KidDesktop is a kid friendly Windows desktop alternative providing a safe PC learning experience without allowing access to inappropriate files, programs, or Internet content. This blog provides information parents and teachers can use to help children get the most out of their computer experience, including updated information about KidDesktop and reviews of kids’ websites and kid friendly YouTube videos.
Chanukah — the Jewish Festival of Lights — starts tomorrow night, Tuesday, December 20, 2011! In the last couple of years several kid-friendly Chanukah YouTube videos have made the rounds, and I figured this was a good time to share them. So, whether your family celebrates Chanukah or you just know someone else who does, enjoy these fun, peppy videos!
In 2010 the Maccabeats started it all with Candlelight. This great version of Taio Cruz‘s Dynamite quickly became an internet sensation!
And this year there are a bunch of new Chanukah songs and videos! Here’s a great one by the Fountainheads called Light up the Night:
Also, here’s an adorable video of 4th graders singing “Light the Candles” to Maroon 5′s “Moves Like Jagger!”
The final video — again by the Maccabeats — is a super-catchy version of Matsiyahu‘s Miracle:
Have fun listening! (And sorry, alas, I have no tips for getting these songs or any other kid-friendly ones out of your head!)
PS Looking to teach your children about Chanukah? Here are links to pages on Judaism 101, Aish.com, and Wikipedia!
Halloween is right around the corner, which makes this a perfect time for a viewing of everyone’s favorite Halloween special, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!” Here are a few of my fave clips.
Last week’s post about School House Rocks got me thinking about those wonderful songs from my childhood, and how kids of today can enjoy them as much as their parents did (and still do!). Here are a couple of my family’s favorites. Any you’d care to add?!?!
Today my son came home from school talking about School House Rock and (albeit rather vaguely) the Preamble to the Constitution. The strange coincidence is that — the same day — life took me down to the US Capitol Building where I watched Members of Congress debate on the floor and participate in floor votes!
In honor of this odd coincidence, here is the video that the 7-year-old is attempting to hum.
It’s summer, it’s hot, and there’s only so much time anyone can spend at the pool or the beach. So, if your kids are like mine, sometimes you need at least a little bit of screen-time to restore everyone’s sanity.
With that in mind, here are a couple of great LEGO sites sure to entertain both kids and adults. Watch ‘em with the kids; chilled juice boxes for everyone!
First, LEGO356 (AKA A LEGO a Day). This is the project of Dan, a teacher, photographer, and LEGO enthusiast. As he explains, he took a photo everyday with a LEGO mini-figure. His blog chronicles this great project, and is sure to elicit a chuckle from grown-ups and a chorus of “Cool!” from the kids. The blog will be complete on July 31, 2011, so be sure to visit before the end of the month…and then to re-visit afterwards!
Also, this Yahoo article features some other great projects made out of LEGO. As always, this amazing stuff begs the question: where DO people find the time to do this type of thing?!?! But, we’re all too happy to check it out!
For direct links to the Legoland car video go here:
My whole family loved Cars, so I was quite excited to hear there will be a sequel later this summer! Want a taste? Check out the first of several official movie trailers here.
And, because we love all things LEGO, for extra fun you and your kids must watch the LEGO trailer:
No doubt about it, this past week has featured some very exciting world events. By this, of course, I mean Star Wars Day — May the Fourth (be with you) — and Cinco de Mayo! In honor of these momentous occasions, here are two fun YouTube videos.
The first is a great summary of the first three Star Wars movies (well, really the middle three, but you know what I mean)…in LEGO! It’s an awesome video, narrated by a child, which deserves special kudos for the LEGO carbonite Han Solo. Fabulous!
The second is a just plain SILLY Happy Cinco de Mayo video by The GiggleBellies.
Well, if your kids are like mine, they’ve spent the last 11 months and 29 days planning for today. With the possible exception of their birthdays, April Fools Day is one of my children’s favorite days of the year!
This is why I’m putting this video on their YouTube playlists today. Yes, the video is not great and the sound-over is in German. But — for sheer amusement — this video absolutely takes the April Fools Day cake. (That cake, of course, is frosted with sour cream and ketchup!) Happy day, everyone, and don’t forget to watch your back!
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