Game Discussions How to introduce gaming to the kids?

[[VR] optimal_909]

I have three kids, and the 'older' twin girls will turn five this Summer. So far they never used a phone or anything, aside occasionally typing randomly on my PC and watching cartoons on my wife's iPad (all they know is how to skip ads).
Occasionally, they see me playing, mostly my gaming time is when they are sleeping or not at home. They show a general interest on what's happening on the screen, but so far never asked me to try anything.

In general, my opinion on this is that gaming is great and affinity to tech is certainly important to acquire - on the other hand I fear sooner or later f2p android games will pop-up in their communities, with low-value gameplay and predatory ads.

Therefore I thought on 'pre-emptively' introducing them to proper gaming by getting Nintendo 2DSs for the 5th birthday, then giving them my current rig when they start school and build a shared Steam library (only games they should play). My only issue is that considering the old hardware, I feel the 2DS feels insanely overpriced, especially as I'd need to buy two.

Are/were there any of you in a similar situation? How did you do it?

 

[Ethaidan]

We bought a Wii when ours were 3 & 5. It had loads of kids games, many spinoffs from kids movies, and different control options - controller, steering wheel, guns, etc. It also meant their mom would join in with some of the games (Mario kart, sports games, etc.). I still had my gaming laptop for proper games, but the Wii did them fine... until all the eldest's mates had PS4s.

 

[Henkka77]

Good thread.

Two kids here also, girl is 6 and boy 4,5yrs old. They have never been introduced a mobile phone for games, only usage has been that they have been talking with their grandma.
I have an older tablet which they have gotten to play maybe once a week, depending if they have been on their best behaviour.
They get to play like 30 mins tops at a time.
We have Nintendo Wii too and that has been waiting for them to grow up a little, maybe next year they are old enough to learn the secrets of Wii.
I play daily with my PC but so far neither of them havent showed much interest towards games, they are more interested in Legos to be honest. Which is just like i want things to be for the time being.

But, this year brings up a challenge when my daughter goes to school and i can already guess that everyone has a phone these days from the first grade.
Dunno if im willing to buy her a phone yet, but it might be that the social pressure is going to be huge since all her friends will most likely have phones.
And, if you are different than other kids, you will get bullied on, thats for sure..

For the record..

I was probably 7yrs old when me and my brother got Commodore 64 for Christmas and thats the "reason" i have been hooked with games since.
Maybe i am just too protective to my children..

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

my lad turned 4 at xmas. We started letting him play cbeebies games and other eductional games on our tablet in limited times about 6 months back.

he is obsessed now... Part of me feels a little guilty, the other part of me thinks that i am a hypocrite for feeling so. Games now are generally much better for kids than when i was one

he also plays the odd wii fit wii balance games

 

[cpbtrading]

My son kept his eldest (one of our grandsons) away from video games until recently when he turned 9yrs old. Before that they played lots of football and other outdoor things. But kids are going to play games eventually, even peer pressure from mates will make them want to try games.
Now he has the current PS system and they can't get him away from it....
Though he is in the school's football team, so still plays, but way less than he used too.. Shame in one way, but expected in another.

We got our son (his dad) his first 'major' system PS1 original when they came out, he was around 14yrs old then. He had tinkered on pc games with me, but was never interested, less to be interested in back then. He was and still is football mad, so that helped. Although we bought another ps after the first and hooked them up with back to back tv's for F1, Doom, etc, was great fun..
My son still plays pc only now and plays in our wargaming group occasionally. I would love to see my grandson join the group (eventually when he's older), but it's unlikely he isn't into war much.. I wonder why..

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

Many years ago myself and 2 mates played gears of war 2... (its my 2nd most played game of "modern" times - next to ED with over 30 days in it)

every now and then one of my mates lads would join us, he was about 7 or 8 at the time and terrible at the game but we didnt mind - invariable my mates wife got wind of it and then we would get to hear the argument about Dave letting his lad play games totally unsuitable.

The lad is 18ish now, and wont play with us because we are too crap

 

[Rubbernuke]

Resident Evil 2 remake is an excellent place to start if schooling falls below expectations.

HOMEWORK! NOW!

Bonus points if your children are called Leon or Claire.

 

[[VR] optimal_909]

Thanks for all the responses!
I am inclined to have the girls introduced as I think they are less prone to go into excess - though if they could they'd watch cartoons much longer than we allow. I wonder how the boy's attitude will be at the same age.

Good thread.

Two kids here also, girl is 6 and boy 4,5yrs old. They have never been introduced a mobile phone for games, only usage has been that they have been talking with their grandma.
I have an older tablet which they have gotten to play maybe once a week, depending if they have been on their best behaviour.
They get to play like 30 mins tops at a time.
We have Nintendo Wii too and that has been waiting for them to grow up a little, maybe next year they are old enough to learn the secrets of Wii.
I play daily with my PC but so far neither of them havent showed much interest towards games, they are more interested in Legos to be honest. Which is just like i want things to be for the time being.

But, this year brings up a challenge when my daughter goes to school and i can already guess that everyone has a phone these days from the first grade.
Dunno if im willing to buy her a phone yet, but it might be that the social pressure is going to be huge since all her friends will most likely have phones.
And, if you are different than other kids, you will get bullied on, thats for sure..

