Christmas Present

Barbara - posted on 11/20/2012

Last Christmas we got the boys Wii and I did not want to do this but my husband said it will be okay. Yes you have to limit them. During the school year they do not play it on the week days. The weekends they can play with it for a 2 hour max. They can play 2 hours and break it up with morning and at night. During the summer time they only played with it when it rained. I still make them go outside and play. As long as you have a schedule and know what they are playing all is well. I also found out that a lot of the games you can get from the library for free to have for a week. This works out good because I do not have to spend more money for these games and its a way to find out which games are better than others. I like the Wii because they have interactive games to keep them active. My boys were 5 and 7 when we got the Wii. They do have fun with it.

Megan - posted on 11/19/2012

I recommend the bright red one, as its easier to spot when it falls between couch cushions or in back seat of car. Amazon sell used ones too.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VXJ...





If her friends are using DS she will have something to talk with them about. Just be sure to state the rules of use up front and absolutely stick with them. choose games carefully too.

Debbie - posted on 12/14/2009

I got my daughter a PSP when she was 6 so she could play games and watch movies while we were traveling (car trips and plane rides). To be honest, she rarely thinks about it. She'll remember it if I charge it up for her and bring it with us, then she loves it for about a hour or so and then forgets about it again. She had one of the older Nintendo GameBoys and was the same way. I think it just depends on the child. I think they are something great to have for little ones just so they have something to entertain them in the car and when they have to be quiet, but that's just me. Generally in my family it seems that these things go through stages. One day they are loved, then forgotten for a month, then loved again. And that's with both my 11 year old and 8 year old.

Carol - posted on 12/09/2009

oh my gosh.. GameBoy that's what I meant... guess I had too much coffee when I did that... LOL...

Beth - posted on 12/08/2009

Our 7.5 yr old has asked for one - but will not be getting one yet. We'll get her another game for her Leapster instead - she's had this since she was 4 or 5 and loves it - still plays with it.

When our friends kids were excited about having completed a level and killing the monster or what have you - our daughter was excited cause she found the letter K or learned the letter X, what have you. She's also had the Leappad since she was 3 or 4 and loves it also. She was just tested at school for her reading level and she's reading at a grade four level and reading comprehension is almost at a grade four level and she's only in grade two.

We find now that she's pretty good about her time with the Leapster and while we needed to limit her time early on, right now she has free access to it, but we would limit her time on it if she was getting too much again.

Kelly - posted on 12/08/2009

it's a great gift. she won't out grow it and there are lots of educational games. great for car trips and waiting rooms, don't forget the car charger. i bought one off ebay in a bundle pack,came with games. or the games come in bundles as well, might save you some money and the holiday rush.

Bekki - posted on 12/08/2009

Quoting Carol:

my boy started computer at age of "under one". he had his first "playboy" at age of 2... he's right now holding every generation of Nintendo.

not saying it's good to get kids so many electronic stuff.. my point is make sure what games you are getting for them.

my best advice to all of my friends --
"100 DS wouldn't hurt, but 1 wrong software would make you regret. "
make sure you know/play/try whatever the game you are giving to your child(ren). than everyone will be happy.

WHAT???????? PLAYBOY AT 2 YEARS OLD????????????? surely you either meant game boy or play station.. but this got my attention lol

Carol - posted on 12/08/2009

my boy started computer at age of "under one". he had his first "gameboy" at age of 2... he's right now holding every generation of Nintendo.



not saying it's good to get kids so many electronic stuff.. my point is make sure what games you are getting for them.



my best advice to all of my friends --

"100 DS wouldn't hurt, but 1 wrong software would make you regret. "

make sure you know/play/try whatever the game you are giving to your child(ren). than everyone will be happy.

Katrina - posted on 12/07/2009

Don't forget buying them used. We bought our daughters used at game stop for like $89.00 and it looks like new and works great! Still pricey but $40 saved goes a long way. :)

Sutton - posted on 12/07/2009

My kids each have their own and while I limit the time, like a lot of parents do, it is also the first thing (and one of the few very coveted items) that I take away when there's trouble.

