Filed under: Multimedia, Software, Freeware
Tux Paint: Open Source Kids Paint Program
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).
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Max said 7:17PM on 3-18-2007
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.
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flec65 said 7:40PM on 3-18-2007
Seems a cool alternative to KidPix. Nice link, thanks Mat!
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dave said 8:22PM on 3-18-2007
nice, but is there any way to turn those godforsaken sound effects????
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Bill Kendrick said 8:59PM on 3-18-2007
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.
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Nazario Abraham Ayala said 10:30PM on 3-18-2007
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!
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Jimmy said 9:15AM on 3-19-2007
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!
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andyp said 11:34AM on 3-19-2007
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.
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TuxMan said 10:31AM on 3-19-2007
Not free, but teachers might also want to take a look at this:
http://www.cricksoft.com/uk/products/clickerpaint/
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Matt Grover said 5:37AM on 3-20-2007
I put this on my 8yr old daughter's blueberry ibook ages ago, she loves it, well worth downloading for younger kids
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Jennifer Kling said 3:24PM on 4-16-2007
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.
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