Mouse for small children?

[starwarsdad]

Does anyone know of a good mouse for small kids? I just finished my three year olds new system, and he doesn't do that well with my Explorer. Are there mice made for kids?

Thanks!

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< Does anyone know of a good mouse for small kids? I just finished my three year olds new system, and he doesn't do that well with my Explorer. Are there mice made for kids?

Thanks! >>

Check mail-order catalogs for Macs...there's a special keyboard/mouse combo for kids, and it's available in USB now.

 

[jbod]

They make small mice for laptop travelers. I saw some at Office Depot.

 

[BlueApple]

iGo might have the mobile ones. But they are usually expensive compared to 'normal' mice. Google is your friend! 🙂

 

[frazzled]

When I originally built my kid's machines I started them both off with trackballs. It seemed like it was easier for them.

They both switched over to mice once they were 7 or 8.

fraz

 

[starwarsdad]

I found this one., but it seems a little pricey ay $28. I may try an Optical Intellimouse since it has a much smaller profile than the Exlporer.

I have found a few articles about trying trackballs. It seems to work for some kids. That might be another option.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Magicthyse]

Not sure if they still do it, but MS had an enormous trackball specifically for kids. It was a yellow and white thing, and the ball was about 6 inches wide.

 

[Jhhnn]

I had a Microsoft EZ ball mouse for my kids when they were very small. It had a realy big trackball(about 2-1/2") large left button, and no right button. It worked great for 3 year olds. They've apparently been discontinued, though.

I would agree with frazzled that some trackball with a relatively large ball would be best. Do yourself a favor and disconnect the right button, unless you really like troubleshooting software and reloading the operating system..... When the kids got to be about 5 or 6 they were ready for a regular mouse and all the power that the right button provides....

 

[Strych9]

Just get them a basic MS 2-button mouse. This mouse is quite small. My kids use it w/o a problem.

 

[eplebnista]

Here is a link to a few Kidzmouse mice.

hth,
eplebnista

 

[Lalakai]

I second the track ball type. It's a stationary unit with a large ball about the size of a softball; this "softball" sits in a cradle so that the kids can rest their entire hand on it and as they move the ball, the icon moves. Two large buttons surround the ball that allow them to click on objects. The sensitivity isn't the greatest, but it's very stabile and allows them to improve their coordination; they can even sit the thing in their lap and work it from there. We picked ours up at ToysR-Us, but I've also seen 'em in Kmart, Best Buy and even the little 'puter store around the corner. Price ran about $29, but it's lasted 3 kids now and still works well. If you can't find a link, let me know and I'll dig the box out and give you a name.