Gaming is for everyone. There is a gaming computer out there to suit everyone too. Whether you’re a toddler or an adult, studies suggest that gaming improves basic skills like problem solving, memory and decision making. It has also been proven to increase literary, social and executive skills, and reduce impulsiveness and increase mental flexibility. There’s good news for parents too. Video games can increase job performance and reverse age-related mental decline.
It’s no surprise that game based learning has become a popular resource for education. As schools implement more technology in the classroom, children are becoming more computer literate than earlier generations. There are many ways you can incorporate gamified learning in your home. Nowadays, a gaming computer can come in many forms and there are so many options for young learners, from tablets to PCs. (Note: The AAP advises that children under two years of age avoid exposure to screens.)
7 Top Gaming Computer Picks for Toddlers and Teens
 | Amazon Fire Kids Edition | Check price at |
 | Leapfrog My Own Leaptop Lowest Price | Check price at |
 | VTech Brilliant Creations | Check price at |
 | CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Xtreme | Check price at |
 | Fisher-Price Fun-2-Learn Computer | Check price at |
 | Dell 15.6″ Gaming Laptop | Check price at |
 | VTech Baby’s Learning Laptop | Check price at |
1. Amazon Fire Kids Edition
The ultimate tablet option for digital learning, the Amazon Fire Kids Edition comes with “unlimited, free access to 10,000 kid-friendly books, movies, TV shows, educational apps, and games.” Parental controls allow you to control usage, educational goals, and content access. The tablet comes fully equipped with a front- and rear-facing camera and a durable case available in blue, pink or green. The best part? The tablet comes with a two-year guarantee that covers any damage to the tablet. You won’t have to worry about drops, falls or dirty hands.
Ages: 3+ years
2. Leapfrog My Own Leaptop
The Leapfrog My Own Leaptop will help familiarize your child with basic computer functions like typing and messaging. The laptop has four modes: ABC Learning, Messages, Games and Music for learning and pretend play. Kids will love learning the letters of the alphabet with the twenty-six fun animal animations. You can even program the computer to help your child learn to spell their name!  The Messages function allows your child to send and receive pretend e-mails from Scout; while Music mode includes 16 kid-friendly songs. As your child grows, the Leapfrog series will grow with them, with advanced offerings for elementary-aged students.
Ages:Â 2+ years
3. VTech Brilliant Creations
The VTech Brilliant Creations computer comes fully equipped with 80 programs that develop creativity, vocabulary, math skills, and more. The learning center looks and feels like a real computer, with working mouse, keyboard and joystick for typing and learning. Games stand out in vivid colors on the LCD screen. Don’t worry about cyber-safety, as the laptop does not connect to the internet. Parents call Brilliant Creations a “great introduction to a gaming computer,” and love the wide variety in programs.
Ages: 4–7 years
4. CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Xtreme
The CYBERPOWERPC Gamer Xtreme is the ultimate gaming computer for tweens and teens. With a powerful Intel system and Radeon graphics card, this computer was specifically created for the highest quality gaming experience. Extreme gamers will love the sleek, red and black design of the computer, mouse, and keyboard. The computer is VR ready, so you can enjoy new virtual reality capabilities. The CYBERPOWERPC was given the PC Magazine 2016 Reader’s Choice Award for Overall Desktop PCs. You can rely on lifetime technical support if you encounter any problems with your computer.
5. Fisher-Price Fun-2-Learn Computer
The Fun-2-Learn Computer from Fisher-Price is a comprehensive learning system for children. The set includes a large keyboard, stylus and trackpad that hooks up to your home computer. The system comes with five pre-loaded learning centers: reading, math, writing, art, music and science. From games to more traditional learning objectives, the Computer Cool School helps reinforce learning at home. Finished with screen time for the day? Print supplemental worksheets for more learning fun. Or celebrate your child’s milestones by printing certificates of achievement. Your child will “not only have fun, but also feel ‘adult’ because the keyboard looks so much like yours!”
Ages:Â 3+ years
6. Dell 15.6″ Gaming Laptop
The Dell 15.6″ Gaming Laptop is ideal for teenage gamers on-the-go. “With 6th Gen Intel i5 Quad-Core processors, you’ll have all the power you need to enjoy both gaming and entertainment.” The high-powered graphics and processor means the ultimate multimedia experience is right at your fingertips. The laptop comes with special thermal cooling technology to protect against overheating. You’ll be able to take the laptop on trips and outdoors with Dell’s anti-glare screen and 10+ hour battery life. Pick your favorite design: the computer is available in matte black, grey or hibiscus red.
7. VTech Baby’s Learning Laptop
Baby’s Learning Laptop from VTech is a screen-free alternative to a computer for children three years of age and under. Encourage your baby to learn about shapes, objects, feelings and music with this innovative toy. The light-up screen, sing-along songs and fun phrases will have your child dancing as they learn. The primary-colored laptop features a child-sized mouse and chunky keyboard which facilitate motor skill development. Expand your child’s learning toolkit with more toys from VTech’s Infant Learning series.
Ages: 6 months–3 years
What do you think of our choices? While the benefits of using gaming computers are bountiful—do you ever worry about excessive screen time? How do you combat that?
Feature image courtesy of Flickr, dfactory.