Tux Paint
Free, open-source drawing program designed for children aged 3 to 12.
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About Tux Paint
Tux Paint is a drawing program built for young children, used in homes and schools around the world as a first computer-art tool. Kids start with a blank canvas and pick from large, simple tools: brushes, stamps, shapes, text, lines and a long list of magic effects, with sound effects and a cartoon penguin mascot giving gentle guidance. There are no confusing menus, file dialogs or layers, so a preschooler can use it alone. The software is completely free, has no ads and is open source under the GPL, so schools can install it on every machine without a budget. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and Chromebooks with Android apps, plus Haiku and the BSDs; iOS has only an unofficial paid port. It is a creativity tool rather than a structured lesson app, so it does not teach reading or maths, and older children may want a fuller drawing program.
Best for: Young children's first drawing app at home or in school computer labs.
Pros and cons
What works
- Free with no ads or in-app purchases
- Simple, large tools that young kids can use alone
- Runs on almost every desktop platform and Android
Why people leave
- No official iOS app
- Drawing only; no structured lessons
- Older kids may find it too basic
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Tux Paint: common questions
Is Tux Paint free?
Yes. Tux Paint is free, open-source software.
Is Tux Paint open source?
Yes.
What platforms does Tux Paint run on?
Tux Paint is available for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android.
What are the best alternatives to Tux Paint?
The highest-ranked Tux Paint alternatives right now are GCompris and Starfall. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.