Visit The Official Web Site Of National Grandparents Day

Did you know that Sunday marks the 30th anniversary of National Grandparents Day? If you're on the Web and you want to learn more about the holiday, head on over to the official Web site of National Grandparents Day.

The site, brought to you by The National Grandparents Day Council, offers information on the history of the holiday, fun Grandparents Day activities and more!

Happy Grandparents Day!

Bring The American Museum Of Natural History To Your Desktop

By all means, if you can arrange to make a trip to New York City to visit the world famous American Museum of Natural History in person, do it-it's simply fantastic and the experience of a lifetime. However, if you can't get there in person, you'll be happy to know that you can visit some of its most famous exhibits "virtually"-right on your computer screen, that is.

Log on and take a 360 degree virtual tour of these noted Fossil Halls:

• Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs



• Hall of Ornithischian Dinosaurs



• Hall of Primitive Mammals



• Hall of Advanced Mammals

Incidentally, if you're looking for more online activities to share with your grandkids, you'll want to add this one to the list!

If Your Name's Not Einstein, Go Ask A Scientist!

When your precocious grandchild comes to you with a perplexing question like "why doesn't time move backwards?" or "what are the main differences between Newtonian and Quantum Physics?" do you answer like Einstein or mumble "humada, humada" like Ralph Kramden of The Honeymooners? If your response is more Kramden than Einstein, try turning to the Web for help.

Here are a few sites where actual scientists and other experts do their best to answer those questions you can't:

• Ask A Question at the MadSci Network

• Ask A Scientist at The Cornell Center for Materials Research

• Ask the Experts at Scientific American

Remember to read the terms and conditions at each site and keep in mind that not every question will be answered. Next time your grandchildren ask one of those imponderable science questions tell 'em "let's go ask a scientist!"

Grandparenting Advice And Inspiration On The Web

Sure, you make the role of grandparent look easy, but you know it's not-like everything worthwile in this life, it takes effort, at least a little bit of patience and helpful advice when you can get it. Enter Grandparenting.org, the Web site you can turn to for just that.

Grandparenting.org is the Web site of The Foundation For Grandparenting, a non-profit corporation that's "dedicated to raising grandparent consciousness in order to better the lives of grandchildren, parents, grandparents, and communities through education, research, programs, communication, and networking."

Some of the highlights include:

• Articles written by noted author and expert on grandparenting, Arthur Kornhaber, M.D., who's a grandfather himself.

• A discussion center and bulletin board where you can share your views on grandparenting.

• A list of books, films and videos of particular interest to grandparents.

And more! Equally inspirational as it is useful, this is an essential grandparenting resource on the Web.

Paint By Number: No Paint Brush Required

Remember those great paint by number kits you had as a kid? Hours of fun wasn't it? Today, you can experience the joys of painting by number on the Web too. At a site like Segmation.com, for example, you'll find a section called SegPlay where you can paint by number online for free. Of course, since it's online, you'll be substituting mouse clicks for brushstrokes as you "digitally" paint your masterpieces-and that's part of the fun, because it puts a new twist on an old hobby.

You'll love too, the fact that they offer dozens of categories to choose from and supply magnification tools to help you see the numbers better. And If you've got grandkids, put this one high on your list of online activities to share with them-it'll be just as much fun for them as it is for you.

Don't be surprised if you find the online version of this popular pastime just as addictive as the one you grew up with!

Watch NOVA Online

Are you a fan of NOVA, the popular science program on PBS? Don't you hate it when you miss a show? Not to worry-next time you forget to record it, just catch up with it online. That's right, PBS has established a video archive of Nova programs on their Web site where you can watch entire episodes from the past several years at your leisure.

Now, whenever you're surfing the Web and you get bored, a couple of clicks of your mouse will bring the Emmy Award-winning program you've enjoyed on TV for years, right to your computer screen. You don't even have to register to watch the shows and they're absolutely free. Episodes of the relatively new NOVA ScienceNOW program are also included for your viewing pleasure.

This is also a great online activity to share with your grandkids the next time they're over. It's fun, educational and a great way to get them interested in science at an early age!

Have Yourself A Merry Online Christmas

It's undeniable. The Internet is as much a part of life at the holidays as the rest of the year. Maybe you decry that fact, but it doesn't mean that the time spent online can't be quality time. Depending on the sites you visit, the Web can actually add to your enjoyment of the holidays and even help you get into the spirit of the season.

Before you blurt out "Bah, humbug!" check out these sites:

• Christmas-Carols.net - Can't remember the lyrics to your favorite Christmas carols? Look it up at this site where you'll find the lyrics to dozens of the popular classics.
  
  
• The History of Christmas - History.com covers just about everything you ever wanted to know about the history of this traditional holiday-watch Christmas videos, discover Christmas traditions from around the world, and learn some facts about the holiday you probably didn't know.



• Santa Claus and Christmas at the North Pole - Especially if you have grandkids, you'll want to put this high on your list of holiday sites to visit. Send a letter to Santa, enjoy holiday-themed puzzles, activities and more at this terrific site.
  
  
• A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens in RealAudio - thanks to the Ohio University Telecommunications Center you can sit back and listen to reading of this timeless Christmas classic online.

Got a favorite Christmas-themed site to add to the list above? Let us know!

