Finding fun and age-appropriate video games for kids can be a challenge for parents. With so many options on the market, it’s hard to know which games offer the right mix of entertainment and educational value. The best video games for kids should be engaging while also teaching valuable skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity.
Video games can be a great way for families to spend time together. Many parents now play games alongside their children, creating shared experiences and bonding opportunities. Games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Untitled Goose Game offer simple controls and fun gameplay that players of all ages can enjoy.
1) Among Us
Among Us is a popular multiplayer game where players work together on a spaceship while trying to figure out who among them is an impostor. The game has simple graphics and easy-to-learn gameplay that kids enjoy.
Players take on the role of crewmates completing tasks, while one or more players secretly act as impostors trying to sabotage the mission. It’s all about teamwork, trust, and a bit of detective work.
The game is rated E10+ by the ESRB, which means it’s deemed suitable for everyone 10 years and older. This rating includes content descriptors for fantasy violence and mild blood.
Among Us can be played online or over local WiFi with 4-15 players. Kids love the social aspect and the mystery of trying to find the impostor or tricking others when they’re the impostor.
Parents should know that Among Us is a game about teamwork where kids learn to figure out who can and can’t be trusted. It teaches deduction skills in a fun setting.
For younger children under 10, it’s best to have them play with friends or family rather than in public lobbies. This helps avoid potential exposure to inappropriate chat content.
The game is essentially a digital version of social deduction games like Werewolf or Mafia. Players must use their wits to either complete tasks or deceive others.
Among Us is available on multiple platforms including mobile devices, PC, and consoles, making it easily accessible for kids to play with friends.
2) Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers a peaceful gaming experience perfect for children. Players move to a deserted island where they can build a home, make friends with cute animal villagers, and enjoy various activities at their own pace.
The game is rated E for Everyone with only mild comic mischief. There’s no violence or danger, making it a safe choice for young gamers.
Kids can express their creativity by designing their island, decorating their house, and making custom clothing. They can also collect bugs, fish, and fossils to fill the island museum.
Parents looking for games suitable for younger children will find Animal Crossing to be a good fit. Some parents have found it enjoyable for children as young as 5 years old, though reading skills help with understanding the game’s instructions.
The game teaches patience and planning as many activities follow real-world time. Want to build a bridge? It will be ready tomorrow!
Children can play at their own speed with no pressure or time limits. This relaxed approach makes it stress-free and accessible.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons also supports multiplayer options. Family members can play together on the same island or visit friends’ islands when connected online.
Many parents appreciate the positive values the game promotes. It encourages being kind to neighbors, taking care of the environment, and saving money.
During challenging times, this game provides a happy escape where kids can feel in control of their own little world.
3) Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe stands as one of the most beloved racing games for kids on the Nintendo Switch. This game brings together fun racing action with easy-to-learn controls that children can quickly master.
The game features the biggest Mario Kart roster ever, letting kids play as their favorite Nintendo characters. Players can race as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and many others across dozens of colorful tracks.
One helpful feature for younger players is the Smart Steering option. This keeps cars on the track and helps new racers enjoy the game without falling off edges.
Kids love the split-screen multiplayer mode. Up to four players can race together on one Switch console, making it perfect for family game nights or playdates with friends.
The game includes many race tracks from past Mario Kart games plus brand new ones. These tracks offer a mix of easy paths for beginners and tricky routes for more skilled players.
Parents appreciate that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is rated E for Everyone. The gameplay stays fun and silly without any bad language or scary content.
According to reviews, children find this game amazing with lots of game modes. They enjoy the racing, battle mode, and time trials that keep the game fresh for months.
The bright colors and cheerful music create an exciting but kid-friendly atmosphere. Characters throw silly items like banana peels and shells instead of using weapons or harsh tactics.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe works great for both quick play sessions and longer racing tournaments. This flexibility makes it fit well into busy family schedules.
4) Minecraft
Minecraft is one of the most popular games for kids today. This block-building game lets children create almost anything they can imagine using simple cubes in different virtual worlds.
Kids can choose from four different game modes: creative, survival, hardcore, and adventure. In creative mode, kids have unlimited blocks and can focus on building without threats.
Survival mode adds more challenge as players must find resources and protect themselves from monsters. This mode teaches kids problem-solving while still having fun.
Minecraft is rated E10+ (Everyone 10+) by the ESRB with a content descriptor for Fantasy Violence. The game features blocky graphics that make even the monsters look more cute than scary.
Parents should know that Minecraft comes in different versions. The Java Edition is popular for PC players, while Bedrock Edition works on consoles and mobile devices.
Many schools now use Minecraft Education Edition to teach subjects like math, science, and history. This special version helps kids learn while playing.
The game encourages creativity, planning, and resource management. Kids learn to set goals and work toward them, whether building a simple house or an entire city.
Multiplayer options let children work together on projects. This teaches teamwork and communication as they plan and build structures as a group.
5) Astro Bot
Astro Bot is one of the best PlayStation games of the year. It stars a cute robot with blue pixelated eyes who explores the universe on exciting adventures.
