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Tux Paint: Open Source Kids Paint Program

by Mat Lu Mar 18th 2007 at 7:00PM



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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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)...
 

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Jennifer Kling

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.

April 15 2007 at 10:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Matt Grover

I put this on my 8yr old daughter's blueberry ibook ages ago, she loves it, well worth downloading for younger kids

March 20 2007 at 5:27 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Stu

Not free, but teachers might also want to take a look at this:

http://www.cricksoft.com/uk/products/clickerpaint/

March 19 2007 at 10:31 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
andyp

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.

March 19 2007 at 10:04 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jimmy

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!

March 19 2007 at 9:14 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Nazario Abraham Ayala

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!

March 18 2007 at 10:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Bill Kendrick

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.

March 18 2007 at 8:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
John

nice, but is there any way to turn those godforsaken sound effects????

March 18 2007 at 8:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
flec65

Seems a cool alternative to KidPix. Nice link, thanks Mat!

March 18 2007 at 7:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Max

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.

March 18 2007 at 7:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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