Boost Your Vocabulary And Help End World Hunger While You're At It

As Thanksgiving approaches do your thoughts turn to the plight of those less fortunate? Are you the type of person who's concerned with the worsening problem of global hunger and wish you could do more about it? Then you'll be happy to know that there's a new Web site dedicated to helping you fight global hunger with, of all things, your knowledge of vocabulary!

The site is called FreeRice.com and it works like this: You play a vocabulary game where you're shown a word and asked to select its definition from four choices. Click on the correct definition and 10 grains of rice will be donated to the United Nations Food Program! Continue playing and for every correct answer you choose, another 10 grains of rice will be donated.

By the way, if the grandkids are over this is a great online activity to share with them as well. It's free to play, you'll both improve your vocabulary, have fun doing it and help put a dent in world hunger-what's better than that?

Create A Virtual Masterpiece And Hang It In An Online Gallery

Like to draw or paint? You might like to try a virtual painting tool like artPad from Art.com. You'll be "painting" on a digital canvas with a realistic looking paintbrush that you control with your mouse. Once you've completed your masterpiece they'll even let you "hang it up" in their online gallery!

Oh, and if you have grandkids, you'll especially like this one. Next time they're over, get them to paint with you online at artPad. You'll have fun creating a masterpiece together without having to worry about spilling paint on the floor!

Zoom In On Microscopic Wonders

Ever wonder what the world looks like through the lens of a microscope? Your grandkids probably do too! If you want to get them excited about something educational for a change, venture with them into the fascinating world of microscopy science with a little help from the Microscopy and Science Education Web Site created by Dennis Kunkel Ph.D.

Some of the activities you'll both enjoy doing there include:

• Searching the Education Image Library, which features more than 2,000 images-everything from algae to viruses, as seen through the microscope
• Operating the Virtual Scanning Electron Microscope (includes sound effects)
• Zooming in for a closer look at common household insects like the fruit fly and mosquito

Loaded with dazzling images from the microscopic world, this is one online destination you'll want to visit often-few educational sites will inspire as much awe!

Take The Grandkids On A Virtual Trip To The Zoo

Here's a great idea for the next time you've got the grandkids over and you're looking for a fun and educational activity to do together on the computer: Take them on a trip to the zoo by way of the World Wide Web! How? By visiting the Smithsonian's National Zoo online!

Here are a few of the highlights that will delight both you and the grandkids:

• View the Animal Photo Galleries where you'll see pictures and learn interesting facts about the different zoo animals.
• Want to know what life's like in the zoo? Take a peek with the help of various Animal Web Cams and find out.
• Stop by the National Zoo Web Pages Just for Kids where you'll find crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles and other fun animal-themed activities.

Thanks to the Smithsonian Institution, a trip to the zoo is now just a mouse click away!

Where To Play "Spot The Difference" On The Web

If you grew up enjoying "spot the difference" games you'll be happy to know that these types of games are available online as well. Here are a couple of places on the web where you can play these fun and challenging games:

• Challenge yourself with these Spot The Difference Puzzles from About.com.
• This spot the difference game at TheKidzpage.com will entertain you and your grandkids!
• Race against the clock when you play spot the difference at Addictinggames.com.

Fun Brain Games For The Young And Young At Heart

Here's the challenge: How do you spend an afternoon online with your grandkids that's fun and educational for them while mentally challenging for you? Easy - just spend the time at a web site called Neuroscience For Kids.

This terrific site, maintained by Eric H. Chudler, Ph.D, will help you introduce your grandchildren to the wonders of the human brain and nervous system through a variety of fascinating facts, entertaining games and related activities.

If you're the competitive sort, try some of the brain games yourself and see who scores higher - you, or your grandkids. Good luck!

Take 'em On A Journey To The Far Reaches Of The Universe

Want to turn an ordinary afternoon with the grandkids into an extraordinary adventure they won't soon forget? Take them on a trip to outer space with a little help from Hubblesite.org. This remarkable site, produced by the Space Telescope Science Institute's Office of Public Outreach, brings the wonders of the universe right to your desktop.

Some of the highlights include:

• An extensive image gallery including spectacular photographs of deep space taken by the Hubble Telescope.
• Exciting videos detailing the Hubble's discoveries and the science behind them.
• Facts about the Hubble telescope and fun activities that are as educational as they are entertaining.

Get ready for a thrilling journey to the far reaches of the universe - no space helmet required!

Take An Online Geography Quiz With The Grandkids

Want to help your grandkids learn about geography and have fun doing it? Why not take an interactive geography quiz with them on the web?

At this educational site created by web development consultant Lyndsey McCollam, you and your grandkids will have your choice of geography quizzes - everything from the United States and South America, to Europe, Africa and beyond!

See who knows more, you or your grandchildren - good luck!

How To Track Santa Online

Here's a great activity you can do together with your grandkids this holiday season: Track Santa Clause online! Did you know there's actually a website that will let you follow Santa's journey from the North Pole?

The great folks over at NORAD Tracks Santa 2006 use various Santa Cams to take pictures and video of Santa and his reindeer as they make their trip around the world. Then they post these images on the web for everyone to see! The fun-filled site also includes activities like a Santa Puzzle, a countdown to Christmas, a coloring book and more.

Your grandchildren will love this site--and so will you!