Video games other millennial dads question

[mcmurtry66]

Spent 5 hours with my minion at the zoo today. Was spectacular. I cannot remember a more perfect fall weather morning and day with my minion.

But the shit's about to get real. winter with a minion. he'll be 4 in april. thinking of xmas gifts. thinking about a switch. any of you have one? is 4 yrs old too little? no games for that age? ruining his brain? Locked inside without lots to do will be the winter from hell

 

[hookyIU1990]

I wouldn't, but that's just me.

Fill his stocking with nerf guns, toy trucks & tractors, whiffle ball sets, Legos, boxing gloves, etc.

If you HAVE to go video game:

Worst decision I ever made was allowing my boy to start video games at 6 years old.

 

[UncleMark]

But the shit's about to get real. winter with a minion. he'll be 4 in april. thinking of xmas gifts. thinking about a switch. any of you have one? is 4 yrs old too little? no games for that age? ruining his brain? Locked inside without lots to do will be the winter from hell

Erector sets. Teach him how to work with his hands.

 

[mcmurtry66]

I wouldn't, but that's just me.

Fill his stocking with nerf guns, toy trucks & tractors, whiffle ball sets, Legos, boxing gloves, etc.

If you HAVE to go video game:

Worst decision I ever made was allowing my boy to start video games at 6 years old.

My god that football game was spectacular. Soccer was passable but nothing like football. We have boxing gloves, wrestling mats and about a thousand trucks trains monster cars race tracks etc. but noted on the switch. I trust you’re right

 

[IUclover]

We are buying a Yoto Mini for our 3.5 year old. There’s a regular Yoto that’s bigger and probably cooler but the mini will be better for travel and car rides.

The Yoto competitor is a Tonie so you could check that out. Also magna tiles are cool too.

I think video games might be too much for a four year old. Minecraft might be ok though.

 

[IUclover]

I’ll add a free thing to keep him busy. Download the Khan Academy Kids app on your phone/ipad and some other simple games. That should kill an hour or more in a day.

 

[mcmurtry66]

We are buying a Yoto Mini for our 3.5 year old. There’s a regular Yoto that’s bigger and probably cooler but the mini will be better for travel and car rides.

The Yoto competitor is a Tonie so you could check that out. Also magna tiles are cool too.

I think video games might be too much for a four year old. Minecraft might be ok though.

Oh yeah those look good 👍

 

[mcmurtry66]

I’ll add a free thing to keep him busy. Download the Khan Academy Kids app on your phone/ipad and some other simple games. That should kill an hour or more in a day.

He’s at the point where naps are coming to an end. That’s 3 hours of bliss that’ll have to be filled

 

[IUclover]

He’s at the point where naps are coming to an end. That’s 3 hours of bliss that’ll have to be filled

Same. We do the ninja class thing but I’ll probably add another climbing or swimming class.

We went to a few CU and Air Force basketball games on the weekend last year too. Pretty cheap and easy way to kill a few hours while watching D1 athletes.

 

[mcmurtry66]

Same. We do the ninja class thing but I’ll probably add another climbing or swimming class.

We went to a few CU and Air Force basketball games on the weekend last year too. Pretty cheap and easy way to kill a few hours while watching D1 athletes.

That’s the thing. People bitch about youth sports but Fing hell. It gobbles up their energy and fills our time

 

[twenty02]

4 is too young for a Switch IMO.

We got my son one for Christmas when he was 7. My daughter was 4 at the time and would try to play it but didn't have much success and couldn't do a whole lot. By 6 she can play ok now, but that's about as young as I would bother. It has the auto shut-off once the daily time limit has been hit. And they are only allowed to use it on weekends, breaks etc... Used to be daily but was becoming a problem.

Indoor hoop if you've got the space for it.. we use it all the time. My son is on his 2nd version and still uses it frequently even at 9. We've made up all kinds of different games on it.

 

[twenty02]

Oh yeah those look good 👍

They are good. My daughter uses hers a lot. Get the wireless headphones

 

[snarlcakes]

Spent 5 hours with my minion at the zoo today. Was spectacular. I cannot remember a more perfect fall weather morning and day with my minion.

But the shit's about to get real. winter with a minion. he'll be 4 in april. thinking of xmas gifts. thinking about a switch. any of you have one? is 4 yrs old too little? no games for that age? ruining his brain? Locked inside without lots to do will be the winter from hell

Have more kids. They entertain each other. My sons have a switch and they play on it a good amount. Set limits and it’s fine. Plus, if you’re hungover on a Saturday morning, it can get you another hour of sleep. The house might be f#cked, but you’ll be well rested.

 

[hookyIU1990]

We are buying a Yoto Mini for our 3.5 year old. There’s a regular Yoto that’s bigger and probably cooler but the mini will be better for travel and car rides.

The Yoto competitor is a Tonie so you could check that out. Also magna tiles are cool too.

I think video games might be too much for a four year old. Minecraft might be ok though.

I can see his minion plugged into SXM's Liquid Metal channel already.

 

[GetFreshCrew]

Spent 5 hours with my minion at the zoo today. Was spectacular. I cannot remember a more perfect fall weather morning and day with my minion.

