DS for 3 yr old?

[hannahsmom7]

My just turned 3 yr old loves everything electronic. his 7 yr old sister got a DSi for Christmas and we got him a LEapster2. Well, he drools over her DSi. All the neighbor kids have them too and I feel so bad for him when he walks around w/his super sad face saying "I'm the ONLY one w/no DSi so I can't play Mario". We're working on getting him to sleep in his own bed and I'm thinking of using one as a long term reward. He would not need the internet, but likes the picture taking feature. Is there another model we could get away with just for him to be able to play Super Mario Bros that might be a tad cheaper? I dont' really know anything about the DSlite. DOes it have the camera though? We do have an old Game Boy Advance that he likes to play, but we don't have any Mario games for it. The regular Super Mario Bros is crazy expensive for it on Ebay!

 

[hannahsmom7]

ANd of course, where is one of the cheaper places to buy them? Anyone buy them used from Game Stop?

 

[Maddie2]

Age 3 seems a bit young for a DS, IMO. Not that he wouldn't love having it, I just think - what next? Perhaps I'm a bit old-fashioned, but I think pacing is a good thing. I just think that while some electronic toys are educational and helpful for a young child, a 3 year old still needs to be directed more toward tactile, non-battery operated toys.

I do not mean to be rude, but I just think that they grow up too fast anyway. Try to keep your little ones little, a little while longer.

 

[CAGirl]

The dslite does not have a camera but plays all ds games and all gameboy advance games. The dsi doesnt play Gameboy advance games. Gamestop may have a used one cheaper, or you can trade in the gameboy advance for credit toward a new one.

My four year old has been playing with his brothers since he was two. He has a leapster also but prefers the ds. I think it is all fine if played in moderation. We are a tech family so hard to tell him he cant play when we all play. Great thing is sometimes we link together and play together. There are plenty of age appropriate games out there. The hard part is having teenagers playing the xbox or ps3 and a 4 year old and making sure they dont play their games when 4 year old is in the same room or even awake.

 

[puffkin]

We got my 3 year old a used DSLite for Christmas. He loves it...especially the Mario Kart game and Lightning McQueen game. I got the DS off of Ebay cheaper than at Gamestop or a new one. He always was grabbing his cousins or my moms, so he was very familiar with them. We have some old game boy games that we had and a few we purchased used (dirt cheap) that he also plays.

We figured the used system was fine for a few years and then we would upgrade him when he is older and more responsible. I don't think there is anything wrong with a 3 year old having one as long as long as it is in moderation.

As for the camera, we just got a really cheap digital camera used for him at a yard sale. He plays with that a lot.

 

[poohfriend77]

We're in the same boat. We bought DD7 a DSlite for Christmas, and got DD4 (now 5) a Leapster. She likes the Leapster, but also loves any chance to play her sister's DS. I thought she was too young, but then her best friend got one...

I'm hoping that with the DSi XL coming out, there will be a lot of gently used DS's for sale at Game Stop, Craigs List, etc. Maybe you could even just put the word out to friends who may be upgrading their kids' units.

 

[mumto3girls]

My older girls got DSlites for their birthdays in 2009-one turned 9 and the other turned 6. My littlest, who turned 3 in August, very much wanted one and kept trying to get into her sisters. We decided to have Santa bring one for Christmas. We did get hers used at Game Stop. I am thinking it was between $80 and $90. She was so excited to get it. She plays with it, but not every day and does take pretty good care of it although she can't always remember where she put it.

The DS lite does not have the camera. There are a number of age appropriate games--we really like the Smart Girls games for her--not sure if there are Smart Boys games or not.

 

[monorailsilver]

My youngest is 4 & she just got a ds for Christmas.

My neice taught her how to play with the dogs on Nintendogs when she was 2.

I don't think he is too young, just make sure you get the Nerf Armour for it.

