Just before Christmas, I searched the internet for hours for the hottest new items for kids.  I was specifically looking for my daughter’s “big” gift of the year.  As I searched for what seemed like an eternity, I kept coming across Nintendo’s Wii game console.  She’s only four and $200 was quite a bit of moolah for something that may be way to advanced for her anyway.  I hate making big money decisions and this one felt exruciating but I kept coming back to the Wii time after time.  The worst case scenerio would be that it would be too advanced for her this year but by next year, it would get some use.

As is usually the case with a decision such as this, I was down to the wire and had to make a decision.  On the spur of the moment, I loaded it into my online cart and headed to the checkout process.  After just a few days, it arrived at my home and I think I must have been a child myself the last time I was so eagerly awaiting Christmas morning.  Was she going to like it?  Would the rest of the family like it?  Would it be worth the money spent or would it be a complete flop?

We had it set up and waiting for her to awake.  Most kids are up before dawn on Christmas but not my sleepy head.  She rolled down the stairs around 10:00 a.m. and, naturally, the wrapped presents caught her eye first.  She methodically opened and briefly played with each one then her eyes turned to the TV where the game screen was showing.  “What’s THAT?” she said with eyes as big as saucers.  She grabbed the controller from my hand and the rest is history.  She began playing as if she had owned a game system her entire four year life.

We had purchased the Wii Fit Plus bundle for the adults but I have to say my four year old gets more enjoyment out of that than any other game purchased for the system.  There are so many activities that are appropriate for all age levels.  She runs, jumps, does karate kicks, flies like a bird and more.  I am thrilled because with the winter months comes less opportunity for a very active child to release some of that endless energy.  Plus she is learning, at a very early age, the importance of exercise and keeping fit…naturally.  If she begins this young it will surely become a lifelong habit that will continue into adulthood.

I grew up playing video games and love them.  Of course, my generation had the Atari for starts and then moved up to the Super Nintendo but they were enough to get me hooked.  I’m no stranger to gaming and have been an avid gamer since.  In my opinion, the Nintendo Wii is the best gaming system ever.  No, it doesn’t have the best graphics and it doesn’t come with all of the extra frills but it does what no other gaming system does – prevents couch potato syndrome.

The Wii is truly an entire family affair.  It is extremely fun and very addicting.  I personally had never laughed so much in my entire life as I did the first week we owned the system.  Watching family and friends moving around and really getting into it was hilarious.

The Wii Fit Plus program is fun and is the best way I know to get a very real and burning workout without feeling like you’re really working out.  Before you even know it, you’ve already worked out for 30 minutes simply playing a wide variety of fun games.  As an added bonus, after each “game”, the system tallies the amount of calories you have burned for that game and tells you how many minutes you’ve been working out.  Before every workout session, the system weighs you in determining your current weight and BMI calculations.  You can set goals and work out every day to reach those goals.

I have to say, I do not regret my purchase for a single minute.  It was the best investment I have EVER made.  I’d do it again in a New York minute!

ADDENDUM:  Please see my article on How to Revive a “Dead” Nintendo Wii.