Sports Games For Kids

Hoop Games for Kids: Tennis Training
Pros And Cons Of Video Games For Kids
In this article I'd like to weight some of the pros and cons of video games for kids, because in spite of all the negative press video games get, especially in regard to kids, I do believe there is the potential for a lot of good.
The Cons of Video Gaming for Kids
Starting with the obvious reasons parents usually cite for not allowing their kids to play video games, probably number one on the list is that it is very bad for their eyes. With the new wave of high vision television sets I'm not sure if eye damage is as bad as the old cathode ray TVs, but I'm sure it is still not all that good for the eyes, and this is not limited to children either. It would be great if a TV screen could be made that wasn't so harmful... or at least not to the degree that non-reversible damage is done. So if this issue could be addressed, I'm sure that would take quite a bit of sting out of the debate.
Second on the list is that video games are bad for their brains. In this regard I would have to say it depends on the game, but with the tremendous lack of responsibility on the part of the game makers the negative reputation is surely deserved. Were the quality of the games a bit higher, with less a degree of wanton violence and destruction, perhaps parents would not be so negative to the idea.
Third on the list is that time spent mindlessly playing these games takes away from time that kids could be spending playing 'real' sports, studying or engaging in quality time with their friends or family. Kids are so busy nowadays that time management has become an issue even for 2 year olds, but with a balance of proper scheduling I'm sure there would not be the need to poo-poo the entire idea of kids playing these games just on that account.
The Pros of Video Gaming for Kids
Turning to some of the pros for kids playing video games I'd like to draw from my own experience of playing video games as a child. Two of the things it taught me were binary logic and hand-eye coordination. These two things have been invaluable throughout my life and either one of them is grounds for further investigation into this.
In terms of binary logic, while playing the earliest video games I came to understand the idea of yes/no processing. And since all computers are based on this idea, this helped me to master the personal computer later on in life. Understanding how electrical appliances work and mechanical systems can all be derived from this simple understanding and by playing video games it was instilled in my without the least bit of study... which is quite a difficult way to understand its implications.
Second, in terms of hand-eye coordination, those early games developed my reflexes, and response time to the point where they are actually a force to be reckoned with. Again, this has been invaluable throughout my life.
Finding the Middle Ground: Pro meets Con
I'd like to offer a potential solution to all this contingent on the premise that television makers provide a non-damaging alternative to their current offerings and that is in the forum of Edutainment.
Edutainment, as you might have guessed, is the marriage of entertainment and education. If games were designed that actually taught something and the game makers exercised some responsibility in the games they produce there can be a whole genre of video games that have tremendous value.
In future articles I will discuss this idea of edutainment in greater detail, but I believe it is the direction video games need to take in order to make them more acceptable... anything less and the cons tend to outweigh the pros which tends to make video games just another endangered species.
