The Arts includes interactive sites for art, music, and drama. The best of the best have been included in this section and while they are entertaining and great fun, the key criteria was that they also provide educational sustenance for your children. Enjoy exploring these worthwhile sites together with your child...
Enjoy the amazing collection of music links... I had no idea that there were so many worthwhile interactive sites available!
Architect Studio 3D
http://www.architectstudio3d.org/AS3d/index.html
The great American architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed hundreds of houses throughout his long and distinguished career. Each home was uniquely fashioned to meet the needs of its owners and the particular qualities of its location. Wright inspired a generation of architects. Are you one of them? On this Web site, you can design a house, walk through it in 3D, and then share it with the world. You can also learn more about architecture, past and present, and explore Frank Lloyd Wright's life and work. (Div. 2)
ArtGames
http://www.albrightknox.org/artgames/index.html
Kids 4-12 can learn the building blocks of art and creativity through this interactive website from Albright-Knox. They can learn about portraits, still-lifes, landscapes, color, and materials, as well as create their own works in the interactive studio.
NEW! ArtPad
http://artpad.art.com
Use this digital canvas to explore colours and express your artistic talent! When you have finished your painting, watch your work in replay then savie it, send it to friends, or add it to the collective gallery.
Art Safari
http://www.moma.org/momalearning/artsafari
A series of questions will guide you and your child to make up stories based on four different artworks. Ask younger children to talk about what they see, and type in their replies; older children can interact with the program on their own. The questions proposed help children develop observational skills by asking them to describe what they see. None of the questions assume knowledge about the history of art. They simply draw upon children's natural curiosity and often evoke surprising and insightful responses. Following each discussion, children can create their own artwork on the computer, or they can carry out projects by painting, drawing, or making a sculpture.
Art Zone
http://www.nga.gov/kids/zone
Interactive art that you can make online! Visit the Art Zone to play with Collage Machine, PaintBox, 3-D Twirler, PixelFace, and more! This is a very cool and fun site... Created by the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. (DIv. 1 and Div. 2)
Art Tales: Telling Stories with Wildlife Art
http://www.wildlifeart.org/ArtTales
Discover the world of wildlife art. Create a story, write a wildlife field guide, or curate a museum exhibit. Add excitement with music and sound effects. Then publish your creation on this web site. (Div. 2)
Artist's Toolkit
http://www.artsconnected.org/toolkit
Artists use visual elements and principles like line, color and shape as tools to build works of art. Learn about these concepts in a variety of ways. Explore the Toolkit with animations and interactive modules. See Artists in Action as they create compositions using the visual elements and principles. Delve into the heavily illustrated Encyclopedia to learn more about the elements and principles. (Div. 1 and Div. 2)
NEW! Artsonia Kids Art Museum
http://www.artsonia.com
Artsonia is free online student art museum where students' work is displayed side by side with the work of other students their own age from thousands of schools in over 100 countries. Artsonia is available to schools, families, and communities worldwide to help promote creativity amongst young artists. Registration is required and information on student privacy is clearly set out. If you are a parent, you can also buy custom-made gift merchandise with your child's own artwork.
Brush With Wildlife
http://www.wildlifeart.org/Rungius
Carl Rungius, one of America's finest wildlife artists, was fascinated with composition throughout his career. What can we learn from him as we make our own compositions? Introduce yourself to the animated principles of art, then create your own composition and submit it to the Critique Gallery for review! (Div. 2)
CBBC - Art
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/art
This interactive British site tells about the personalities of artists, introduces their work and offers all sorts of interesting "Artyfacts." (Div. 1 and Div. 2)
NEW! Colour in Motion
http://www.mariaclaudiacortes.com/colors/Colors.html
This is a wonderfully engaging site that explores the meaning, symbolism, and emotions of colours. Younger children will get more out of this site by exploring it a small bit at a time with an adult.
NEW! Destination Modern Art
http://www.moma.org/destination
Blast off to the Museum of Modern Art in Queens. Activities are designed for elementary students around the art of Van Gogh, Bearden, Kahlo and more.
Explore Pop-Up Books
http://www.robertsabuda.com/popupindex.asp
Explore Pop-up Books - everything from interviews with authors to simple pop-up projects you can make. (Div. 2)
NEW! Getty Games
http://www.getty.edu/gettygames
Play free online games with Getty art from the J. Paul Getty Museum! Test your memory, play detective, or solve a puzzle. Suitable for all elementary students.
