One of the most popular items this year for kids will be video games. With new, more interactive consoles and a more computer-literate generation of kids, the video game genre has expanded beyond older kids to include both boys and girls of all ages. Video game companies have done this by providing games to appeal to the interests of different people. As you search for games for your younger children, here are some tips to help you choose for your younger children as well.

One important thing to consider is the rating of the game. Just like making sure you control what your kids watch on TV or in the movies, you should look for games that are age-appropriate and not extreme or violent. A great system to look at that has games like this is the Nintendo Wii. It has a lot of games for kids, like Wii Sports or the iconic Mario brothers games, which are fun, challenging and not too violent or graphic. The other systems like PS3 and XBOX 360 also have a good offer. Just be sure to research what age-appropriate games they offer.

Another great favorite of video games are laptops. These are games that can be played on portable systems. Handheld video game technology has advanced to the point of becoming smaller versions of full consoles. If your child already has a PSP or Game Boy DS, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for new game releases or ask what games their friends are playing. This will be a great indicator of what your children want.

Another thing to note is the wide range of games available for both boys and girls. For the boys there are the traditional fighting games and adventures. However, a growing genre of video games for girls has begun to emerge. They are based on popular toy franchises like Barbie and popular TV shows for girls like Hannah Montana and Sunny with a Chance. So if you are looking for something that is popular with the girls in your family, this is definitely the way to go.

Then there are the group games. These are party games that can be played by more than one person. These are great for families looking for games that everyone can play together. There are many games that fit this bill, such as Dance Dance Revolution and Rock Band. These are games where people match dance steps or notes in competition or in a group. Multiplayer games also fall into this category. Try to find fun age-appropriate games, like races, that all of your children can play together.

On top of this, if your kids are still young enough to believe in Santa, there are additional things you can do with gifts to make things extra special. One is stocking stuffing. For the gamers in your family, you can create memory cards and other console accessories as great gift items. Another thing is to include a letter from Santa. This is for your children who wrote a letter with their current application. Actually, there are some good online stores that can deliver the letter to you. All you have to do is create the letter online and order it.