Nintendo DS - Irvine,CA

My first question to you would be why???? Do you need a babysitter? Why does he not watch TV? At 5 there are so many educational shows. I have 4 kids and we have NEVER had a gaming system in the house. My oldest is 21 and my youngest is 7. They have asked for them and to spend that much money for a child, to me doesn't make sense. Maybe it is because I have so many children but it does seem excessive until they are older. My oldest when he got his first job bought his X-box. He felt really good that he earned it. He is in college so it is still not in my house. I would have lost my children to the games and I personally did not want that. We do have a computer and they are only allowed to be on for 30 minutes a day.

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My son is 11 yrs old and he still doesn't have one. He reads - a lot. My husband and I both work with computers. The games are such an entertaining waste of time. We both spend so much time for our jobs in front of computers, and we know our son will as he has more school work to do on it. Now's the time for him to run and play outside and get dirty in real dirt and play fetch with our neighbors dog. Eventually every kid will discover games, but it's healthier for them if you can delay it as long as possible.

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Hi S.. Can I just first say, Lisa R, RELAX! You have your way of parenting and other people have their way. Your way isn't always right for someone else. Your way isn't the only way. We are here to help and support, not tell someone their a bad parent because they want to buy their kid a video game!

Okay sorry, I had to get that off my chest. So, I have a 5 yr old too. I got a Nintendo DS from my husband after I kept hijacking my 12 yr olds from her. :) I kinda share with my 5 yr old and I had bought her a game I thought she would be able to play, you know, for her age. It was a strawberry shortcake game. She doesn't play vidoe games really either so this was tough for her. She couldn't really play it. I tried to help her and it was even hard for me! Until I figured it out. She really likes to just pretend to play but she really doesn't play the games. That's just my daughter though. Boys are really good at video games. But it sounds like your son and my daughter both don't really play video games so he might be a little young for it. What I was thinking was finding out if they have games that are just to be used with the stylus (pen). My daughter loves to use that and it's alot eaiser than the buttons for her. We'll good luck in your decision. Your the mom and you know best. Don't worry about the haters!

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I guess I'm old fashioned, but I have seen way too many kids in public and private who just can't put these games down. Reading goes out the window. Family games ditto (although I understand the new X Box does have a group component).

I don't think these things are very good for kid's brains, and no matter how much you try to monitor them, when a child becomes obsessed, it becomes difficult. They will sneak them, play with them when you aren't around, etc.

People wonder why our students don't do as well in school anymore. Don't blame the teachers! Children are just no longer geared into reading, writing, collaborative acitivty and decision making.

Many, many years ago my sister and I loved to listen to the radio. (There was no TV.) Our radio "broke" and supposedly couldn't be fixed. A couple of years later, my father came home with it and it worked again. I asked him, and he said it just needed a tube. I asked him why he hadn't fixed it sooner. Of course, in the meantime, my sister and I had developed good habits of practicing piano and violin, reading, playing games with each other, etc. He asked me, "when you grow up, would you rather LISTEN to the radio or be ON the radio? I told him I'd rather be on the radio. He said, "that's why our radio was broken, so some day, you could grow up and be smart and talented enough to be on the radio!"

My father was a very smart person!

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Why does he need a game to begin with? there's so many toys out there that are better for him. My daughter is almost 5 too, and I wouldn't even consider that. Tere's too many little kids that prefer to play a game than grabbing a book. He's to young to start him on that path.

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We have a DS (I had it pre-kids), and there are a couple of games my 3.5 year old enjoys (Smart Boys Gameroom is one). But I got an I-pod touch and he LOVES playing games on that. I think it's a better investment because there are loads of educational games and apps- many of them free, or MUCH cheaper than each DS game. And kids are so fickle with games, you can download new apps often. And because there is no stylus, it's very easy for both my 3 yr old and 15 month old to use. The bonus is you also have music and video, and it's easy to slip in your purse for "emergencies" in restaurants, etc!

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We have one and there are a ton of great games for kids. I think it's a great purchase.

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It’s interesting to me that Lisa R. asks you if you need the game as a babysitter, however, she allows her kids to watch T.V. and spend 30 minutes a day playing on the computer. Hhhhmmmmm

If your child does not watch T.V. nor do you have internet but you’re very active sounds to me like he’s outdoors with you a lot which is awesome! Only you can say whether your child is mature enough and disciplined enough that if you monitor his use of the game he will be good about it.

Best of luck!!

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Hello S.,
My son received his as a birthday gift for his 3rd birthday. It was from his Grandma that spoils him. I honestly thought he was way too young for such a gift, but his Grandma also got him age appropriate games such as Smart Boys and Go Diego, which are both learning games for my son. I do however limit play time on his DS because he would play it all day if I would allow. I have to say it is an awesome thing to have for road trips and doctor's office visits, it keeps him occupied when children tend to get anxious. It is fun, even I happen to play it when I am some free time, try Brain Age, good game to test your skills. Also they have the DSi now that takes pictures and has some really neat games.
I am sure your child will love whatever you choose.
J.

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Dear S., I am not real familiar with the nintendo ds. My moderatly autistic daughter has the leapster and loves it. It has adapter for head phones and fun educational games. Probably more appropriate for a 5 year old. My daughter loves her princess games and her love, Sponge Bob. And the leapsters are alot less expensive.

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My daughter got one for her 8th bday a few weeks ago. She actually has the Nintendo DSi. We purchased it from Game Stop. They carry pre-owned ones too. But before this, she did have other gaming devices at ages 5-7. My 3 year old has her own leapster and loves it.

