I want to introduce video games for my 6 yr old daughter. I dont have a big budget, can someone suggest? ?

Question

I want to introduce video games for my 6yr old daughter, any suggestions? My budget isn't very high

Answer 1

There are so many other interests she could engage in that would help her be succesful later on - nurture a love of reading, creativity, or music abilities. Why would you introduce her to something that is so commercial and influential. The parents are the first teachers.. you should teach her to enjoy the simple things in life while you can.

Answer 2

Why would you want to do that?  Are you interested in turning your child into an obese, dull witted couch potato?

Answer 3

theres this video game called your backyard. it doesnt even need a game station. its really fun all you have to do is get up and walk outside and its free!

Answer 4

why would you want to introduce video games? If shes not interested on her own then you should encourage her to read, play outside, or something that is at least a little constructive.

Answer 5

Go to Gamestop and buy a Game Cube, they last forever.  We bought our nephews one on sale there last year for $35 with a one year warranty.  It probably won't be as cheap but I imagine less than $50.  Make sure that you buy the warranty though just in case.  I think it was $5 for the year.  You can buy some used games there, but I would recommend buying games on ebay (I've bought some for as low as $5! And you may want to check to see how much a game cube goes for) and you can find those games that are harder to find as well.  Anyway, all the kids I know love playing the Mario games (Smash brothers, Mario Kart, Mario Sunshine, etc) and I'm sure they have some more titles strictly for girls.  Anyway, good luck!    

***********I just read what Hrider posted and I have to say that my son is the same way.  He'll be starting Kindergarten in a couple of weeks (he wasn't in Pre-K) and he's already reading 5 letter words and doing math (12 +3).  And his hand eye coordination is on par (he's giving my 23 year old brother who is a "gamer" a run for his money).  He seems to pick concepts up faster, I'm not sure if it's related to gaming (problem solving and figuring out how things work) or not, but I only need to explain things to him a handful of times before he picks it up.  Anyway, my husband and I play games ourselves (the game cube was originally mine) and my son has been playing since he's been around 2 and he's a well rounded kid.  Anyway, my best advice would be to buy whichever console at a store so that you can buy a warranty and buy the rest on ebay.  Best of luck!

******I forgot to mention that the gamecube we bought at Game Stop was used, that's why it was so cheap (hence, why the warranty is so important).  You can buy a new one there I think for around $100, maybe less.

Answer 6

My 5 year old plays vdeo games and it has been great. We bought him a gameboy adavance(it was about $40 @ wal marts after Thanksgiving sale)and he has had the same ($3.00) Dora game for 8 months now. I looked on Amazon.com and found that the used games are like 4 or 5 dollars..perfect.

I like my son to have the gameboy because we do a lot of long trips in the car and we dont have tvs in our truck,car. Also and mostly, it is a great bargaining chip. I can add minutes or take away minutes for things like doing or not doing chores, being good or bad while out on errands and so on.

So I say go for it, I think all the play time stuff is great(like the other Moms suggested) but I don't think video games are any worse then tv, right?

Answer 7

girls don't like video games

Answer 8

Video Games aren;tall that bad.. I'm a mother of 2 girls and I started my kidsout on the computer at age 9 months.  I would sit them on my lap and we would play games, like Reader Rabbit, which is totally educational.  At age 2 they got a playstation one.  You can get most any game system at the local pawn shops for dirt cheap!  Not only were both my daughters on a 2nd grade level in reading and math when they started Kindergarten, their hand eye coordination was much better than other kids their age.  And now that my daughter is 11 y/o she knows more about computers than I do!  (She helped me set up my email account)  As long as your child is supervised and isn't playing games she shouldn't, and as long as she isn't sitting there gaining weight, Let her at it!  Times are changing and kids NEED to know how to handle the new technology.  Just keep control!!!  I can't stress that enough!  When you set a time for her to play, don't let her talk you into five more minutes.  Take the controllers from the console and put them away.  (Ours stayed in a locked cabinet)  and computer rules are even stricter..  I have the ONLY password to the laptop and it is played on the kitchen table, or living room.. the room I am in at the time.  Absolutly NO internet unless I am sitting there with them, and educational games ONLY during the week.  Do your daughter a favor and open her eyes to a whole other wonderful world!

Answer 9

I'd suggest not introducing them at all.  It'll save you lots of money because you won't have to spend a dime.  Continue to encourage reading, make-believe and playing outdoors.  Those are all FREE and won't have her sitting mindlessly in front of a t.v.  If you insist though, then let her play some of the games on NickJr.com or Noggin.com  They are child friendly and have lots of fun, educational games.  Also all for free!

Answer 10

It's good to get kids using computers young, because these days it's such an important skill for people to have. Don't listen to the people who tell you not to - good computer skills are essential at college and the sooner they learn the easier it will be for them to adapt to changing technology.

I would recommend a PC for these reasons, and there are a lot of free games on the internet that are great for kids. Try www.miniclip.com - it has hundreds of kid-friendly games. Or www.cartoonnetwork.com.

Good luck!

Answer 11

I bought my 6 year old daughter a pink handheld leapfrog game system.  She loves hers as a matter of fact the batteries died and I didn't know it un till i seen her christmas list from Santa last year and all she wanted was batteries, LOL!  They have several different games and they sll help with learning!  Some with math, somewith memory, etc, and you don't have to buy a game bc most of her favorites are including in the system!   I found you a link at wal-mart!:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...

It does come in pink!  I just couldn't find it on the website

Answer 12

Something like tetris.  Go onto ebay, buy a super nintendo and some super nintendo games.  Those are not violent and take some actual thought to play.

Answer 13

I agree with Glenna.  Save the cash.  Kids don't need video games.  Wait for peer pressure to slip them in when she's older.

Answer 14

stick to rentals and used games so that you aren't buying full prices games or getting something she may not enjoy.

since she is still young I suggest more learning and educational games.

Let her play and use her imagination, she doesn't need video games!