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Original poster

Nintendo Ds for a 3yo - too young...?

9 replies

Noomininoo · 05/05/2013 22:40

My DD1 will be 6 at the end of the month & we're planning on giving her a Nintendo DS as a birthday present. The problem we have, however, is that DD2 will be 3 in the same week & whatever DD1 has DD2 has to have as well Hmm.

DD2 copies her big sister with everything & always wants to play with the same toys DD1 is playing with (although to be honest - that also goes both ways - squabbling siblings eh...!Hmm). I'm just envisaging birthday week turning into WWIII if DD2 doesn't get to have a play on DD1s DS Confused

I've had a look on ebay & reckon I could pick up a cheap 2nd hand DS for about £30 which will do DD2 fine (it will also solve the issue for us about what to buy her as well as we're a bit clueless at the moment as she already has a ton of stuff handed down from DD1). The question I have, however, is - is 3yo too young to have a DS...? We'll obviously restrict her screen time & tbh DD2 is quite active so I can't see her being on it loads anyway as she prefers running around driving us all mental.

What age were your DC when they had a DS & what DS games would be suitable for a 3yo girl...?

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fuzzpig · 05/05/2013 22:46

I think it's ok if you limit screen time. My DS plays on the (family) ipad, he's 3.

My DD has played on our old DS console as well, again it's not actually hers but she is allowed time on it.

Her favourite game was Pocoyo as we love the tv show.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 05/05/2013 22:47

DS was 8 and I think that's a bit too young. At 3 I think you are best taking charge of the games, she's still very young, they are small and easily lost and expensive.

The problem we have, however, is that DD2 will be 3 in the same week & whatever DD1 has DD2 has to have as well. Surely that bit is a windup though?

fuzzpig · 05/05/2013 22:48

Oh and we also laid down rules right from the start about not using it around bedtime, definitely not in bed.

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Droflove · 06/05/2013 09:14

I think its too young. Also there is no harm in teaching your 3 yr old that she will have to wait to get things until she is the same age DD1 was. I am the second daughter in our house and I understood this well from a young age that I was NOT the same as my big sister. I had to wait to start horse riding lessons, stay up later etc. I still complained but it was an important life lesson and kept things fair in our family.

ilovepowerhoop · 06/05/2013 09:15

ds got one around that age as we went on holiday and it was great to use during the flight.

fuzzpig · 06/05/2013 09:35

Also there is no harm in teaching your 3 yr old that she will have to wait to get things until she is the same age DD1 was

I do agree with this

Snowflakepie · 07/05/2013 16:04

DD has played on my old DS since she was about 2.5. She liked the peppa pig games we got for her for a long journey, but still only wanted to play them for about 20 mins and needed help from an adult. I don't think I would have bothered getting one for her had we not already owned it.

My SIL got her 3 year old a leapfrog leap pad system for Christmas the year her 6 year old got a DS. The games are more child friendly and the unit is not so fragile. Might be worth considering as it will still be a 'console' but is clearly different, and more age appropriate? I do agree that you will need to start making the point that the little one is younger, otherwise your older child will get resentful and the younger one get things when they are clearly not ready for it. I speak as an older sister who is peeved to this day that my younger brother had the same bedtime, same curfew and same pocket money as I did despite being 3 years younger. Just nip it in the bud now, she's old enough to understand.

Brownowlahi · 07/05/2013 22:19

My dc3 got a ds for Christmas when she was 2. Her older sister and brother had one and she spent so much time arguing with them trying to have a go it wasn't fair on them. They generally have them on weekend mornings to buy me an extra hour in bed (meaning I don't have to open my eyes till 7.30!) and if we are on a long car journey. It just wasn't worth the arguments in this house for her not to have one and I'm glad Father Christmas brought it for her. She plays the peppy pig game and gets how to do it.

mikkii · 07/05/2013 22:26

My 2.5 yo had her brothers old (dying) DS when we replaced his. Having bought DH an ipad mini, he has given his DS to DD1 and DD2now has use of DD1's DS which actually works.

I agree with the advice about looking after the games, we have lost a few although they each have a container for their games.

Peppa pig games are good for lo's but since they can't read you still have to help. A lot.

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