Are zombie games ok for five year olds to play in the school playground?

[Phoenix07]

Just wondering, is it usual for five year olds to come home from school asking what zombies are, and if zombies eat brains?

[cornflakegirl]

My 5yo plays zombies - why do you think it's a problem?

[Phoenix07]

Because they are dead people walking and they 'eat brains'? I guess I remember the horror films from the 80s and 90s and think it's scary. Obviously not?

[AuntieStella]

Yes. Plants v Zombies is popular from pretty young.

And there was always some bogeyman or other to 'terrify' in the playground.

[cornflakegirl]

I'm sure the films are scary, although I've never watched one! And DS definitely hasn't - he just likes walking around with his arms out!

[youmakemydreams]

Yep totally normal. My 5 next month ds2 and 9 year old ds1 are always playing zombies. It's coming from plants v zombies.

[Duckdeamon]

DD commented recently that she prefers some of her classmates being zombies to being themselves

[thehumanjam]

You can always tell which kids have older siblings by the games they play. Ds1 very innocent wouldn't have had a clue about any of this. Ds2 on the other hand...

[deepdarkwood]

I think zombies are just a bit of a 'trope' at the mo - like vampires a few years ago - I don't think you need to worry (as long as your dc is clear that they are a silly made-up thing, of course). Incidentally, ds - at about 7/8 - found PvZombies absolutely terrifying - but he was absolutely the only one of his peers to do so!

[Phoenix07]

Ok, I obviously need to catch up!

[EdithWeston]

Is CBBC showing Zombie Hotel at the moment?

[JasperDamerel]

Yes. The KS2 children at our school enjoy playing zombie tag (you have to shamble around like a zombie tagging other players if you get tagged). The little ones want to join in or copy, and in many cases are younger siblings.

[Pumpkinette]

My 5 year old DD loves the whole zombie thing. They play various zombie games in school at playtime. I think it might be a bit of a 'thing' just now as a lot of kids appear to be playing zombie games.

[prepperpig]

Mine weren't allowed to play plants v zombies but old reruns of scoobie doo had plenty of zombies/mummies/monsters/vampires (all the caretaker of course in the end cursing those pesky kids!)

[prepperpig]

I meant they weren't allowed to play plants v zombies on the computer

[SoupDragon]

Often things like this start with children who have older siblings so it can be a surprise when your firstborn comes home with new ideas :)

[DollyMcDolly]

My son pretends he is a zombie as he loves Minecraft and there are zombie villagers in that.

[MsGee]

My daughter is 7 and the kids play zombies a lot. It did initially upset her a bit but seems to be pretty normal in the playground.

[NynaevesSister]

Yes was also about to say there are zombies in Minecraft.

[Yokohamajojo]

Yes Zombies seem very popular, my 6 year old has explained it all to me! But they are not real!!

[littlehouseinthebigwoods]

I was really freaked out when my ds started talking about zombie pigmen etc, but when I saw them they are just funny pink cubes. No big worries...

[Phoenix07]

Thanks ladies, glad I'm not the only one who's a little surprised. Also glad to know it's 'normal' for them to talk about zombies!