Christmas... sorry it's so early...aibu to get my 4 yr old a gaming console for Christmas? 😬

[Sushi123]

That's pretty much it really...was thinking of Nintendo switch, or preferably something cheaper if anyone has any suggestions...I know pretty much zero about gaming etc

Please don't, there are so many toys out there for 4 yr olds that don't involve sitting in front of a screen...

Please don't, there are so many toys out there for 4 yr olds that don't involve sitting in front of a screen...

Please don't, there are so many toys out there for 4 yr olds that don't involve sitting in front of a screen...

YABU. And at 4 he may not be interested. We have a Wii (which we’ve had since before kids) and the nearly 8 year old plays with it but the 4 year old isn’t interested. It’s more difficult for them than you might think.

You may well find 4 is too young to understand how the games etc work. My 9 yr old had a switch for Christmas last year and my now 5 yr old has absolutely no clue how it works, nor is he interested..

His brother occasionally ropes him into playing multiplayer mario karts but to be honest he just sits there pressing random buttons and coming last in all races. He doesn't even realise he's last...

He is far happier playing with his train sets, Lego sets etc..

Plenty of time for games consoles (and the battles that go with them 🙄)

YABU. Get them an age appropriate toy for Christmas FGS I have no idea why you would think a 4 year old would need such a thing.

My bil and sil are getting a Wii for my nephew who is turning 5. I think this is far too young but that's their prerogative and yours. 4 is so young, would it not be better to get him more role play type toys so he can use his imagination or take him out for the day to the zoo etc? If you get him a Wii at 4 what will you get him when he is 7/8 years old? Just seems young to have him plonked in front of the TV. Of course you can impose time limits on it and things like that but I would be encouraging more physical activity at this age. My lo's are younger than yours though and I do not think my 3 year old would be interested in a Wii for her next birthday. It is hard to find them something they don't already have though, I would just hold out a little longer before getting a Wii

The responses are almost unanimous OP, so I’m wondering if you could give us a bit more information about why you want to buy your 4-year-old a console that will encourage him to sit indoors playing on his own.

He must either have just started school (and be a young reception child) or be starting in September — do you really want to be bringing a possible gaming addiction into the mix at such a crucial time in his development?

My 3 year old loves playing on my husband's old wii. She doesn't play on it often, less than once a week and for a short period, but she does like it. That said, I think he's probably too young to fully appreciate it so I'd wait another year or 2. I'd never have bought her one, it's just because we already have it.

No. My personal theory is no tech at all until they are solid, strong readers, so minimum 8, preferably about 10.

YABU

If you know zero about gaming, why are you considering getting them a games console?

OMG, so sorry about multiple replies.. App said it had failed to post.... FGS....

My 4 year old plays on the switch and the wii.

MARIO kart, a paw patrol game (he’s a fan), a dancing game, a sports game and a sing along game.

The paw patrol game he plays alone but the others we play as a family - they’re active, fun and they do the same things as a board game in terms of encouraging turn taking, following the rules etc.

Obv you have to be careful about how much screen time they get relative to other stuff, but video games aren’t inherently bad for them.

You do need to choose games carefully though.

My youngest son has been gaming since that age. His older brothers have an xbox. I don't have a problem with it so long as his time on it is very limited (which it is). But then we're quite a techy family anyway.
At 4 though there were lots of things he couldn't really do so it might be a bit of a waste so early on. Buy him an Alexa. My kids adore Alexa. They love her more than they love me.

I have an almost 5yp and we have recently got out the wii from the loft and honestly it's really hard work. He cant really play it without an adult. He gets cross when he doesn't win. He gets cross he can't do it. I wouldn't buy a console. Waste of money. Buy some amazing toys with the same money while they are still interested.

I have an almost 5yp and we have recently got out the wii from the loft and honestly it's really hard work. He cant really play it without an adult. He gets cross when he doesn't win. He gets cross he can't do it. I wouldn't buy a console. Waste of money. Buy some amazing toys with the same money while they are still interested.

A dreadful idea, because once you give a child a games console they want to play on it all the time and reject all other toys. Some of my 13 year olds friends seem addicted to them. We refuse to indulge child and he enjoys a lot of sport which he competes to county level in cricket and swims for large town also aquthlons and cross country running. He has Training for shorts and Scouts too. If you give 4 year old gaming you will take away their chances in other things they need to develop. Wait till they are in high school if you must get them one.

We got our 4 yr old a kindle. Big regrets still and he is 7 now. If only I had asked Mumsnet... I thought he would use it for reading. Have to do a lot of policing now and it brings no one any joy at all.

Totally agree with AlwaysChedder.
Children grow up fast enough,therefore toys are the best gifts,especially educational ones.
They get to use their imagination.

Haha, nope!

Yes YABU. 4 years old???? I don't think I'd encourage a 14 year old to own a game console let alone a 4 year old. You can download educational games on to an iPad if you really must have them sat in front of a screen! My DS will be 4 in November and I am genuinely flabbergasted that you'd even consider a games console as an option. DS is too busy playing with puzzles , super hero's , Lego , outside kicking ball around etc to even think about being sat down 'gaming' ... odd.

Yes YABU. 4 years old???? I don't think I'd encourage a 14 year old to own a game console let alone a 4 year old. You can download educational games on to an iPad if you really must have them sat in front of a screen! My DS will be 4 in November and I am genuinely flabbergasted that you'd even consider a games console as an option. DS is too busy playing with puzzles , super hero's , Lego , outside kicking ball around etc to even think about being sat down 'gaming' ... odd.

Yes YABU. 4 years old???? I don't think I'd encourage a 14 year old to own a game console let alone a 4 year old. You can download educational games on to an iPad if you really must have them sat in front of a screen! My DS will be 4 in November and I am genuinely flabbergasted that you'd even consider a games console as an option. DS is too busy playing with puzzles , super hero's , Lego , outside kicking ball around etc to even think about being sat down 'gaming' ... odd.

Yes YABU. 4 years old???? I don't think I'd encourage a 14 year old to own a game console let alone a 4 year old. You can download educational games on to an iPad if you really must have them sat in front of a screen! My DS will be 4 in November and I am genuinely flabbergasted that you'd even consider a games console as an option. DS is too busy playing with puzzles , super hero's , Lego , outside kicking ball around etc to even think about being sat down 'gaming' ... odd.