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[Sourtreats]

Lego Island 1 & 2

Oh man those games were so good. I remember playing the first about a 100 times.

 

[JWong]

PC Recommendation?

Free Realms?

 

[Bazhard]

I stand behind GTA, my niece started playing 3 when she was 7, she's 15 now and isn't mean and still plays it like she used to, just drives around.

 

[FoxSpirit]

Go Vacation!
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=433345

Wanted to come and recommend this.

Also, Lego City stories looks really interesting.

 

[Snytbaggen]

Minecraft on Peaceful mode.

Listen to this wise man.

 

[MustacheBandit_]

Minecraft on Peaceful mode.

i came into this thread to say this. it will run on pretty much any computer or laptop too.

 

[Chesskid1]

that disneyland adventure game for kinect, heard it was supposed to be open world and the world is disney land!!

 

[Anteater]

Probably minecraft, you should teach him how to build stuff though so he doesn't get bored of just running around doing nothing.

 

[Deleted member 81567]

I can't imagine how an overwhelming game like Minecraft would appeal to kids. Best bet would be Spiderman 3.

 

[Cranzor]

Minecraft on Peaceful mode.

Yeah, this is what I'd say too. If he likes exploration then I'm sure he'd like Minecraft. It also has that lego style building which I bet a lot of kids would like.

 

[Ruzai]

Not exactly a sandbox, but the hub of lego harry potter lets you explore hogwarts and is a fairly decent size. Might be something he would enjoy.

 

[shadyspace]

Bully.

 

[LQX]

Toy Story 3. It has sandbox elements.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x1avTGyCC0

Walmart has it going in and out of stock for $10 on consoles and its like $5 on Amazon for the PC version.

 

[Forsaken82]

I can't imagine how an overwhelming game like Minecraft would appeal to kids. Best bet would be Spiderman 3.

Might I ask how you consider Minecraft overwhelming? The base of the game is basically legos, only you have to explore the world to find your lego blocks. The core mechanic of the game doesn't revolve around complex structures or figuring out how redstone works. It is just exploring and using your imagination.

 

[The Stig]

I can't imagine how an overwhelming game like Minecraft would appeal to kids. Best bet would be Spiderman 3.

seriously. minecraft is not for kids.

 

[Corwood Rep]

Yeah, he'd never be able to figure out Minecraft. All he knows how to do on a computer is use paint.

 

[Brannon]

Just Cause 2 for PC so you can install mods that turn off any wanton violence, and plug in a 360 controller.

And a Superman mod.

HE WILL SAY WOW.

 

[StuBurns]

Never played it, but anyone know if the Simpsons' GTA clone was decent?

 

[Tagg9]

You might want to try some of the PS2 platformers that were open world. Games like Jak and Daxter (Jak II moreso) or even Sly Cooper might fit the bill.

 

[Enco]

Never played it, but anyone know if the Simpsons' GTA clone was decent?

Simpsons Hit and Run?

I remember playing it. Was awesome.

 

[NE1WeKnow]

GTA IV free roam with all slots on invite only. But the post about JC2 with mods sound to me to be the ultimate.

 

[The Technomancer]

Honestly? I'd say Minecraft

 

[Loxley]

Another vote for Toy Story 3, it sounds exactly like what you're looking for.

All things considered, it's a got a surprisingly decent Metacritic score. 'Cause, you know, five year-olds probably care about that sort of thing

 

[Easy_D]

Another vote for Toy Story 3, it sounds exactly like what you're looking for.

All things considered, it's a got a [URL="http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/toy-story-3"]surprisingly decent Metacritic score. 'Cause, you know, five year-olds probably care about that sort of thing

Probably better to read the user reviews, lot's of people saying their kids love the game, so it should do for OP

 

[Campster]

Burnout Paradise is awesome for kids and adults alike. He could just drive around the game world, crashing and going through ramps and finding shortcuts and the like.

 

[PigSpeakers]

There's a game called Yume Nikki that is nothing but walking around inside of this girl's dreams. It's sort of dark and dreary though. It's also free.

 

[fernoca]

Toy Story 3 is also a great game for everyone, not just kids. So yeah, another recommendation.

 

[Rocket Punch]

Super Mario Galaxy

 

[clashfan]

I know this may sound strange but try Blue Dragon. Lots of running around with cute characters.

 

[hiryu]

I've played quite a bit of Toy Story 3 with my niece. Pretty decent game with lots of sand box elements.

 

[Bumhead]

Toy Story 3.

I bought it for my younger brother but actually invested a fair bit of time into the sandbox part of the game myself. There's something strangely compelling about building up your town and watching those little weeble inhabitants roam around.

 

[truly101]

Toy Story 3, my 3 year old daughter LOVES it.

 

[Arandur]

Bully. He must be prepared to survive in school.

 

[gillty]

Best "Sandbox" experiences of all time.

Sand, the ultimate "sand"box. Addons available include, Water, Buckets, Shovels, and Worms.

The next best thing, Lego. Addons available include, Microchips, Motors, and other wallet breaking items.

K'Nex, this stuff is bananas. Gaurenteed to break your wallet.

Minecraft, if you must stay inside.

 

[Big-ass Ramp]

I remember reading that the Bee Movie game was open world/sandbox.

 

[IMACOMPUTA]

Toy Story 3 is supposed to be a pretty interesting take on the sandbox genre. Don't remember many specifics, but it's appropriate for a child and a decent quality product to boot.

edit: the game has a lot of non-sandbox stuff too, but there's a mode called Toy Box that sounds like the kind of thing you're looking for.

came in to post this.. the game is surprisingly a lot of fun.

 

[SlipperySlope]

That Simpsons game.

 

[Platy]

 

[jluedtke]

I can't recommend Toy Story 3 enough. My kid had a blast with sandbox mode. The plain mode is just okay, but if you have a kid who's even remotely into Toy Story 3, they'll love the sandbox mode.

 

[ampere]

When I was 2 I ate handfuls of sand and ants in the sandbox

The game part was when my mom had to clean off the ants

 

[theBishop]

Burnout Paradise is awesome for kids and adults alike. He could just drive around the game world, crashing and going through ramps and finding shortcuts and the like.

Burnout is a little light on exploration, but I wholeheartedly recommend this game. I think for a kid, the simple controls input combined with Burnout's trademark exaggerated speed would be really fun.

 

[Black_Stride]

My 5 year old brother is super into Red Dead Redemption. He just likes to walk around the town and explore and stuff and ride his horse and whatever, but every once in awhile he starts a mission and I have to kick him off of it lest he engage in the game's frank and awesome depiction of violence. So I should probably find something more age appropriate.

Any recommendations?

Hmmm....maybe, but you are the parent, do you think your childs character and personality will be altered by Read Dead Redemption in a negative way?...if not let him play Read Dead, it won game of the year didnt it.


Recommendations.
Lego Island...and or Actual Legos, unless you are worried ur kid will eat them (the legos)