Nintendo DS for a 5 & 6 year old?

[PickingUsernameStruggles]

I am considering buying my (will be newly) 5 & 6 year olds a Nindendo DS each for Christmas.(I know I will have to buy secondhand as been replaced by switch which is too expensive for us). Is this age appropriate?
They watch DVDs, sometimes some Netflix on my tablet but that's it technology wise at home. They are not asking for any of their own devices, or a games console etc. I just feel like they should have one as all their peers seem to have a Tablet to play games on/ Switch etc or even both. I'm sure they would enjoy it but I'm in two minds.
I'd rather a DS etc than a tablet.
What do you think?

[PickingUsernameStruggles]

P.s. Yes, sorry I am thinking about Christmas! I tend to draw up my lists this month, start slowly shopping next and be done in November!

[TeenMinusTests]

We got really good value from our Nintendo DSs. Particularly useful for airports, ferry crossings etc.
You can get games suitable from about age 3 but I think age 5/6 is a good starting age. There are some good educational games too which you can slip in.
The only thing is they won't be able to play any of the modern games.

[TomRipley]

I bought one on eBay for my 5 year old for Christmas and he loves it.
I love it too!
We play Mario together and there are lots of educational games you can get.
Game cartridges are cheap second hand too.

[PickingUsernameStruggles]

Good to hear they've been good for other 5 year olds. How do you manage screen time for this age? I was thinking about charging it on the first of each month and when it runs out it runs out? They seem to have good battery life from looking online.

I don't think they will care about not having the latest games. They aren't asking for any sort of devices, so I imagine they will be pleased to just have one. I think if they got snotty about it, I'd threaten to take it away and then they'll have none to play and follow through if it carried on. There is still a good selection of games available.

eBay is where I was looking TomRipley, I've seen some refurbished ones which I'll leaning towards. Yes the cheap games are a huge plus too. I just can't afford a switch and then the expensive games on top of that. It'll make future birthdays/christmases cheaper too when adding to their games collection.

[TeenMinusTests]

We've never really 'managed screen time' as in time limits.
We had a no screens before lunch rule.
We also had other things to be done first, or scheduled eg outside activity in the afternoon, other types of play etc.
Also a not in bedroom rule.

[Aprilwasverywet]

I got my 3 x dc one a few years ago. A great idea!! Second hand off ebay - got loads of games (which you can sell /trade /buy from CEX for a couple of pounds).
Down the line their younger db has 2 still in good condition.. I had a smashed screen sadly! But had for ages!

[ToodleSquat]

My 6 year old as the Nintendo Switch Light and an iPad. Is there any reason why you'd prefer them to have a DS over a tablet? No judgement but just that my son uses his iPad way more than his Switch. You can get the Switch at a reasonable price second hand and black Friday sales on Amazon means you can normally get a bargain! Oh with regards to managing screen time, he can't have either before school, he's allowed an hour after school (once he's done home work) and he's not allowed them in bed. At weekends I'm more relaxed as we tend to be out the majority of the time anyway .

[ToodleSquat]

Oh just seen your update, sorry my comment seems unhelpful! Haha.

[PickingUsernameStruggles]

A nintendo games console just seems more appropriate to me rather than a tablet, probably just because I'm old haha. I want to get a games console where I can gift them a physical game for future birthdays/ christmas. You can't do that with a tablet, but instead potentially download several games at once and that just isn't what I'm after. The DS makes the most sense considering I'm on a limited budget both for now and in the future of getting games, I really don't think they'll care it isn't the latest. (or even know it isn't really - since they don't watch TV with adverts).

[Ilovemaisie]

Perfect age to start them off. I would recommend getting the 3ds as there will be more choice of games. All the ones released in the last few years were 3ds. The games for both the ds and 3ds can be used in a 3ds but not the other way around.

[ToodleSquat]

Oh no that makes complete sense OP!

[PickingUsernameStruggles]

Thank you, I don't think 3ds is recommended for under 7s?

[Ilovemaisie]

The 3ds has a 3D facility but you can switch it off and most games don't need it. It's mostly a pointless function. It's just the better option because you will have more choice of games.

[TeenMinusTests]

You can turn the 3D bit off (I'm sure you could use sellotape to keep it ion the off position. I hate the 3D bit and always kept it off when playing Professor Layton puzzles.

The 3DS has a bigger/better screen than the 2DS. And some games won't work on the older model.

[PickingUsernameStruggles]

Thank you.

I was kind of hoping you'd all tell me they're too young for own devices and put it off another 20 years. Haha! Seriously though, thank you to everyone for your help, I will keep an eye out on ebay for some bargains! :)

[TeenMinusTests]

We got our second 3DS via CEX.
MusicMagpie is another outlet.