Should I teach DS and myself Minecraft? Or something else?

[drspouse]

He's 8, has some SEN but mainly attention, he's quite creative and maths is a strength though he loves new words too. His current favourite games are Minion Rush, a CBBC Danger Mouse game, and a hill climbing game. We have iPads and a laptop but no actual gaming console.

I have been playing minecraft with DS since he was 7 (he's 9 now). It's a great game. You can play survival mode or creative. We have a ps4 but I'm sure a tablet would work too.

Yes definitely worth a go. We used it in a SMEH school and the children loved it. Can be used educationally

Ok, now I need a total idiot's guide!

Wish I could help but I’m useless 😂 pretty much relied on the TA who was awesome.
There will be lots online though. Or just play around and learn together, I bet he will pick it up quicker than you though!

God I downloaded this a week ago for my 8 year old, neither of us had a clue wtf to do! The graphics are shit as well. It’s so unintuitive. Any tips or pointers would be great!

I have also heard good things about Animal Crossing, not sure if it's the right age, device etc.

I started playing Minecraft for Windows 10 about two weeks ago, I am hopeless at lego which is really all Minecraft is at its heart - online lego, however playing in creative and peaceful modes mean I can just create stuff as I like without fear of fighting off zombies and creepy crawler things. My adult son was sceptical that I would a) enjoy it and b) be any good at it however my 6 yr old grandson was ever so keen for Nana to have a go.

It has been a steep learning curve but actually its become my chill out zone covid free! I've spent a fair bit of time watching youtube tutorials for ideas but now I'm building things on my own - so much so that today I actually did a "walk through" complete with voice over for my grandson which I uploaded to youtube - I am now awesome Nana according to him and we spent a good hour on skype with him showing me minecraft books and talking about my world and I couldn't shut him up lol My adult son is suitably impressed and wants to know how I made the water elevator so that my character can go up and down without flying to viewing platform I built.

It has had some hilarious moments - during the recording of my first attempt at a walk through I accidentally spawned a Polar Bear in a tight space right in front of me which made me jump and then chaos ensued with me trying to chase it off and apologising everytime I thumped it with some fish I found myself holding. I decided to upload this anyway and apparently it reduced my son, dil and grandson to complete hysterical laughter. My grandson has now watched it about a dozen times.

One word of caution though my husband asked me today what time I was planning lunch to which I said around 1-ish probably which is when I found out it was already 1:30 and I didn't know where my morning had actually gone!

I think its brilliant for kids and grown ups alike.

I'd really recommend it. My DC love minecraft. They play it on creative mainly. It is just computer game lego. I have no idea how to play it, can't be bothered to learn really and watch the DC play it. My 4YO has worked it out though, so it can't be that hard.

I should add I play it on a PC and I use an Xbox controller so its a lot easier to use.

Minecraft Education packs are available in the marketplace for free at the moment as well. My DS loves the Marine Biologist one.