My kids have started to get into computer games a bit and I was wondering if any of you could recommend any titles that are VERRRY simple to play. My son just turned 3 and my daughter 2.

They can play all the dora/diego games on the DS properly along with eyepet on the ps3. My son can't race yet but he loves driving round the open map in the lightning mcqueen game.

Basically anything that requires pointing on the Wii is too hard as the attention span isn't long enough but any of the movement stuff is fine. If it is a title on the 360, ps3 or PC then 2 buttons is probably the limit. We had some success with scooby doo as a third person roaming game but most of the dialog is in text and neither of them can read pretty much at all yet.

Edumacational games are a plus and they like the 'pick the country' style flash games. I guess another restriction is games with time limits. I am sure they could play a heap more games if they weren't tossed out of the game because of time limits in the race/level whatever..

My 3 nearly four year old loves and kick arse at Link's Cross Bow Training

AvP.

i'm not really a prude and I don't mind them watching animated violence on the tele but shooting crossbows at animals and creatures is maybe a year or 2 away yet. I am still at the point where I have to save every f***n xmas beetle that has landed on his back!

tried catch? it's awesome for developing hand eye co-ordination and kids who are good at sport rarely get picked on, lego is also good because it teaches the kid to use their imagination and problem solve, crayons and paper also make for a great afternoon and you can put the resulting masterpiece on the fridge, combine stickers for even more hilarity.

Don't want to tell you how to raise your kids, but I am.

Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort? Theres not much pointing in those games, its mostly waggling and moving the remote around, and most of the stuff is pretty simple and easy to pickup.

Guitar Hero/Rock Band? They've both introduced modes for young kids now, Lego Rock Band especially is designed to be accessible to kids. It has a super easy mode that means you can hit any button or any pad on the drum as long as you do it in time to the music, and its Lego, everyone loves Lego! You can even set the songs to play in short mode, where it doesn't play the whole song, if attention span becomes a problem.

tried catch? it's awesome for developing hand eye co-ordination and kids who are good at sport rarely get picked on, lego is also good because it teaches the kid to use their imagination and problem solve

You know what else can be great for developing hand eye co-ordination, as well as engaging kids and getting them to use their imagination and problem solve? Video games!

Company of Heroes

Why not get some Virtual Console games on the Wii?

The youngest nephew loved putt putt at that age. Then Insane 4x4, monster truck madness, and finally Crazy Taxi.
the older ones are now doing various GTAs and portal at age 10-14

I take it you where picked on bit as a kid imitation?

Pencils, catch and lego can only go so far and if that is the extent of your parenting tips I feel sorry for your kids.

There is an obvious fascination with kids playing these games because they love the characters in the movies so much. What is better than racing around as the favorite character of your favorite movie.

The wii sports games are ok, the boxing seems to go pretty well but the rest are too structured. The timing in bowling is a real problem too. I haven't really played the wii resort stuff too much. Might give that a burl.

Why not get some Virtual Console games on the Wii?

+1

super mario bros is a good game :D

L4d2. Get them prepared for the zombiepocalypse now.

That or the Lego games. They're great fun for the whole family.

I always thought TF2 seemed pretty child friendly with the comical characters and colourful weapons, but now that that f***ing demo has that f***ing cheaty sword that slices you apart, well now the game is not friendly for anyone.

My 2.5 yr old daughter has been using Babysmash on the pc for 9 months or so now.
Awesome program for the really young ones first using a pc, locks keys out etc.
She also loves running around in KungFu Panda on the 360.

Babysmash download page.

Yeh we played baby smash aaages ago it drove me nuts :)

i'm not really a prude and I don't mind them watching animated violence on the tele but shooting crossbows at animals and creatures is maybe a year or 2 away yet.

They shoot targets and not people or animals(at least not to the level my daughter is at). Wooden circle targets.
I am a prude when it comes to what my children play and watch, but I don't have a problem with LCBT. Not saying you have to force your child to play, but just letting you know it's a target training game and not a hackem shoot arrow at people kinda of game.
That's the only game my 3 year old plays. The 2 year old will watch people gaming but shows no interest in actual gaming.

That said, the first came my then 5 year old played was Marvel vs Capcom *hangs head in shame*. before then she didn't touch a computer or console.

last edited by Kat at 19:00:27 20/Dec/09

My 2.5 yr old daughter has been using Babysmash on the pc for 9 months or so now.
Awesome program for the really young ones first using a pc, locks keys out etc.

6mth old here f***ing loves it, also props to spook for originally recommending it

They shoot targets and not people or animals(at least not to the level my daughter is at). Wooden circle targets.

There are levels where you need to kill spiders, birds, goblins knights in armour and skeletons.

the Naruto games by ubisoft

if he likes racing games get him on to track mania. Create levels with lots of loops and jumps and "fun stuff", or just fart around on the pre-made levels, free to if you get track mania nations. might be a bit mature for them but if its free its worth a try.

That said, the first came my then 5 year old played was Marvel vs Capcom *hangs head in shame*. before then she didn't touch a computer or console

Wtf are you talking about? MvC was a f***ing awesome game.

You know what else can be great for developing hand eye co-ordination, as well as engaging kids and getting them to use their imagination and problem solve? Video games!

Spot on, Khel. imitation, l2troll or go home.

Balance is everything. Hey Ross, when your kid turns 4yo get him down to Small-sided Football (soccer). We look after 60-odd kids at that age and they friggin love it. Especially when it's raining and muddy. Hehe, all the parents are like, "Is football on today? It's raining!?" and we always say, "You bet! Kids love the mud!"

What I find freaky is watching kids that age use a mouse. It's like second-nature already. Creepy.

spose you could get him a qgl account and teach him to troll noobs?

I think Persay has the best suggestion yet.

No good could ever come from reading or posting on this forum :)

Why not get some Virtual Console games on the Wii?

+1

get them into mame as well ;)

atm miss 6 and miss 4 are mostly into Airport Mania, Tux Math and Big Balloon Blowout.


The Grandparents bought them BBB as a gift - it's somewhere in the $20 ballpark.

BTW - you can get them their own Steam account and take a look at the kiddy games on there as well. There's tonnes of cheapy $5 ones in there.


last edited by koopz at 10:20:08 21/Dec/09

at bigw they have a great range of software + hardware designed specifically for children. a little pricey though but give it a shot!

Those games suuuckkkkkk. We tried the land before time and my son said little foot looked like a turd

Just found this!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rwl8WZHy9z4

Looks AWESOME!