Parents will be happy to know that Astro Bot is rated E10+ for Everyone 10+. The game contains only mild fantasy violence and some crude humor, making it perfect for family play.
Unlike its predecessor “ASTRO’s Playroom,” this game is a full-sized adventure with over four times more worlds. Kids will love hunting for the 300 robot friends hidden throughout the game.
The game shines with its fun and imaginative design. Critics have called it an “exceptional” game that teaches gaming history while being incredibly fun to play.
Astro Bot sits comfortably alongside Nintendo’s famous Mario titles in terms of quality and fun factor. It’s widely considered one of the best games created for modern consoles.
Kids will enjoy the dozens of new powers to discover as they progress. The game offers plenty of secrets and surprises that keep the experience fresh and exciting.
With no in-game purchases to worry about, parents can rest easy knowing there won’t be requests for extra spending. The single-player focus also means children can enjoy the game at their own pace.
6) Beat Saber
Beat Saber is a fun and exciting virtual reality game that kids of all ages can enjoy. Players use lightsaber-like controllers to slash through colorful blocks in time with music.
The game is age-appropriate for children and offers a great mix of entertainment and exercise. Kids can move their bodies while enjoying catchy songs and bright visuals.
What makes Beat Saber special is how easy it is to learn. Even young children around 5 years old can play on easier settings, though they’ll need time to master it.
The game includes different difficulty levels, making it perfect for beginners and experts alike. Some kids pick it up quickly – there are even reports of a 4-year-old playing on expert level!
Beat Saber counts as one of the best VR games for kids in 2025. It combines the fun of cutting objects with lightsabers and rhythm game elements in a virtual world.
Parents appreciate that Beat Saber gets kids moving. Twenty minutes of gameplay can serve as good exercise while kids have fun slashing through blocks.
The soundtrack features upbeat songs that appeal to children. The visuals are bright and engaging without being too complex or scary.
Beat Saber works on various VR platforms, making it accessible for families with different gaming setups. The game mashes together the joy of lightsabers, dancing, and virtual reality in an amazing way.
7) Super Mario 3D World
Super Mario 3D World is one of the best Mario games for kids. It strikes a perfect balance between fun and challenge that makes it great for young players.
The game is pretty easy for children to pick up and play. Many parents find that even younger kids can enjoy the colorful worlds and simple controls.
Kids can play alone or with friends. The four-player mode lets the whole family join in, which makes game night more fun for everyone.
Each level brings something new. From riding on Plessie (a friendly dinosaur) to using cat powers to climb walls, the game keeps things fresh and exciting.
The power-ups are a big hit with kids. The cat suit lets players climb walls and swipe at enemies. This adds a new twist to the classic Mario formula.
The game teaches kids to set and reach goals. They learn to solve problems and work through challenges as they try to beat each level.
Parents rate it as suitable for young children. The Switch version includes Bowser’s Fury, which some recommend for kids 5 and up.
The visuals pop with bright colors and fun designs. The music is catchy and upbeat, adding to the happy mood of the game.
Many consider it among the top Mario games on Switch, right up there with Super Mario Odyssey. Its mix of 2D and 3D gameplay offers the best of both styles.
8) Lego City Undercover
Lego City Undercover offers kids a fun and safe alternative to more mature open-world games. Players control Chase McCain, a police officer working to catch the villain Rex Fury while exploring a massive brick-built city.
The game combines humor and action in a way that appeals to children and parents alike. Kids can drive vehicles, solve puzzles, and discover secrets throughout the expansive city environment.
Parents appreciate that it’s kid-friendly while still offering GTA-style gameplay. No violence or bad language appears in this game – just classic Lego slapstick comedy.
The game includes a two-player co-op mode, making it perfect for parents to play with their children. This feature helps new gamers learn controls with help from more experienced players.
Lego City Undercover contains many movie references that will make adults laugh while keeping kids entertained with silly jokes. The writing hits the right balance for family gaming sessions.
Reviews often call it possibly the best Lego video game available. The city feels alive with activities and hidden items to find, giving players hours of content to enjoy.
Kids themselves say it’s “GTA but with Legos” in the best possible way. The game provides freedom to explore without any content that would worry parents.
With its mix of action, humor, and exploration, Lego City Undercover remains one of the top video game choices for children who want an open-world experience appropriate for their age.
9) Untitled Goose Game
Untitled Goose Game offers a unique twist on gameplay where kids control a mischievous goose. In this game, players waddle around a peaceful village causing harmless trouble for the residents.
The game’s appeal lies in its simple premise – you are a goose on a mission to annoy people. Kids can steal objects, honk loudly, and flap their wings to startle villagers.
The charming art style features clean lines and soft colors. This makes the game visually appealing without being too busy or distracting for younger players.
There’s no violence or inappropriate content in this slapstick-stealth-sandbox game. Parents can feel good about their children playing a game that focuses on silly pranks rather than combat.
The controls are easy to learn, making it perfect for kids of various ages. Players just need to walk, run, grab items, and honk – simple actions that create lots of fun.
Many parents have noted the game has a fun spin on mischief that kids enjoy. Though slightly mean-spirited, the pranks remain lighthearted and humorous.
