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Get Your Kids Active With Outdoor Versions of Video Games

by Terrence O'Brien on July 26, 2009 at 12:15 PM


After three decades, it's clear that kids love their video games and won't give them up without a fight. Take the classic dilemma: What self-respecting parent wants their kids staying inside playing games during the day, becoming just another statistic in the country's growing obesity epidemic. Suggesting they go outside and play -- or join a summer sports league -- usually causes the tykes to react momentarily in horror and then turn back to fragging n00bs.

With a little creative persuasion, and some instructions from Kotaku, you might be able to trick your little console addicts into going outside to play some backyard "versions" of classic video games. Brian Crecente, editor-in-chief at the video game blog, has put together rules and instructions for adopting classic games like 'Pac-Man' and 'Super Mario Bros.' for outdoor play.

Adaptations of 'Katamari Damacy' and 'Pac-Man' seem fun; they're variations on the classic run-around game Tag. Others, like 'Metal Gear Solid' are a take on hide-and-seek, and seem needlessly complex. And 'Frogger' just seems unnecessary; in New York City, we just call it jaywalking.

So get out there and teach your kids some respect for the canon of classic video games, while helping them shed some of those unsightly pounds they've packed on since the release of 'Sims 3.' [From: Kotaku]

Tags: exercise, games, outdoors, top

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