For the record..

I was probably 7yrs old when me and my brother got Commodore 64 for Christmas and thats the "reason" i have been hooked with games since.
Maybe i am just too protective to my children..

Yeah, we also have old phones and tablets lying around. What games do your kids play?
I do also fear the social pressure in school, perhaps the solution is a smartwatch you can't use for too much.

I was six when me and my back then 10-year old brother got our C64*.
This is why I had this idea to give them my PC at a similar age, so that they learn how to use it and of course play on it. I've scheduled to upgrade my rig anyway at the time, so why sell it when it will stay fairly good for many years still.
Decisions-decisions...

Apart of gaming, C64 had profound influence on my affinity to cars and even electronic music.
Stuff like this:

 

[AkenBosch]

@optimal_909 instead of going for a (couple) new 2DS you could try giving a look at the used market, also don't underestimate the older DS. Only real issue would be finding one (two) with a battery still in good condition, no idea if these are cheap to find/easy to replace.
A couple years ago me and the gf bought a DS in a thrift store, for something like 20 € or such. Still enough battery to last almost a couple hours of playing. Games are harder to find than for 2DS and 3DS but can be found. Rest assured a 5 year old with an old DS between his/her tiny fingers would feel like the king/queen of the world.

Edit - that Test Drive 2 intro, the feels. Funny thing is, back at the time that looked to 11 years old me exactly as Forza 4 looks now, only now I have to use far less imagination for that.

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

Test Drive 2..... brings back memories, not a bad game....... I had it on the Amiga however.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzx8imUo9kU


(sorry if derailing)

 

[Rubbernuke]

I have three kids, and the 'older' twin girls will turn five this Summer. So far they never used a phone or anything, aside occasionally typing randomly on my PC and watching cartoons on my wife's iPad (all they know is how to skip ads).
Occasionally, they see me playing, mostly my gaming time is when they are sleeping or not at home. They show a general interest on what's happening on the screen, but so far never asked me to try anything.

In general, my opinion on this is that gaming is great and affinity to tech is certainly important to acquire - on the other hand I fear sooner or later f2p android games will pop-up in their communities, with low-value gameplay and predatory ads.

Therefore I thought on 'pre-emptively' introducing them to proper gaming by getting Nintendo 2DSs for the 5th birthday, then giving them my current rig when they start school and build a shared Steam library (only games they should play). My only issue is that considering the old hardware, I feel the 2DS feels insanely overpriced, especially as I'd need to buy two.

Are/were there any of you in a similar situation? How did you do it?

Getting OT my two girls were introduced to gaming this Xmas via tablet games, and slowly eased onto consoles like the Switch. The tablet games were simple freerunning swipe stuff, the Switch was Mario games (that are very well designed for people who don't play many games- they are very forgiving).

My youngest also played a bit of ED (training missions) which were funny to watch too.

 

[[VR] optimal_909]

Test Drive 2..... brings back memories, not a bad game....... I had it on the Amiga however.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzx8imUo9kU


(sorry if derailing)

Memories - this is why I think the music on C64 is better.

Actually it is not entirely derailing, because I tend to look back how it was to be a kid at that age and take decisions accordingly.

Getting OT my two girls were introduced to gaming this Xmas via tablet games, and slowly eased onto consoles like the Switch. The tablet games were simple freerunning swipe stuff, the Switch was Mario games (that are very well designed for people who don't play many games- they are very forgiving).

My youngest also played a bit of ED (training missions) which were funny to watch too.

How old are they?
And why not letting them play on the PC? I'm asking because I tend to see it as an opportunity to have them engaged with computers at a young age so that they develop skills and perhaps affinity.

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

I forgot to mention.... My lad doesnt really play as he cant control the games, but he has started asking me to play pacman and other classic games which i have on the raspberry pi. He likes sitting on my knee whilst i play - sometimes he uses the jump button on pacmania.

only in 15 min stints then he gets bored. I am quite keen for him so see classic gaming which i enjoyed as a child, tho realistically he is far to young for that at the moment.... one for the future for me to work on.

our nursery has actually asked if we could try to get Daniel using a pc keyboard now..... apparently it is normal to start teaching basics from 3.5 years old.

 

[Rubbernuke]

How old are they?
And why not letting them play on the PC? I'm asking because I tend to see it as an opportunity to have them engaged with computers at a young age so that they develop skills and perhaps affinity.

8 and 9. And don't worry, I have plans! I intend to make some simple games starring them and set in places they know (only simple 2D platform stuff). As for pure PC stuff, I don't really have child friendly games for them to play really, and I'd rather they could engage fully in a game independently and learn, rather than have me hovering behind them (like I did with ED).

 

[[VR] optimal_909]

I forgot to mention.... My lad doesnt really play as he cant control the games, but he has started asking me to play pacman and other classic games which i have on the raspberry pi. He likes sitting on my knee whilst i play - sometimes he uses the jump button on pacmania.

only in 15 min stints then he gets bored. I am quite keen for him so see classic gaming which i enjoyed as a child, tho realistically he is far to young for that at the moment.... one for the future for me to work on.

our nursery has actually asked if we could try to get Daniel using a pc keyboard now..... apparently it is normal to start teaching basics from 3.5 years old.

