Your kid’s birthday is coming up? Are you looking best gift for them? So the “best gaming console for kids” is the perfect choice for parents.
The Question is! How to choose the best gaming console across the web? Because of lots of products available there.
In this article, we will categorize kid’s games console according to ages such as for toddlers, 5 to 6 & 7 to 10 years old. You are going to find out about This guide will contain the following information as well:
- Trends in gaming consoles for kids
- Game Consoles for toddlers
- Pros and Cons of kids gaming consoles
- Role of gaming for kids
- Recommendations for the best gaming consoles
So, if you are worried as a parent to choose the best gaming console for your kid, then you have come to the right post.
Let’s start exploring the world of gaming consoles!
What is a gaming console?
Are your kids constantly yelling at you to buy them gaming consoles? Parents are confused due to the various choices available on the market. The children would want the fanciest machine without caring for the price but parents do not like to spend a lot on this equipment. To solve this problem, we will look at the best gaming consoles for kids. First of all, we need to find out what is a gaming console?
It is simply a device that sends an output video signal on a monitor or television screen containing the video games that are put inside it through CD or online methods. Traditionally, people are aware of PlayStation and Xbox as the famous gaming consoles but there are a lot of other ones as well which are suited to kids and some are in fact, designed for toddlers. Before we move onto the 10 best video game consoles, let us look at the trends in gaming over the past few years.
Trends in Gaming Consoles
The trend in games has increased over the years with the development of technology. The use of smartphones and gaming laptops has made access to video games very easy for every person. The gaming consoles have maintained a steady demand in terms of Downloadable Content (DLC) as seen from the chart below. More users are moving from disc-based video games to online games. However, this does not mean that the demand for video game consoles has reduced. Modern consoles have the option to download and play games online.
The figure below shows that the demand in smartphone gaming has increased from 2015- 2019 while the traditional console gaming has experienced a slight decrease in these 4 years. Likewise, the demand for PC Games has decreased and that of tablets has been steady over the past 4 years.
This shows that people are moving towards portable devices which can be used anywhere without the worry to plug them into the sockets. The smartphones have also become more capable to handle heavy games due to their advanced processors and graphics quality. Therefore, handheld gaming consoles have maintained a steady market share due to their features of portability and high-end gaming.
What is the best gaming console for kids?
Now that we have seen the basic details and trends of gaming consoles, let’s start with our review of the 10 best gaming consoles for kids and their accessories.
1- Nintendo Joy-Con
This product by Nintendo is a controller that can be used with the Nintendo Switch console. The device consists of a pair of controllers that can be used both, independently and together. It contains the normal buttons found on a controller plus a joystick and LED indicator lights. The battery life is approximately 20 hours and you can recharge it completely in less than 4 hours. The device can be bought at around $55 which makes it a reasonable gadget. The look of the controllers is undoubtedly suited to the young ones so you can use this device as the best games console’s controller for 5 year old children.
Read also: 10 Best Portable DVD Players
2- Xbox One S 1TB (All digital edition)
The Xbox One all digital edition is a great new product from the company in which you can enjoy video games without the need for discs. The device comes with a wireless controller, 1-month access to Xbox online store and access to games like Fortnite Battle Royale, Minecraft, Sea of Thieves, etc. Users can purchase the bundle for $20 per month which included complete access for all digital games. In addition to this, you can use this console for streaming 4K videos to a television screen and enjoy movies on your Xbox. The device can be purchased at around $200 which makes this an affordable console. We can say that this is one of the best games console for 7 years old and above due to its ease of operation.
3- PlayStation 4 Slim 1TB
When the topic comes to best gaming consoles for kids, everybody is familiar with the PlayStation brand. Up till now, the latest device is PlayStation 4 and the 1TB storage slim edition is not to miss for. Priced at $ 260, this is the highest selling gaming console all over the world. The device has a 2.4 Ghz Wi-Fi option and HDMI 2.0 output. The 1 TB is storage is more than enough to enjoy all types of video games on the console and you can watch HD movies and music as well using it. The consoles come with a dual shock controller and standard cabling for connections to the television. Although this device is used by people of all age groups it is generally not recommended as game consoles for toddlers.
4- DualShock4 Wireless Controller
This wireless controller is a state of the art equipment that is used with the PlayStation gaming console. It has a built touchpad on the front. This allows the player to have greater control over the control. The other buttons and analog joysticks have been improved in terms of accuracy from the previous controllers. There is also a ‘share’ button that can be used to directly share your video games or other content on the web. It can be purchased in a variety of colours and custom designs which makes the gaming experience unique and fun. The price of this DualShock 4 is around $45 for one piece.
