maire is really into computer graphics right now (she spends all her freetime doing this), so i was thinking if i could find a kid-friendly program that could teach her things like animation, etc that she would be thrilled!
any ideas or experience?

sorry none specifically for kids but
dharling.com
http://myjanee.home.insightbb.com/tutorials.htm
are both great tutorial places.

Dharling is a "Dollz" maker they are alot of fun to do and here tutorials are really good.

the guys at photoshopcafe.com might be of some help too.