too young for video games?

How young is too young for video games? We have some relatives that have been asking if DS (4) would like a nintendo switch. I'm not sure if I want him having games yet, he still seems so young.

The fact that they are asking means they prob already bought it. I'm sure they're prob doing it as a group gift and it's probably the console only. They are older and don't seem to care that it will need a ton of accessories. I'm a little concerned at the cost because it looks like it adds up and I don't want to have to buy them all immediately after I've already spent a ton on Christmas. I tried saying no (by beating around the bush) but DH is saying yes.

Just looking for opinions from others who might have some experience because I don't have any when it comes to video games.

Re: too young for video games?

I’d go for it vs a bunch of other stuff that your kid may never use!

I’d love to get that as a group gift!

Re: too young for video games?

I don't know much about video games as DD is not into them at all, but are there games on the Switch for 4 year olds?
If so I guess it would be ok.
I just always pictured the games to be harder/for older kids

Re: too young for video games?

I don't think there'd be much for him to do on the switch. Honestly, get him maybe MarioKart and the cheapo steering wheel holders for the controllers. That's about as much as I can see him wanting to play without getting frustrated. Save the accessories games for future christmas/birthdays.

They do have games like Paw Patrol and the Incredibles but I have no idea what they entail.

too young for video games?

My 4 year old asked for it as well. Some of his Daycare friends have it. I am not getting it for him. I just feel like he’d be so engrossed in it. Right now, he plays LEGO Star Wars on the XBox. He plays it with my husband so I like that he and my DH are at least playing together. I am not in love with the idea that he’s playing a video game, but at least they are doing it together. He gets one level a day.

Re: too young for video games?

My youngest started playing a little with them at that age, but only bc he has an older brother who was 6 at the time we actually set it up for him. It was really only the Wii my DH had for about 10 years anyway so nothing new. My older DS was and is still more into it. Now they are 9 and 7 and my 9 year old got PlayStation and plays. My 7 year old would still pick Wii games when he plays.

I don't know much about Nintendo Switch, but I'm sure there are a few age appropriate games he can play. We only allow on weekends for a bit.

Re: too young for video games?

Dh is into video games. Our kids used the Nintendo Wii at age 4. I think it is ok, but would have said 5 is probably where I would have said it will get used more.

Mario party
Mario kart
It comes with the controllers, so you dont need more accessories, just games. If your husband is willing to play with it with him it is a great gift.

Message edited 12/7/2018 9:25:23 AM.

Re: too young for video games?

I say too young, but I guess it depends on the kid. My DS (5) gets very addicted to anything with a screen, so I am definitely waiting a few years to get him a video game system. He asked for one for Christmas, but no way...I don't want to deal with that yet.

Re: too young for video games?

Re: too young for video games?

I hate video games, i think they’re so addictive, I’m gonna try to hold off forever Maybe they can have one of those retro Atari systems when they’re like 9/10 (I looooved Atari as a kid!)

I do think 4 is kind of young for it, but it’s really whatever you’re comfortable with.

Message edited 12/7/2018 9:19:30 PM.

Re: too young for video games?

Re: too young for video games?

Thanks for opinions everyone! I hate to sound so ungrateful. Don't get me wrong, it's an expensive, nice gift, but he's still young and he hasn't been asking for video games. If it was a gift he was begging for, I'd be thrilled.

I can't believe I'm reluctant about such a nice group gift. It's def better than 6 people buying him toys and games with a million pieces each. If it were a power wheels or something I wouldn't think twice. I'm just worried we're introducing him to something that he will be addicted to. I guess I'll just be strict with time limits and hope for the best.

too young for video games?

my boys are 5 and 8... we got them a Switch for christmas- well, as a whole family gift my 8 year old is super good with this kind of stuff, so i'm sure he'll love it. my 5 year old has a little more trouble... but i'm having my mom get him mario kart, which hopefully he'll be able to do with his big brother LOL we also don't have family close by, so we spend a lot of time doing road trips to see them, so i feel like the portability of the Switch will be nice to give them something to do in the car. I don't totally like the idea of another screen thing (they both also have iPads...) BUT it keeps them busy, DH plays with them and they like the dad time, and like somebody else said, its better than a billon toys with parts and pieces that they only look a once HAHA
Especially in the winter i don't mind it too much- its so cold outside and gets dark so early that i let them do whatever gets us through the days until summer LOL

too young for video games?

