Parents' Guide to GoNoodle Games

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Common Sense Media Review

Mieke VanderBorght By Mieke VanderBorght , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 5+

Jump, wave, and wiggle with fun immersive movement games.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 5+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 4+

Based on 1 parent review

age 4+

Based on 3 kid reviews

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What's It About?

Tap on one of four games in GONOODLE GAMES: Bubble Pop, Space Race, Flower Power, or Rock and Roll. The first time kids open a new game, they watch a brief tutorial that instructs them to put their device down, and shows what kinds of movements they'll need to do to play. Kids then tap play to find themselves featured on the screen in a game setting. Depending on the game, kids have a certain amount of time to flail their arms, move side to side, duck down, and so on to pop bubbles, catch stars, clear gardens, tap rocks, and avoid things like flying debris or bees. Keep playing through multiple levels until kids lose three energy lightning bolts.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 1 ):
Kids say ( 3 ):

When they're set up well, these get-up-and-move games are a wonderful, innovative way to spice up a screen time rut. GoNoodle already has a wonderful collection of videos that inspire kids to dance, move, and generally be active. GoNoodle Games adds a fun new element that lets kids feel -- and move -- like the protagonist in a video game. These games are especially interesting, as many screen-based movement apps center on showing kids dance (or yoga, Zumba, and so on) moves to copy, which doesn't appeal to all kids. GoNoodle Games, on the other hand, has a totally different approach, and each game even requires that kids move in a different way. That said, play does need certain conditions to make it all truly work well. The smaller the screen, the harder it is to follow, for example. In some of the games, kids need to resist the temptation to just get really close to the camera and wave their hand in front of it to pass the levels. And the movements on the screen aren't always precise and perfectly responsive to how kids are moving in real life. Despite these slight imperfections, GoNoodle Games is definitely worth a try!

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how GoNoodle Games is different from most other apps. Does playing it inspire your kids to move around more? Why is it so important to incorporate whole body movement into your day, every day?

  • Provide lots of opportunities for kids to move. Go to a park or playground, take a walk, throw a ball around, or play a sport. Or if you can't get outside, make an obstacle course in your hallway, do jumping jacks, or turn up the music and have a dance party.

  • Play with your kids and turn it into a friendly competition. Who can score the most points?

App Details

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