Video games are a source of entertainment, problem solving, stress relief and development of cognitive skills for kids.
However, addiction to video games for kids brings challenges like poor academic performance, lack of physical activity, and over-dependence.
To bring a balance between the benefits and the disadvantages of playing video games, you need to understand its impact on children.
At the end of this piece, you will understand the impact of video games on kids, and how you can manage your kids efficiently.
The benefits of children playing video games
Video games can either make or break a child depending on the type of game and how often it’s used.
While most people only see the negative impacts of video games, there’s a bright side to it that most people haven’t discovered.
1. Improves problem-solving ability
Puzzle thinking games like Monument Valley help kids develop critical thinking, have pattern recognition and logical reasoning.
Such games provide challenging situations that need good planning and effective resource management.
This is great for kids to understand some of the problems that they can face later in life and how they can solve them without having a meltdown.
2. Stress relief
Many video games have great storylines and missions which can help kids take their mind off challenges that they are setting.
With a great way to relieve stress, kids can strategize on how they can tackle a certain problem which makes them more efficient when they try again later.
Video games can also help kids overcome stress that comes with loneliness as it provides a platform for collaborating with friends during missions.
3. Develops perseverance
If there’s one thing that most kids lack, it’s perseverance when things aren’t going their way or when they have to wait for something.
Fortunately, video games solves this problem as it gives kids challenges which require their perseverance for them to benefit in the end.
Video games have many progression points and table ranking which makes kids committed to a certain goal until the final day.
Video Games for Kids of all ages
Not all video games are ideal for kids of different age groups. As such, you need to identify the right video games that fit and add value to kids.
The list below will help you know which game is best suited for a kid of a certain age. Whether a toddler or a teen, these games will bring the best out of your kid.
Video games for toddlers(Ages 2-5)
There are specific games designed only for toddlers between the ages of 2-5. However, parents should ensure that the games for toddlers between these age ranges are simple and visually appealing.
1. PBS Kids Games
PBS Kids is the right game for toddlers between the age of 2-5 as it focuses on interactive puzzles, colorful art, and memory challenges.
Thai games help toddlers have strong cognitive skills like, basic problem solving, counting, and colors. It’s an easy game that’s for toddlers to play and is completely free which makes it convenient.
- Type: Educational mini-games
- Basic Gameplay: Puzzles, memory games, and art.
- Cost: Free.
- Good Effects: Builds cognitive skills.
2. Toca Boca Series
Another quality game is the Toca Boca Series which is made to help kids with imaginative thinking and boost their creativity.
In singles like Toca Doctor, and Toca Kitchen, there are different engagements like cooking, and medical puzzles which kids can use for fun and learning.
- Type: Open-ended play
- Basic Gameplay: Cooking, Health, and puzzles.
- Cost: Free with in-app purchases.
- Good Effects: Enhances health and nutrition.
3. Endless Alphabet
If you’re looking for a good word game that will enhance your kid’s language skills, then Endless Alphabet has you covered.
With letter recognition and language skills theme, toddlers can learn how to form words with different combinations and still have fun in the process.
- Type: Educational word game
- Basic Gameplay: Focuses on letters and animations.
- Cost: Paid.
- Good Effects: Language and letter recognition.
4. Lego Duplo World
Lego Duplo World is a great video game where kids can engage in block-building tasks and learn fine motor skills.
The game also helps in spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination which is important for kids’ development.
- Type: Construction and exploration game
- Basic Gameplay: Build objects and solve challenges.
- Cost: Free (Optional paid content)
- Good Effects: Fine motor skills and spatial awareness.
Fisher-Price learning games
Fisher Price Learning Games is the best option for parents searching for games that help kids with concepts like letters, numbers, and shapes.
The game is more interactive as it uses rhymes, matches, and songs to help kids memorize the content while having fun.
- Type: Interactive learning games
- Basic Gameplay: Uses songs, rhymes, and matching.
- Cost: Free
- Good Effects: Teaches numbers, letters, and shapes.
Video games for young children (Ages 5-7)
Children between the ages of 5-7 need more challenging games compared to toddlers. The games should also be fun and engaging for kids to have a positive reaction and learn in the process.
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp
Pocket camp is the perfect game if you want to teach your kids about resource management, responsibility, and social interaction.
The game gives kids their own compounds which they have to manage through decorating, and completing tasks like crafting and fishing.
