Tux Paint is an open source, cross-platform kids' painting program. As you can see above it has a simplified (and definitely not Mac-like) interface. You can do the normal sorts of things you would expect (draw with lines, shapes, etc.), but one feature that the kids really like (according to the official TUAW kid testers) is the availability of "rubber stamps." These are basically pre-made shapes / images that you can stamp on the canvas (like the penguin to the right of "TUAW"). It only comes with a few, but there is a separate stamps package you can download to get "hundreds" more. In addition, the features list includes several "Magic" (i.e. special effects) tools like "Grass," "Bricks," and more. As you use the tools there are a variety of sound effects as well (squeaking erasers, etc.). Although, it's definitely not the most Mac-like program in the world, you can't complain about the price and looks like it could keep the kids occupied for a while. And yes, I am trying to blind you with this screenshot!
Tux Paint is a free download (for OS X, Windows, various Linux flavors and more).
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-18-2007 @ 7:17PM
Max said...
the coolest thing I've noticed about the program is that it actually has stereo sound. If you drag your brush from the left side to the right side of the screen, you can hear it going across your blank pallette.
Reply
3-18-2007 @ 7:40PM
flec65 said...
Seems a cool alternative to KidPix. Nice link, thanks Mat!
Reply
3-18-2007 @ 8:22PM
dave said...
nice, but is there any way to turn those godforsaken sound effects????
Reply
3-18-2007 @ 8:59PM
Bill Kendrick said...
dave -- Why yes! Fire up Tux Paint Config, go to the "Video & Sound" tab, and uncheck the "Enable Sound Effects" option. Hit "Apply", and re-launch Tux Paint. Enjoy the silence.
Reply
3-18-2007 @ 10:30PM
Nazario Abraham Ayala said...
OMG awesome! Being a member of the educational tech scene I am happy to see this project.
Now if some heroic being ( or collection of beings) can add cell animation (ahemmm, hyperstudio anyone?) I and a bunch of middle schoolers will grant you mitvah of the month or el mero cabro de todos!
Reply
3-19-2007 @ 9:15AM
Jimmy said...
If your kids like this, checkout ArtRage (www.ambientdesign.com) this is a real nice little paint program, i'm surprised how few people know about it.
Its like real painting - but far less messy!
Reply
3-19-2007 @ 10:31AM
TuxMan said...
Not free, but teachers might also want to take a look at this:
http://www.cricksoft.com/uk/products/clickerpaint/
Reply
3-19-2007 @ 11:34AM
andyp said...
My sister-in-law was using Windows Paint (!) to draw with her 3 year old, until I introduced them to TuxPaint. It really is a lovely piece of software, nice and simple for kids - although the number of stamps can be a bit overwhelming.
Reply
3-20-2007 @ 5:37AM
Matt Grover said...
I put this on my 8yr old daughter's blueberry ibook ages ago, she loves it, well worth downloading for younger kids
Reply
4-16-2007 @ 3:24PM
Jennifer Kling said...
Love Tux Paint and use it with K-5. Little kids love it and it is easier to use than Kidspiration and more dependable than Kid Pix. The older kids enjoy using the slide show feature to make their own little animated slide show.
Reply