Search engines like Google let you find information on the internet by typing words about what you're looking for. When you search for something, you get a list of websites that might have the answer. The first results are usually the most relevant to your search.
Go to Google.com with children. Type in something they want to know about (like 'how do butterflies fly'). Show them the search results and click on one.
A search engine is an intermediary between your question and the internet's answers: you type words describing what you want to know, and the engine returns a ranked list of web pages it judges most likely to help. You already know how to open a browser, type on a keyboard, and click links — which means you have everything you need to begin. The skill here is understanding what search engines look for so you can work with them rather than against them.
When you type words into Google, the engine matches them against billions of catalogued web pages and ranks the results by relevance and credibility. More specific words produce more specific results. "Headache" returns general medical information; "headache behind eyes with nausea" returns pages addressing that exact symptom combination. Think of each search as giving the engine clues: the more precise your clues, the better it can narrow things down. If your first search doesn't find what you need, try different words — synonyms, more detail, or phrasing it as a direct question.
The list you see after searching is called the search results page. Each entry has a title (a clickable blue link), a URL (the web address), and a short snippet — a preview of the page's content. Reading snippets before clicking saves time: if the snippet doesn't match what you're looking for, the page probably won't either. The first few results are usually the most relevant, but watch for results labeled "Sponsored" or "Ad" at the top — these are paid placements and may not be the most authoritative source for your question.
The first result isn't always the best answer for every question. A recipe from a cooking site ranks well for cooking searches; a government health page ranks well for medical questions; a reputable news outlet ranks well for current events. Part of using search effectively is recognizing which kind of source fits your question and choosing results accordingly. Over time, you'll develop a feel for which sites tend to be reliable for which topics — that judgment builds naturally with practice.