I promised my 11-yo that if he finished all of his Awana books this year I would buy him a video game. He did it and now I'm going to have to follow through and I don't have a clue what to get him. He wants an iPod or iPad but in my opinion they are too expensive. I also do not feel good about him having access to the internet other than at the family computer. So, I was thinking about a big system everyone in the family can use. Our family has never had any video games so I really know nothing about them...except that I don't like the way they rob kids of family and outdoor time. (That's a rant for another time...) My criteria for now is going to be something that's easy to install, has the most nonviolent games, makes the kids move and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. What do ya'll have that you like, what did not work, etc?
Thanks moms for all the advice! It looks like I need to do some shopping around. My intention is to not let the kids play video games unless their chores are done, they've finished their homework and the weather is unsuitable for playing outside. And I will definitely visit the nearest Game Stop and see what they stock.
Get a Wii. Bundles these days are around 150 and that includes a game...I paid WAY more for mine when it came out and it only came with Wii Sports. So, buy the bundle, which should come with a Wii Sports game and another game, buy a docking station (charger) for the remotes, and one extra remote and nunchuk so two people can play. :)
At this house, we're all pretty into video games. :) I grew up with them.
Then go with a Wii - we are very pro video games in my home and we own a Wii, PS3, DSi and 3DS - we all enjoy playing together and seperately as well as other things, but I think the Wii would fit the bill for your family - you can go to GameStop and purchase a used one for around 100bucks and games are around 30-40 new and less than that used. I always suggest used titles.
We have Wii and an iPad. Like them both for different reasons, but if I had to do it all over again, I'd stick with the iPad and just get free or almost free educational games. They do not use the internet and you can dismantle it. Scribblenauts is now on the iPad, instead of just on the DS, which they were begging for. We have 1 iPad for 4 children. If one person is playing, the others are watching and getting involved. With the Wii, they play together. I like video games (in moderation) because it causes them to problem solve, anticipate problems/turns ahead, and they have to work together on many of them....oh, and hand/eye coordination.
With an 11 year old, I'd stick to the iPad. So many awesome options AND you don't have games everywhere that can get lost, etc. We also homeschool, so we have loaded textbooks on the iPad. A DS is small and you have to buy those stupid little cartridges that are easily lost. We've had our iPad since the week it first came out and our children use it daily...never dropped it, etc, but there are rules for it's usage.
We have a TV for video games and it's limited. The kids actually bought the TV with their own money - 42" and they are 9, 5 and 3. We do not have cable or a TV downstairs, just in the play room....but like I said, it's limited and we can watch a movie, if we want.
Well if he wants a hand held go with a 3DS. I would not go with the iPod, you barely drop them and the screen cracks. My poor ten year old got in a world of trouble because I didn't believe her that she wasn't goofing. Then my 21 year old did the same thing to her that she bought with her own money and it was only two weeks old. Nope when they pay for their own things their credibility goes wayyyyy up. Those things break if you look at them wrong!!
So far as systems go you can't go wrong with the Xbox360 with the kinect bar. My god that thing is fun and there is something for every member of the family!
We like our Wii for all those reasons. Playstation has some extremely violent games and I know nothing about the other systems. Wii is reasonable in cost and there are different accessories you can purchase for physical activity (exercise, dance, sing), driving games, shooting games, etc.
we have a wii and a few hand held systems. I like the wii because they do make so many kid/family focused games.
I love it on rainy days my 8yo says, "let's play the wii as a family" so cute. Like playing board games in terms of interaction and funny family stories, etc.
we have a lot of sports,fishing, hunting and classic nintendo spin offs (mario bro) and some lego themed games.
FUN!