![]() Sonic Slam Game Sale Price: $34.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionNo balls? No problem! Never again will you be chasing and picking up your balls! No extra gear or equipment needed! Sonic Slam is the virtual game of tennis that allows you to play anytime, indoors, or outdoors! With sound and motion technology, Sonic Slam lets you control the speed and distance the ball travels between competitors! Cool lights, sound and voice effects, and 3 game modes make Sonic Slam fun for the entire family. Features
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![]() Electronic Hyperslide List Price: Sale Price: $17.99 You save: $7.00 (28%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionBe quick as you flick, slide or shoot the different-colored hyper discs under the arch. As the game unit calls out the sequence of colors for you to pass, the game "knows" if you've passed the right disc or not. Pass 'em fast before the buzzer blasts! Obey the voice commands, get your brain in the game and break the code, or guess which color will be called next. Play with a friend or practice solo. Tabletop slide-and-pass excitement features electronic lights and sounds, plus an announcer's voice that talks you through three fast-sliding game modes. Electronic game unit comes with four Hyper Discs, each a different color; plus Hyper Band and instructions. Requires 3 "AA" batteries (not included). For 1 or 2 players. .caption { font-family: Verdana, Helvetica neue, Arial, serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; } ul.indent { list-style: inside disc; text-indent: -15px; } Be quick, pick the right colored hyper disc, and flick it under the arch before time runs out. The Hyper Slide from Hasbro packs three fast-paced electronic table-top games into one compact unit. Recommended for ages eight and up, these fast-sliding games for one or two players are fun and exciting for kids and adults. The hyper discs can be conveniently stored in a compartment on the side of the arch. View larger. Three fast-paced electronic table-top games in one stylish unit. View larger. Fun, Futuristic Table Top Game With its sleek, arched design, Hyper Slide looks like a futuristic game. Resembling a hockey game for a table top, the object is to flip the pucks through the goal. However, in these games the goal can be scored from both sides of the arch, and there are four different-colored pucks, called hyper discs. The game's electronic unit calls out a color, and you must pick that color and sent it through the arc. It automatically detects whether you've passed the right disc or not. When not in operation, the hyper discs can be conveniently stored in a compartment on the side of the arch. Three Games for Solo Play or Two-Person Play The Hyper Slide offers a few variations of play for your enjoyment. Two lighted buttons on the top of the Hyper Slide make it easy to choose which of the three games you want to play. While the objects of the games are simple, playing them can be a fun challenge. The first game, "Fast Pass," is all about speed. The game commands a color and you've got to pass it through the goal quickly before the buzzer blasts. With "Add One," you've got to remember the order of colors. You start with a color and add one to the sequence each time you complete a round. "Code Buster" gives you 90 seconds to decipher the secret series of colors. Best of all, you can play all these games with a friend or by yourself. With both "Fast Pass" and "Add One," you can even play head-to-head with another player or team. For solo play, the rubber "hyper band" is attached under the arch, bouncing the discs back to your side. Put to the Test Playing on any smooth, nonmetal surface, you'll be surprised how much fun the Hyper Slide really is. An announcer's voice, high-energy music, and sound effects move these games along. With your head in the game, you'll soon block out all the noise and only hear the color to flick, slide, or shoot through the arch. Unfortunately, if the constant voice directions are not your thing, the game can't be played without these sounds, nor can the volume be adjusted. On the plus side, the Hyper Slide announces your score at the end of each competition and keeps track of the highest score for each game. This electronic system runs on three "AAA" batteries (sold separately). If the Hyper Slide goes unused for two minutes, this smartly designed toy "goes to sleep," saving battery life until the player buttons are pressed. Pros 3 fast-paced games for 2-person and solo play Lighted buttons make it easy to switch through games Games remember high scores Electronic game shuts off on its own Cons Game must be played with announcer and music going Volume can't be controlled What's in the Box Hyper Slide electronic game, hyper band, and 4 hyper discs. Features
