Cheap KID PIX STUDIO DELUXE (Software) (Macintosh, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 95) Price

Animation is where this program really shows its stuff, and nearly everything is, or can be, animated. There's in-motion stamps that zoom around on the screen as they leave their inky little marks, goofy puppets just waiting for a musical, and an entire alphabet that brings letters to life in hilarious new ways.

Specially introduced features for this version include the ability to access favorite fonts from other programs, easy sizing of both graphics and text, and a simple way of previewing graphics before adding them to your final creation. Sharing art with friends and family is a cinch, whether it's via e-mail or printing and mailing the old-fashioned way. If you have Internet-ready friends and family, personalized masterpieces--complete with your child's own voice and picture--can be forwarded with nothing more complicated than a click.

And we haven't even mentioned the realistic (and school-friendly) maps! Or the premade backgrounds and patterns! Or the crazy blending and mixing effects! Oh, and the zillions of drawing pencils! And did you know it can read typed text out loud? Most likely, you'll soon find yourself limiting your child's computer time just so you get a chance to play, too. --Jill Lightner