How To: Choose Video Games for Your Kids
Wed Nov 22, 2006 3:25PM EST
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Lost in the video game aisle?
If you're planning to give your kids video games for holiday gifts but have no clue what makes a good game, what the ratings are all about, and where to start to figure it all out, here are some good places to turn.
Common Sense Media: "Holiday Roundup of Video Games"
Video Games editor Jinny Gudmundsen has put together a list of games by age categories, detailing why Common Sense likes the ones it recommends. For ages 4-6, she likes Dora the Explorer's World Adventure because it's a nice introduction to the wider world and all the games have different levels. One of the picks for the age 5-10 crowd is Legos Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy. Over 10? Her first recommendation for the new Nintendo Wii is Wii Sports—a bundle of sports games kids play by moving a handheld motion-sensitive wireless controller (see image).
Check out the full Common Sense list, and you'll see there's also a look at teen games Bully and Saints Row.
My favorites video games are ones that keep kids moving, such as Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero for PlayStation 2. I also highlight some games families can play together in this holiday wish list.
Media Awareness Network: "Choosing Good Video Games for Your Kids"
You'll find some good general tips for parents about how to choose what kind of video games are best for your children. The media and Internet education group recommends finding games that focus on problem-solving and strategy, and can be played by more than one person to encourage social activity.
When choosing games for girls, look for ones that have strong, non-stereotypical female characters, the group recommends.
Talk to other parents, check out games you're considering at gaming stores, and vet them on game review sites on the web, including these:
Children's Technology Review
Parents' Choice Foundation
Kids' Domain
Entertainment Software Rating Board
And for other related links on Yahoo! Tech:
Video Game Wars, Grown-up Style
Parents' Weekend To-Do: Play Video Games
Top 5 Posts
More About Games & Gear
Comments on How To: Choose Video Games for Your Kids
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2 Posted by twothehw on Fri Dec 15, 2006 3:09PM EST Report Abuse
Instead of spending money for "games that keep kids moving" what about encouraging them to go outside and be active out there? It's a heck of a lot cheaper. Oh, wait, that would require parents to actually be there with their kids doing the activity. I guess it's easier to let the kids play video games while Mom and Dad go about their business in another part of the house. And why not encourage your child to actually learn how to play a real guitar rather than a video game that really doesn't teach them anything?
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1 Posted by jonathanfrenz on Thu Nov 30, 2006 5:09PM EST Report Abuse
One very important step: ASK THE KIDS!! It is much better for the kid to be happy with what he gets then for an uber surprise that ends up with an unhappy kid. You can review what the kid suggests after you ask him. ~From a kid who knows what kids like.