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![]() SKLZ Pro Mini Basketball Hoop List Price: Sale Price: $19.00 You save: $20.99 (52%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionAn indoor basketball hoop with the look, function, and durability of a professional hoop, the SKLZ Pro Mini small-scale basketball system changes the face of over-the-door basketball hoops forever. Goodbye Nerf hoops, hello realism. The Pro Mini features an 18-by-12-inch clear shatterproof polycarbonate backboard, giving it the appearance of the hoops at your favorite NBA arena. Even better, the Pro Mini includes a pro-grade, spring-action breakaway steel rim. Want to throw it down like Dwight Howard or LeBron? The breakaway rim will snap down and back up as you jam, protecting your hands with every dunk. It's the perfect gift for the basketball freak in your family, and makes a great addition to the home, office, or dorm room. The easy-to-assemble Pro Mini--which mounts over your door or on the wall--includes foam padding on the door mounts to protect the paint and comes with a 5-inch-diameter mini basketball. The Pro Mini comes with a 90-day warranty. Key Details: Easy assembly and mounting over-the-door or wall Foam padded side on door mounts Includes 5-inch diameter Pro Mini Hoop Basketball 9-inch diameter spring-action break-away steel rim 18- by 12-inch clear polycarbonate shatter-proof backboard What's in the Box? SKLZ Pro Mini Hoop basketball system, 5-inch mini basketball About SKLZ The flagship brand of Pro Performance Sports LLC, SKLZ was built around the popularity of the company's legendary baseball swing trainer, the Hit-A-Way. After starting with a complete line of baseball and softball trainers, the company expanded into football, tennis, soccer, hockey, lacrosse, basketball, and golf training products. Headquartered in San Diego, the SKLZ team consists of both seasoned professionals and young upstarts in the sporting goods industry who are passionate about delivering the best skill development products to athletes of all ages. The SKLZ Pro Mini Hoop System attaches easily over your door or on the wall. Features
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![]() Uno Card Game List Price: Sale Price: $5.99 You save: $4.00 (40%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionAmerica's number one card game, UNO offers hours of fun. It's easy to learn, always unpredictable, and never dull. It can be played with 2 to 10 players, individually, or in teams. And it can even be educational, teaching younger kids number recognition. Features
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![]() Franklin Sports 3-In-1 Indoor Sports Set List Price: Sale Price: $34.11 You save: $5.88 (15%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThe Franklin Indoor Sport Set is great for Hockey, Knee Hockey and Soccer! It features 2 Insta-Set goals, 2 adjustable hockey sticks, 1 Air Tech mini soccer ball, 2 knee hockey sticks, 1 hockey ball and 2 mini foam hockey balls. Also included inflation pump and needle. Everything you need for hours of indoor fun. Great for players 6 years of age and older. Features
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![]() Kinect Sports List Price: Sale Price: $39.99 You save: $10.00 (20%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionTurn your living room into a world-class stadium, bowling alley, soccer pitch or arena. With Kinect Sports you're not only the star player, you are the controller through the magic of Kinect for Xbox 360. See a ball? Kick it. Spike it. Even give it a little top spin. Features
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![]() Franklin Sports 6-In-1 Table Top Game Center List Price: Sale Price: $109.99 You save: $40.00 (27%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionThe Franklin Deluxe 6-In-1 Game Center features the following games Zero Gravity Sports Hockey, Foosball, Table Tennis, Chess, Checkers, and Backgammon. This is exciting fun for the whole family! Easily converts from game to game. It's tabletop design is great for any room. It features real furniture style construction with a dark walnut grain and auto feed ball return. Some minor assembly required. Great fun for players 7 years of age and older. Trying to choose between your favorite tabletop games? Turn to the Franklin Sports 6-in-1 Game Center, which combines all of your favorites within a single gaming bundle. The Game Center comes with the following tabletop games: foosball, zero-gravity sports hockey, mini table tennis, chess, checkers, and backgammon. To change games, simply swap out one tabletop platform with another and start playing. The Game Center tabletops fit comfortably in almost any environment, with a dark walnut grain finish and genuine furniture-style construction. You'll also appreciate the built-in storage drawer, which holds all your game accessories, including table-tennis paddles, foosballs, and air hockey controllers. Other features include an auto ball feed return (for the foosball tabletop), a powerful zero-gravity air blower (for the air hockey table), and an on/off switch on the power cord. Recommended for ages 7 and older, the Game Center measures 36 by 9 by 20 inches (W x H x D) and requires minor assembly for use. Features