- Type: Life simulation
- Basic Gameplay: Decorate campsites and complete tasks.
- Cost: Free with in-app purchases.
- Good Effects: Encourages resource management.
Mario Kart Tour
Parents who want their kids to develop a competitive nature should try games like Mario Kart which is a super racing game.
While the game helps encourage a competitive nature, it also helps the kid to have better decision making and be alert all the time.
- Type: Racing game
- Basic Gameplay: Racing and collecting power-ups.
- Cost: Free with optional paid content.
- Good Effects: Improves decision-making skills.
Minecraft Education Edition
Minecraft is the best game for parents to teach their kids the importance of teamwork, critical thinking, and an entrepreneurial mindset.
It involves building structures, completing challenges and solving puzzles which makes it educational and entertaining at the same time.
- Type: Creative Sandbox
- Basic Gameplay: Create structures and solve puzzles.
- Cost: Subscription-based.
- Good Effects: Enhances creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking.
Dr. Panda Town
Dr. Panda Town is one of the few games that helps kids try out situations of real life businesses like running a shop.
While it’s a game that encourages creativity and social skills, it also helps kids create their own reality and make the best out of it.
- Type: Role-playing and exploration
- Basic Gameplay: Create stories and interact.
- Cost: Free with in-app purchases.
- Good Effects: Storytelling and social skills.
LEGO Star Wars Battles
LEGO Star Wars is a game that encourages kids to take definitive action and develop strategies for whatever they pursue in life.
It’s about being ready and preparing a quality defense system that will help you in times of need. It’s a game that encourages logical thinking and the right execution of strategy.
- Type: Strategy and action game
- Basic Gameplay: Build structures and win battles.
- Cost: Free with in-app purchases.
- Good Effects: Logical thinking and strategic planning.
Video games for tweens (Ages 7-12)
When you’re dealing with kids between 7-12 years your main focus should be on collaboration.
Roblox
Roblox is a great game if you want your kids to learn role playing, creativity and solving puzzles while sharing with friends.
While its main idea is for coding and designing, it also promotes teamwork and collaboration which helps solve problems faster.
- Type: Multiplayer
- Basic Gameplay: Solve puzzles and role-playing.
- Cost: Free with optional paid content.
- Good Effects: Creativity, collaboration, and coding.
Plants Vs. Zombies
The main theme of this game, Plants, is learning how to protect your home against zombies. This game instills discipline and ability to think critically of your actions.
- Type: Tower defense strategy
- Basic Gameplay: Zombies combat waves.
- Cost: Free with in-app purchases.
- Good Effects: Critical thinking and resource management.
Terraria
If you’re looking for an adventurous game, then Terraria is the right game for your kid. The game involves combat, crafting, building structures, and gathering resources.
- Type: Adventure and sandbox
- Basic Gameplay: Gather resources, craft items, and defeat enemies.
- Cost: Paid.
- Good Effects: Problem-solving, and creativity.
Super Mario Maker 2
Super Mario is a collaborative game that helps kids to be competitive. It helps in engineering skills which is great for collaboration and sharing of ideas.
- Type: Platformer and game creation
- Basic Gameplay: Build and share custom levels.
- Cost: Paid.
- Good Effects: Engineering skills.
Rocket League
If you want a thrilling game that combines racing and sports then Rocket League is the game to go for. The game involves teamwork and strategic play which makes it valuable and fun.
- Type: Sports and racing
- Basic Gameplay: Score goals while driving.
- Cost: Free with in-app purchases.
- Good Effects: Promotes teamwork, reflexes, and strategic play.
Video games for Teens (Ages 13+)
Teens can manage just about any game but it has to be high graphics and more engaging.
Fortnite
Fortnite is a combat game that combines strategies for one to succeed. The game enables players to play solo or in groups depending on your preference.
- Type: Battle Royale
- Basic Gameplay: Combines strategy, building, and combat.
- Cost: Free with in-game purchases.
- Good Effects: Strategic thinking.
The Sims 4
The Sims 4 is the best life game which helps players manage characters, build homes and create stories.
- Type: Life simulation
- Basic Gameplay: Build homes, and create stories.
- Cost: Free.
- Good Effects: Resource management, and planning.
Overwatch 2
Overwatch 2 is an ideal game if you want collaboration and effective strategies. The game provides heroes abilities which gives people great responsibility.