 

[solfan68]

ds7 was 4yo when he got his DS from Santa. He's a really responsible kid and we have yet to lose a game, thank goodness. I was also amazed when the latest book order from school was also accompanied by a gaming/software order(2nd grade). He's hoping for Pokemon Soul Silver for his birthday. The game comes with a pedometer accessory that actually builds up energy that can be transferred to critters in the game. Should help us strike a balance between gaming and playing DS this summer.

I think a new or gently used DS Lite would be ideal for your need right now. Good luck.

 

[mom of princessx2]

Age 3 seems a bit young for a DS, IMO. Not that he wouldn't love having it, I just think - what next? Perhaps I'm a bit old-fashioned, but I think pacing is a good thing. I just think that while some electronic toys are educational and helpful for a young child, a 3 year old still needs to be directed more toward tactile, non-battery operated toys.

I do not mean to be rude, but I just think that they grow up too fast anyway. Try to keep your little ones little, a little while longer.

Agree-Don't see the need to start a child playing non-educational video games at 3. And maybe they don't always need what their sibling has

 

[Illuminations_Rocks]

My 3 yo niece got a used DSlite for Christmas, purchased at Gamestop - in pink! Good deal for it, and since she was young it was great that they could get it for less. I'm pretty sure SIL got a warranty on it too. All for less than the new DSlite, and it is in great condition. I'd ask to see the actual unit prior to purchasing just to make sure of the condition, but other than that I'd have no qualms with buying used.
Niece loves it - just like her big brothers to have her handheld system. I think she used their GBA's and she had a leapster too. And she plays Wii with them.

DSi does have some of its own games that are not compatible with the DS (I think), but all DS games can be played on DSi.

 

[jomommy]

DSi, DS Lite, and the original DS all play the same DS games, but DSi can't play GBA games. The only real difference is the camera and sound recording. FYI, you can get a digital camera attachment for the DS Lite, so that may be the cheaper way to go: used DS Lite and attachment. If your son has GBA games that he plays and likes now, I think I'd go with the Lite.

We've had lots of these, five kids and been buying them since they first came out.

ETA: Gamestop is a good place to buy used, but for new, there's really no price difference among retailers. Gamestop used hardware usually comes with a warranty. Ask to make sure, you can purchase one (or an extended one) for very little money. If you have a Game Crazy near you, I'd check there, too. We like them better, but they're not as wide spread as Gamestop.

 

[Familyof4lovesDW]

Go for it. I never bought the leapster, we went for the DS. I wanted something they could play with as they grow and no one of any age around here has a leapster, they all have a DS. We purchaced both of ours new and they come with a year warranty from Nintendo. We have actually sent DS6 back twice because it stopped working, and the warranty starts over when you send it back.

Grandma got one for DS at 5 and when grandmas saw dd3 playing it she got her one for her 4th birthday. I think the dsi are more so I would go with the ds lite. Sometimes they are on sale at Target. They are almost 7 and 5 now.

There are easier games for younger kids. I would suggest buying games at game stop used so if they are too hard you can take them back after you try them at home. My DD enjoyed the mini games on super mario when the other games were harder.

 

[summerrluvv]

Agree-Don't see the need to start a child playing non-educational video games at 3. And maybe they don't always need what their sibling has

Agreed 100%. I also think that is an expensive toy for a 3 year old to potentially break or lose since they are not always careful and can be somewhat clumsy at this age.

 

[RooRach0906]

Agreed 100%. I also think that is an expensive toy for a 3 year old to potentially break or lose since they are not always careful and can be somewhat clumsy at this age.

Agree-Don't see the need to start a child playing non-educational video games at 3. And maybe they don't always need what their sibling has

Age 3 seems a bit young for a DS, IMO. Not that he wouldn't love having it, I just think - what next? Perhaps I'm a bit old-fashioned, but I think pacing is a good thing. I just think that while some electronic toys are educational and helpful for a young child, a 3 year old still needs to be directed more toward tactile, non-battery operated toys.

