Kids Computer Games Recommendations

ROBLOX — Wonderful Building Site for Kids

I usually hear about games from referrals, reviews, advertisements… I heard about Roblox from my 9 year old son who GREATLY enjoys playing it and asked us to help him sign up a few weeks ago. Roblox ‘s description to parents about the site is as follows:

What is ROBLOX?

ROBLOX is unique among kid-targeted sites in that everything in the world is designed and constructed by individual members of the ROBLOX community. Every member is granted a place along with an infinite supply of ROBLOX building pieces. Members design and build anything imagined — be it a navigable skyscraper, a working helicopter, a giant pinball machine, a multiplayer “Capture the Flag” game or some other, yet-to-be-dreamed-up object or activity.

What can you do in ROBLOX?

ROBLOX members can choose to play and create alone or, with the help of personal and customizable avatars, they can choose to be social and engage with others. Members can explore the world with their avatars, meet and communicate with other members, visit other member-created environments, and collaborate with others on projects.There are no pre-defined goals in ROBLOX. The focus is largely on creative and open-ended play. However, there are numerous member-created and very popular games — both solo and multiplayer — from head-to-head bobsledding to multiplayer paintball.

This Video gives a good look at what Roblox is like:

You can play as a guest on Roblox but also sign up as a member. As a free member they take very little information from you; just a username and email address. The site prides itself on internet safety for your kids so recommends the username does not give away the child’s name or location. The child can sign up for limited chat (under 13 year olds) but if it is for over 13 you will need a parent’s email address to confirm. While 13 and up chat may look like total freedom — the children’s words are sent through a filter and policed and they have zero tolerance for profanity and bullying.

There is a download process to get Roblox to run on your computer and I want to warn that you should have a decent computer for load time and playability. There are a lot of pieces to build with and it seems to work much better based on the speed of the computer and the connection.

Roblox definitely gets kids in a creative mode. They can enter and go to PLAY where they are given a house and can walk around with the keyboard keys and explore and also interact with stuff. They can go to the catalog and get things for free or buy things with tickets and/or coins. There are lots of things offered for “free” and as standard membership is free there really doesn’t feel like a need to upgrade unlike some of the other sites like Club Penguin. My son was quick to point out he got a free pool with a diving board, a free movie theater and much more that he was able to add to his space.

Some other info for parents from the site:

ROBLOX is free to join

Standard membership in ROBLOX is free. This option entitles kids to sign-up for ROBLOX on their own and to participate on a limited basis. Account members are given an avatar and the ability to design, build, and save only a single place.

Games and points

Members are recognized and earn rewards for their level of participation, the quality and popularity of their creations, and for their community spirit. Rewards range from specialty badges, to site-wide promotion of member-created content, to actual ROBLOX currency (“ROBUX”) that can be redeemed in the ROBLOX catalog for avatar accessories and premium construction materials.

In Build Mode there are TONS of options. You have tools and can insert bricks, robots, furniture, roads, billboards, game objects, models and much more. It has the feel of building with legos or blocks. You can move around and interact with objects and you can also copy, pick up and delete objects.

I found the interface a little detailed and think it would require some getting used to. That is the only reason I think anyone younger than 8 might become a little frustrated with the game. That being said, it is a totally safe environment and if the parent or an older sibling sat down with a younger child to show them how it all worked – they might be able to handle it.

I like Roblox and recommend it. My son has had a lot of fun building and learning. I can see him sticking with this site for quite a while and I will recommend it to other parents as well. Thank you creators of Roblox for providing a safe and different kind of site for children to build, play and learn!

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