As video games continue to grow in popularity with children, many parents are finding themselves increasingly having to deal with the issue of whether or not to allow children to play video games at their children's birthday parties.
Should video games be included? The first consideration of course when weighing out the pros and cons of this argument should be given to the birthday child's comfort.
How do they feel about sharing their gaming equipment? Some children are naturally more comfortable with sharing their favorite possessions than other children, and the birthday person's wishes should always be paramount in a decision of this kind.
Next, parents should consider the sharing habits and general sportsmanship of intended guests.
It is unlikely that young children have adequately developed the skill set necessary to practice good sportsmanship and turn taking.
However, many elementary-aged children are able to do so with little problem.
If special-needs children will be attending the event, parents should take the time to find out how to best be considerate of these guests, and what types of games they will be able to enjoy.
Gaming is most successful at parties when hosts are able to accommodate as many children as possible at one time.
If the home has more than one gaming system, multiple systems should be ready and available for use.
Many parents encourage guests to bring personal gaming devices such as a Nintendo DS or PlayStation PSP to keep them entertained while spots on the main system(s) are filled.
Choose games that are two or more players so that more guests can play.
One final consideration for parents wishing to include video games in their child's party is what types of games children will be allowed to play.
The ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) rates games based on both age appropriateness and elements parents may find to be of concern.
Out of fairness to other parents, it is best not to include game selections that are rated above party guests' current age group.
If the guest list is small enough, and there is a doubt about what types of games may be acceptable, it is advisable to contact the parents of visiting children ahead of time and discuss the types of games they are comfortable allowing their children to play.
Game rating symbols can be found on the front of each game title, while content descriptors, which state any elements that parents may wish to be informed about, can be found listed on the back of the packaging.
Both should be reviewed when making title selections for your event.