I'm going to outright say it:
1) I didn't think I'd be the kind of mom to give her kids video games
2) I've been very, very lucky in the "free video games" department

What I'm going to talk about today is not in that shoot-'em-up, let's totally zombie-out-your-kids category. (Most of the games we have are exceptionally tame and have changed my mind about "video games.") Thanks to the Parent Bloggers Network, the Littlest Pet Shop : Jungle game for Nintendo DS made its way to our home, and thank goodness it did.

Before Littlest Pet Shop arrived, my boys were fighting over Mario Kart. Sure, we have Mario Kart for the Wii and Mario Kart for the DS, but in the car, only the DS will do. "I need it for my tiny 'puter!" one boy would exclaim as the other gleefully drove his kart around. (Yes, there is somehow a way for them both to play at once using a single cartridge, but I haven't figured it out yet.)

I knew Littlest Pet Shop would appeal to my youngest (age 4) because he loves our cat, our fish, and recently raised some little caterpillars to become butterflies. I knew Littlest Pet Shop would appeal to my oldest (age 7) because he desperately wants a dog, used to pretend to be a cat, and likes snuggly things. Both are boys, but I wasn't concerned with the stereotype that Littlest Pet Shop is only for girls because it isn't. Deer and zebras are manly, yes? (Okay, they have wide adorable eyes, but my boys love 'em all the same.)

I figured my oldest would keep playing Mario Kart, and then my youngest would be happy to take on Littlest Pet Shop. What I didn't anticipate was that Littlest Pet Shop would end up being the preferred game, so much so that the Mario Kart cartridge is actually lost somewhere because one boy took it out of his "tiny 'puter" to put in Littlest Pet Shop instead.

They love this game.

I am happy because the "Hey, let's go buy a dog" talk has diminished considerably. Although, my youngest thinks it would be cool to go get a zebra, because apparently he owns one on his game.

I am happier, though, that the games contained within Littlest Pet Shop have translated to real life. Sure, many people would find this unlikely, but take a look at the evidence. One of the games to earn coins (for care of the pet and purchase of new pets) is a color-in-the-lines game.

Well, Splig has brought home lots of drawings like the below-left from preschool recently:

Honestly, I wouldn't have thought a four year old could color in the lines so well, but he's done it at home, too. Littlest Pet Shop requires precision to earn coins. My son has thus learned to be precise (losing a couple styluses in the process) generalizing this to "real life."

If your kids like the idea of a pet, but might not be ready for the real-life responsibility of taking care of one, Littlest Pet Shop might be a good option. It combines the pride of ownership (and ability to name each pet) with things - like dressing up your pet - that probably wouldn't occur in real life, unless you're a Paris Hilton type with doggie sweaters. Add to it some skill games and you've got a well-rounded, entertaining, non-violent game that is worth the "screen time."

Don't tell the kids, but Santa might bring Littlest Pet Shop: Winter Edition to our house this Christmas. (There is also a Garden version.)

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