My daughters occasionally type on the keyboard, random stuff, but I taught them how to use caps lock and enter...
I actually bought Stardew Valley to show them that instead of watching cartoon, but it is surprisingly complex game though, they need something much more simple to get engaged.

Interestingly, partly to some impressions Elite made on them, they are interested in space things. They know all planets int he Solar System and instead of a fairy tale in the evening, they ask me to show and tell about the pictures in a space related book.

8 and 9. And don't worry, I have plans! I intend to make some simple games starring them and set in places they know (only simple 2D platform stuff). As for pure PC stuff, I don't really have child friendly games for them to play really, and I'd rather they could engage fully in a game independently and learn, rather than have me hovering behind them (like I did with ED).

Oh yeah, they are getting in prime age.
PC - I know good selection of games for kids is definitely limited compared to Nintendo, but -uninformed claim- I guess there are tools to provide a limited share library on their PC?

Considering the resonses, instead of a 2DS, perhaps a Wii could be the best for them, especially as they could play co-op stuff.

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

I have only done it once as it is apparently not recommended for kids that young (and I didnt want to scare him), but i strapped my rift CV1 to my lad and let him sit in my space ship in ED, He was blown away, He didnt see it as a computer game and was really confused how he could be somewhere else just by putting the headset on.

 

[[VR] optimal_909]

I have only done it once as it is apparently not recommended for kids that young (and I didnt want to scare him), but i strapped my rift CV1 to my lad and let him sit in my space ship in ED, He was blown away, He didnt see it as a computer game and was really confused how he could be somewhere else just by putting the headset on.

Those were still the 2d monitor times and my PC was still in the living room. Now it is a completely different room in the basement, so they rarely go there. Whenever they see me now playing these days is on TV via Steam link or on laptop via Parsec.

I don't think I will let them try VR earlier than 8 or so.

 

[Rubbernuke]

My daughters occasionally type on the keyboard, random stuff, but I taught them how to use caps lock and enter...
I actually bought Stardew Valley to show them that instead of watching cartoon, but it is surprisingly complex game though, they need something much more simple to get engaged.

Interestingly, partly to some impressions Elite made on them, they are interested in space things. They know all planets int he Solar System and instead of a fairy tale in the evening, they ask me to show and tell about the pictures in a space related book.



Oh yeah, they are getting in prime age.
PC - I know good selection of games for kids is definitely limited compared to Nintendo, but -uninformed claim- I guess there are tools to provide a limited share library on their PC?

Considering the resonses, instead of a 2DS, perhaps a Wii could be the best for them, especially as they could play co-op stuff.

I'm a bit of a hobbyist programmer, I used to make small games in Blender but I recently started at this:

GDevelop: Free, Fast, Easy Game Engine - No-code, AI-assisted, Lightweight, Super Powerful | GDevelop

GDevelop is a free, fast, easy, open-source game engine. Learn 2D, 3D or multiplayer game development with our tutorials. Publish everywhere: iOS, Android, Steam... Use AI to learn and build faster.

gdevelop-app.com

Its lightweight and simple, and good for small things. Kids can get stuck into things like Scratch.

 

[[VR] optimal_909]

I'm a bit of a hobbyist programmer, I used to make small games in Blender but I recently started at this:

GDevelop: Free, Fast, Easy Game Engine - No-code, AI-assisted, Lightweight, Super Powerful | GDevelop

GDevelop is a free, fast, easy, open-source game engine. Learn 2D, 3D or multiplayer game development with our tutorials. Publish everywhere: iOS, Android, Steam... Use AI to learn and build faster.

gdevelop-app.com

Its lightweight and simple, and good for small things. Kids can get stuck into things like Scratch.

Good stuff! It is a bit early for them, first step is to generate interest and try it.
Actually I'm hoping that one of the kids at least will show interest, then I will be 'forced' to provide her/him tools, taking her/him on classes, etc. and therefore join in the journey to learn something.
Understanding tech is I believe one of the most important knowledge coming up in the next decades - hell, even top banks are now hiring programmers and coders instead of economists and lawyers... but that again is off topic.

 

[Rubbernuke]

Good stuff! It is a bit early for them, first step is to generate interest and try it.
Actually I'm hoping that one of the kids at least will show interest, then I will be 'forced' to provide her/him tools, taking her/him on classes, etc. and therefore join in the journey to learn something.
Understanding tech is I believe one of the most important knowledge coming up in the next decades - hell, even top banks are now hiring programmers and coders instead of economists and lawyers... but that again is off topic.

You could go with more hands on stuff like this if they have the aptitude or are old enough:

Kids - Badges, Books and Kits - Pimoroni

Young or old, big or small, this collection of kits, projects, and more will keep your little nippers occupied and help start their journey into the world of electronics and Making. Our Kids collection is a mix of fun, creativity, and learning. Build your own synthesizer, create electronic clay...

shop.pimoroni.com

Its not games but making simple electronic gizmos.