Gaming system for a 5 year old boy....

[luvmylittleboy2003]

He has a leapster, but, has grown bored with it. I was thinking about getting him a different gaming system (something like Wii) for Christmas and a small wall mountable tv to play it on for in his room. Would love some feedback on what type of gaming system a 5 year old would like???

 

[mjkacmom]

A $300 gaming system and wall mounted flat screened TV for a 5 year old? How about some legos. Seriously, the great thing about the Wii is that it is so family friendly - kids of all ages, grownups, seniors (the family it pitching in to get my FIL one for christmas). Why does he need it in his room?

My oldest has a TV in her room - actually, when we found out we were having twins, we made the 3rd floor into 2 rooms, a bedroom and a small TV room, but she chooses to sleep on the futon and watch TV - we haven't seen her in 5 years. I will never allow my kids to have TV's in their rooms! I really do miss her!

 

[Bren's Mom]

We have a 13 yo and 3 yo (both boys). With the older one we've been through just about every game system there is. He's got an Xbox, a GameCube, a DS, a DS lite, an old Nintendo64, a Wii. What does he play? The Wii. Almost exclusively. The 3 yo has a Vsmile pocket which he'll play when there isn't anyone to play Wii with him. The Wii is easy enough for him once it's turned on, set to a game, etc. He LOVES to play the Wii sports games and since they require more gross than fine motor skills he can do it fairly well. And DH's favorite is the Wii. So if you're going to spend $$$, the Wii is your best bet, imo.

 

[design_mom]

My DH is a "gamer" and we've got a lot of different game systems. My DS (just turned 8) loves them all, but his favorites are the Wii and the Nintendo DS.

My son got the Nintendo DS for Christmas last year. He's a pretty responsible kid in general, but I don't always think he takes care of it like he should. I don't think he's old enough to realize that it's a "piece of electronics" and not a toy. (However, the thing still works, so that's a testament to it's durability!) I probably would not get a DS for a 5yo, but I know other people who do, so your child might be fine with one.

DS loves the Wii, too... and has lots of fun with a variety of different games. However, I agree with the PP who suggested putting it in the family room instead of his room. Because:
1) you need a decent amount of room to play
2) it's the most fun with multiple-players
3) you can keep an eye on what he's playing and how much he's playing
4) I think it would be difficult to play on a small TV

 

[TinaLala]

Okay, my question to you is what are you trying to provide him?

1. Something for him to do while you are out and about or traveling that will entertain him - how about Nintendo DS. I swore I'd never EVER get my kids a hand held gaming system, but then we were going to Disney - DRIVING and they were going to need entertaining for 24 hours. We did the books, movies, games and then it hit me how about this DS thing. The problems I have with it are the darn stylus pencils get lost as well as the game discs and my girls fight over the games (we only buy one game for each of them to share )

2. Something for him to use in the house, keep him fit and you can use as a family - Wii. My kids are getting this for Christmas and honestly I was against it, but a friend has it and says her kids play 'together' and have fun. Her daughter who is overweight really gets a good work out. Another friends mom has the Wii fit and LOVES it.

We have the Sega, PS1, PS2 - man I grew up on Atari for cryin out loud. We got the kids the Leap Pad when they were younger and it worked great in helping them read. So when I read people's threads about letting their kids get these electronic gadgets I just smile because we all get them things to keep them busy, it's what you do 'with them' that makes the difference.

 

[nosy parker]

I've decided on the Wii for my 6&7 year olds. Have no experience personally but my boys have played at friends' houses and won't stop asking for this. It's their xmas gift this year. We've had every version of the Nintendo system as it has evolved and had the Playstations too. The Nintendos are by far more popular with the young kids. They have the Mario series and a much larger selection of kid friendly games. And they each have a DS and love that too.

I know you didn't ask about this, but I'd reconsider the set-up in the bedroom. I have to seriously regulate my boys' video gaming time. They could literally play for the entire day if I let them. I allowed my eldest son to have a computer in his room when he was 16 (he had saved for it and bought it himself) and it was a big mistake. They do end up hibernating in their rooms when they have these things there. I learned my lesson and have not allowed anything like that in there again. No tv, no computer, no video games in the bedroom. Much to my DD19 's dismay. She still complains that she wants a tv in her room. Still no. Don't care if she buys it herself, it's not happening. Just my opinion.

 

[luvmylittleboy2003]

Thanks for all the great feedback .
I think we will put this in our living room for now and avoid the 'hibernating in the bedroom' - thanks for that feedback, that was something I hadn't thought about .

We are going to go w/the Wii...can anyone recommend some fun games that would be good for a 5 year?

 

[chloe770]

My DS is 5 and his favorite Wii games are Mario Kart, Mario Party 8,Mario Galaxy, Mario Super Sluggers (see a pattern here ) and Olympic Games. Rayman Ravin Rabbids is also alot of fun too, but not for a conservative family (games like fart wars and burping contests). If you are looking for one game the whole family would like I would go with Mario Kart. DH and I both love that game as much as DS.

 

[design_mom]

I agree that anything in the Mario series is a good choice, especially Mario Kart. (They have a special "wheel" that you can put the Wii Remote into that makes it feel more like you're driving. You can still play without it. It's not absolutely necessary, but it's fun.)

My kids also love the Wii Sports game (I think it comes with the Wii System) and Wii Play. (It's $50 but it includes an extra Wii Remote so, in essence, the game is $10 in addition to the extra hardware.)

 

[justhat]

I have a 4yo and she likes the Diego Safari Rescue, Super Paper Mario, and a princess game that is probably of no interest to your son. We also have Cars, Mario Kart, DaBlob (something like that, it's new), and some other racing game that came with the wheel free but I don't remember the name. My daughter really wants the skiing game and we have a wii fit so I think the skiing would be fun with the balance board.

At 5yo, I'm sure you could avoid him holing up in his room by simply telling him to come out, but in order to use the wii you have to have this little receiver thing be positioned under or over the tv, and it connects to the wii. that might pose a problem if you don't have something to set it on in the right spot.

 

[skuttle]

Along with the Mario games, my DS loves the Lego games (we have Star Wars). It's a bit challenging for him right now, but he still loves playing Star Wars even though some things are too hard for him to do on his own. He'll be getting a DS for Christmas. He's 5 1/2 years old.

 

[design_mom]

Along with the Mario games, my DS loves the Lego games (we have Star Wars). It's a bit challenging for him right now, but he still loves playing Star Wars even though some things are too hard for him to do on his own. He'll be getting a DS for Christmas. He's 5 1/2 years old.

My DS (8 now) loves the lego games too. Until recently they were too challenging for him to do by himself, but he loves them now. One nice thing about the Lego games is that they have unlimited "lives". If they get hit, their Lego guy just breaks apart, then reforms and they can continue on. There is no "game over" until you decide to stop. They're also nice because you can play cooperatively (both on the same team instead of against each other) with another player.