But the shit's about to get real. winter with a minion. he'll be 4 in april. thinking of xmas gifts. thinking about a switch. any of you have one? is 4 yrs old too little? no games for that age? ruining his brain? Locked inside without lots to do will be the winter from hell

Prolly too young at 4 but N-Switch is the way to go for kids...

All the Mario games and Nintendo sports etc. Our daughter is 13 and the other day I stayed home sick with her and we played NBA2k4--it was glorious except she kicked my a$$.

 

[mcmurtry66]

Prolly too young at 4 but N-Switch is the way to go for kids...

All the Mario games and Nintendo sports etc. Our daughter is 13 and the other day I stayed home sick with her and we played NBA2k4--it was glorious except she kicked my a$$.

Excellent!

 

[Joe_Hoopsier]

I know this sounds terrible, BUT.
My #9 grand kid (boy), he's now 5. Hours upon hours of Blippy (is that the ghey looking orange and blue dressed pedo?), paw patrol, and a shit ton of other shows on Nickelodian and what ever other kids channels. I swear by the time he was 4, he could rebuild a Cat excavator hydraulic system, and knew the the best thing for snakes was a steam roller.
What he learned totally amazed me. Still does. But for the love of all that is holy, someone kill Minecraft already !!!

 

[mcmurtry66]

I know this sounds terrible, BUT.
My #9 grand kid (boy), he's now 5. Hours upon hours of Blippy (is that the ghey looking orange and blue dressed pedo?), paw patrol, and a shit ton of other shows on Nickelodian and what ever other kids channels. I swear by the time he was 4, he could rebuild a Cat excavator hydraulic system, and knew the the best thing for snakes was a steam roller.
What he learned totally amazed me. Still does. But for the love of all that is holy, someone kill Minecraft already !!!

Yeah I know every last show out there. We have an Xbox and Minecraft was the only game that my daughter would play. She still messes with it now and again

 

[dr.jb]

I wouldn't, but that's just me.

Fill his stocking with nerf guns, toy trucks & tractors, whiffle ball sets, Legos, boxing gloves, etc.

If you HAVE to go video game:

Worst decision I ever made was allowing my boy to start video games at 6 years old.

agree, need to wait a couple years. start out slow then graduate to some real gaming

we need more doctors

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

Spent 5 hours with my minion at the zoo today. Was spectacular. I cannot remember a more perfect fall weather morning and day with my minion.

But the shit's about to get real. winter with a minion. he'll be 4 in april. thinking of xmas gifts. thinking about a switch. any of you have one? is 4 yrs old too little? no games for that age? ruining his brain? Locked inside without lots to do will be the winter from hell

Too young. Try and hold out until 6. Mine is addicted so we limit it to an hour per week.

Mario cart and Mario games would be your best bet. Might be a Bluey game too (such a great show). He’s too young for FIFA but soon enough you’ll be able to play with him.

I would wait. Get him in sports.

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

I know this sounds terrible, BUT.
My #9 grand kid (boy), he's now 5. Hours upon hours of Blippy (is that the ghey looking orange and blue dressed pedo?), paw patrol, and a shit ton of other shows on Nickelodian and what ever other kids channels. I swear by the time he was 4, he could rebuild a Cat excavator hydraulic system, and knew the the best thing for snakes was a steam roller.
What he learned totally amazed me. Still does. But for the love of all that is holy, someone kill Minecraft already !!!

Blippy is unwatchable. Lots of other good shows.

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

I wouldn't, but that's just me.

Fill his stocking with nerf guns, toy trucks & tractors, whiffle ball sets, Legos, boxing gloves, etc.

If you HAVE to go video game:

Worst decision I ever made was allowing my boy to start video games at 6 years old.

My parents were in the poorer side for a while growing up so this was my only video game option for years

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

Erector sets. Teach him how to work with his hands.

You’re talking to a guy that can’t make his own coffee

 

[BadWakeboarder]

4 is too young for a Switch IMO.

We got my son one for Christmas when he was 7. My daughter was 4 at the time and would try to play it but didn't have much success and couldn't do a whole lot. By 6 she can play ok now, but that's about as young as I would bother. It has the auto shut-off once the daily time limit has been hit. And they are only allowed to use it on weekends, breaks etc... Used to be daily but was becoming a problem.

Indoor hoop if you've got the space for it.. we use it all the time. My son is on his 2nd version and still uses it frequently even at 9. We've made up all kinds of different games on it.

Indoor hoop is where it’s at. A normal small hoop on a stand for the basement and an over the door (get a good quality one) for a first floor closet. Glue pads to the back of the backboard so it doesn’t scuff the door too badly.

Also consider a practice golf net and some foam golf balls. Start him young.

 

[hookyIU1990]

 

[BradStevens]

Spent 5 hours with my minion at the zoo today. Was spectacular. I cannot remember a more perfect fall weather morning and day with my minion.

But the shit's about to get real. winter with a minion. he'll be 4 in april. thinking of xmas gifts. thinking about a switch. any of you have one? is 4 yrs old too little? no games for that age? ruining his brain? Locked inside without lots to do will be the winter from hell

No video games. Too early. Building toys. Cars. Racing tracks. Action figures.

