How Old Were Your Kid(s) When You Got Them Their First Video Game?

My son is 3 1/2 and we finally caved and got him a mobi go. We have a brand new never used wii but I feel he's too young for that so it's best to keep it hidden. The mobi go is educational so I wasnt to worried. He only played it for the first week and now it just sits, lol. He would rathe rplay with legos and tinker toys I guess! :)

When I was little, kindegarden to be exact I got my first nintendo, but my parents limited the time we could use it

We got our son a Leapster for his fourth birthday and he plays with it a few times a week, mostly in the car as we are driving to and from places. It is educational and I have seen a positive difference in his math skills since we got it. He turned 5 last fall and received a "plug-in" video game (that is, essentially, a controller you hook into the TV). It is purely a game - no real educational value aside from hand-eye coordination. We let him play it as well as watch tv only on the weekends. Weeknights are reserved for reading, crafting, family games, etc. So far, I think it is a good balance.

not yet and DS is six. I have no plans to buy one either.

We bought a Leapster at age 5, a Wii at age 6 and a DS at age 6. We held out as long as possible, too! :)

If it were my way, I wouldn't have them be gamers at all. But my husband and father in law started them on it when they were only 2 or 3. It is a nightmare. I hate them and my kids who are now only 4 and 6 are totally addicted. My fil gives them video games for every holiday/birthday... I limit the play, but it's just difficult. they like to watch their dad play, and I don't like the things they see. We set ground rules, and my husband doesn't play games that are too scary and his playtime has gone down, but it still isn't ideal.

My son has one of the Leapsters and he's 3.5. We didn't buy it and we don't store it out in the open, so if he wants to play with it, he has to ask. Honestly, he's way too young for anything fancier and only plays with his on a rare snowy/rainy day.

The "big boy" in our house, however would like an XBOX 360 for Father's Day under the guise of a "cool thing to do as a family". He's 38, so I'll probably let him have one!

My girls recieved a DS when they were 10 and 11. They weren't really interested until then. We got a Wii for the family when they were 11 and 12. And they still play. We probably have around 20 games for it. I have friends who have Wii's or the other game system similar to the Wii and their kiddos are 4, 5, 6, 7, and up (different families). So I think it is up to you and what kind of games you want your little one to play. Thier are all kinds for his age, but remember if you buy one like that then he will grow out of it soon and you'd have to upgrade. If you get him a DS you can take it on road trips and they have games for all ages. Definately money well spent. My girls are teens now and still play with their DS's and still ask for games for them...and the Wii too. Hope this helps some. Good luck and God Bless.

My daughter started playing her own video game system at about 3 years old. We did not cave in but rather found it to be very beneficial for her. At 8 years old she seldom actually plays a video game in spite of there being many in the household.

my son was 5. his older cousins gave him all their old games. im one of those moms that if that dont get it at home they will find a way anyway. then you can have dialogue with him. my 8 yr old daughter has a dsi, ipod, etc.....

I got my SS's an old original Nintendo w/the original Super Mario Brothers game when they were 7 & 5 they are now 20 & 17...and we have had a game system of some sort ever since. *My* kids haven't grown up in house without one, they are 8, 6 & 4.

I don't think the problem is with the game system - it's with whether or not there are limits on it. I don't quite have this issue yet because my girls are not quite coordinated enough for a game system yet but they do have ipods which they love. I keep them stocked with learning games and limit their time on them. They of course complain but the alternative I give them is donating the ipods to appreciative children! :) I know our time is coming soon and I will probably get them an xbox kinex and appropriate games for their age. Not gonna lie though... I'm happy without it in the house! On a side note we don't have cable and no one here has died. I'm pretty sure no one's kids will die from going without cable or game systems should any of us choose to forgo! :) And kids might publicly mock my children but I figure that grows character in the long run, right? I do feel sorry for my kids every now and then...

I'll let you know.
So far our son is 13 and we have not bought one yet.
He can play a very few games online on the computer but that's it.
He's played some in after school care after his homework is finished.
If you just know the moth is going to be irresistibly attracted to the flame - don't play with fire.
He's so busy he just does not have a lot of time for game playing.
Your son is coming up to when reading will be getting itself established in the next few years.
Don't be setting him up with an irresistible distraction right now.
Many people start the kids on games and apps when the kids are toddlers.
And then so many complaints on this site are about kids who veg out and do nothing (even into their 20's) but play video games.
The longer you can stay off that road, the better.

Santa brought my 6 year old son a DS for Christmas. I'm about ready to mail it back to Santa! It's great to bribery, but it's such a power struggle. I have to tell him he can't play it, take it, etc. It's such a pain. I'm not going to be a mom who lets him become a zombie. I thought oh this will be so great to keep him busy when we are in the car or when I'm running. (I go for 5 mile runs, so he still comes in his Bob b/c I can't expect him to run that long and I need that time to zen out). But... I want him to enjoy the sights of the surroundings when I run. I want him to be able to sit in the car and look out the window. But... we are doing Disney in December and I will be happy to have it on the plane!

Maybe a Wii won't be so bad as it's not portable like a DS. So... I think it's good and bad. I definitely am already tired of having to restrict it, but I'm glad he has something to talk about with his little friends.

My 2 and 3 year olds have Mobigo learning game systems, but i have strick limits on their use. They get to play them 20 min a day usually while i am making dinner. Most days they dont play them at all but when they do they know the rules and when the timer goes off the games go away with no fighting about it or they will be gone for a week.