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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

That I think DH is being daft over this....

44 replies

Consoleme · 03/01/2012 15:25

We have a 3 year old. DH wants to buy an XBOX Kinect thing "to play with our DS" for DS' up coming birthday as he keeps saying he will get a lot out of it. Am I the one being unreasonable to think that I don't think he will get much out of it? Are there any of you with 3 year olds (mine is just a "normal" bright button boy) who get much out of these? Or (and I suspect) is DH getting a toy under the excuse of it being for DS? If that's the case then it's a different discussion to have with DH but I wanted your wise opinions and experience first so I'm clued up about this bit of kit. As you can see I've not much experience with them.....please tell me what you think?

OP posts:

CailinDana · 03/01/2012 15:29

I have Wii rather than a Kinect. It's been put away for a while but yesterday I thought I should get it out for DS. He's only 1 but seeing as he can play angry birds on DH's phone (I shit you not!) I think he'll be well able to play the simpler Wii games. Of course he won't understand points but I think he'll get a lot of enjoyment from pressing the controller and seeing things happening on the screen. As long as there are relatively simple games on the Kinect I'd imagine a 3 year old will have a great time with it.

Davsmum · 03/01/2012 15:30

Personally,.. I think 3 is too young to be playing on Xboxes. I think its your DH who wants to play and using DS to get what he wants. :)

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 03/01/2012 15:31

I dont have one but it sounds like your DH wants one and is using DS b/day as a valid reason??

Personally I think 3 is far too young to be playing on a games console but maybe I'm old fashioned!!

Victorialucas · 03/01/2012 15:31

DH is at it. Try to put off the console conveyor belt for as long as possible. It's junk food for the brain.

south345 · 03/01/2012 15:33

Kinect is great for kids as its movement not sitting with a controller, they can do dancing and exercise games, we have playstation move which is similar, it's been a horrible day here and I'm a childminder but they're all exhausted after playing mario at the 2012 olympic and running and jumping on the wii.

My just turned 2 year old can also play angry birds and loves the animal noise games on the iPad.

CailinDana · 03/01/2012 15:34

I don't agree about it being junk food for the brain. Today's children need to have good computer skills and playing consoles improves their hand eye co ordination and eye tracking skills. Plus a lot of Wii/Kinect games are very physical so they're good exercise too.

CailinDana · 03/01/2012 15:35

I'm usually bloody wrecked after playing the Wii.

Oakmaiden · 03/01/2012 15:37

Personally I think 3 is too young, and he will gain little from it (other than frustration at finding it difficult to control.)

However, if you are thinking of getting a family console, then I have to say I disagree with Cailin. I find the Wii tremendously difficult to control, and wish we had an XBox or PS3.

Bunnyjo · 03/01/2012 15:37

Hahaha, methinks your DH is packaging this idea up as a present for DS, because it is what he wants. We have a very bright 4yo DD and bought her a LeapPad Explorer for Xmas, which she loves. I think 3yo is too young for games consoles and I limit DD's time on the LeapPad, even though all the apps we have on there are educational.

When I was younger I got a Scalextric set for Xmas (I was about 6 at the time) because my dad lied convinced my mum it was what I really wanted . I did get other presents too, but unsurprisingly the only one playing with the cars on Xmas morning was my dad

CailinDana · 03/01/2012 15:39

You might be right about that Oakmaiden, I've never played the XBox or PS3 so I don't know what they're like. I honestly don't understand why people are so against computer games for children, they're not witchcraft or anything. I wouldn't let DS play them all day every day but a few hours a week is fun for them and does give them exercise.

valiumredhead · 03/01/2012 15:39

Well having played one one NYE, I think they are bloody fab and I WAS VERY BAH HUMBUG ABOUT THEM BEFORE HAND -oops caps!

doradoo · 03/01/2012 15:40

My 4yo loves the Wii and has in the last 3 months really taken to it - sports games / exercise / driving games and also ones you need to think / be a bit more accurate about. He whips my arse at tennis and bowling!

