Minecraft - recommended age?

[LetterFromLorah]

DS is 6 and is obsessed with Minecraft even though he's never played it. He heard about it from his friend at school but I've always said no because I was under the impression that it's for older kids.

Recently we've been watching some family-friendly Minecraft videos on You Tube and it looks kind of ok.

Can anyone advise from experience if it's suitable for six year olds? DS can scare easily but doesn't seem to be bothered by the creepers and things like that, although the ender (?) dragon seemed to make him nervous.

I think the in app purchases might be optional for skins (to change your character's appearance). Personally, I'd go for the PC version (Java rather than bedrock). If he's watching youtubers he is likely to want to play with mods at some point. They allow extra textures, mini games and items which are great for creative mode. On PC they are available for free but they're not possible on consoles or tablets. The PC version has more flexibility and works better than the app version in my opinion.
One other important thing with costs is that the game is a one-off payment. There are no subscriptions and all future updates will be available. That was a guarantee made by Microsoft as part of the deal to buy it from the original creators.

Having your own family server is a great idea if you want to play together or with friends I think I pay £8 a month for a 20 person server but it’s cheaper for less people.

DS just plays on the ipad as that's all we have here and have never spent a penny other than the initial outlay

He will be absolutely thrilled. Make sure you buy yourself some earplugs for some reason they want to share every piece of this new world of information with you just nod and smile.

Minecraft issued free educational resource packs throughout lockdown unlike robbing roblox the black hole

You really don't have to spend any extra although mine have asked for skin packs for birthdays.

I have set them challenges eg build the best waterfall and they have come up with some amazing stuff!!

Go for it, and play it a bit yourself just so you understand the basics - I'd really recommend this for any computer game your kids are playing.

Oh yes and the music is really good I like it anyway. Ambient. You can buy the albums. There's an Xmas pack we bought with music I properly love and I used to ask DD to play that one so I could get my chill out music 😂😂😂

I’ve just downloaded Minecraft on my ancient mini iPad for my nearly 6 year old and am trying to figure out how the heck to play it. I’ve had to creatE an Xbox account I think and have locked lots of privacy stuff down there but have no idea what to do now. The minecraft app seems to offer a a few games which seem to be zombie/war related and can’t even seem to play them properly. Just want her to be able access a game/realm/server to build houses and stuff but I really have no idea what I’m doing! Anyone able to give me a nod in the right direction?

@NiceGerbil

Oh yes and the music is really good I like it anyway. Ambient. You can buy the albums. There's an Xmas pack we bought with music I properly love and I used to ask DD to play that one so I could get my chill out music 😂😂😂

DS1 has discovered that he likes chillout whale type music when he's struggling to sleep (ASD) because it reminds him of Minecraft

My 7yo became obsessed too, without ever playing it.. I downloaded the education edition and it seems harmless.. the paid version on android I soon deleted and got a refund. Full of paid links, adverts etc.

PP who advised getting it on PC is correct; the Java version(s) have the greatest flexibility and the availability of some fairly complex mods allows Minecraft to 'grow' alongside DC's level of comprehension. The easiest way to compare it is that base ('Vanilla') Minecraft is like classic Lego and modded Minecraft is like Lego Technic. Also, PC offers better control options such as gamepad and mouse/keyboard (which is how MC was originally designed to be played).

@desperatehousewife2

I’ve just downloaded Minecraft on my ancient mini iPad for my nearly 6 year old and am trying to figure out how the heck to play it. I’ve had to creatE an Xbox account I think and have locked lots of privacy stuff down there but have no idea what to do now. The minecraft app seems to offer a a few games which seem to be zombie/war related and can’t even seem to play them properly. Just want her to be able access a game/realm/server to build houses and stuff but I really have no idea what I’m doing! Anyone able to give me a nod in the right direction?

I just downloaded the iOS app, click play then create new then create new world. At this point you select the world options which can be changed later. Start by changing survival to creative and on the left hand side of the device click create. Did this work for you?

Ahhh thank you!!! I somehow missed the Create New World option!!

Bogroll that's brilliant!

You can buy the actual music as well!

'The soundtrack of the 2009 Mojang video game Minecraft was primarily composed by German musician Daniel Rosenfeld, better known as C418'.

The full soundtrack is available on YouTube as well :)

Definitely the PC version if you can. We have PC and Xbox versions, but ds pretty much lives on the PC.

It's actually been fantastic for his computer skills and he's now taking computer science Gcse (early days, but his teacher told him that he should be aiming for a grade 9). I think that the confidence he gained from Minecraft has a lot to do with that.

The new game is Minecraft Dungeons which is a platform type game, where you work though levels, completely different from traditional Minecraft. I wouldn't recommend it for someone just starting on Minecraft.

My DC are 5 and 7 and they love Minecraft. They mainly play it on Creative and build worlds on it. It's like Lego.

Like PP have mentioned, Minecraft Dungeons isn't the same as original Minecraft. It is a proper campaign type game that involves being chased by scary creatures and shooting them etc. My 5yo actually loves it. 7YO hates it.

@Invisimamma - can you tell me anything about minecraft dungeons? DD age 5 plays minecraft, has seen ads for minecraft dungeons and wants it. I don't really understand minecraft, but she makes cool stuff at the moment.

Watch some YouTube videos of Minecraft dungeons,

it's an action adventure game, but Minecraft themed. You work your way through the dunegoens (levels) fighting enemies to save the villagers. You can play online with friends or on your own. You collect armour and weapons etc to help you.

It's not like typical Minecraft where you build nice worlds and craft things.

I got my DCs laptops during lockdown and they both prefer Minecrafting on those than the Xbox.

Can someone explain the difference/what is better, Minecraft or Roblox? Specifically for a 5 year old

My 5 year old has minecraft and Roblox. She makes stuff in minecraft - it's really open ended. Yesterday it was a menagery and she was giving her animals names (the closest she will get to writing in half term), today it was giant statues of some cartoon characters.

Roblox is a range of games she can play. It can be hard for her (and me) to work out what you are meant to do in the games. She isn't allowed the chat on for Roblox, but she can't read fast enough for it anyway. She doesn't play Roblox as much as it isn't as open ended.

This is timely for us too as I am thinking of getting Minecraft for my 8 year old for Christmas. Can I ask what kinds of time limits you apply to screen time? I think he would be on it constantly if I don't limit it smehow?

My two 8 and 9 play creative.. have to watch it though when other kids come around, as they are allowed to play survival... and mine are not..