Hands-On Crafts
http://www.handsoncrafts.org/index.htm
The website encourages children to learn about pottery, weaving, quilting, and basketry techniques and traditions by "playing around" in online studios. Visit Studio 1 to work with clay and Studio 2 to work with string, cloth, and cane. There are lots of interactive activities to choose from on this site. (Div. 1 and Div. 2)
Haring Kids
http://www.haringkids.com
Keith Haring has created this site for children and offers a wide variety of activities around his style of art. There are flipbooks, maps, posters, stories, interactive colouring pages, and more. This site takes a bit of exploring to figure out where everything is but is well worth the visit. (Div. 1 and Div. 2)
Inside Art
http://www.eduweb.com/insideart
What if you were trapped inside a painting and had to solve a mystery to get out? This site developed in-house during Eduweb's early days explores a painting from the inside out. (Div. 2)
Kinetosaurs: Putting Some Teeth into Art and Science
http://www.childrensmuseum.org/special_exhibits/kinetosaur/index.html
Have you ever seen a dinosaur dance, roll its head around or swish its tail? Artist John Payne uses science and art to create his dinosaur sculptures, and to make them move. Explore this Web site to learn about John Payne's kinetosaurs, discover the science behind his art, and find out how to make your own dinosaur art! (Div. 1 and Div. 2)
Lifetime of Colour
http://www.sanford-artedventures.com
This is a site that requires a lot of exploring. As well as animated demonstration about different concepts in art, there are some wonderful art games such as Leonardo's Workshop, From Cave Art to Your Art, The Art of Crime Detection, and Go West, Young Artist. (Div. 1 and Div. 2)
Lizzy and Gordon Visit the Sculpture Garden
http://www.nga.gov/kids/lizzy/lizzy.htm
Visit this very creatively animated musical story and explore work by Roy Lichtenstein, Lucas Samaras, Joel Shapiro, and many other sculptors. To really make this web site worthwhile, it might be an idea to visit the library or search the Internet to find other examples of the featured sculptors and their work. Check the Overview to find out the names of all of the sculptors. Created by the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. (Div. 1 and Div. 2)
NEW! Make Your Own Christmas Cards
http://familyfun.go.com
This web site provides some wonderful ideas for using digital photos to make your own personal Christmas cards as well as other artistic ideas and templates. Suitable for all ages.
NEW! Matisse for Kids
http://www.artbma.org/flash/F_conekids.swf
The Baltimore Museum of Art introduces Raoudi, artist Henri Matisse's perky schnauzer, in Matisse for Kids, a delightful on-line exploration of the beloved 20th century master's bold, bright paintings. Along the way, you'll earn props, patterns, and colors to use in creating your own Matisse-inspired artwork.
Mondrimat
http://www.stephen.com/mondrimat
The Mondrimat is a simple system which lets you experiment with space, color and visual rhythm in accordance with the theories of Piet Mondrian. The directions are simple but read them carefully before starting. (Div. 1 and Div. 2)
Mr. Picassohead
http://www.mrpicassohead.com
This simple to use tool lets you create a basic piece of art using a variety of built in "widgets" such as hair, eyebrows, ears, etc. in Picasso-esque style. Doesn't really matter what you do, you end up with a final drawing that definitely fits the Picasso style! (Div. 2)
NEW! Oudry's Painted Menagerie
http://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/oudry/index.html
Jean Baptiste Oudry is known for his life-size portraits of exotic animals. Watch the process of restoring a painting, zoom in and explore details of his paintings, and play Menagerie Madness (easy or hard) by comparing two images to find what's different.
Pivot Stick Animator
http://www.geocities.com/peter_bone_uk/pivot.html
Pivot Stickfigure Animator is a unique software, that allows you to create stick figure animations easily and without any artistic skills. You can move the sections of the sick figure and easily create a chain of animation frames that can be previewed as you go. You can use more than one stick-figure in the animation, and even create your own stick figures using an easy to use visual editor that lets you assemble objects out of lines and circles. In addition, you can optionally set animation size, speed and more. The result can be saved as animated GIF file. Fun and easy to use! (Recommended for Div. 2 students)
PBS Kids
http://pbskids.org/coloring.html
Lots of colouring activities here for the younger student. (Div. 1)
Renaissance Connection
http://www.renaissanceconnection.org
Be a patron of the arts. Design your own innovation. Investigate Renaissance artworks in depth. Discover how past innovations inform life today. And more, all enhanced with quirky visuals, irreverent humor, and engaging interactivity that reveal the ways that Renaissance life and culture resemble our own. (Div. 2)
Scribbles Kid's Art
http://www.scribbleskidsart.com
Scribbles is a place for children of all ages who love to create art. Here you can learn about different artists and their artwork. Children can do simple art projects and are invited to enter contests. (Div. 1 and Div. 2)
Surrounded by Beauty
http://www.artsmia.org/surrounded-by-beauty
In Native American thought there is no distinction between what is beautiful or functional, and what is sacred or secular. For many native peoples, beauty arises from living in harmony with the order of the universe. This Web site is based on a slide curriculum but adds many contextual images to aid understanding, and lets users zoom in closely on each artwork. (Div. 2)
World Myths and Legends in Art
http://www.artsmia.org/world-myths
Myths are stories that explain why the world is the way it is. All cultures have them. Throughout history, artists have been inspired by myths and legends and have given them visual form. Sometimes these works of art are the only surviving record of what particular cultures believed and valued. But even where written records or oral traditions exist, art adds to our understanding of myths and legends. (Div. 2)
www.Artyfactory.com
http://www.artyfactory.com
Explore this site and discover step-by-step tutorials on drawing. Something for all age groups. (Div. 1 and Div. 2)
Artist Profiles
http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/profiles
I love this site! If you are looking for a profile of a particular artist, there is a good chance you
will find it on this BBC site. It includes all types of composers and musicians
listed alphabetically.