I totally get your hesitation. My dh jas always loved video games so hes been letting our dd play kid friendly games since she was 3. I wasnt happy about it at first, but shes actually gotten quite good at it, much better than me, but that's not saying much since I've never been good at video games but shes still pretty impressive at it. we're very strict with time limits and watching her as she plays to make sure shes not getting over stimulated or over frustrated. We turn it off if she shows signs of that. Its something good for a rainy day when her little brother is napping. That's pretty much the only time we let her play video games (she mostly plays Disney Infinity)

Message edited 12/9/2018 7:08:47 AM.

Re: too young for video games?

My DS has played wii sports games and star wars lego games with my DH since he was about 4 - however, its playing together as a family and on the large screen tv. It's interactive, and something we all do together.
My objection to something like a Switch is that it is a small screen game, something that removes them from the outside world and has them focus on just that small screen - so you're not playing 'with' other family members the same way you would if you were all using the big screen. It's isolating, not inclusive.
And at 4, i think its too young for that.

Now at 7, my DS can have a very small amount of screen time on the tablet or phone to play games, but he doesn't have his own, and its only for half an hour at the most, and really only if we're on a long car trip (4 hours to Boston).. not just if he's 'bored'

But i know we're not the same as other parents, who have been giving their phones and tablets to young kids forever. So, it all really comes down to what you and your DH are comfortable with

Re: too young for video games?

For me 4 was too young for video games especially since he didn’t ask for them either. However, that is only because I saw how addicted my stepson got because of being exposed to video games so young and having ADHD.

I’m in the mindset that if they don’t ask for it don’t give it to them, especially with boys. But that’s just my parenting style.

Re: too young for video games?

Posted by Otherme

My DS has played wii sports games and star wars lego games with my DH since he was about 4 - however, its playing together as a family and on the large screen tv. It's interactive, and something we all do together.
My objection to something like a Switch is that it is a small screen game, something that removes them from the outside world and has them focus on just that small screen - so you're not playing 'with' other family members the same way you would if you were all using the big screen. It's isolating, not inclusive.
And at 4, i think its too young for that.

Now at 7, my DS can have a very small amount of screen time on the tablet or phone to play games, but he doesn't have his own, and its only for half an hour at the most, and really only if we're on a long car trip (4 hours to Boston).. not just if he's 'bored'

But i know we're not the same as other parents, who have been giving their phones and tablets to young kids forever. So, it all really comes down to what you and your DH are comfortable with

Message edited 12/11/2018 5:12:41 PM.

Re: too young for video games?

I wouldn't want it for a 4 year old. It's a tough situation, it generous and the givers would get to see so much excitement from your son. But you'll be the one that is setting and enforcing the limits, and prying it out of his hands when he doesn't want to put it down. It's a big no for me!

too young for video games?

Late to the party on this but duh bought a Nintendo switch for the kids last year. They are 6 and almost 4. It’s honestly my biggest regret. They get very addicted to it. I do not allow them to play it during the week. I would hold off on introducing video games for as long as possible as I feel there are too many negative impacts from them...

Re: too young for video games?

Re: too young for video games?

My DS is 5 and doesn’t play video games and his friends don’t either. I think we’re a rare case with this stuff because he doesn’t even have a tablet and I know lots of kids his age do. My DS has never even asked for one. They have plenty of time to get into stuff like video games, etc...... everyone will do what works for their family but I personally don’t feel the need to go out of my way to encourage these things. For now he plays with legos, plank blocks, magnatiles, a big cardboard box LOL. The video games will come with time.

Re: too young for video games?

Re: too young for video games?

Re: too young for video games?