Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to buy 5 year old a DS lite

73 replies

cosysocks · 20/01/2011 21:23

Ds is five shortly, he enjoys playing games on ps3 and wii with dp, however games not educational (but still age appropriate).
My mum is selling ds lite and I was considering it for ds.
Is this going to be a big mistake? My thoughts are at least he can have educational games to play as there are none for wii and ps3? I'm just worried about him having one so young, but if he is going to play games I'd rather them be educational.
Other thoughts are a Leapster but is this just going to be cast aside quite sharpish.

OP posts:
MorticiaAddams · 20/01/2011 21:29

I would but what sort of educational games are you thinking of? Not that I've seen too many as dc have them for games mostly but he might need some help reading the instructions.

Squaredance · 20/01/2011 21:29

Call me old fashioned but the longer you can spin him out without that pile of plastic crap the better. At least wait til he's begging you for one in a few years!

I don't care what "they" say about getting so-called "educational" electronic games. Learning from a 4 inch by 2 inch screen is not the same as learning from real life. It doesn't set off the same neurons (non technical but you get the drift - development of brain cells) that real life play/development does.

Please don't buy it for him. There'll be other cheap DS lites come along in the future, this isn't the only one. With the money you'd have spent on the DS lite, give your DS a big new pile of books and some educational toys instead - while you still can!

mummyosaurus · 20/01/2011 21:32

I'm with squaredance. DD is 5 and she won't get a DS until she begs for one. Most of her friends have had one for a while though.

missyfafa · 20/01/2011 21:33

Way too young. Whats' wrong with going outside and climbing trees? I don't even let my child watch telly at that age, no wonder kids have so many behavioual problems.

pointythings · 20/01/2011 21:33

My DDs got their DS at ages 5 and 7 - on the understanding that games purchase was at parental discretion and time would be severely rationed.

It's not an evil thing, it's just another toy - if you handle it right, there'll be no addiction problems.

I would wait until your DS asks though - my DDs did, so Santa obliged. I haven't regretted getting them, they've been life savers on occasion (such as stuck at Gare du Nord for 8 hours awaiting Eurostar during Icelandic volcano crisis).

SherbetDibDab · 20/01/2011 21:36

I'd get an i-pod touch instead. The games are cheaper, it's got a camera and you can put some music on it.

Tras · 20/01/2011 21:36

Only if you can really be strong and limit the length of time he is on it. My friends son has one and he is totally addicted to it. Cries when he loses and becomes so frustrated. TBH I think there is enough time in his future for him to have such games. However just my personal opinion.

looblylu · 20/01/2011 21:36

DD had a Ds from age 2 and it hasnt done her any harm.

compo · 20/01/2011 21:36

My ds got one at age 6
he still climbs trees and reads loads of books
he goes on it for about an hour sat and sunday night

cantspel · 20/01/2011 21:37

mine both had an ds by 5 and they loved them. They were also great for traveling, taking on holiday ect.

Lots of great games for them and dont limit yourself to the educational ones. Nothing wrong with letting them enjoy a bit of mario or spiderman.

Blackletterday · 20/01/2011 21:37

I don't think ds's come with compulsory leg clamps, so playing outside should still be a viable option. Go for it, he will probably be mad for it to start with, then get bored and use it occasionally.

Elk · 20/01/2011 21:40

My dd2 got a ds lite for her 5th birthday, dd1 was given one (not by me) when she was 3. IME they don't really like the educational games but as long as they don't spend too long on them it shouldn't be a problem. I also don't allow them computer or ds time for an hour before bed as I feel that it winds them up a bit too much.

Original poster
cosysocks · 20/01/2011 21:40

If he was to get one the plan is to give him strict time limits on it.
He hasn't asked for one yet, although I know alot of his friends have them so I'm sure it's only a matter of time.

OP posts:
fluffygal · 20/01/2011 21:41

My DS (5) got a leapster for Christmas and honestly, it doesn't get put down. He loves it! But he doesn't play any other computer games (except maybe Mario Kart on the Wii about 3 times in his life).

missyfafa · 20/01/2011 21:41

I think at five kids should be happy with a picture book.

whoknowswhatthefutureholds · 20/01/2011 21:42

why bother? surely he has enough time staring at a screen with a ps3 and wii and tv...

bubblewrapped · 20/01/2011 21:42

my grandaughter has one. she is 4 and it keeps her very quiet in restaurants and on car journeys..

usualsuspect · 20/01/2011 21:42

I think its fine for a 5 year old to have a ds lite

Squaredance · 20/01/2011 21:43

I have been put off by knowing kids who literally have their DS lites etc in hand from dawn til dusk. They are nice kids, educated, but barely grunt and are obsessed with the things. Those and games stations. The parents thought they would limit the time spent (full of good intentions like we all are) and realised it was useful/quite nice to have the kids occupied for a half hour or so whilst they made the tea etc.

Before long it was an hour... two hours... every minute of the weekend. If they don't have them they are whining for them/counting the hours down til they do have them. Like I said these are well educated, pleasant and socially capable kids but these games consoles have taken over their free time.

I absolutely detest them not because I am some sort of Luddite but because we have no idea of the long-term effects this is going to have as yet on kids and I am of the very strong opinion that the younger they start on this crap, the worse.

norksinmywaistband · 20/01/2011 21:43

DD just turned 6 and got one for her birthday.
Her favourite game is wordsearches and attempting the crosswords Hmm
And that was the game I bought for me when she is asleep!!
She goes on it most evenings after school for a little while , but soon switches off in favour of mad running around games with her younger brother

maxpower · 20/01/2011 21:43

My 4yo uses my DS with games appropriate for her - I don't moderate her use as I find she's only really interested in using it for 15mins or so at a time. If you'll get it for a good price, you can always put it away until Christmas or his next bday.

arentfanny · 20/01/2011 21:44

DD is 5 tomorrow, she is getting the Leapster Explorer, we have a DS lite, she plays with it occassionally, but we find we have to sit with her to read the instructions to her, whereas with the explorer, they get told the instructions.

MrsPennySworth · 20/01/2011 21:46

It's fine IMO. Some kids (only some!) can get a bit addicted to them but you can limit the time. Think they are great for long car journeys etc.

Original poster
cosysocks · 20/01/2011 21:47

missyfafa- he gets to play outside
whoknows he only gets to play on dps ps3 and wii on a saturday morning with dp.
He gets lots of 'floor time' playing with both dp and myself.

OP posts:
KickArseQueen · 20/01/2011 21:48

I'm with sherbertdibdab, especially as dd2 now wants an mp3! although there is a disney game on the ds which was intrumental in making dd2 want to read more than anything else in the world, aged just 5 and having only started reception she has now finished the oxford reading tree.

Its a toy, it has its positives and its negatives, and personally I think the advantages outweigh the negs as long as it is not abused - letting a child play it continuously would be very wrong, but to have a DS / ipod touch as part of a balanced lifestyle with lots of other toys/games is fine.

Games consoles are not the work of the devil!