Soccer ball with sensors so he can dribble all winter.

 

[CO. Hoosier]

Spent 5 hours with my minion at the zoo today. Was spectacular. I cannot remember a more perfect fall weather morning and day with my minion.

But the shit's about to get real. winter with a minion. he'll be 4 in april. thinking of xmas gifts. thinking about a switch. any of you have one? is 4 yrs old too little? no games for that age? ruining his brain? Locked inside without lots to do will be the winter from hell

Built my kid a climbing bed when he was about 31/2. Had an upstairs, downstairs, ladder, climbing gym, toy box, he loved it one of the best dad things I did.

This is the kinda the idea if you wanna buy instead of build

 

[BradStevens]

Built my kid a climbing bed when he was about 31/2. Had an upstairs, downstairs, ladder, climbing gym, toy box, he loved it one of the best dad things I did.

This is the kinda the idea if you wanna buy instead of build

Ask @Joe_Hoopsier

He’ll tell you he’ll build you one, then back out at the last minute.

Pergola bunk bed might be cool, though . . .

 

[Univee2]

No video games. Too early. Building toys. Cars. Racing tracks. Action figures.

Soccer ball with sensors so he can dribble all winter.

$100.00

Corrupting the young is a major offense.

Wiffle balls and bats. Small size golf clubs, footballs and basketballs.

We’re surprised. Very surprised.

 

[dr.jb]

Indoor hoop is where it’s at. A normal small hoop on a stand for the basement and an over the door (get a good quality one) for a first floor closet. Glue pads to the back of the backboard so it doesn’t scuff the door too badly.

Also consider a practice golf net and some foam golf balls. Start him young.

yeah, on 2nd thought screw the video games.

take him outdoors for some fresh air, have a catch and some batting practice

 

[IUclover]

Ask @Joe_Hoopsier

He’ll tell you he’ll build you one, then back out at the last minute.

Pergola bunk bed might be cool, though . . .

COH is being modest by not telling us he also put in a hot/cold ventilation system in the bed.

 

[dr.jb]

Spent 5 hours with my minion at the zoo today. Was spectacular. I cannot remember a more perfect fall weather morning and day with my minion.

But the shit's about to get real. winter with a minion. he'll be 4 in april. thinking of xmas gifts. thinking about a switch. any of you have one? is 4 yrs old too little? no games for that age? ruining his brain? Locked inside without lots to do will be the winter from hell

sorry, I missed the indoor requirement

music is always good. start him young. you never know, you might have another Van Halen prodigy

 

[Baller23Boogie]

Blippy is unwatchable. Lots of other good shows.

I would watch Blippy all day long over the cult that is Ms Racheal.

 

[All4You]

Erector sets. Teach him how to work with his hands.

Girders and Panels

 

[Spartans9312]

Spent 5 hours with my minion at the zoo today. Was spectacular. I cannot remember a more perfect fall weather morning and day with my minion.

But the shit's about to get real. winter with a minion. he'll be 4 in april. thinking of xmas gifts. thinking about a switch. any of you have one? is 4 yrs old too little? no games for that age? ruining his brain? Locked inside without lots to do will be the winter from hell

Use some of that cash and buy a place in the country. Let that boy run…get him out of the concrete jungle.

Hold off on gaming as long as you can….and like Twenty said only on weekends

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

I would watch Blippy all day long over the cult that is Ms Racheal.

I’d rather watch anything than both of those. Ms Rachel wasn’t liked by my youngest so I escaped.

 

[All4You]

I’d rather watch anything than both of those. Ms Rachel wasn’t liked by my youngest so I escaped.

I would watch Blippy all day long over the cult that is Ms Racheal.

The wife and daughter took my grandson to Blippy in Bloomington over the summer for his birthday. So glad I didn't have to go.

 

[All4You]

No video games. Too early. Building toys. Cars. Racing tracks. Action figures.

Soccer ball with sensors so he can dribble all winter.

I wonder if there are any church sponsored indoor activity programs for single parents? If there are, I bet they skew predominantly female. Give the minion something to do and possibly a playdate for dad too. Multitasking at it's finest sir!

 

[Joe_Hoopsier]

Ask @Joe_Hoopsier

He’ll tell you he’ll build you one, then back out at the last minute.

Pergola bunk bed might be cool, though . . .

Well in his case, he built it for a 31-32 yrs old son…. I’d probably melt down when I found that out!! lol

 

[mcmurtry66]

Too young. Try and hold out until 6. Mine is addicted so we limit it to an hour per week.

Mario cart and Mario games would be your best bet. Might be a Bluey game too (such a great show). He’s too young for FIFA but soon enough you’ll be able to play with him.

I would wait. Get him in sports.

Use some of that cash and buy a place in the country. Let that boy run…get him out of the concrete jungle.

Hold off on gaming as long as you can….and like Twenty said only on weekends

My house is like the Marinovich project. Not only is he on a club team already he gets private training twice a week on top of it. He runs nonstop.

I’m talking about when winter hits, there is ice outside, and I’m trapped inside with this maniac