Hobbies And Interests
Aim a Hurricane
Learning that wind belts and pressure systems move hurricanes in certain directions, kids set various storm tracks in "Aim a Hurricane," accessible at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Hurricane Center website. To send a hurricane to a specific point, players click and drag the blue low ("L") into one of four "L" targets on the U.S. map and the red high ("H") onto one of four "H" targets over the Atlantic Ocean. Kids then click on the animated hurricane and drag it onto one of two start points over the Atlantic Ocean. Once kids position all three components, they click the "Start" button to see the storm track for their combination.
Create-A-Cane
Kids try to create ideal conditions that may cause in a hurricane in "Create-a-Cane," also accessible at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Hurricane Center website. Players use a mouse to adjust settings in "Atmospheric Levels," "Latitude Range," "Sea Temperature in the Top 50 Meters" and "Winds." Children needing help in a particular task can move the mouse over question marks. A perfect score of 80 indicates that players have set ideal conditions for a hurricane to occur.
Forces of Nature
After exploring earthquakes, tornadoes and volcanoes, youngsters can embark on a hurricane lesson in "Forces of Nature," accessible at National Geographic. After clicking "Hurricanes," kids will read about the causes and effects of hurricanes and explore a 3D hurricane. To create a hurricane, players choose a starting point on the map and use the mouse to adjust levels of humidity, ocean temperature and pressure. Once kids make all of their adjustments, they click "Check Conditions." Children can then read the feedback and make any necessary adjustments to create their hurricane.
Hunker Down - The Hurricane Game
Children will learn about the dangers people face during a hurricane in Post FX Inc.'s "Hunker Down: The Hurricane Game." Players advance on the twister-shaped board, by landing on spaces such as relief aid squares, or move backwards by encountering blocked highways, heavy rains and power outages. The first player to reach the end of the board survives hurricane season and wins the game.
Hurricane House
In efforts to protect a home from hurricane effects, players pinpoint items and animals that could cause a problem during a hurricane in "Hurricane House," accessible at sites like Gamershood. When players click on items, the items either disappear from the yard or receive upgrades that benefit the safety of the house. For instance, if players click the side windows, boards appear to protect the house and windows from damage.
Get Ready Alachua County
Youngsters can help Allie the Ant prepare for a hurricane in "Get Ready Alachua County," accessible at the Get Ready Alachua County website. After clicking on the gold star in the front of Allie's door, kids click a gold star to enter the backyard, the bedroom, the garage or the kitchen area of the house. Upon dragging all items that Allie will need during a hurricane to the right side of the screen, kids can venture to other areas by clicking on the bar at the top of the screen.