I do not mean to be rude, but I just think that they grow up too fast anyway. Try to keep your little ones little, a little while longer.

I agree with this. I am a very firm believer in age groups are on toys for a reason. Also I think (this is me personally/ well my side of the family) that getting things like DS, Ipods or even cell phones at young ages is rushing kids to grow up. I have a 10 y/o niece who just got a DSlite at 9 and her little sister who is 4 got the VTech handheld for christmas and was good with that. The other thing I personally dont like about these toys so young is that then kids dont know how to enterntain themselves without it, it seems.

 

[iheartdisney]

I agree with this. I am a very firm believer in age groups are on toys for a reason. Also I think (this is me personally/ well my side of the family) that getting things like DS, Ipods or even cell phones at young ages is rushing kids to grow up. I have a 10 y/o niece who just got a DSlite at 9 and her little sister who is 4 got the VTech handheld for christmas and was good with that. The other thing I personally dont like about these toys so young is that then kids dont know how to enterntain themselves without it, it seems.

I'm in this boat!
My oldest LOVED her cousin's DS when she was 4 too, and asked and asked for one. I told her when she was 7, and stuck to it. Now she got the DSi for her last birthday, and for her, it was worth the wait. Even though she'll still trade it away for the Leapster when she is in the mood.
At 3, motor skills are still developing, neural networks are still forming. These companies don't just pull numbers out of the sky, the toys and games are targeted to how the child is developing and what their capabilites are at a certain age.
At 3, all my son wanted were Legos and Mr. Potatohead parts.

 

[M5ward]

I agree with this. I am a very firm believer in age groups are on toys for a reason. Also I think (this is me personally/ well my side of the family) that getting things like DS, Ipods or even cell phones at young ages is rushing kids to grow up. I have a 10 y/o niece who just got a DSlite at 9 and her little sister who is 4 got the VTech handheld for christmas and was good with that. The other thing I personally dont like about these toys so young is that then kids dont know how to enterntain themselves without it, it seems.

I'm in this club too if for no other reason than rites of passage. My four year old granddaughter has an Ipod (Shuffle) and a DS. I voiced my opposition to both. Her older siblings have these items, but did not have them at age four. There is such a tendency to rush kids to grow up now..childhood is such a short time, and once it's gone..it's gone. From my perspective as a 64year old grandmother of eight, those years were so precious. What happened to playing outside, swing sets and sandboxes, catching fireflies, and taking baby doll for a walk in the doll carriage? Even though my daughter limits game time, it kind of bugs me to see this little girl glued to a video game or TV when there are so many other things to enjoy (yeah, yeah she does other things too) and she needed to wait her turn for this kind of stuff.
Childhood is gone in blink of an eye..

 

[bigmama67]

I also agree that there's no rush. DS got his DSLitewhen he turned 6 and he had to contribute $39 to it (of the $139 price tag). Now we have 2 Leapsters and loads of games so DD will have those to play with and won't be getting anything further for quite awhile! We are considering getting a Wii for the holidays but that's still up in the air. The way I see it, there's plenty of time for them to get these things. I understand the appeal especially when older sibs have it though...an option to consider might be the "Plug and Play" TV games which are very cute and reasonable, and they would be "all his" so maybe that would be nice for him? We have about 6 of them and DS loved those!

 

[loveysbydesign]

Don't buy it! My friend made that mistake and now all her 3 year old son does is whine and cry at her asking to play it constantly and drive them all nuts. He tells her he doesn't want to play outside anymore he wants his ds. They finally "lost it" and he just keeps asking her to buy him a new one.
Little ones need time without electronics for their brain's to develop properly.

 

[shoney]

If he can actually play it and will use it, I don't see anything wrong with it. Many 3 years olds would not be able to do it.

You may want to wait until the newest version comes out. Many kids will trade in the dsi for the new xl version. At that time gamestop will be selling used dsi and a reduced rate.