5- Xbox Wireless Controller (Blue)
No console is complete without a sold and reliable controller. The Xbox Wireless Controller is an ideal choice for any Xbox gaming console as well as Windows 10 computers. The highlight of this controller is the bright blue colour which makes it a popular choice among enthusiasts. It has Bluetooth feature and a 3.5 mm audio jack through which you can enjoy clear sounds without bothering your neighbours. The controller can be purchased at $ 49 which is quite a lot for a single piece.
6- Nintendo New 2DS X
This device is one of the best games consoles for toddlers and young children as it is a compact and easy to use console. The XL model has a much larger screen than the standard 2DS model. The device has a built-in camera and microphone which can be used for interactive gaming. You can enjoy a variety of Nintendo games on this device. It also has Near Field Communications (NFC) technology which can be used to engage special features in the games which support it. The console is priced at $220 which is reasonable as compared to other devices on the market.
7- Leap Frog Epic Academy Edition
Since we are discussing the best gaming consoles for kids, The Leap Frog Epic Academy Edition is worth mentioning because it is an ideal one for children. This device is a tablet which includes applications for learning as well as entertainment. It has a 7 inch screen and is operated by Android 4.4. The RAM is 16 GB with additional memory card support which is an excellent option to enjoy the number of applications. There are 2 cameras which are not found in most other consoles. The basic purpose of this device is to include learning with fun so that the young ones enjoy education. The device can be purchased at $120 which makes it one of the best portable gaming consoles for toddlers!
Read also: 10 Best Wireless Gaming Mouse Under 100
8- Higo Kids Handheld Game Console
This gaming console is a portable, handheld device which is one of the best gaming consoles for 6 years old and above. It has a 2.5 inch LCD screen where you can enjoy retro-style games. There are 182 pre-installed games on this gadget which are of different categories such as sports, puzzle, word, racing and card games. The small size allows it to be taken anywhere in the pocket and you also have the option to play the games on your large TV or monitor through the AV cable. At $22, this is one of the cheapest and best portable gaming consoles for kids at this price point.
9- JAMSWALL Handheld Gaming Console
This is another handheld gaming console by the JAMSWALL brand. This is a great gadget for old school people and kids who like to play games on the go. There are more than 400 games to choose from. These include sports, arcade, shooting, racing, card and many other types of games so your kid will not need to worry about the game choices. It has a 2.8-inch colour screen and can play up to 5 hours in one full charge.
You can fully charge the device in 1 hour. The gaming console is available at $25 and includes a separate controller, AV cable and charging cable included out of the box. Using the AV cable, you can connect it to a TV and enjoy games on a larger screen.
10- Amazon Basics Xbox One Wired Controller
The Xbox One wired controller is an excellent accessory that can be plugged into Xbox gaming console. It has dual motors which cause vibrations in the controller to allow a realistic game experience. In addition to this, it has 3.5 mm audio jack from which you can enjoy video games without bothering your neighbors.
The cable is approximately 10 feet in length which makes the gaming control easier from anywhere in the room. Priced at $20, this controller is half the price of the wireless one which makes it one of the best gaming accessories for kids. Moreover, you get Amazon Basics 1 year warranty for this controller.
Now that we have explored the 10 best gaming consoles for kids, we have shortlisted a few ones for specific categories which are listed below:
Best Gaming Console for Toddlers
Toddlers are children aged 1 to 3 years old. They require a gaming console which should have limited functions and fewer games because they should not be allowed to spend too much time staring on screen. This gaming console is a portable, handheld device that is one of the best gaming consoles for toddlers. It has a 2.5 inch LCD screen where you can enjoy retro-style games. There are 182 pre-installed games on this gadget which are of different categories such as sports, puzzle, word, racing and card games. The small size allows it to be taken anywhere in the pocket and you also have the option to play the games on your large TV or monitor through the AV cable. At $22, this is one of the cheapest and best game console for 3 year old kid at this price point.
Best Gaming console for 5 and 6 years old
- Leap Frog Academy Edition
Since we are discussing the best gaming consoles for 5-6 year old children, The Leap Frog Epic Academy Edition is the best choice because it is an ideal one for children. This device is a tablet which includes applications for learning as well as entertainment. It has a 7-inch screen and is operated by Android 4.4. The RAM is 16 GB with additional memory card support which is an excellent option to enjoy the number of applications. There are 2 cameras which are not found in most other consoles. The basic purpose of this device is to include learning with fun so that the young ones enjoy education. The device can be purchased at $120 which makes it one of the best gaming consoles for 5 and 6 year old kids!
Best gaming console for 7-10 years old
- JAMSWALL Handheld Gaming Console
This is another handheld gaming console by the JAMSWALL brand which is perfect for children aged 7-10 years old. This is a great gadget for old school people and kids who like to play games on the go. There are more than 400 games to choose from. These include sports, arcade, shooting, racing, card and many other types of games so your kid will not need to worry about the game choices.
