Computer games and family arguments, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. Children want more time on the computer whilst I just want to know what they’re up to and make sure it’s appropriate!
Hubby is a gamer, and not the sort of games any parent would want to expose younger children too. As a family I love to have an evening on the Nintendo Wii, I love a dance off or Mario cart game, or tin pin bowling, and it’s something we can all get involved in. Make it a competition, throw in some homemade pizzas and you have everything for a fun inexpensive night.
Online games and iPad games are a whole other level though, and to be honest can be a bit of a minefield.
What are the Different Types of Video Games?
Video games are interactive digital entertainment that are mostly played on an electronic device. There are many different types of video games available in the market today, and they can be broadly classified into two categories – console video games and mobile/online video games.
Console video games are played on a game console which is connected to a TV. Mobile/online video games, however, can be played on mobile devices like smartphones or tablets, or a traditional PC.
Video game consoles have come a long way since the days of Atari 2600 and Game Boy – they now offer immersive virtual reality experiences that rival some real world environments!
The Benefits of Playing Video Games For Family Fun
Video games are a form of interactive media that has evolved over the last few decades into a billion dollar industry.
If your children are anything like mine, they will love to get their hands on your iPad. Honestly, I’m definitely guilty of handing it over for a few minutes peace! (Pepper Pig music may be the death of me, but also 20 minutes of space is a life saver!)
Benefits such as:
– Improving memory and problem solving skills
– Reducing stress levels
– Increasing focus and attention span
– Teaching responsibility and perseverance
– Encouraging creativity and communication
– Computing skills, yes even iPad use, will be required throughout school
– Useful as a reward for chores with older children
– Inexpensive form of entertainment
– Family fun no matter what age group
How Do I Choose Safe & Family Friendly Online Games?
Choosing safe games is not an easy task. There are millions of online games out there and it is hard to choose the best one. Some tips on how to pick a safe game for your family:
– Find out what the game is about before downloading it, so you know what you are getting into.
– Read reviews or check out YouTube videos to find out if the game has anything too violent or unappealing.
– Get creative with parental controls like age restriction, time limits, and content filters.
– Be actively engaged in what your children are playing. Don’t be sitting in another room while your children play elsewhere. Watch them and taking an active interest to understand why they like a certain game. You can also interact with them while they’re playing too.
– Be aware of in-app purchases, the last thing you want is your bank account drained!
My Choice
I have recently been using plays.org and it’s fair to say I’m quite impressed to find an online gaming site that doesn’t bombard you with ads, and has a great catalogue of games
Things that the site does really well –
– No need to set up an account, so no email spam!
– No In-App purchases
– No Ads!
– Huge selection of games
– No chat rooms or interaction with persons unknown!
– Easy to navigate sections, find games suitable for education, young children, and old school classics!
– It’s Free!
The not so good –
– Not all games/images load in the Safari browser, switching to Chrome I found worked best
– For some reason the search and game catalogue is located right at the bottom, and with such a large selection of games it took a while to find it!
Personal Favourites
I love the classic games, Pac Man and Lemmings. Whilst my 3-year-old is enjoying the Cat in the Hat selection of games, especially the bridge builder!
Without a doubt computer games are here to stay in the Sparkle household, I’m sure it’s the same for your home. Finding ways to play as a family will always get my vote. But for 1-on-1 time with my children finding a site that is free, without ads or purchases and suitable for everyone seems a great alternative too.
Let me know what you think, or what your favourite games are.