My 22mo DD has copied him and knows how to work the controller on the steering wheel - not that she actually 'plays' it - and they both mimic their dad when he wii-fits!

My 7yo though is just not interested at all! My 4yo is much more intuitive with these things and 'gets' the ipad etc much more than I do, or my 7yo.

Think he might struggle at just three - but not for long!

SantasENormaSnob · 03/01/2012 15:42

3 is way too young for an Xbox IMO

Basic Nintendo ds or that innotab thing more appropriate if you feel you want to get him a gaming device.

Is he 3 or 4 this birthday?

Birdsgottafly · 03/01/2012 15:43

It is for him, primarily, as a 3 year old doesn't a game console. It is the time balance of every activity that matters, obviously there should be a range of activities on offer for a 3 year old.

Theonewiththehair · 03/01/2012 15:43

We have a wii and ds1(15),dd(8) and ds2(3) all play on it together. Very rare to find something they all enjoy because of the age difference.

Ds2 can navigate and play on his own and picked it up very quickly. I have noticed that the younger the player is the more physical they tend to be.
I think your dc could get alot out of it but I would limit playing time from the beginning.
HTH

valiumredhead · 03/01/2012 15:47

Santas I completely disagree, a nintendo ds is extremely insular and on the wii the family/friends can join in.

valiumredhead · 03/01/2012 15:48

No one needs a games console, but they are quite fun and great on rainy days.

4madboys · 03/01/2012 15:48

we got an xbox with kinnect for xmas for the elder 3 boys, they are 7, 9 and 12 and they LOVE it, as does dp, but ds4 who is 3 has shown no interest really, well he tried to have a go on one kinnect game but very quickly got frustrated and hasnt wanted to go on it at all since, he is much more happy with the cardboard rocketship playhouse he got!

Original poster

Consoleme · 03/01/2012 15:48

He is about to be 3.

Games DH wants to buy with it are adventure, disney and kinetimals.

OP posts:

4madboys · 03/01/2012 15:49

yes if you are going to get something get a console you can all play on rather than a ds, we have a ds for the boys to share and it is very insular, great for long journeys etc but not suitable for a 3 yr old.

we have a wii, and whilst its good its not anywhere near as good as the xbox, i am not sure how much it will be played with now we have the xbox tbh.

SantasENormaSnob · 03/01/2012 15:49

Yes didn't think of that aspect.

We have a wii too

SantasENormaSnob · 03/01/2012 15:51

So he is only 2 turning 3?

Way too young IMHO

Original poster

Consoleme · 03/01/2012 15:52

You see that is what worries me 4mad. That it is the thin edge of the wedge and that more "grown up" games will creep in. If a 3 year old would get something out of it then I'm willing to consider it. Last game i played was 20 years ago with Sonic, wasn't even my machine...

OP posts:

OTheHugeManatee · 03/01/2012 15:54

Doesn't everyone have a childhood memory of 'that toy that Dad gave me and then never let me use'?

I suspect that where it used to be model train sets, it's probably the Xbox now

4madboys · 03/01/2012 15:58

well we are pretty strict with regards to what games the boys play, tbh they like racing car games [yawn] but even some of those are age 12, dp will play on them first to check what htey are like if htere is no swearing etc then the middle two boys can play on them, if they are not ok then only ds1 can play but when the others arent around! they like the basic kinnect game you get with it and there is a mickey mouse game they have that they like. ds2 likes football games. ihavent had much of a look in yet tbh, dp has been playing on it every god dam evening tho

i really think if he is only about to turn 3 then he is too young, my ds4 will be 4 in march and is showing no interest in wanting to play, he wouldnt have a clue, he likes transformers and toy story toy and cars and his rocket and his toy cleaning set etc you know toys for a THREE year old, not a games console, which imo is better used by kids age 5 and upwards?

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