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We are an active family as well. We do also have the internet at home along with a gaming system and a DS. The gaming system only gets played when it is nasty outside or we are sick and that's the only way to get the kids to take it easy. As for our DS they are only allowed in the car for long car rides. There are plenty of games that your 5 y.o. can play and he can grow into the DS unlike the Leapster which is why we picked the DS. We also opted for the cheaper DS at about $125 per DS.

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I have an 8 yr old son that LOVES his DSi. We have rules for when he can play it, otherwise he would do it ALL day long. my 6 yr old could care less, he is more of a climb on everything kid. we also have leapsters, and they are more hearty, but....for my 8 yr old, he wants different games. and yes, the Ds has games for a 5 yr old. plus, you can get you self Professor Layton games, and blame it on your son :)!

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Where are the good hiking trails in OC? I live here but rarely get out to places like that! You share your info and I will share mine ;)

I got my girls each a DS a couple years ago. The only thing I would say is make sure your son can read already. A lot of the games (Animal Crossing - a favorite!, Scribblenauts, BrainAge for example) have a lot of reading involved. There are loads of games out there and they are getting a bit cheaper also thanks to new systems being released. The downfall that we have seen when it comes to the DS's is that the flip top on the DS Lite tends to break at the hinge part. I have no clueabout the new DSi (the one with the camera - seems a bit excessive to me but whatever)

Good luck with whatever you decide!

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Yes, kids from this age like the DS. My girl has one. She got it when she was 6.
If you go to www.gamestop.com you can see and read the reviews of kids games. Look for the "E" rating. That is for kids.

My daughter plays it at certain times, or before bed it winds her down.
She does not play it everyday, nor all the time. But, it has proven to be useful and a well spent interlude for her. There are educational app's (applications/games) as well.
My 3 year old son.... plays her DS as well. He at his age, understands it and can totally play the games that my daughter has, and he doesn't need any help. It is really intuitive based... and some games have a lot of "reading" to it, and instructions and prompts.

Or, the iTouch, by Apple, is a GREAT thing too, for adults or kids.
It has MANY app's for kids as well... and is very useful and intuitive based. Each to use.
But more expensive. Also online/internet based.

We have the DS, iPhone, Xbox and playstation, Leapster. Most of them were gifts. My kids like all of them. KID based games for them though. My Hubby has his own games.

But.. don't feel like you "have to" get a high tech game either... I mean, it is fun... but it is also another expense...

Good luck,
Susan

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I just got my son a PSP - he's 7. DS and PSP are similar, however it seems that DS has more games to choose from and there are certain games that are only for one system or the other. I went on line at Amazon.com and looked at all the DS games and all the PSP games. I made a list of them (the one's that were age appropriate) and we decided which we wanted. We went with PSP because of one game that his friend has that is not made for DS. We don't use the PSP much either but it is good for long car trips or if they have to go to a family party where they'll be bored or to a restaurant where they'll be bored. It's worth looking into.

Hope this helps

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If you do decide to get him one...don't forget to check your local pawn shop!

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My daughter is 3.5 and she plays with my DS. We're a pretty big "tech" family so she sees me play with it. There's a drawing messaging feature that they come with, I usually let her play with that, she can doodle for hours on it. There's a game recently that she's gotten to try "Soul Bubble" it's pretty simple to learn and has multiple levels that increase challenge level as you go. Basically you draw a bubble and use and mini little sprite to blow it around mazes and obstacles.

Have fun, good idea to limit his use of it.

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I asked my daughter's first grade teacher what she recommended about this and she said to wait until she was 8. We did that - but almost by accident - it sort of slipped my mind and then my sister-in-law gave her one for Christmas this year (she's 8). She doesn't watch any tv - is alloweded - just not really interested. She goes through spurts with the DS - sometimes plays for awhile - but then won't play for a couple of weeks. She is only really allowed to play on weekends and on car trips and I will say that they have a HUGE variety of games for all levels. I have had some Leapster products but she wasn't much of a fan. I think I would say that if I had it to do all over again I'd get the DS earlier and just get some basic good learning games that are fun and go from there. He will certainly be able to work it and will like it and as you say "grow into" it. If he doesn't watch too much TV then it might be just the thing. It is pricey - but a quality product.

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Don't bother with the nintendo... that was 80's box.... the new hip games are on xbox ... get the newest version and you won't have to worry about buying a new one in a few years.
Other mothers will probably groan at you for letting your kid play but look, don't let him become obcessed, in other words let him play some but not 24/7. He is a kid and he likes doing things like that and likes what other kids like also. Don't deny him. Just monitor and you will be fine.

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my lil boy has the wii system and i only allow him to play games that are rated e for everyone and hes just happy with the various games that are available in that rating

upon reading your request and especially the background on your son,I say, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Basically, if your son could care less for this stuff,or barely knows what it is...I would just not introduce it to him. Why bring this stuff into the home if it has the potential to get him addicted...as most video games can potentially do that. Even if he won't have the opportunity to play with it as often since you guys are a very active, outdoorsy family...why risk dealing with the potential of him finding something else he may end up liking more than hiking or family time, per say?

I think that unless the benefits of something REALLY outweighs the risk, it's not a necessary item to have. So maybe it comes down to first making a list of benefits of having a DS for your 5 year old. Are the benefits something he can't get from some other means? Or, what is the ultimate need for a DS? If it's for entertainment purposes? What other ways has he been entertained that has worked just as well? And what is the need for a change. If it's for education...are there other ways he can be educated? Actually, hiking/nature walks have soo much educating potential (you can teach, science, art, music, language... ). Or is the DS just something new you want to introduce to him? I guess only you know what the benefits and risks are.