just dance kids 2014 review

I wouldn’t consider us a gamer family, however we love dance videos and were so excited to get our hands on Just Dance Kids 2014 for Xbox 360 Kinect. I’m not sure who was more excited – me or the girls.

Just in time for the holidays, Just Dance Kids 2014 has all-new tracklist of kids’ favorite songs, featuring new dances made with kids in mind, and exclusive kid-friendly features. With over 30 fun songs including awesome hits such as, “Hit the Lights” by Selena Gomez, “One Thing” by One Direction, “Give Your Heart a Break” by Demi Lovato, “Ready or Not” by Bridgit Mendler, and “Getting Ready to Wiggle” by The Wiggles, children of all ages (including parents) will have a blast.

It didn’t take long for the girls to become captivated, initially taking turns then competing against one another to see who could get the highest score. What’s great about the XBOX 360 is the sensor and doesn’t require holding a device which makes it so much easier for younger kids to play.

The songs are actually cool. Not too adult and not too babyish. There truly is something for everyone. Another thing to note is the dances are led by real kids with an animated background rather than a faceless person. It made a big difference in keeping the girls engaged. (see video for example)

If you are playing via Kinect, I recommend disabling the motion tracker and using the controller. The sensor couldn’t keep track of who was playing therefore it was difficult to maneuver through the game.

Dance Modes:

• Just Dance: 1-4 players can dance to the song and are scored on accuracy.
• Freeze and Shake: cross between “Red Light, Green Light” and “Simon Says” where in the middle of the song you’ll see an icon  on the screen telling you to shake or to freeze, giving points for following the instructions correctly. The girls were too busy following the choreography to do this. I’m sure this is meant to appeal to younger kids who can’t follow along but it was a little difficult to focus on that icon when you’re trying to watch the dancers.

Honestly if you’re kids are like mine, all they will care about is the song and trying to follow along. All I care about as a parent is that they had fun and it kept them engaged for almost an hour. This is going to be my go-to activity when it’s too cold to go outside. Love that it will keep them moving and exerting energy.

Exclusive Cool Features per Console:

• Wii U – With the Dance Director Mode, one player acts as the leader and uses the Wii U GamePad to send the other players fun and surprising dance suggestions in the middle of songs! Kids can show off their unique moves and get awarded points by the Dance Director. Parties will never be the same again!
• Kinect – With the Just Create mode, kids can take the lead in their very own music video! They’ll be able to create their own dance routines and challenge friends! Now you’re the star!

Watch our video example of a song for older kids and one for younger kids.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiWP_oGyjyg[/youtube]

New and Improved Features Offer Strong Benefits for Parents

• Playlists allow parents to select all their kids’ favorite songs for nonstop dancing
• Cooperative four-player dancing
• Onscreen lyrics lets kids learn the words and sing along as they dance
• Simple menu icons allow kids to navigate on their own

COMPLETE TRACK LIST:

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.