An overwhelming number of teens say they play video games—about 97% of boys and 83% of girls age 13 to 17. Parents often worry about their children’s exposure to this medium, but gaming comes with several advantages that help kids throughout their lives. Here are some of the top reasons to get your kid a console or PC and let them explore gaming.

What Are Positive Aspects of Video Games for Children?

1. Promote Problem-Solving Skills

The crux of nearly all video games is that there is a puzzle to solve, a boss to defeat, or a challenge to overcome. While there are plenty of games specifically designed to be educational, never underestimate the problem-solving required in games like The Legend of Zelda, where the player must search for and save the princess to beat the game.

2. Pique Interest in History & Culture

There is a wide assortment of games—like Civilization, Age of Mythology, and the Total War series—where history and culture are at the core of the story and every action. These types of games can spark a child’s passion for history, geography, and various cultures in fun, engaging ways.

3. Offer Unique Opportunities for Socializing

Video games might seem like they promote isolation, but multiplayer games played simultaneously and collaboratively over the internet create shared experiences for kids.

This encourages them to grow friendships and challenge one another’s abilities in a safe, structured environment. With the right safety protocols in place, online gaming is a way for older kids to connect with friends or even people from different parts of the world.

4. Encourage Healthy Competition & Teamwork

Understanding and embracing competition is essential to both socializing and developing a sense of confidence and self-identity. While these concepts are typically associated with athletics, video games offer structured environments where all kids can participate, work together, and vie for victory—especially in cooperative multiplayer games.

5. Cultivate Creativity

Video games encourage creativity above all else. Consider games like Minecraft, where the player is set loose in a digital sandbox in which they can create anything they choose. This style of gaming promotes critical, imaginative thinking by allowing the player to not only reach their own conclusions but also decide which problems to address in the first place.

 

Open up your child’s world by enrolling them in a program at Game Camp Nation. In this camp, participants work together to create a video game in a social, educational setting. Their next in-person session is set for Norcross, GA, May 24-30, and their weeklong virtual camps are ongoing for kids across the country. If your camp is canceled due to COVID-19 and social distancing, get $200 off a virtual session plus full credit for the canceled session. Visit their website or call (888) 663-9633 to register today.

“My son enjoyed Game Camp Nation so much. He learned a great deal and really loved everything about it. He wants to go back for two weeks this summer.” – Meg M. F., Facebook