Classics for Kids
http://www.classicsforkids.com
At this site about classical music, you’ll find games, instruments of the orchestra, a musical dictionary, radio stations that host music shows for kids, and more important events in the world of classical music for kids!
Create Music!
http://www.tldsb.on.ca/Schools/GrandviewPS/Room_108/musicmixer/musicmixer1.htm
Operate a recording studio. Turn up a drum. Add a new bass track or change a special effect. Make your own song.
Creating Music
http://www.creatingmusic.com
Creatingmusic.com is a children's online creative music environment for children of all ages. It's a place for kids to compose music, play with musical performance, music games and music puzzles. Come discover fun and easy ways to make music!
Creative Kids Central
http://www.kusc.org/kids
Learn about the difference between a symphony, opera, solo voice, solo instrument, choral music and chamber music at this unique site. There are a number of interactive musical listening activities and games, including a program on Scheherezade.
Dallas Symphony for Kids
http://www.dsokids.com/2001/rooms/DSO_Intro.html
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra's magical doorway to a world of musical fun and learning for students, parents and teachers! A very intriguing site where you can hear any instrument of the orchestra played, listen to major and minor scales, and access information on all composers with attached audio files.
Drum Kits and Rhythms
http://www.hitchams.suffolk.sch.uk/ictmusic/drums/index.htm
A site that introduces the instruments, sounds and rhythms of drum kits, with real video footage!
Drumsteps
http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/childrens/games/drumsteps
Very challenging but amazing! Imagine you're Ludwig van Beethoven but instead of a quill and manuscript you have some steps, ladders and round drums to roll down the steps...now imagine you have space-age technology and can make the balls disappear into warps in the fabric of the universe...oh, whatever. Just launch the wonderful wonderful game of Drumsteps!
Energy in the Air: Sounds From the Orchestra
http://library.thinkquest.org/5116/?tqskip1=1
Lots of information on the instruments that make up an orchestra. There are sound clips and details of the science of how sounds are made. As well, as you explore each instrument, you can listen to different pieces of music that highlight the instrument.
From the Top
http://www.fromthetop.org
A radio show that features outstanding young classical musicians ages five to nineteen.
Jazz
http://pbskids.org/jazz/index.html
Visit the improvisation station, play repeat the beat, learn about jazz history, read about the great jazz artists and about kids just like you who play and study jazz. Cool stuff!
Jazz For Young People
http://www.jazzatlincolncenter.org/educ/curriculum/launcher.html
This site is still under construction but looks very promising as a site where you can learn about the history of jazz and its artists through recordings, readings, photographs, video, and fun activities.
Listening Adventures
http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/explore_and_learn/listeningadventures
Hop aboard and explore Carnegie Hall Listening Adventures TM . There are no bags for you to pack. There is no currency for you to exchange. There is just wonderful music, interactive entertainment, and the best seat in the house—yours! Imagine a classical music "playstation" for children (and yes, adults too!). All travelers can jump right in and learn by doing, hearing, seeing, and thinking in a fun, user-friendly, multi-media environment. Just grab your mouse and go ! The maiden voyage of the Listening Adventures takes you to the New World. That's Dvořák’s "New World"—his Symphony No. 9, which celebrated the excitement of discovery. Ready to set sail?
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
www.laco.org/kids
LACO Kids! Online, a series of “Let’s Discover Music” activities with music, interviews with musicians and composers, resources and more.
Maestro Academy - Conducting 101
http://www.msokids.homestead.com/MaestroAcademy.html
Think you've got what it takes to be a conductor? Try the patterns on this page and then conducting to the music provided.
