Tux Paint

The internet is having a wholesome meltdown over Tux Paint, the free, ad‑free drawing app for kids that’s been quietly powering classrooms and kitchen tables for years. One parent dropped the mic with a simple flex: their kids have loved it for ages—and the comments lit up with nostalgia. Folks gush that it runs on basically everything (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, even quirky systems), and that it’s made by volunteers under a “share-it-freely” license. Translation: schools can install it today without begging for budget. The mascot penguin? A star. The sound effects? A vibe. The mood? “Finally, software that doesn’t try to upsell my 6‑year‑old.”

But where there’s crayons, there’s drama. The pro‑tool purists pulled a classic “it’s just for kids,” while artists clap back with glitch‑art bragging rights—yes, people are using Tux Paint to make wild, edgy visuals with its effects, ironically and proudly. Teachers are chiming in with “procurement who?” energy, celebrating how easy it is to roll out in class. Meanwhile, parents fire up the device wars: tablets vs laptops vs whatever ancient computer still boots. The memes? “My kid’s first masterpiece was made on a penguin.” The hottest take: simplicity wins, especially when it’s free and doesn’t shove ads in little faces. Check it out at tuxpaint.org.