: Beware of the advertisements that border many of the games. One click and your youngster could end up lost in advertising space.
4Kids2play (4kids2play.4t.com)
In no time your youngsters will be clicking and dragging their way through fun and fanciful games, such as a virtual playhouse where the characters and fixtures can be moved from room to room. There are loads of pictures to print out and color, number and memory games, puzzles, and more. The site is packed with fun sounds and cute, colorful animations that will entertain young kids for hours-or as long as you let them play.
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