It has a 2.8 inch colour screen and can play up to 5 hours in one full charge. You can fully charge the device in 1 hour. The gaming console is available at $25 and includes a separate controller, AV cable and charging cable included out of the box. Using the AV cable, you can connect it to a TV and enjoy games on a larger screen.
Positive Effects of video games on kids
There is no doubt that video games have some positive impacts on children as well. Some of them are as follows:
- Video games stimulate the brain and improve complex problem-solving abilities
- A child begins to think independently when he/she decides the next moves in a game
- A child can develop social skills as well through the online gaming community
- The hand to eye coordination is improved
- It may encourage teamwork if multiplayer games are played
Negative Effects of video games on kids
Most of the people know the negative effects of video games very well. We will list down some of them below:
- Excessive video games can induce health problems like weak eyesight, stress, and obesity
- A child may be exposed to violence and other inappropriate activities through video games
- In most cases, video games have a negative impact on studies
- High-end consoles and fancy accessories are becoming expensive day by day
Should kids play with gaming consoles?
The discussion of giving gaming consoles to kids a big one. The majority of people do not recommend young children to be provided with games consoles because it is not good for their health and studies. Children are instead encouraged to participate in healthy sports activities. However, digital advancements have affected the younger generation as well and they cannot live without these gadgets. Parents also find this an easy way to calm their kids by providing them with a gaming console but they must think about the negative impacts it has due to excessive usage.
How to control video games playtime for kids?
Parents face lots of problems by their kids and the main reason behind it these gaming consoles. Excessive use of any device can have harmful effects on a person and when it comes to kids, they are even more vulnerable as their minds are in the development phase. Therefore, we will give you some tips for the effective use of gaming consoles for kids.
- Do not spend a large amount of money on gaming consoles. Even if you spend a lot, your child will get bored with it after some time and then demand a new model.
- Limit the time that a kid spends on gaming consoles. Ideally, it should be on weekends only (maximum 2-3 hours per day). During school days, children should not use gaming consoles because it affects their studies negatively.
- Try to keep your children away from gaming consoles during exam season so that their entire focus is on studies.
- Keep a watch on the games your children play and the online friends they have. There is a lot of content available on video games which are not appropriate for kids and they should be kept away from it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What age should a child have a games console?
Although, parents hand over gadgets like smartphones and tablets to very young kids who are below 1 year of age, this is not a healthy practice. The recommended age for kids to be given games consoles in 7-8 years old because they know how to operate them and understand the games. There are, however, gaming consoles which are designed for toddlers as well but it is not advised to hand them such gadgets. The young children’s eyesight and mental health must be taken care of because it is very fragile.
- What is the best gaming console?
This question is mostly dependent on the user’s choices and requirements but the generally agreed best gaming console is PlayStation 4. It is the highest selling console in the world and its high brand value, functionalities and online support make it the most popular choice by every gamer. The Xbox One X is another famous choice for gaming enthusiasts while the Nintendo 2DS XL wins in the portable category. In terms of the best gaming consoles for kids, the JAMSWALL Handheld games console holds the top position due to its retro style and the variety of games.
- What console is best for 10 years old?
Since a 10 years old kid is highly aware of the gadgets these days, the ideal gaming console for such an age group is Nintendo Switch. It is a compact, portable console and comes with colourful controllers which are attractive to children. In addition to this, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One S are also popular devices for young children because they have large amounts of features for disc and online games.
- Which gaming console is best for 6 years old?
As we are discussing the best gaming consoles for 6 year old children, The Leap Frog Epic Academy Edition is the best choice because it is an ideal one for children. This device is a tablet which includes applications for learning as well as entertainment. It has a 7-inch screen and is operated by Android 4.4. The RAM is 16 GB with additional memory card support which is an excellent option to enjoy the number of applications.
There are 2 cameras which are not found in most other consoles. The basic purpose of this device is to include learning with fun so that the young ones enjoy education. The device can be purchased at $120 which makes it one of the best gaming consoles for 5 and 6 year old kids!
Conclusion
Gaming consoles are a significant portion of the electronics industry all over the world. From toddlers to old people, everyone enjoys video games that stimulate the brain and provide entertainment as well. In this article, we have had a detailed look at the best gaming consoles for kids including their accessories, pros, and cons.
We have also observed the trends in the gaming industry and provided recommendations for the effective use of gaming consoles for the young ones. Some of the products like Leap Frog Academy Edition are good because they involve learning with games.
Other tablets are also useful because they contain several strategy-oriented games which engage the minds of the young ones. The mainstream products like PlayStation and Xbox can play any type of game and it is entirely up to the user to decide what he/she wants to play. However, it is recommended that kids should be allowed a specific time on gaming consoles only and they should be encouraged to take part in other physical and healthy activities.
If you have any further question, let us know in the comment section below.
