Many computer users are familiar with Windows, but how many have ever tried the Paint program that’s included? I run a drop-in computer club at the local community center and often people don’t even realize there is a Windows Paint program. My daughter uses it to do simple graphics editing. It can be fun even for children learning to draw on the computer.

If you’ve never done anything with your Paint program, why not try drawing a house?  Practice with as many of the included drawing tools as you can. Our computer club had great fun creating their digital homes. It isn’t as easy as it sounds, but is great mouse practice and your pictures can be printed out afterwards. An extra tip: click the ‘Undo’ button on the toolbar to erase your last action.

Try some of the following ideas in Paint:

• Add text and create a basic picture story for children.
• Under ‘File’, choose ’set as wallpaper’ and you’ll see your drawing every time you turn on your computer.
• Import a photo into paint and then crop it.
• Use the magnifier tool and the pencil to change small details.
• Crop a picture by clicking the ’select’ tool (it looks like a rectangle) and then drag it over the area you want to select.
• Try to resize, stretch, rotate, and copy your graphic.
• Change the colors on your picture.

What else can you do with the Paint program? I’d love to hear about what you create. Why not print it off and post it on your fridge for the kids to see?  Send me a copy and I’ll post it here on the blog for everyone to admire (family friendly graphics only, please).

Technorati Tags: Windows Paint, using the Paint program

Our next challenge will have you using your creativity and patience. I want you to create a maze in the Paint program that comes with Microsoft Windows. If you’ve never used your Paint program, it should be listed under Accessories.

Start with a short, simple maze and work your way up to a more intricate design. While you’re at it, experiment with some of the tools in the Paint program. For instance, draw a little house at the end of the maze. Maybe a car or a person at the beginning. When you finish, print your creation and challenge someone else to solve it.

Mazes are great fun for young people and sometimes it makes us feel young to play along. Have fun and let me know how you enjoyed the challenge.

Technorati Tags: create a maze, Microsoft Paint

Your first challenge is to search the web and find out what happened today in history. (Depending on which day you take the challenge, your answers may be different.) Then let all of us know how your search went. Was it difficult?  Did you find any unusual facts?  Anything else that you discovered?

Using google as your starting point, see what you can dig up from the pages of the past.

Technorati Tags: history, research, discovery