Ready for a DS?

A friend asked me this week if I thought that an 8 year old was ready for a Nintendo DS? It really depends on the child. My 8 year old got a DS when he was 6. He has loved it and plays it a lot. He is not very responsible with it, and loses it quite frequently. Are they old enough to play the games and enjoy the systems, yes. Are they old enough to be responsible for one, that depends on your child. My 10 year old has a DS and a DSI, he wanted to upgade last year. He LOVES both of the systems. If it’s something you think your 8 year old is going to like, I’d spend the money and get them what they will use for the next several years instead of having to upgrade in a few months because there is bigger and better out there. I’d spend the money and get a DSi or a DS before I’d get the DS lite.