- Type: Team-based shooter
- Basic Gameplay: Collaborate with teammates.
- Cost: Free with optional purchases.
- Good Effects: Teamwork, and reflexes.
Horizon Zero Dawn
This game is mainly rooted in combats, puzzles, and robotic experiences. This game enhances storytelling skills which most people lack.
- Type: Action-adventure
- Basic Gameplay: Missions, and puzzles.
- Cost: Paid.
- Good Effects: Storytelling skills.
Among Us
Among Us requires observation and critical thinking which is essential in completing most of the missions. The game requires you to identify the imposters.
- Type: Social deduction game
- Basic Gameplay: Involves teamwork, observation, and critical thinking.
- Cost: Free with optional in-app purchases.
- Good Effects: Teamwork, and deduction skills.
Note: All the games mentioned should be specifically used for the exact age groups proposed. This will help you see the positive impact it has on your kids.
Warning: The harm of video games to children
While video games have some positive impact like creativity and enhancing problem solving ability, they can also cause harm to children.
Parents need to know the possible dangers of kids overusing video games to see how they can create the right balance.
Violence
When kids are so much into video games like Mortal Kombat, they can often resort to violent behaviors which they see when playing.
Kids have a hard time distinguishing fantasy and reality and as a result, they don’t know that certain actions should not be implemented in the real world.
Most people, especially kids, when exposed to violent games or actions, often become immune or numb to them.
This makes them not realize the implications of their actions at an early stage and end up becoming violent in the future.
Poor academic performance
There is an overwhelming number of students with poor performances which are attributed to overuse of gaming devices.
Most kids when left without supervision give little to no time on their academic work which leads to poor performances.
According to the National Institute of Health, 62.7% of students spend 30 hours a week on their video games. A staggering number that shows you why there’s a decline in academic performances.
Parents need to take back control and reduce the amount of time kids spend on their video games to boost their academic performances.
Addiction
Gaming addiction is just as bad as other addiction because it leads to withdrawal symptoms which are not good for kids’ general growth.
Addiction makes kids preoccupied with gaming and focus and lose interest in other hobbies and social activities.
This can lead to lack of friends, or breaking family bonds and connection since they’re only interested in gaming activities.
Tips and strategies for managing your child’s gaming time
Managing your kids’ gaming time is going to be a battle, but you have to win to help improve their academic performances, social skills, and sleep.
Limit screen time
When you limit screen time, you’ll be able to control your kids’ gaming addiction and make them focus on other things.
Ensure that they can only have screen time for a certain period of time, after which, they have to close or hand over their devices to you.
You can also be flexible and reward them with screen time when they complete their assignment, finish their chores, or have a productive day.
However, sleeping and study time is non negotiable since it has a huge impact on their life and productivity.
Set parental controls
If limiting screen time doesn’t work as much as you’d want it, you can go for parental controls to help you manage your kids.
Parental controls give you access to your kids device so that you know what they’re doing when you’re not around.
A good parental control will give you access to all the gaming apps they use and other gaming sites they visit whether legal or illegal.
With this, you’ll be able to control what they can or cannot do on their device.
Encourage other activities
Kids who are overly focused on gaming need to be introduced to other activities which are not tied to video games.
You can suggest a couple of things like hanging out with friends, going for debates, or engaging in sport activities.
There are many activities that you can suggest to your kid to do that doesn’t involve them gaming all day.
Limit gaming time with FlashGet Kids
FlashGet Kids is the best way you can protect your kids from harmful content using their easy to use features.
Whether you want to limit your kids gaming time, block apps and sites, or filter content, FlashGet Kids has got you covered.
The app is easily accessible with a simple setup process which makes it one of the best parental controls in the market.
With features like screen time limit, you can set time restrictions that your kids cannot bypass. This helps them have a good gaming habit.
The app also provides you with your kids daily usage habits, so that you know the apps they use, sites they visit, and the amount of time they allocate to these activities.
Conclusion
Video games can make or break your kid, depending on how they use them. However, with the right balance between gaming and other activities like chores, and study, everything will be good.
All you need to do is reduce your kid’s focus on gaming and redirect them to other activities like camping or socializing with friends.
If you want more assistance in managing your kid’s gaming time, you can try FlashGet Kids, which is easy to access and has great restriction features.
With FlashGet Kids, you’ll be able to set screen time limits, block apps, and receive reports on your device usage.
