National Geographic Makes Maps Fun for Kids

Trying to wean your kids from their favorite computer game sites and into a homework mindset at the start of a new school year? This new National Geographic World Atlas for Young Explorers web site may be able to help.

It's a companion site to the printed 100-page atlas for kids ages 8 to 12. Kids can easily search by topics, including country and animals. But there's also a fun map area, where kids can use a "map machine" to generate maps, including theme maps that highlight natural disasters, population.... Another map feature allows you to access maps of the world, and by continent or country.

I like the "World Music" section, where you can hear musicians and music from all over the world. A good way to let 'tweens know the world of music is much wider than American Idol.

And, yes, there are games, too. So if nothing else gets their attention, that will!

Related: Back-to-School: Go Online for Homework Help