Making Tracks - Interactive Studio
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/makingtracks/studio.shtml
Become a composer and create a masterpiece with these funky tools from the BBC.
Mister Roger’s Song List
http://pbskids.org/rogers/songlist
Listen to the songs or download the music for playing.
Music House
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/music/index2.htm
Use either online or download this free musical activity for young children. They will enjoy listening to the instruments and matching the sounds to them. They can also listen to rhythms and have fun copying them.
Music Theory
http://www.musictheory.net
For any student just learning music theory, this site will be a favourite resource! To begin your journey into the realm of music, select a lesson, trainer, or utility from the lists provided.
Musical Mysteries
http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/schools/4_11/music/mm/index.shtml
Have fun solving the musical mysteries on this BBC site. You can compose your own music and find out about different sounds, rhythms, moods and musical instruments.
Musical Notes
http://library.thinkquest.org/15413/?tqskip=1&tqskip1=1&tqtime=0216
An online musical experience. Learn about theory, history, styles and musical instruments. There is information on note reading and chords. The history of music spans from medieval times to present day.
National Arts Center
http://www.artsalive.ca/en/mus/index.asp
The Canadian National Arts Centre (NAC) presents ArtsAlive.ca Music, a great place to discover the excitement of the performing arts! Learn all about orchestral music, the NAC Orchestra, its musicians and friends, great composers, conductors and much more!
New York Philharmonic Kidzone
http://www.nyphilkids.org/main.phtml
Learn about instruments, meet the conductors and soloists, make your own instrument, meet musicians, create your own music, learn about famous composers, and visit the Newstand at the NY Philharmonic Kidzone.
Nursery Songs
www.nursery-songs.com
Listen to classic nursery songs and children’s music composed by J.W. Elliott.
Piano Player
http://www.funbrain.com/notes
From easy to hard, click on the correct virtual piano key to identify the notes.
NEW! Playing for Change
http://www.playingforchange.com
Playing for Change, an inspirational music project that celebrates diversity and culture, started four years ago on the streets of Santa Monica with the recording of a street musician playing Stand by Me. The project was born out of the idea that we can inspire each other to come together as a human race and that music is one way to achieve this. Playing for Change contains videos and musical recordings of artists that have been recorded over the years. Start with the Introduction.
PlayMusic.org
http://www.playmusic.org/stage.html
Take a seat in the orchestra and learn about all of the different kinds of instruments and about many composers.
Reading Music
http://www.kidsmath.com/Music/Music.html
Play some piano music or practice reading notes.
Room 108 Drums
http://www.scugog-net.com/room108/Musickeyboa/Musickeyboa/drums.htm
Turn your computer keyboard into a drum set. You must click the letters on the screen to start the program going and your ready to play. Don't forget you use your computer keyboard keys to play. Get ready to play along with the blues!
Room 108 Music Composer
http://www.scugog-net.com/room108/java-music/index.html
A bit challenging but you can actually create songs on this site.
Room 108 Organ
http://www.scugog-net.com/room108/Musickeyboa/organ1.htm
Turn your keyboard into an Organ keyboard. Click on the letters on your computer keyboard to play. You can turn off the music by pressing stop on your browser. This takes a minute to load.
SFS Kids
http://www.sfskids.org
The San Francisco Symphony provides a great way for people of all ages to hear, learn, and have fun with music. Try out making a tune with the 'composerizer' in the music lab or explore instruments in the orchestra.
The Sound Site
http://www.smm.org/sound
You found sound! Close your eyes, open your ears, and explore the world of sound! The Science Museum of Minnesota. The site's purpose is to present activities, discussions and multimedia explorations about sound, both from a scientific and artistic perspective.
Sphinx Kids
http://www.sphinxkids.org
Sphinx Kids is an extension of the Sphinx Organization's Classical Connections program. The site contains interactive games and videos from the Sphinx Classical Connections CD-Rom. Intended more for the younger child.
Strings in the Mountains
http://www.stringsinthemountains.org/m2m/intro.htm
This site presents a multimedia presentation of "Mozart's Magical Life and Music". Adapted for the Internet from the December 1994 family concert presented by
"Strings in the Mountains" at the Sheraton Grand Ballroom in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Make sure you visit this site with your child!
Ted's Guitar
http://members.aol.com/mathewsrfp/guitar.html
Learn how to play the guitar by strumming the strings with the mouse.
Violin Masterclass
http://violinmasterclass.com/mc_kids.php
So, you want to learn how to play the violin? Watch first lessons and see how much fun you can have playing music! This is a great site for budding violinists!
Virtual Orchestra
http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/music/orchestra/contents.htm
Click on a whole range of instruments to see what they look like. You can hear what they all sound like, too.
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