Great game to get kids (and mums!) up off the couch in the dead of winter. My son and I had fun playing together, but he found it too difficult (5 years old) to play on his own.
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Active Life: Outdoor Challenge
(2008, Video Games - Exergaming, Rated E, Play it on: Nintendo Wii)
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 3, age appropriate for kids over 4; suggested age 6. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Fabulous active games -- think Wii Fit for kids.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 6 and Up
The good stuff
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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What Parents Need to Know
This review of Active Life: Outdoor Challenge was written by Jinny Gudmundsen
Parents need to know that this Wii game costs a little more money than most because it comes packaged with its own Active Life Mat controller on which kids will run, jump, and sit as they play very active games. Expect to see a lot of sweat, hear a lot of laughter, and witness a lot of high-fives as kids work their way through this set of 16 innovative games. This is a great game around which to build a family game night because it offers both competitive and cooperative multiplayer action. Don't be fooled by the low age appropriateness; this is fun for everyone.
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More on Active Life: Outdoor Challenge
What’s the Story?
If you're looking for a game that will get your kids off the couch and active, then ACTIVE LIFE: OUTDOOR CHALLENGE is for you. Think of it as a Wii Fit for kids. Instead of using the Wii Fit Balance Board, Active Life: Outdoor Challenge comes with its own Active Life Mat, a DDR-type mat controller with orange and blue symbols on it. Kids hold the Wii remote in their hands and place their feet on the mat to play 16 high-energy games.
The 16 games vary greatly in how you play them. Some use just the mat controller, whereas others add in use of the Wii remote. Sometimes you jump on the mat, other times you run, and in one, you even sit on the mat and lean from side-to-side. As examples, you kayak by swinging your arms and stepping on the mat to direct your boat; you jump rope or trampoline by timing your jumps on the mat; you sprint by running on the mat and in some races even leap over hurdles or logs; you slide down the inside of a pipe by sitting on the mat and leaning so that you go up the side of the pipe to collect speed boosts; and you soar down the side of a mountain on a boogie board by using a "goofy feet" stance where you switch your feet around a lot.
CloseIs It Any Good?
This is a great game for kids and families. Not only are the games fun, but they can be played in a variety of ways. In solo mode, kids can approach the games as an adventure, as exercise training, or as just fun. When playing with a friend, kids can play competitively or cooperatively. During competitions, both kids stand on the mat side by side, and watch a split screen of what's happening. But it's with the cooperative games that things get even more interesting. In one game, two kids cooperate to rock climb through a waterfall. One kid stands on the mat to jump from one watery outcrop to another, while the other kid holds the Wii remote horizontal and simulates lifting the friend up as he or she jumps. What's cool (and kind of amazing) is that one kid can't do this alone. The two really do have to work at coordinating their motions or they won't make it up the waterfall.
The game can keep track of how active you are and even suggest which games will workout specific parts of the body. But don't worry, the game never deviates from what it does best -- providing a fun way to play games that make you move. This is the first in the Active Life series -- we can't wait for the next one.
ClosePublisher’s Details
Released on 09/09/2008, price $59.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E (for Comic Mischief)
ESRB rating: E (for Comic Mischief)
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
Good ole sweaty fun!
- I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
I love it, just one of the best games ever...
I have a 9 year old boy, who is usually bored because we don't have kids in the neighborhood to play, and i just had twins so i can barely take him out to activities or to the park. This game is awsome, i even play with him at times but everytime he does it, he loves this game and my is also loosing weight, he is overweight so this game is surely helping him loose few pounds. I am really glad i got this game, now the whole family enjoys this game
- I rate this title on for age 4 and give it
Great Game!
We got this game for Christmas. A great active game for the whole family. My 4 year old will choose this over her princess games if you can believe that! This game can be a workout but also has fun teamwork games. Buy it!
- I rate this title on for age 4 and give it
The whole family loves it
My 4-1/2 year old got this for Christmas. The whole family enjoys playing. If she has a hard time with one event, we take turns or team up to help each other. Great exercise for everyone!
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