No family is a stranger to video game squabbles and tantrums. But believe it or not, stress-free gaming with the kids is genuinely possible! Gaming is a huge pastime these days, with over 3 billion gamers worldwide, and people of all ages, from toddlers to grandparents, love to play.
When playing video games with children, there are a few things to remember. From exploring creative games for wholesome playing to being mindful of game content, here are some ideas.
Find the Middle Ground for Fun
Playing games with the kids is fun for everyone when the games are something you and the children are interested in. While there are indeed games that cater to kids and games that cater to adults, there are tons of games that meet in the middle. From classics such as Pinball to modern examples like LEGO Star Wars (and tons of other series), there is something for everyone, whether you enjoy competitive gaming, co-op, or working together towards a goal.
Explore Creative Games
While some have concerns, 71% of parents believe video games are beneficial for children and teens. Not all games are violent or cause tantrums. Games can be used as a creative outlet, and there are tons to choose from. Here are a few of the best examples of game creativity:
- Minecraft and Lego games offer unique ways to challenge while getting creative.
- The Sims series of games is great for older kids and offers amazing creative tools.
- City builders such as SimCity and Cities: Skylines challenge logic and creativity.
Wholesome Family Gaming with the Kids
When playing video games with children, the titles and content should be suitable for all ages involved. For instance, while you might have a couple of 15-year-olds, some games are not ideal for younger children. Fortunately, there are tons of wholesome family games designed for all ages. Even moody teens will enjoy the challenge of trying to beat their Dad at Super Mario Kart 8, and younger kids just love the bright colors and loveable Nintendo characters!
How About Cooperative Games?
Not all children like to go outside. Although outdoor time must be encouraged for health reasons, there are kids who are just plain miserable when they have to explore outdoors. Then there are also kids with disabilities. This is where games become magical, as they offer something of an escape for anyone of any age. Instead of kicking a ball outside, there are plenty of cooperative sports games and games actually designed around co-op, such as It Takes Two.
Cozy Games are Great for Relaxation
Even if you love fast-paced action, it can be relaxing to just take it down for a while! Cozy games are excellent for families because they are primarily aimed at younger gamers, although they appeal to gamers of all ages. And don’t let the concept put you off. Cozy games can be pretty challenging, and you can get lost for hours. Games such as Disney Dreamlight Valley, Stardew Valley, and Animal Crossing are extremely popular with children and adults alike.
Puzzle Gaming with the Kids
It’s Easy to dismiss video games as unfulfilling pastimes. However, what most non-gamers don’t get is that most games are actually giant puzzles. FGaming with the kids can be challenging with puzzle games. Even though advanced graphics have transformed online games, and these are attractive to kids, puzzle games offer family entertainment. This is great since 74% of parents play video games with their children, so here are some of the best puzzle games to try.
Portal 2
Portal 2 is the hugely successful sequel to a student-made Half Life mod. Today it is recognized as one of the finest puzzle games ever made, requiring fast thinking and knowledge of physics.
The Witness
One of the most visually stunning games around, The Witness combines open-world exploration with puzzles. Inspired by Myst, get ready for an unforgettable, challenging adventure.
Return to Monkey Island
Monkey Island is an all-time classic, and there are modern updates to the series. Return to Monkey Island offers more of the same tongue-in-cheek humor in a point and click adventure.
Puzzle games are immensely popular because most gamers, by their nature, enjoy a challenge. However, these are also excellent for children as they encourage logical thinking, creative exploration, and teamwork. So, instead of typical kids’ games, consider a puzzle next time.
Establish Time Limits for Gaming
Okay, so games are excellent for all kinds of reasons. These include developing logical and creative skills, coordination, and even social skills. But video games are still a hobby, and like any hobby, they are meant to fill spare time, not take the time you have. For children, this is essential. Of course, kids don’t work, but they do have household, family and school obligations. You can use console parental controls to set limits and times when the children can play games.
Promote Physical Activity
There are of course people and children who play games because they offer an escape, which is especially true of people with physical and/or mental disabilities. This is one of the best uses of games. However, physical activity is still important. Playing games for extended sessions can cause severe physical issues such as weight gain, poor blood circulation and heart issues. If the kids don’t like going outside, you can consider playing movement-based VR games together.
Discuss the Nature of Gaming with the Kids
Some games are rich and deep with layers of meaning just as thoughtful as movies and books. Games such as Life is Strange explore many of life’s topics and the struggles of growing up. When playing games with the children, discussing the themes can help them understand issues that might arise such as sex, relationships and violence. Like books, explaining and allowing the kids to express how they feel about in-game content helps them understand the topics better.
Be Mindful of In-Game Content
Further to in-game content, it can be easy to misunderstand the content presented in a video game. A survey in the UK found that 70% of British children play or have played GTA 5, and most of the GTA Online player base are probably kids, but controlling exposure is pretty easy:
- Check the ESRB and PEGI rating of a video game to check its suitability for the kids.
- Google the game to see what other parents are saying about the content of a game.
- Use the game console’s parental settings to lock certain games from being played.
Remember, It’s All About the Fun!
There are many different types of gamers. Some are as passive as a Hindu cow, and others have uncontrollable gamer rage. Whether you or the kids get a little overexcited, it always helps to address these issues head-on. Given the price of controllers these days, your bank won’t appreciate having to replace broken ones every other week! Some games are extremely challenging and only allow a little taste of glory, but it’s all about fun at the end of the day!
Summary
Finding video games that are fun for everyone involved is a good first step to stress-free gaming with the kids. Puzzle games are a great example of this, and can be just as entertaining as they are challenging. And remember, games are designed to be fun, even when very competitive.
There are many benefits to playing video games, especially as a family. Family game time can be enjoyed locally or remotely, with a wide range of options for every member of the family.
