A few weeks ago, I noted that KidThing, PBS Kids, and others were kicking off a new wave of new and promising websites for kids. Add a few more to the list: KidZui, a web browser and service, Handipoints, and ZooKazoo are three newcomers to the ever-expanding world of communities for young kids on the web. Here’s a brief look at the first, KidZui, designed to give young children ages 3-12 a protected, rich, graphical environment in which to surf the web.

KidZui does two things. First it provides kids a safe environment to explore the good (age-appropriate) parts of the Internet. Second, and equally important, it tries to preserve the spirit of fun and exploration that using the Internet should epitomize.

What does that mean exactly? Well, it starts with an avatar the kids create which stays with them on their explorations. Websites unfold dramatically from thumbnail sized icons with full graphic previews. Even when you get to a URL that’s not yet on the company’s list of OK places, you get a message thanking you for letting them know about the site. In other words, they’ve figured out how to reward exploration and curiosity without jeopardizing safety. And you get points for surfing. Points are redeemable to purchase accessories for your KidZui avatar. Each kid owns their own Zui page with their avatar, favorite sites, and more. These can be shared via invitation.

Parents can rest more easily, but not completely. KidZui’s world contains 500,000 sites, videos, and photos that kids can browse. The content has been vetted by a team of parents and teachers for their age appropriateness. Even the ads on the sites get looked at for their appropriateness. Parents receive an activity report detailing their child’s web activity each month. Still, we know that if your child is going to occasionally find unacceptable links or nasty sites that can creep in. It’s never going to be 100% foolproof.

In my travels on KidZui, I couldn’t access USAToday.com. (I was told that my parents would need to add it for me.) When I searched on Britney Spears, I got only the most innocuous information (who knew there was innocuous information about Britney?). And when I searched for MySpace and Facebook, I got what I’m going to characterize as KidZui alternative destinations. My travels felt fluid, but I could see where the info that a search brings back might be a bit too whitewashed for some of the more mature tweens.

Ultimately the service will cost $99.95 a year or $9.95 a month. At the moment, there’s a free trial and a $4.95 a month special offer. The biggest limitation of the KidZui world is that it’s a world best suited for Internet exploring, not interaction or communications. There’s no email or IM functionality. But if you’re looking for a safe site that puts the joy of exploring the Internet in a colorful package that hangs together nicely, then search for KidZui.