Minecraft Monday

To say that the Doodlebop is obsessed with Minecraft would be an understatement. His brothers love it, but the Doodlebop could talk about it all.day.long. (And sometimes does.)

The boys are only allowed to play video games on weekends for the most part. If we have a trip to Boston they get to play for the car rides. If there is a doctor visit or some other appointment, they get to play on the DS or iPad as well. Aside from that though, it's Friday after schoolwork is done - Saturdays and Sundays only.

The Doodlebop has had to find other ways to get his Minecraft fix during the week. I kind of love that it came out in the most creative way. I started noticing it little by little. Drawings here and there. Then one afternoon a few weeks ago he roped his brothers into making an entire village of sorts. The three of them spent hours on it and taped it all up to the Big Guy's wall.

This child even makes Minecraft masks ... or whatever they are. (Mommy doesn't play so she has no idea. And trust me when I say you can only listen to a kid talk about Minecraft for like an hour at a time before you just start to tune out, nod and smile.)

Kinect Nat Geo TV review

Another game the boys are currently loving is Kinect Nat Geo TV.  It also hit the stores in mid September, blending the Nat Geo WILD TV programs with Kinect technology.  I loved how educational this game is!  The boys took turns picking a subject - like grizzly bears, mountain lions, wolverines and more.  They watch videos in which host Casey Anderson speaks to them and teaches them about the animal, before you get to interact with the video as well.

The Big Guy was loving the grizzly bear segment.  Casey talked about his very own grizzly bear (that's right, he has his own bear) and then the Big Guy got to answer questions and try and spot tracks.  His favorite part was watching himself turn into a bear on the screen.

After learning about how grizzly bears scratch and dig into rocks for protein rich moths, it was his turn (as a bear) to scratch into the rocks and eat the moths.  So much fun, as well as great exercise.  I love this so much more than just watching them sit on the couch and hit buttons.  I am a huge fan of Kinect.

The boys took turns through the first disc and can't wait to start on the second disc tomorrow.  They weren't too happy when it was time to shut it off.  I loved that they were learning things and exercising at the same time!

Kinect Nat Geo TV has an ESRB rating of 10+ (for everyone 10 and older), but my kids are 5 and 6 and aside from needing help reading the screen at times, it was not over their heads.  I would say younger kids can still definitely play with a little help from a parent.  The game retails for $29.99.

Still sitting on the fence?  Here is a review straight from the boys:



*Disclosure: I was given Kinect Sesame Street TV in exchange for our honest review. Opinions are all our own.

Kinect Sesame Street TV review

Have you checked out Kinect Sesame Street TV yet?  It only came out last month (mid September) and the boys are loving it.  I have to honestly tell you that I was not sure they would.  My guys were never 100% into Sesame Street when they were smaller and even then it was only the Elmo segments they would watch.  Also, being 5 and 6 I wondered if they would be too old for this game. 

I was completely wrong.  All three were very into the game and there were lots of giggles.  Proving that your child will like this game whether they are still fans of watching Sesame Street or not.  The boys spent quite awhile playing the game and are excited to pop it in again another time. 

Kinect Sesame Street TV lets kids have an interactive TV experience between their favorite episodes AND their favorite characters.  Children actively participate though gestures, moving their bodies (exercise right there) and talking with the characters  The boys loved seeing themselves on the screen!  Here is the Bunny Bee in the mirror.

And the Doodle Bop 'snapping a photo'.

The Big Guy even got to put himself IN Elmo's World!  Huge hit with the kids.  The game is rated EC for Early Childhood and retails for $29.99.

Still sitting on the fence?  Here is a review straight from the boys:



*Disclosure: I was given Kinect Sesame Street TV in exchange for our honest review.  Opinions are all our own.