With the great selection of games, my daughter plays a lot of learning games in addition to the standard Nintendogs and Cooking Mama.. so many of them help them hone their listening and following directions skills! (or at least, from what I see, hear when I play the games..)

A good lesson in responsibility too, I think.. while it's a pricey item, the kids know it's not readily replaced if something happens to it.

Stacy - posted on 12/06/2009

I got all 4 of my kids a dsi for christmas. My youngest is 4. They all love vidio games. We trade game time for reading. If you can afford it, what can it hurt? Her freinds probally have one, if she is asking for one,or a relative.

Katrina - posted on 12/06/2009

my daughter just got one a few months ago and she is 6 also. She and her BFF are so cute with their DS Lites. They sit together and play with the picto chat (I think that's what it's called anyway), and they have a great time writing things to each other on it and just giggle up a storm. Of course my 4yr old has a gameboy advance sp that we bought used and sits with her sister and plays and my older kids help her with her games too. They have great fun all in moderation. :)

Becky - posted on 12/06/2009

My son has had one since he was 5 and he is very social. Get her one, as you said all her friends have them.

Toni - posted on 12/06/2009

I got my eight year old one. A few years ago I got her a Gameboy but they don't make those anymore. I just monitor her time and of course I choose the games. I think it would be fine.

Nicci - posted on 12/06/2009

Every child is different, we gave our son a dslite last year for Christmas, he was 5. He has an older brother who has one and it has saved a lot of dramas, although they still fight over who's games are who's. He plays it on car trips and quiet time on weekends and school hols. He is a very active kid who would rather kick a ball, but the ds does have it's place. Like everything use in moderation and buy age appropriate games. Your daughter will love it. I liked it so much i went and bought myself one. Helps me to unwind after a busy day with 3 kids, hubby and pets.

Bekki - posted on 12/06/2009

I have one lol.. Its my favorite thing in the world in the area of game systems.. My son is 5 and has every system .. Ps2, Xbox 360, DS, Wii.. and N64.. oddly enough the only one he plays is the 64.. he loves mario cart racing and sarg's heros.. oh and starfox.. my son plays as long as he wants to play unless there is something else he is supposed to be doing.. It's not that hard to shut it off and say "it's time to do your chores then eat dinner".. As long as he's getting things done he can play the game all he wants.. I think that freedom makes him want it less since he will willingly shut it off and start running around..

Allyson - posted on 12/06/2009

I don't think she is too young. I have a just-turned 7yo and she has been playing everyone else's DS's everywhere she goes. I feel it is more of the game choices we make together than the video game aspect of the toy. Does she 'over play' sometimes? Yes. But as the parent, I take away the toy and she has to find something else to do. If you pick games that aren't violent and are age-appropriate, I think getting it for that age is right on target.

Bridgette - posted on 12/06/2009

My children are each getting one for Christmas with one game and i will be limiting the usage for when some one has a doctors appointment or we go to daddys work. Or possibly when we go west to visit family.

Lori - posted on 12/06/2009

I would get one for her, however, you definitely need to limit the time that she plays on it.

Katie - posted on 12/05/2009

My son is 6yrs as well and also wants one. They have a game that is school age appropriate that I am thinking of getting him... teaches math, spelling, etc... so if I get the Nintendo, that game is coming too! :) I agree with limiting the time they play though.

Angie - posted on 12/05/2009

I think it would be fine, I have four kids, both of my girls have them and they love the games. Many of the games teach responsibility, My girls mainly like the animal games. The ones where you take care of them, there is a babysitting game they really like. I do try to limit the time, prob 2 hours a day. I do use it as leverage too, they do not clean their room, game gone.

Heidi - posted on 12/05/2009

My son who is 5 gets one hour a day, but that is also the first thing that gets taken away if he miss behaves.

Bethani - posted on 12/05/2009

You could get her one but limit the amount of time she can play on it each day. This way you both get what you want!