We bought our family a Wii system this past fall. I feel the same way you do about video games, but we limit the time spent and my hubby plays them with her (I am hopeless). The Wii works for us, but I've been wondering if we should have bought the Xbox Kinect which seems like a more advanced system. Regardless of what you buy (ask him, he probably knows about them) think about buying on Craig's List. I was careful and checked several times a day in our area and surrounding cities and found a fabulous system with all of the accessories and 20 games for $350. Saving almost 400 bucks! It has it all and I was happy to have it all to figure out what we would use. I sold the games that were too old or violent for her on eBay and made half my money back. Sweet!
My husband recently bought a slightly used Wii. I actually like it but sometimes seems like it is ALWAYS on. Now, if I had my way, we would only have basic TV, no cable or whatever. I barely watch TV. However, my son is a couch potato so the Wii has helped a lot. He even likes the Just Dance games. He does not have anyone to hang out with so I am happy if he gets off his butt. Plus my almost 4 yr old has Dora games to play that get her up. The girl ahs too much energy! They are limited in play time and how many days a week. If it is nice out, they have to at least go for a walk. We have even played the Wii sports as a family for bowling and boxing.
A gaming system can only rob someone of family/outdoor time if you allow that to happen. We have had different systems for many years and spend tons of time together both indoors and outdoors. We love playing the WII together when weather is too hot or cold and they have physical games that you get up and move with (yea!). Our son loved his XBox for many years because of the games and again, you have control over what you buy in their content. Yes, boys do like the shoot-em-up games and unless he's already aggressive, I don't think it will make him want to harm anyone or anything. Look for bundle deals if getting from a store for a better price and usually a couple of starter games.
We have a Wii and really like it. There are lots of family and child oriented games available. But I wouldn't say it robs us of outdoor time. It's only used on rainy or cold weather days. That's it. My kids know not to even ask on a nice weather day. My son has a DSi, it's a portable game. He saved and bought his himself. But it's only really used on car trips. We definitely don't let the video games take over our lives. With the right ground rules, you may find that you actually enjoy having the system.
YOU can get an iPad.... and then allow him some games on it, which he can choose with your approval.
That is what we do.
We have an iPad. It is for the FAMILY. BUT, my kids also have "their" own games on it. That way, it is more "controlled" and we are the one's that download things to it.
No way, would I actually give the iPad, to my kids to own themselves. But my kids are 5 and 9.
And we do not let our kids, take the iPad anywhere or go out with it. Unless they are with us.
And no, just because they play on the iPad, it does not mean that that is all they do. They DO do outdoor things and are very active. My kids, do not ever, get hung up on just playing video games. And they are not hooked on it. At all.
The iPad is great, and you can have a password on it too.
Even schools, use the iPad for learning.
It is VERY, useful. Even for you adults.
And, for us, we do do family things on it.
It is worth the money.
To me the solution is: get an iPad for the family, and then "give" your son some games on it... thereby, keeping your promise to him.
Many of the games are either free or costs a minimal amount. And there are fun games or educational types.
Also, you promised your son a video game. Not an operating system.
So, you can get him some games for the iPad. But he does not have to own, the iPad. Just give him some games on it.
He is 11.
Honestly, I would get him an iPod. You can set it up with passwords and controls so that he can't download stuff without you putting in a password. And as mom, you can take it away if he misuses it or uses it during a time he is not supposed to be playing with it (bedtime, lol).
ANY console you buy (buy the time you buy 1 or 2 games and ANY accessories like chargers or additional controllers), you will easily spend as much as you would for an 8G ipod touch, and you'll probably end up spending MORE. Additional controllers for most of the consoles START around $30 each. And there are TONS of free apps for ipod. If you don't have wireless internet in your home, you don't have to worry about him going online without you knowing. He'll have to plug it into your computer. Now if you allow him to take it with him other places, all the free wi-fi places will allow him to access it.... so know that. But that is where Mom and Dad have a lot of say-so. We let our kids take theirs. But a friend of mine with a 12 yr old son isn't allowed to take his outside the home.
No issues with dropping and screen breaking. Not sure if my kids are just lucky or haven't dropped theirs. Had them for over a year now.
