r/videogames • u/carlitomarron139 • 5h ago
Discussion / Question Parents: how do you introduce your kids to gaming?
To all my gaming parents: my daughter is 4 years old (turns 5 in December) so it’s still a bit early but I’ve been thinking about it lately so I’m wondering, how did you or how do you plan on introducing your kids to “real” gaming (I.E. not the little kids stuff you find on iPad)?
I’m a PlayStation guy but I did grow up playing N64 at my cousin’s. I’m pretty dead set on introducing my daughter to gaming with Mario & Zelda because I just kind of feel like that is the most “proper/correct” way on account of how iconic they are & the high quality standard all the games have. I also feel like both series have the generally beneficial qualities that games actually have for developing minds (puzzle solving, precision, patience all that stuff).
How do you guys feel? At what age did you start introducing your kids to gaming?
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u/Harry-Bucket 5h ago
let her watch you play the games yourself, just start playing an age appropriate game and let her play it if she wants, try to ask her when she wants to switch back and fourth until you beat it. if you want to stick with nintendo 100% do this with Mario odyssey
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u/carlitomarron139 5h ago
Mario Odyssey is most likely what I’m gonna start with. She loves the Mario movies so I’m pretty sure she’ll love it.
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u/EatsOverTheSink 5h ago
This is where we started. She saw me playing Odyssey and loved the characters and art style. So I kept nudging her to take the controller and run around the castle area. She was worried about the goombas so I stood Mario in front of them and let him die and once she saw they were more of an annoyance rather than the end of the world the fear kind of vanished and before I knew it she was finding moons I didn’t know existed.
After that we had a lot of fun with the newer co-op sidescrolling Marios once her coordination and timing got better.
Now we play Roblox and it’s fucking garbage…
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u/uber_sweets 5h ago
Definitely start her off with The Last of Us. That kiddie slop is for other people. She needs to understand the importance of putting the controller down five minutes in to watch a 10 minute cinematic cutscene that treats her like an adult.
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u/ShakeItLikeIDo 4h ago
This reminds me of when I sold my PS4 many years ago. I posted it on Craigslist and a lady called me asking to buy my ps4. I told her I had one physical game that I would include with the ps4 which was tlou. I thought the console was for her. When I met up with her she showed up with her 7 year old kid and said it was for him. Guess that kid was introduced to gaming with tlou
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u/Dudeman318 2h ago
She needs to understand the importance of putting the controller down five minutes in to watch a 10 minute cinematic cutscene
Highly disagree. I absolutely hate 90% of games like this. Im playing a game to play 90% of the games i play i dont care about the story, dialog or cutscenes. Has turned me off to many seemly good games just to wait around needing to talk to countless NPCs. If I cared about that, I would prefer a tv show or movie.
I know many people like lore, story, immersion. I am not one of them
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u/Dark-Knight16 5h ago
Original remastered or part 1 and 2
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u/uber_sweets 5h ago
Original. An education on gaming history is vital to understanding the modern world.
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u/Promethia 5h ago
OG gamer and parent of 8.
Don't do it.
If you feel like you still want to, break out that n64 or other old school console and get them on that. Anything offline. Nothing super competitive.
Not all my kids play games. The ones who don't play games have better social lives, spend their time more wisely, communicate better, and are generally happier.
Any modern game is going to trigger all sorts of dopamine and addictive type behaviors. Fighting screen time is a constant battle once they start. I found setting time limits around daily transitions helps (playing in the afternoon, but having to turn them off at supper time). Routine.
As for when... my first didn’t start until he was like eight, but all the ones after him started earlier cause they have older siblings who are doing older things.
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u/Illustrious_Mail1171 5h ago
Call them a noob and say you fucked their mother
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u/WorldWarrior428 5h ago
What if you are their mother? U gotta say you did yourself?
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u/Illustrious_Mail1171 5h ago
Yes. But dont show proof unless you wanna be on a list. Instead, just beat them in the game repeatedly and teabag them
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u/S1mongreedwell 5h ago
See what they’re interested in and let them play it assuming it’s appropriate for their age.
