5 ideas for using your PC on a rainy day
By Dawn Myrah
There's so much more to do on a rainy day than just watching TV. Kids can find fun and interactive ways to entertain themselves through a number of different programs on their PCs. With the following tips, kids can have fun, learn, and stay in touch with family and friends when rainy or snowy weather keeps them indoors.
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See and experience the world
Did you know emus and kangaroos can't walk backwards? Through the home PC, your kids can learn about far-off places, cultures, and how kids live on the other side of the world. Reference software like Microsoft Encarta Premium provides access to Discovery Channel videos, a World Atlas, Virtual Flights, and Tours to experience the world from the comfort of home. Kids can even pick up a few foreign words and phrases for future travels with Encarta Translation Dictionaries.
Try passing the time by plotting out your next family road trip with Microsoft Streets & Trips. With Streets & Trips, you can prepare detailed maps and itineraries for the United States and Canada that include points of interest, like a side trip to the Grand Canyon on the way to see Grandma in Arizona over spring break.
With Microsoft Streets & Trips, your kids can develop maps and itineraries according to your family's travel style and interests.
Stay in touch with family and friends
Even if the weather doesn't allow it, your kids can still play with their friends across town or across the country with interactive media. With Xbox Live, your kids can get behind the wheel and race their friends in high-definition Xbox 360 glory in Project Gotham Racing 3.
Another option is instant messaging. With Windows Live Messenger, they can chat online via text, voice, mobile phone, or even video conversation, in real time, with their friends or family. They can also express themselves instantly with winks or share photos, files, searches, and more. If you're worried about your kids being safe online, check out 10 tips for safer instant messaging.
Explore your artistic side
Did you know that Andy Warhol decorated department store windows and created illustrations for greeting cards, record albums, and book covers before he became a famous pop artist? If your kids are interested in art, help them explore their creative side by learning about some of their favorite artists and photographers to see how they got started. Start with Microsoft Encarta Premium for trusted information. Still not satisfied? Check out the Encarta editor-approved Web links to explore further.
Once the creative juices are flowing, help them use Digital Image Suite to edit some of their favorite pictures with an artistic touch or create fun craft projects. They can even use the program to create Warhol-inspired portraits, with a few easy steps.
To create a Warhol-inspired portrait:
1. | Select a photo that you would like to edit. |
2. | Right click on the photo and select Open with Microsoft Digital Image Suite Editor. |
3. | Select Create a Photo Collage under Quick Links or create your own layout. |
4. | Manipulate each section of the collage using Negative under the Effects section and Color and Saturation under the Touchup section to achieve the desired results. |
Create masterpieces like some of your favorite artists with Digital Image Suite.
Entertain your brain
Games and puzzles are a fun way to stimulate your mind while passing the time. Microsoft Encarta has a number of different trivia games that can keep your kids entertained for hours on end. With MindMaze they can pick the categories and level of difficulty. Every correctly answered question gets them one step closer to completing the maze and saving the princess.
Do you have an animal lover or aspiring veterinarian in your family? If so, Microsoft Encarta also has a number of games to test their knowledge of birds and animals, like Gone to the Dogs, Horsing Around, and Bird Identification.
What bird is that? Test your knowledge with the Bird Identification Quiz in Microsoft Encarta.
Windows XP games include a wide range of options. Windows XP comes loaded with Hearts, Backgammon, Checkers, Minesweeper, and Solitaire, in addition to several other games you can play.
Stay active indoors
Who says your computer can't help you get a workout? Help your kids find out why exercises like Yoga and Pilates are so effective. Use MSN to find sites to learn more about these workout programs, such as:
All About Pilates
YogaKids
10 tips to healthy eating and physical activity
Kids can also use Microsoft Encarta to research how the body works and how they can maintain a healthy physique with simple steps like eating a healthy breakfast and getting 20 minutes of aerobic activity every day. They'll also find tips on how to make healthy eating and physical activities fun.
Use your computer to stay active indoors with activities like yoga.
