Playing video games as a family is a great way to bond with your kids and share in their
interests. You can find many video games that are just as fun for adults as they are for kids,
offering the perfect mix of challenge and family-friendly content to please all audiences. If you’re new to gaming as a family, you might be wondering what you can do to ensure a safe and healthy experience for your household. In this article from UPMI STEAM Learning Centers, we’ll explore some tips and resources to help you create the perfect family gaming experience!
The Many Benefits of Video Games
The idea that video games rot your brain has been long been disproved. In fact, video games offer all kinds of mental benefits. Research shows that avid gamers enjoy improvements in memory and attention. Playing video games can also give your kids a confidence boost and improve their decision-making skills, while at the same time serving as an enjoyable break from stressful school work. Kids also learn how to cope with failure and overcome challenges when playing video games. What’s more, Parents.com explains that playing online games is a great opportunity for kids to practice their social skills!
Minecraft for Families
Minecraft, a popular sandbox game, is a great introduction to gaming for families who want to play together. By playing Minecraft with your family, you get a chance to work together and build a world with your family that is exclusively your own. The game is all about exploring, building, and being creative.
You can play Minecraft locally with members of your household or join an online server and
connect with players all over the world! You can even create your own family-friendly Minecraft server to ensure your kids can play safely online. If you go this route, consider making your gaming experience even more fun by designing a custom banner for your family Minecraft server. Just select a template from an online collection of Minecraft banner designs and customize it with your own fonts, images, and backgrounds.
Choosing Consoles and Games
Various gaming systems are designed for different types of gaming. Some common console
options include those made by Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft. When choosing a console,
SavvyMom.ca suggests considering the availability of age-appropriate games, the potential
longevity of the system, the availability of parental controls, and options for add-ons and
accessories that will make gaming more fun.
Parental Controls and Safety Settings
Parental controls will help you protect your kids from threats when they’re playing games online. Familiarize yourself with the safety settings on your new console. For example, most gaming systems include options for parents to restrict certain games, set up special user profiles, and create passwords to ensure your kids have to ask permission to access mature content. You can also limit the types of people your children play with online or stop others from interacting with them at all.
Setting Screen Time Limits
It’s also a good idea to limit the amount of time your children spend playing video games in a day. Too much time spent sedentary on the couch can lead to issues like obesity and high blood pressure. Plus, excessive screen time can cut into other important activities like homework, sleep, and outdoor play. Determine how much screen time you’re comfortable with and make sure your kids understand these limits. You could even have your kids earn screen time by doing chores or completing homework!
If you’re looking for more ways to spend time with your kids, look no further than video games! Gaming is a fantastic pastime for people of all ages. To get started gaming as a family, try family-friendly games like Minecraft, take the time to understand parental controls, and choose a console that best aligns with your family’s gaming interests.
UPMI STEAM Learning Centers are designed to support and inspire students all over the world, presenting underprivileged and under-resourced children opportunities to achieve academic success. Make a donation to support our cause!
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