Pixton
Common Sense says
A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this website.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Pixton is a do-it-yourself site where kids can use an incredible palette of tools to create and share original comics through storyboards. A strict Code of Conduct encourages positive and supportive behavior and offenders may be reported, suspended, or banned. There’s plenty to do with the free Basic Membership and a reward system of credits allows kids to advance to higher levels or publicize their comics. Make sure kids sign up for “Pixton for Fun,” not “Pixton for Business,’ watch the “How-to” videos before jumping in (there are a lot of tools), and save often. If you don't you run the risk of spending 30 minutes recreating an elaborate scene, clicking "undo" to remove a tree, and then watching all of your hard work disappear.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
Worth paying for
Started off Annoying
Amazing
Imaginative website encourages creativity.
What's it about?
Kids will create comics in a panel-by-panel (or storyboard) format using tool sets for characters, backgrounds, speech bubbles, and props. Each set has submenus for changing expressions, poses, colors, layering, creating silhouettes, and more. Kids can create original objects, choose from a library, or remix other people’s comics into their own. “Boosts” let authors promote their comics, and they can rate others’ comics as artistic, well-written, or funny. Kids can become fans of other authors and acquire their own -- all displayed on a fan club page.
Is it any good?
The creators of the award-winning Pixton show their love for comics with a site that is thoughtful in design and thorough in its offerings. In short, they’ve thought of everything. Comic-building tools are unbelievably easy to use and simple click-and-drag actions let users create and customize all parts of their comic. Users can even upload photos to their comic or just pop through to Flickr commons and borrow one there. For the comically-challenged, “remixing” lets you borrow someone else’s comic and tweak it to make it your own. Users can also share their comic online, download and print them, or even put them on a t-shirt.
Pixton’s multiple awards (Webby, People’s Choice, Digital Media to name a few) are well-earned and well-deserved.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about the power of a comic strip or cartoon. How are political cartoons used today? When are cartoons used to influence what the public thinks? What makes them effective?
Digital creation can be a fun way to express creativity. Read our tips for creating digital media to ensure Pixton is the right tool for your child.
Before sharing comics online, families can talk about the pros and cons of participating in a digital culture. Read our tips for getting connected in a digital world.
Website details
- Subjects: Arts: drawing
Language & Reading: reading, storytelling, writing - Skills: Tech Skills: digital creation
Communication: conveying messages effectively, multiple forms of expression
Creativity: imagination, producing new content - Genre: Creating
- Price: 15-day trial then $8.99/month
- Pricing structure: Free to try, Paid
For kids who love creating
Our editors recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.