Xbox Kinect may be thought of as Microsoft's answer to Nintendo's Wii. Since its launch in 2006, Wii has been a phenomenal marketing success and a part of Wii's appeal has been the sensor which encourages physically active playing. In 2010, both Sony Playstation and Microsoft Xbox launched new technology so that their gaming systems could compete with Wii.
While Xbox has long been a system of choice for enthusiastic gamers, typically adolescent males (that is men of all ages), Wii appeals to those who would not typically be playing video games: women, family groups and younger children. There are a number of Wii games which could be enjoyed by toddlers, preschoolers and the under-sevens.
What is the Minimum Height for Children Playing Xbox Kinect?
There is a minimum height recommended by Microsoft for Kinect, and this is a major restriction which will limit the success of toddlers and small children playing Kinect. The minimum height recommended for Kinect is:
- 40 inches
- 3 foot 4"
- or 1 metre
Most children reach this height at around four years of age.
Can Toddlers and 3-Year-Old Children Play Xbox Kinect?
Based on height alone, most children will be more or less four years old when they are at the right stature for the Xbox Kinect motion sensors to follow their actions. Toddlers, two- and three-year-old children will usually be too short for the technology.
Younger children often just enjoy joining in with adults and older kids in the family without being too worried about the score. Many young children, however, may get frustrated if their on screen avatar keeps showing them as adults on their knees instead of as children standing up.
Height alone is not the only thing which makes Kinect unsuitable for two- and three-year-old kids. The process of setting up a Kinect ID is very difficult for young children to complete.
Setting-up a User Kinect ID for Toddlers and Preschool Kids
In order to set up a Kinect ID, it is necessary to move to various locations and stand in various poses, such as one arm in the air. Only extremely patient young children and parents are likely to complete this process successfully. The children must be able to do the task alone with only verbal help from parents, people with experience of this age group will know how difficult it is to get just one photograph, never mind a whole series.
Is Wii or Kinect Best for Toddlers and Preschool Children
Kinect is not suitable for children under four, due to their height and their physical abilities. Children grow up, so when considering the considerable investment in buying a games console, it is worth considering which system the whole family will enjoy. Kinect is still very new, the number of Kinect games available for kids will increase. With Kinects, you have Xbox360, with many games available albeit to play with an old fashioned handheld controller. Without Kinect there are relatively few Xbox games for young children in contrast to the Wii.
Deborah Percy - BSc. MA. Managing Director of a heating & plumbing business. Interest in maths, science & research. Mother of 3, including twins.
Join the Conversation