How to Choose a Paint Program for Your Mac
Have fun!
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Have fun!
Kids have tremendous imaginations, and the right paint program will not just let them play, but will actively inspire them to create and tell their stories.
For kids, the main things to look for are easily understood and accessed features, a playful interface, and intuitive enough so that you don't have read a 200-page manual to help them figure it all out.
Here are a couple alternatives:
KidPix.
This venerable paint application has been around since
1989.
It started out as a "rubber stamp" kind of paint program.
For example, click on the "cow" stamp, then click on your document, and there was a cow.
Today, KidPix offers the original 2D version, and a new 3D version with animation and voice recording capabilities—still wrapped in a fun interface.
It's not free, but for about $40USD, you can get the 2D version, and for about $50USD, you get the deluxe 3D version.
Tux Paint.
This is another application targeted towards kids.
The interface is easy to grasp, and useful if you want to learn how to use the mouse and draw lines.
It features lots of fun graphic effects like "Confetti," which sprinkles the screen with colored dots, "Distortion" which messes up the lines, "Flower," which lets you draw flowers of whatever height you like, and much more.
It does it all with a variety of stereo sound effects and the occasional penguin "voice." Best of all...it's free!;
Detailed Guide
Kids have tremendous imaginations, and the right paint program will not just let them play, but will actively inspire them to create and tell their stories.
For kids, the main things to look for are easily understood and accessed features, a playful interface, and intuitive enough so that you don't have read a 200-page manual to help them figure it all out.
Here are a couple alternatives:
KidPix.
This venerable paint application has been around since
1989.
It started out as a "rubber stamp" kind of paint program.
For example, click on the "cow" stamp, then click on your document, and there was a cow.
Today, KidPix offers the original 2D version, and a new 3D version with animation and voice recording capabilities—still wrapped in a fun interface.
It's not free, but for about $40USD, you can get the 2D version, and for about $50USD, you get the deluxe 3D version.
Tux Paint.
This is another application targeted towards kids.
The interface is easy to grasp, and useful if you want to learn how to use the mouse and draw lines.
It features lots of fun graphic effects like "Confetti," which sprinkles the screen with colored dots, "Distortion" which messes up the lines, "Flower," which lets you draw flowers of whatever height you like, and much more.
It does it all with a variety of stereo sound effects and the occasional penguin "voice." Best of all...it's free!;
About the Author
Jerry Griffin
A passionate writer with expertise in practical skills topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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