• Portable gaming is becoming increasingly popular.smiling child image by Maxim Petrichuk from Fotolia.com
  
  Of the 65 percent of children ages 4-14 in the United States that have home access to a video game console system, 44 percent also own a hand-held gaming system, according to Industry Gamers. These 2010 figures include an 8 percent increase from 2005, indicating the portable gaming industry continues to gain favor with children. With a variety of hand-held systems to choose from, games representing all genres are available more than ever before.
  
  

Digital Games

• Digital portable gaming systems like the Nintendo DS and the Sony PSP offer titles typically associated with home video game consoles and bring it to portable format. The DS, which became available in the United States market in 2004, features an extensive gaming list with Nintendo-exclusive titles like "Nintendogs," "New Super Mario Bros" and "Mario Kart DS." The PlayStation Portable hit the market the next year and offers titles geared to older players such as "Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars" and "God of War: Chains of Olympus."
  
  

Educational Games

• Systems like The Leapster and The Leapster 2 from LeapFrog offer a wide variety of games in which education becomes the primary purpose. These hand-held systems are intended for a younger audience, typically ranging from age 4 to 10. Children have the option to play as their favorite characters from TV in games like "SpongeBob SquarePants Saves the Day" and "Creature Create." Games played on these systems track educational progress made by the player, training the users in concepts in logic, math, writing and reading.
  
  

Magnetic Games

• Another portable option that exists for children is the use of more old-fashioned magnetic-based games. While they do not offer the versatility or technology, they still provide a source of entertainment that children have the luxury of taking with them wherever they go. Magnet games come in many forms, ranging from Scrabble, chess, checkers, Chinese checkers and a long list of puzzle-based games as well.
  
  

Travel Board Games

• In many cases, popular board games are also available in a convenient portable package. Games like "Family Feud: Quick Pick Edition," "Clue Express" and "Boggle to Go" all offer the opportunity to take games along for out-of-town visits or long car trips.