Nintendo Switch - is 4 too young?

[greenbirdsong]

If anyone has a Nintendo switch or similar type console what age do you think is too young to play?

Me and my husband have thought about getting one for a while. Mainly for us but of course our 4 (nearly 5) year old would want to have a go.

He has played on one before as my friend has one and he loved it (still talks about it now!).

I'm just worried that 4 is too young to play on a games console?

It might just be me wanting to still baby him and I don't want to start the inevitable battles with screen time to start at a young age.

It would be for games like Mario, Mario kart etc. Not connected to Internet. Limits on playing. Playing as a family etc.

I had a SNES when I was 5 for context!

What age did your kids first play on similar games consoles?

Not yet at 9 and 7.

We held off for as long as we could - 10 I think. It's a PITA, I'd hold off for as long as you can 😄!

I think he would get the hang..but I would avoid for a bit longer. I bought DS when he was 6. He doesn't use it all that often apart from if we travel it comes in handy.

So many other toys a child that age will enjoy. Save the switch till much later.

We have one - initially for us, but DD (7) plays on it when we say she can (Mario, Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing, Zelda); DS (nearly 4) has had a go at Mario but doesn't have the understanding/dexterity to play yet, but does watch us play sometimes. Tbh an age appropriate tablet with relevant games would be better at that age, but if you want a Switch for yourself get one.

In small doses I think it's ok for 3 upwards, that's when mine was allowed to use.

I also think it's too young but husband thinks it's fine as we had consoles at 5. But I do think these days they're more addictive.

Thank you! Helps back up my point to husband that if he wants one for himself then fine, but he would need to hide it from our son until he's older!

For a 4 year old I'd get an Amazon fire tablet instead.

We have one and our 5 and 6 year old play on it but they're limited to Fridays and Saturdays and only after lunch which appalls all their friends but works for us as any more and their behaviour goes downhill.

My son had one at 6, I think 4 is too young.

My son played Cbeebies apps and Lego apps on a tablet at that age.

Thanks to lockdown and needing to work to survive and a much older sister my youngest probably started playing mario at 4. He's now nearly 6 and his hand eye, dexterity and writing are brilliant! It's not for everyone but it's not done him any harm. Although he is now far more proficient than me. Personal choice though. Ours is his sisters so he can only play when she says so and he always comes off when he's asked. He's now pokemon mad so has played that too. He also does sports clubs, reads alot and does lots of off screen activities only you know which way you are happy to parent!

My son is 5 and he can play with double sticks, last week for the first time he learned how to break blocks and place a different block in minecraft and went about perfecting all the mistakes in my build It was a proud moment for me.

My boys have one they are 6 and 9 and they had it for Christmas 2020. I think they're good as they can be out away out if sight. We tend to say you can have an hour of play on the switch if you read a book or do some homework etc. So it's like a reward.

I would say around 7/8 is the right age for a Switch. 4 is quite young still, mine both had an iPad with simpler games on at that age.

I would go for iPad instead. There are lots of free CBeebies apps, and my children love the Toca Boca apps :)

tocaboca.com/apps/