St. Nicholas Center Kids
By Jean Armour Polly,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
History of Santa Claus explored around the world.
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What’s It About?
Curious kids wondering about the origins of Santa Claus may be interested in this site, which explains the life and times of Saint Nicholas, who was born in the third century and lived in what is now Turkey, His generous nature made him much beloved by children, and his gift-giving legend grew from there. The site traces images of St. Nicholas from the earliest church icons to modern-day advertising. Besides historical information, there is a wealth of suggestions on related activities one might perform on St. Nicholas' Day (Dec. 6). There are many ideas to keep families busy -- crafts, recipes, songs, and plays. Rounding out the offerings are coloring pages, word searches, and an extensive section on Christmas customs around the world.
Is It Any Good?
One of the features that makes this site unique is its inclusion of different cultures. Kids (and parents, too) are sure to learn something new in "Around the World," which describes how St. Nicholas and Christmas customs vary among 20 different countries, from Austria to the Ukraine. There's also a section that features drawings of St. Nick, submitted by kids from countries in Europe. Visitors who are looking for more hands-on activities will enjoy the simple animated games. They're mostly for younger kids, but older kids will be challenged by the second word search.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the real St. Nicholas and how a third-century bishop became a roly-poly holiday icon. The site offers a Christian perspective on the life of St. Nicholas and makes suggestions on how he should be honored today.
Website Details
- Genre: Educational
- Pricing structure: Free
- Last updated: November 4, 2015
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