14
votes

I've donated my old laptop to my 3 year old kid. Are there any desktop environments designed especially for this age group?

4
  • Ok - going to close this since the answers are getting decidedly off-topic discussing other distro's.
    – fossfreedom
    Jun 24, 2012 at 7:43
  • 1
    OP has requested migration to unix and linux - request to the mods there has been made - awaiting reply.
    – fossfreedom
    Jun 24, 2012 at 16:45
  • @fossfreedom I think the question would be ok on Unix & Linux, being suitable for a three-year old is a highly specific requirement. I'm not impressed by the answers here, though. So rather than a migration I'd advise Detnuomnu to repost, with “3 year old” in large, bold letters. Even One Laptop Per Child doesn't seem to aim that low. Jun 24, 2012 at 23:21
  • ok - no positive replies from the mods - take that as not suitable for migration. Feel free to ask on Unix and Linux if required.
    – fossfreedom
    Jun 25, 2012 at 12:06

4 Answers 4

12
votes

If you want a fully designed system for children Qimo is ideal.

It is designed visually for children and can not be afraid to break it since it has not the potential of a professional platform.

Images:

first second

Qimo web pages

1
  • 2
    i looked this up on distrowatch. It says the default de is xfce. also the last release was over 2 years ago.
    – Detnuomnu
    Jun 16, 2012 at 16:48
11
votes

Ubuntu Education Edition; An official version of Ubuntu Linux designed for use in classrooms and schools.

Installation on an existing Ubuntu system

Edubuntu provides application bundles that group educational software by grade level. You can install from the Education category in the "Software Center" entry in the Applications menu or installing the following packages using your favorite package manager:

ubuntu-edu-preschool - Preschool ( < 5 years old) educational application bundle
ubuntu-edu-primary - Primary ( ages 6-12) educational application bundle
ubuntu-edu-secondary - Secondary ( ages 13-18) educational application bundle
ubuntu-edu-tertiary - Tertiary ( university level ) educational application bundle

You can also install all Edubuntu packages, including artwork by installing the edubuntu-desktop package.

More details on what's included in these bundles are available on the Ubuntu wiki.

2
  • 2
    This has a nice upgrade path as my kid gets older.
    – Detnuomnu
    Jun 16, 2012 at 15:59
  • Maybe I'm missing something but as far as I can tell this is just a regular Unity/ubuntu with some extra's for classroom environments, and some nice application bundles. I will definately make use of the bundles.
    – Detnuomnu
    Jun 22, 2012 at 12:45
4
votes

Try something with bigger ICONS, if you don't mind switching, if i am not wrong Fedora's sugar had a specifically designed DE for kids. Check that out.

launcher

3
  • This doesn't deal with Ubuntu.
    – nanofarad
    Jun 16, 2012 at 15:23
  • 1
    Sugar on a stick is based on fedora. Sugar is present in ubuntu repo's.
    – Detnuomnu
    Jun 16, 2012 at 15:34
  • 2
    My impression of sugar is that it is for an older age, with many semi-technical programs, lots of focus on collaboration, etc.. I'll definately give this another go in say 3 years.
    – Detnuomnu
    Jun 16, 2012 at 15:38
2
votes

There's also a distribution called Doudodu Linux. you can download the torrent of the iso here. gdm lxde

1
  • Great live usb solution if you don't want your kids anywhere near the harddisk. based on debian squeeze. uses lxde/lxlauncher. I Like that it can boot straight into gcompris from gdm.
    – Detnuomnu
    Jun 20, 2012 at 11:39

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