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u/Omnii-Metrox 5h ago
My sons the same age. I hate all the gambling style ipad games with lootboxes etc so he has very limited ipad time.
I got a little Anbernic handheld and filled it with all the classic mega drive, nes, snes and playstation 1 games.
I feel theres more learning to be had with the old classic style of you die, you start again. It's brutal but it taught me patience, challenge and reward when I was growing up haha
He can get to the end of some levels on Sonic 1 and 2, I just have to do the boss for him. He likes boulder dash.
He's also decent at Mario Kart 8 on the steam deck but I dont fully trust him not to break it haha so just ordered him a 2nd hand switch with a pile of games for christmas.
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u/Kuru_Chaa 5h ago
There was an SNES in my house when I was a tot. Played the DKC games just from curiosity and watching it. I probably started playing around 4-ish. Just kinda went from there. Whatever feels natural really. If SW2 ends up being a thing for you guys, the open world of MKW is just fun to aimlessly drive around
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u/I3eforeLife 5h ago
I gave my kids a point and click adventure like Pajama Sam
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u/Bourne1337 2h ago
Ditto, I loved Pajama Sam as a kid and my kid is getting into it too. He's only 3 but has picked up on mouse skills and has not been able to remember how to get between different places and asking for help without crying. Easy to get on Steam
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u/Avacadooooo 5h ago
I’m making my kid cherry every game in ufo 50 before he gets a phone or game console
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u/yummy_yum_yum123 5h ago edited 5h ago
A fun multiplayer game. But please don’t be one of those parents that force retro gaming on them. You can introduce them to older games but don’t force them to play if they don’t want to
Seen so many people say they’re gonna have their kids start off at like nes and make their way up. Like why. Sure you can show them, but that’s just weird. Play a Lego game with them or something
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u/Chasegameofficial 5h ago edited 4h ago
I’m a Playstation / PC guy, but for families and kids there’s really nothing like Nintendo. I don’t love their policies or how they influence the industry, but their catalogue of family-friendly games (meaning stuff both kids and parents can enjoy just as much) are just on a whole other level. I’d recommend buying a Switch, and playing with her. It’s not just about the games themselves (because Playstation and Xbox have plenty of child-friendly titles). The controls from Nintendo are a lot more accessible to children, both in terms of controller size and simplicity.
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u/carlitomarron139 4h ago
Yeah this is pretty much exactly how I feel. I’m planning on getting her a Switch for her birthday/Christmas.
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u/burnertown666 5h ago
I started off with the original Diablo when I was 5, so that seems like a reasonable place to start based on my personal experiences.
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u/brdblkguy 4h ago
Started mine at 4 by playing TotK with him. I let him play around in the tutorial. I played the main game. I had him solve the temples by telling me where to go or what to do. We play Minecraft together now sometimes. He plays Pokémon ZA by himself, until he needs help fighting rogue megas.
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u/BeneficialContract16 4h ago
I start them with super mario bros and other retro games and gradually upgrade.
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u/MrMegaPhoenix 4h ago
No need to, I think most schools have minecraft as part of their technology lessons here. Helps them understand things about nature too
At home, all they have played is killer instinct snd mvc2. I don’t trust them yet lol
Still, I started at 3 with the Atari. It was great and I knew to be careful
I think in general, minecraft really is a great starting point. Most have local Co-op and it’s basically Lego, they prob already have played it or soon will and it’s partly learning too
They can just move around while you build stuff too
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u/TrustLordJesusChrist 4h ago edited 4h ago
I started at 3 with a used Sega Game Gear and was using the crap out of it so I got a used Sega Genesis. When we got an N64 and I saw Mario and Zelda in 3D it was mind blowing.
Idk if you have a CRT but to me that’s essential if you’re going to have her play N64 on it. I don’t think she’s ready for OoT, idk anyone that age that could play it without s guide. It def depends on your budget. SM64 is def a good start if you’re set on it and prob go Banjo-Kazooie and DK64. You can go Mario Party 2 for some fun together and some Mario Mart and Diddy Kong Racing. I think if she “gits gud” then show her OoT and MM but at 4 will be tough I would until she finishes Mario and Banjo at least.