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![]() Jakks Pacific Ultimotion Swing Zone Sports Motion Controller Video Game List Price: Sale Price: $39.14 You save: $35.85 (48%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionUse this set of wireless motion-controlled accessories to swing, roll, putt, serve and pass your way through five all-star sports challenges. Sports includes bowling, tennis, baseball, golf and football, and each game is accompanied by its corresponding sports accessory. TV Game includes the following motion controllers: bowling ball, tennis racket, baseball bat, golf club and football. Requires 2 "AAA" batteries and 4 "AA" batteries, not included. Play your favorite sports like a pro with the Ultimotion Swing Zone Sports video game. This fun and entertaining interactive video game will have your five- to 10-year-old child hitting home runs like a champ, tossing a football like a quarterback, and acing their opponents on the tennis court in no time flat. .caption { font-family: Verdana, Helvetica neue, Arial, serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; } ul.indent { list-style: inside disc; text-indent: -15px; } table.callout { font-family: verdana; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.3em; } td.think { height: 125px; background: #9DC4D8 url(http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/electronics/detail-page/callout-bg.png) repeat-x; border-left: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; border-bottom: 1px dotted #000000; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 250px; } td.glance { height: 100%; background: #9DC4D8; border-left: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; padding-top: 10px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 250px; } img.withlink {border:1px black solid;} The game controllers look like real sports equipment. View larger. What We Think Fun Factor: Durability: (what this means) The Good: Allows you to control the sports action with your own movements The Bad: Requires a lot of space for play In a Nutshell: Gives young kids the chance to practice their favorite sports moves At a Glance Ages: 5 and up Requires: Two AAA batteries, four AA batteries and a television Let The Games Begin! With the Swing Zone Sports video game, your child can get right in the middle of the action. The set-up is simple, and with five different sports challenges to choose from, the fun will last for hours . To get started, simply insert two AAA batteries into the game controller, four AA batteries into the game console, and hook it up to your television with the AV cable provided. Give your child plenty of room to perform all of their favorite sports action and watch as they shine like a sports star. Your child can choose from one of six sports competitors and games: tossing footballs like a quarterback at moving targets; throwing strikes as they bowl 10 frames in the bowling challenge; serving and returning smash hits on the tennis court; teeing up for a round of golf or hitting home runs for points on the baseball diamond; and more. Each sports challenge comes with the option of one or two players, with high scores recorded so your little athlete can keep track of their progress. Adding to the fun are the lightweight, plastic game controller accessory handles, individually designed to look like real sports equipment. Get Off The Couch And Into The Action! Once you have connected the Swing Zone Sports game console to your television, take a moment to sync it to the hand-held game controller. This may take a few tries of pushing the right buttons, but once the status indicator on the game controller begins flashing, your child is ready to go. Be sure to give them plenty of room to play (at least eight feet of space) so they can safely mimic real sports motions like tossing and swinging. And remember to keep the adjustable wrist strap securely wrapped around each player's wrist during play as forgetting to do so might result in them loosing their grip during the exciting action. A fun and entertaining way to learn basic athletic moves, the Swing Zone Sports video game engages your younger child with bright graphics and simple but fun sports challenges. The variety of activities combined with the entertaining choices of sports characters and the durable plastic accessory handles makes this video game fun and engaging for young players. What's in the Box Game console with a/v cable, game controller, and five controller accessory handles. Features
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![]() Football Guys by Kaskey Kids - Red and Blue Sale Price: $24.99 Eligible for free shipping!See Reviews For This Product DescriptionGet in the game with this Football play set! A full set of football action figure toys, two full football teams and more. Each football toy set includes: 26, 2" players 1 referee 2 goalposts 24"x 36" washable felt field 10"x 6"x 5" stackable container with attached lid and handle Features
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![]() Little Tikes Little Champs Sports Center Sale Price: $29.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionKick a field goal, hit a homerun and shoot a three-point basket! With the Little Champs Sports Center, even the littlest sports fans can have fun playing football, baseball and basketball. This colorful, electronic unit plays five sports songs and five exciting sports-themed sound effects. It features an interactive backboard that keeps track of baskets made, plus a football-shaped bead spinner for putting the ball through the goalposts. Includes two basketballs and one soft oversized bat. Handy carrying handle lets you take it just about anywhere. Requires 3 "AA" batteries (included). Measures approximately 31.5" x 13.25" x 22.25". Some assembly required. Colors may vary. Features
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