A Kid's Life: HTML for Kids

HTML for Kids

By Kristin Segura

HTML stands for "hyper-text mark-up language". It is the code used on a text page to make the computer read your web page accurately. The page you are reading now is an HTML-coded page.

Here are some basic codes you can use for your own web page:
Most HTML codes are enclosed in "arrows", the "greater-than" and "lesser-than" symbols above the comma and the period on the keyboard. The "<" indicates the opening of a code and the ">" ends it.
The "HEAD" tag tells the computer to compose the page according to your directions.
You need a "TITLE" to give each page, and another tag -- "/TITLE" -- to tell the computer the end of the title. The "/" usually indicates the end of a command.
The "/HEAD" tag tells the computer that it has reached the end of the information at the top of the page.
Then comes "BODY" to tell the computer that the next information should be displayed on the screen.
Boldface type is set off in pairs of B-commands: A "B" tells the PC that the type should be seen as bold, like this. The "/B" command ends the boldface type.
You can also change the colors of the type by simply typing "font=blue" to start the colored type and "/font" to end it. When you get bored with black you can turn everything blue, if you want.
You can make italics a similar way, by simply substituting an "i" for a "b". And you can make the type larger by adding a "font="+1" command. The "/font" returns the type to normal size. You can go up to "+4" or down to "-2".
Ending a line: A "BR" will give you a return to start another line of text. If you also add a "P" after the "BR" and the code will give you an open line bewteen paragraphs, like this one:

Centering text: The "center" command centers the text until you type a "/" and another "center" to end the centering of text.
Self-mailers: Adding "a href="mailto:you@youremail.com" will set up an automatically addressed e-mail blank.
At the end of the page, type "/FONT", then "/BODY" and finally "/HTML" to end the page. Remember to use the little arrows -- "<" and ">" -- to bracket the commands!

I hope you enjoy building your own web page!

Editor's note: We have added some information to Kristin's entry.

Our question: Do you know any cool tricks you can do with HTML codes? Let us know by sending us your answer now!

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