video games for kids, need gift advice

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2006
video games for kids, need gift advice
9
Fri, 11-10-2006 - 2:22pm

OK, We've never liked the idea of video games for kids, and easy decision for us to make as we never had any as kids and aren't into them as adults. But they do have Leapsters and V-smiles and are really the only kids they know to not have a game system of some sort. I don't want a system that hooks up to the TV but am considering a Gameboy or hand held Nintendo for Nikki for Christmas. She's 8yo and is reading well above her level, and genuinely loves to read. One of my concerns with the handheld game systems is that they'll do that instead of read, kwim? So I think she's ready and would love the gift. The problem is I don't want to get it for the twins. They're 6 and just learning to read. But I think they're going to be very jealous of Nikki.

So my question is just this: WWYD? Would you get them for the twins too? Would you not get one for Nikki at all? Would you go with Nintendo or Gameboy? I just can't decide and don't know the difference. Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Erin

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2003
Fri, 11-10-2006 - 2:40pm

I would just get it for Nikki. She's older and will have a better grasp of it. The twins are still quite young (imo) for something like that. Besides, it could be good bribbary for you lol. You know, tell the twins, "if you do this and that for me, and be good, maybe you'll get one next year" lol


Hey, you might be able to get a whole year of good behaviour out of them lol.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 11-10-2006 - 2:44pm

We're bad parents. Our boys have PS2, Nintendo and Matthew has a Gameboy. So I'm probably not the one to ask. I admit, it can get out of hand. Matthew is on that PS2 way too much. The one good thing about it is, it's leverage for punishment. We just restrict the PS2 as punishment, and he goes nuts!

I don't think you have to get the twins anything just because you get it for Nikki. I'm one of those moms who doesn't believe in same-same-same for all the kids. As long as you are equal and fair, they don't have to have everything the other one does. That just teaches them to "Keep up with the Joneses" when they're adults. They are not always going to have all the goodies and toys everyone else has, so why should they have the same goodies and toys their siblings have? That being said, we're careful to be fair. We buy the other kids something of equal value, even if it's of a totally different genre.

HTH,

Sofia




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Registered: 07-01-2005
Fri, 11-10-2006 - 4:10pm
Nintendo makes the gameboy so I am not sure what else you would be talking about. We got Brooke one last Christmas when she was 6 1/2. Caatie got one for her 5th birthday. Catie loves books but is not reading yet. Brooke will help her with her games & they both enjoy it. I have no problem getting Brooke to read. When I think she has had enough gameboy time I tell her to read. They do not play every day or even every month.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-05-2004
Fri, 11-10-2006 - 8:55pm
IMO, you just have to supervise the amount of time spent on video games just like TV. My 3yr old has a PS2 in his room, dh has an PS2 in his room (lol) and my dd has a Nintendo DS. You would be surprised by what they can learn on their games. My kids play their games maybe twice a week so they are not that actively involved in video games. I just bought Big Brain for dd but I have more fun with it than her. lol.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2003
Sat, 11-11-2006 - 11:31am
Erin, it sounds like Nikki would be mature enough to handle having a Gameboy all to herself. The twins sound the perfect age to get a Vsmile or something like that. Dole it out like video games, as far as priviledges are concerned, but then they get "game time" like their big sis. :) Just a thought. Also, you might want to check stores like GameStop or EB Games (whatever's in your area) for refurbished or used systems. They're just as good as new

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-11-2006
Sat, 11-11-2006 - 1:08pm

IMO, Leappad is the best.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2006
Sun, 11-12-2006 - 2:27pm

We bought Nikki a pretty pink Nintendo DS yesterday. I didn't realize Gameboy Advance was Nintendo based, shows you what I know. I've decided to definitely wait until the twins are a little older. If I change my mind and decide they should have it sooner there's always their birthdays in July. We also bought the Nintendog game, if anyone has any input on other games for girls that would be good, I'm open for suggestions.

Thanks!!
Erin

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-28-2006
Sun, 11-12-2006 - 4:32pm

i was never a big fan of video games - i hate the beeps and noises. But our oldest who is now 13, used to have co-ordination problems and difficulty with fine motor skills. They have improved- thanks to Game boy. We used to travel a lot by car with 4 kids- didn't have a tv in the van, and the Game boys made the long drives tolerable (no fighting).

As well, some games, have segments and instructions on screen that have to be read. This has helped 9 year old daughter.

Another vote in their favour, my husband used to get transferred because of work, and our son was always new boy at school. I know that possessions shouldn't make you cool, but they do. Because my son was familiar with games and the lingo he was able to make friends who shared interest in video games. He is really shy and this helped.

In fact, he has been able to invite new friends home to play gamecube. I don't mind (too much) because I meet his friends, i know what he is doing, and i know where he is. He is also comfortable bringing friends here.

A young man (aged 21) who is a family friend suggest we stick to nintendo ie gameboys and gamecubes as it has the most age appropriate games. He said that he wouldn't let little kids play games on x-box or playstation because of excessive sex or violence!

Anyways you can monitor and choose what they play- some are just fun, and have age appropriate themes.

We set time limits on game play. Basicly you have to do equal reading/homework/study time to earn video game play. For example you have to complete 1/2 hour of homework to earn 1/2 hour of video time. Or read for 20 minutes to earn 20 minutes of time. For some kids it is a real incentive.

We have bought used games from Electronic Boutique and used games as well. Both are guaranteed and we have never had problems.

Our oldest just bought himself a gameboy DS lite. He earned the money, and I gave him a "trade-in" refund towards the cost when he gave his old gameboy to younger brother!

This week the new Playstation 3 is coming out, so a lot of people are trading in Playstation 2. If you go to a Electronics boutique, now is the time to get deals on the Playstation 2.

Oh year, you can sometimes pick up older game systems for little ones to play. They are cheap and just as fun. We have an old Sega Genesis and a Super nintendo in basement that the kids will still occasionally play.

V-tech makes laptops for kids with lots of educational games and now has little handheld games too. You can also sometimes find a handheld game with just one game on it. (no discs or cartridges). Little kids think they have something like big kids and are less likely to fuss.

All the best in making your decisions.

Tina

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-05-2004
Mon, 11-13-2006 - 10:21am
Check out Zoo Tycoon. Its a games where you build a zoo and you have to keep the aminals happy and healthy, and increase the income of the zoo to buy more things for the zoo.