Switch lite for 4yo

[Heartbeeps]

My 4 year old son has got it in his head he wants a switch for Christmas. We’d get the switch lite but is he too young?

The way he talks about it, he thinks the actual console is the game, not that you play different games on it so he doesn’t totally understand the concept. Partner thinks he will get to grips with one but I think he might be too young. I’ve explained to him that he wouldn’t be getting any other presents and he says that’s fine! Hmm..!

Part of me would rather get him the thing he actually really wants, especially as we don’t have the space for loads more toys. But I don’t want him to be disappointed if it’s not what he expects it to be, it’s too difficult for him to play etc.

Any advice??

I think he’s far too young for a console personally. My dd is almost 5 and wouldn’t get it at all, she’d lose interest I think.

A 4 year old doesn't need a console. They should be playing with toys, in the garden, using their imagination to play etc, not playing computer games. Just my opinion though I'm sure others will disagree!

We have a Switch, not the lite, and our 4YO enjoys Mario Kart played with the steering wheels. It’s quite fun as you can do it together. IMO 4 is way too young for the switch lite.

For the price, and your description of his level of understanding of the console, I would wait another year or so. We bought my dc one when they were 6 1/2 and it has still taken them prob 6 months to get the hang of different games etc.

It depend son your son tbh. Does he already play games on a pc or tablet or phone/ watch people play games on kids youtube, do you or your partner play games yourself etc? My 4.5 year old loves games on the PC, he only plays Minecraft but has been playing for almost 2 years now, only in the last 6 months or so has he started to understand how to do more in the world beyond bashing blocks and running around. Your son may need a lot of help at first, especially with the two handed controls if it is not something he is used to. But equally he could have a lot of fun! Although if he is destructive and likely to throw it at the floor I would suggest not getting a switch lite at this point.

Eh, he's 4, Christmas is a lifetime away...why is he even talking about it??

"You're not old enough yet" is a good enough answer.

My 5 year old is getting one, but he has been playing on a Xbox for at least a year with his dad, in fact he is very good on it and can beat adults on it at games. He is definitely going to be a geeky gamer child and I've learnt to accept it, it what he enjoys doing. That said it his time on it is limited. Luckily for me his dad works abroad so his time on computer games goes in cycles when his dad home then she's not looking at it when he away again.

I'd wait a few years and then get him a proper switch so that you can play family games, as you cant play a lot of them on the switch lite.

4 is far too young for a console.

If you feel you want to get him some sort of device to play on, get a kids fire tablet and download a few free games for him.

I’d wait, also the bigger switch might be better as you can play it on the tv as well. I like the switch but the joycons don’t seem to last long considering our wii still works and must be 20 years old, it’s annoying.

On that note, I know they’re old now but Wii’s are much more user friendly if you’re not used to controls and there always seem to be cheap bundles on Facebook marketplace. Could upgrade in a year or so.

I would agree, 4 is too young

4 is a bit too young, better off with playing stuff on your phone or a tablet tbh, more apps/games that can be downloaded suitable for his age and how long it could hold their attention.

We are getting one for our 9yo, she’s been asking for a couple of years. She had no interest at 4yo but my youngest who has just turned 4yo will definitely be on it Xmas day, she’s use to playing her older sisters games and wants to play the same as them. I think if your DS is use to playing games and can master it then it’s up to you what you buy your child. I’d personally go for the main console rather than the lite though.