Are the Little Ones Coming over for the Holidays?

I'm quaking in my boots already. As an empty nester, I'll forever miss having kids around and forever love having them come home. But, oh the damage they can do when they're around—especially to PCs.

I bumped into a software program called Giggles Computer Funtime, a $20 download at Giggles.net. It's designed to protect your PC from kids who love pressing keys.

Just start the program running and let the kids bang away on the keyboard. Each stroke brings up random joy—songs, shapes, colors, animations, animal scenes replete with silly noises. There's no competing, no winning, and no serious stealth learning agenda. This one is meant to entertain your youngest guests while you eat and keep your files safe from harm.

Other good software programs for holiday kid-company include Scholastic's I Spy and, of course, Dance Dance Revolution.

Other things you might think about doing to keep your computers safe from the youngest guests?

Tape your drives shut with a nicely decorated piece of cardboard (go on, draw a smiley face on it). Kids are notorious for pushing things into open drives. If you're not feeling creative, buy one. They sell pre-cut kits that you can tape onto your PC.

A few other precautions:

• Make sure you have the electric outlets covered with childproof caps.
• Clean your important clutter off the desk.
• Make sure your cables are not easily tripped over.

If the kids are staying longer, there's more you can do to make a perfect space for them, but for a short holiday visit, it's about survival.