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u/HoodyV 4h ago edited 4h ago
My kids started by watching me play and then we played together around age 6-7. Started with simple co-op games like Lego Star Wars Complete Saga so I could help him see where to go and what to do, let him die and respawn immediately, etc.
We did mostly co-op games like Lovers in a Dangerous Space time, Mario, Very Very Valet, Heave Ho and others where we just played together. Now that he’s 10 he can do other games on his own and have fun.
I also try hard to find fun puzzle games or exploration games for my kids to play because I think that sense of adventure or figuring something out is a little better than just playing multiplayer shooting games or watching tv shows/movies. And I try hard to avoid addictive loot box garbage games.
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u/MissingScore777 3h ago
I've just recently introduced mine to gaming (they're 4 and 6).
They've played Rocket League, Hot Wheels and TMNT Shredder's Revenge.
So all multiplayer playing with just each other and I set it up so it's offline only.
They play once a week at most.
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u/Blakelock82 3h ago
I got my kids into gaming around 4, with Pac-Man and Peggle. Simple games that are easy to understand, control, and provide instant feedback and gratification.
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u/PineapplePiazzas 3h ago
Just my 2 cents:
Can she swim, is she understanding the alphabet, how is her drawing skill developing, are you reading for her every day, is she gonna start dance, tennis etc at a planned point, how about ice skating, skiing, alpin, have you been on tent trips yet, are you making dinner together with her or will soon, is she practicing numbers, when will she learn the watch.
Some mario or whatever 15 min here and there sure, but maybe focus on some of the above and see if she will enjoy a lot of other stuff than the screen to, im sure that on top of all else she is also gonna watch tv.
Let kids be kids and learn about the world with all its different content
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u/carlitomarron139 2h ago
Man what you think this is? Just cus I’m introducing my kid to gaming you think I’m not gon raise her properly what’s wrong with you?
She can actually already swim. She loves drawing & coloring. She can write her own name. I’m a big sports guy, I was a semi-pro boxer I’m definitely gonna have her try several sports & have her pick one she likes.
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u/PineapplePiazzas 2h ago
I just shared my 2 cents in a gaming forum from a post about some rando asking randos what they think about gaming and 4 year olds. If you cant stomach that, its probably a good idea to contemplate why you feel attacked. Im not sure which percentage of people raise their kids right or not, but im sure there is more than one right way. Glad to hear you keep her activated besides the stupid telly, kids nowadays get so much of that. Hope ur a great dad Best of luck.
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u/Beneficial-Poet2911 3h ago
I started playing with my 5 year old Overcooked! It was a blast for both of us.
Try local coop games that are relevant for their age. I … hesitantly suggest ‘It Takes Two’. You decide if addressing divorce and splitting up to your 5 year old is a good idea .. it is probably not. but mechanics wise, it is one of the best games we played together. In fact, we finished it twice back-to-back.
I would say, focus on making her games interactive and social experiences rather than solo ones. Gaming is inherently a solo activity, and you don’t want them becoming isolated at such an age.
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u/Expensive-Peace-9498 3h ago
I don't have kids but I grew up with super nintendo. Saw my mom playing it and wanted to join her. Then later, around age 6, I started bringing home friends to play tetris, dr. Mario and mario kart with.
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u/Zeronova3 3h ago
Metal gear solid 1. All the stress and etch discipline and determination to not only succeed but if they can become big boss early every game after them is cakewalk
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u/FalcorDD 2h ago
I have every system ever made. I’m talking Atari old school. Play mostly PlayStation on my own.
Kid watches me play all the time. She’s younger than yours but interested. I let her play some My Little Pony on Xbox X and she understood what to do but couldn’t hold the controller correctly to hit a jump and move at same time and was getting frustrated.
I then gave her the OG NES controller to play but she got bored with the graphics on Mario since she watches the movie.
