Skylanders Giants!

Who doesn't want a castle for their TV?

How much do video games play a role in your child's life?
Is it a great way for your child to explore? Maybe just a helping hand in giving you a bit of a break? Or maybe they don't phase you guys much at all?

I am a bit of an ex gamer. As much as one could be growing up in a house where your parents didn't believe in computer games or gaming consoles, and as much as time allows when you have little ones who need stuff like your attention and food.
Just as with my piano playing, book reading, and enjoying long leisurely meals, time for video games was completely dropped when I became a mother.

I've blogged before about how I don't believe in exposing my children to too much TV time. I don't want that to be misconstrued with no TV time, because we do still own a TV and of course use it. I also see the potential skills that can be picked up from playing age appropriate video games. Just in moderation.
This puts the video games we purchase under much scrutiny. We look for the fun factor, then if it's appropriate and then I consider how long I think the game will hold my child's interest before each purchase.

This Spyro really was a giant!

Skylanders was a game that fulfilled my boys natural instinct for fighting but in a way I decided I was ok with as it is a game that focuses on the adventure rather than "you need to kill all the bad guys".
When we were invited to attend the launch party of the new Sklylanders GIANTS my immediate instinct was yes. A big fat YES. I knew it would be something that Bluey would be all over, and indeed he was.

After being the last one's to leave because I couldn't tear my kids away from the game Bluey asked me if he still had his birthday money. I told him that yes he did, and his face immediately lit up as he told me "Good. I know what I want to spend it on, but I have to wait until the seventeenth of October."
My kids don't go super crazy over new toys or games. They enjoy them, but not enough to talk about them weeks later and that is what will get my attention when I go shopping.

What kinds of video games do your kids enjoy?
Did you play Spyro when you were younger?