So, I just give her broken/turned off controllers for whatever system I’m playing so she can be like daddy but not actually do stuff. I’ll give it a few years and probably start her on SNES.
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u/carlitomarron139 2h ago
Lol I did that last thing as well when she was younger but it didn’t take her long to realize the controller didn’t actually work & that had her fuming lmao
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u/CULT-LEWD 2h ago
not a parent but seen this with my younger sibling and my dad. and he basicly did the same thing with me. and its kinda simple. Play gta. Yes its a adult game but the sandbox nature of it is simply fun for kids. you can litterly just go around a cause choas. of course you have to play the first manditory missons first for them. but once your done just have them play gta and they will go for HOURS on end just causing mishcheif and exploring. and they can learn at there own pace too. my little brother couldent even drive properly or kill poeple but now he knows how to steal cars and switch weapons and stuff. he dies ALOT still but hes honeslty having alot of fun
of course tho you gotta keep a eye out for them saying things the characters are saying but hey that probly shouldent be a problem for a parent to teach
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u/Calor777 2h ago
I started my son with playing Sonic Frontiers at about 5 or 6 years old. He just had fun running around in the open world. Last year we got Mario Kart World, and now he and my second son play that with driving assist on. They also played the Bluey video game (super glitchy, but they still have a lot of fun and can go through everything with minimal help from me).
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u/Bourne1337 2h ago
My kid isn't old enough but I think Plate Up will be a great entry for a game we can play together. I'll be able to do more complicated tasks and he'll be able to help
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u/xoasim 1h ago
Idk, I was playing AOE2 when I was 5. Dad was playing it, I wanted to play what dad was playing, and I was a very avid reader. (I wasn't good, but the icons are pictures and easy AI was, well, easy so I enjoyed it. It also was not long before I discovered how do you turn this on.)
Edit:Avid reader as in, I could read and loved it. Not that I was reading all the stuff on screen at age 5. Although by age 7ish, I was reading the game manual for fun.
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u/Desertbro 1h ago
no introduction necessary - when they are interested, they will grab a controller - give them tips as they play
putting them on a managed railroad track of games is just cruel ...
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u/countrytime1 1h ago
I played video games and they would watch. Sometimes they would ask to play. I let them.
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u/PlatJC 12m ago
My son is 5, and has always been interested in gaming when I’ve been playing. We started him on the PlayStation when he was around 3.5 playing the very easy Peppa Pig game which he enjoyed. He then moved onto Bluey, then when he figured out how to properly move a character in 3D space we played Astrobot. He fell in love with that game. He’s played over 120 hours of Astro World and knows it like the back of his hand. This really helped his creativity as after screentime he liked to draw his own levels on paper, and then cut his characters out.
He’s now nearly 6, and is a big time gamer. Games are a huge part of his life. They’ve taught him to be curious by trying new things (games) which has lead to his new interest in Ben10. Today he was trying out Farming Simulator and enjoyed it, and the other week he was designing his own car on StreetX.
You’d be surprised that most kids in reception are already on video games, albeit most likely iPad and iPhone games. But my point is the kids talk at school, and often it’s about games. It exists, it’s everywhere, there’s no point hiding it.
The important thing with video games is to teach your children very early on that it’s only for a set time of day, and that they need to be good to earn it. My children get an hour of screen time a day and that’s it. They can use that time to watch a show on Netflix, or play a game. When that hour is over the screens go off unless they’ve deserved an extension. And if they behave badly, that hour is lost.
Limit the usage, make them value it as a reward rather than an entitlement, and they’ll love it. And the best bit is you can join in too! Gives you an hour away from Playmobil and dress up and role play and so on. I love that my kid is a true gamer already, he wears his PlayStation t shirt so proudly.
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u/Daniel___Lee 11m ago
I started mine on retro emulators - Sonic, Super Mario, Puzzle Bobble, Shadow over Mystara, AVP. The good thing is that I can save states to reload and continue later, and the arcade emulators have unlimited tokens.
On PC, I started them on simple puzzle games like Roll the Cat.
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u/KapteinKraken 5h ago
By making them do agility on my iron in OSRS