The game includes puzzles that require some thinking but aren’t too hard. Children need to figure out how to complete tasks on their to-do list by using the goose’s limited abilities creatively.
Available on multiple platforms including Nintendo Switch, PC, and Mac, this indie hit is accessible to most families. The game can be played in short bursts, making it great for limited gaming time.
The lack of dialogue means reading skills aren’t needed to enjoy the game. Instead, the story unfolds through actions and reactions in this charming village setting.
10) Kerbal Space Program
Kerbal Space Program is a game that makes rocket science fun for kids. Players build and fly spacecraft in a physics-based world. The game’s cute green aliens (Kerbals) add humor to the serious task of space exploration.
Children love this game because they can create rockets that snap together like legos. There’s no single right way to build a spacecraft. Kids can try different designs and learn through trial and error.
Even young players enjoy Kerbal Space Program. Many parents report that it’s perfect for kids who might not fully grasp the orbital mechanics. The joy comes from both success and spectacular failures!
The game teaches basic physics in a hands-on way. Players learn about thrust, gravity, and aerodynamics as they play. These concepts stick because kids see them in action rather than just reading about them.
Some teachers use Kerbal Space Program in classrooms. It helps students understand science and math concepts through play. The game makes learning feel like an adventure rather than a chore.
Parents appreciate that the game is rated E for Everyone. There’s no violence or inappropriate content. Just green aliens and spaceships.
The game can even work as a group activity with children ages 4 to 10. Kids can take turns controlling different aspects of the mission. This teaches teamwork and communication skills.
For older kids, mods can expand the game to include interstellar exploration. This keeps the game fresh and challenging as children grow and learn more advanced concepts.
Benefits of Video Games for Children
Video games offer several valuable benefits for kids when played in moderation. These digital experiences can strengthen thinking skills and spark imagination in ways that many parents might not expect.
Enhancing Cognitive Skills
Children who play video games often show improved problem-solving skills as they work through game challenges. Research has found that kids who play video games for three or more hours per day tend to be faster and more accurate on certain cognitive tasks.
Video games help build better coordination and motor skills as players must react quickly while controlling game characters. Many games also boost reading skills, especially in children who might otherwise resist traditional reading materials.
Visual-spatial awareness improves as kids navigate 3D game worlds. This skill helps with:
- Map reading
- Puzzle solving
- Understanding directions
- Mental rotation of objects
Games with multiplayer features can teach teamwork and communication, which are vital life skills.
Fostering Creativity and Imagination
Many video games create rich worlds where children can experiment freely and try new ideas without real-world consequences. Games support children’s sense of autonomy and creativity, giving them control over their digital environment.
Open-world and building games like Minecraft encourage kids to design and create their own structures and stories. This type of play helps develop original thinking and innovative problem-solving approaches.
When families play video games together, they build stronger bonds through shared experiences. Parents and children can take turns, share tips, and overcome challenges as a team.
Games with strong storylines inspire kids to think about characters’ motivations and imagine different outcomes. Many children extend their gaming experiences into imaginative play away from screens, creating stories based on game characters and worlds.
Parental Controls and Supervision
Video games can be a fun activity for kids, but parents need tools to manage game time and content. Modern gaming platforms offer various control options to help create a safe gaming environment.
Setting Time Limits
Parental control software gives parents power over when and how long children play video games. Most gaming systems now have built-in timers that can automatically shut down after a set period.
On consoles like PlayStation and Xbox, parents can set specific play hours. For example, they might allow gaming only between 3 PM and 7 PM on weekdays.
PC gaming platforms such as Epic Games offer similar controls. Parents can set daily time limits or schedule when games are playable.
Many of these systems send reports to parents about gaming habits. This feature helps families have honest talks about healthy gaming balance.
Experts recommend starting with generous time limits and gradually adjusting as needed. This approach feels less like punishment and more like guidance.
Educational Game Options
Many games combine fun with learning, making screen time more valuable. Simple control games like the Pajama Sam and Freddi Fish series help young children develop problem-solving skills through point-and-click adventures.
Minecraft Education Edition teaches coding basics while letting kids build and explore. Games like National Geographic Challenge improve geography knowledge through fun quizzes and challenges.
For math skills, try Prodigy Math or Dragon Box, which make numbers fun. Language learning happens naturally in games like Scribblenauts, where kids must spell words to solve puzzles.
Kid-friendly games like Super Mario 3D World offer simple controls but hide deeper gameplay. This design lets children succeed while still being challenged.
When choosing educational games, look for those matching your child’s age and skill level. The best educational games don’t feel like homework—they feel like play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Parents often wonder which video games are right for their children’s age and development level. These questions cover game recommendations for different ages and how to choose appropriate options for kids.
What are some age-appropriate video games for 10-year-olds?
Ten-year-olds enjoy games with creativity and mild challenges. Minecraft offers endless building possibilities in a sandbox world where kids can create anything they imagine.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons provides a peaceful island life simulation with no violence. Kids can design their own island, make friends with animal villagers, and play at their own pace.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe brings family-friendly racing that’s easy to learn but offers depth for growing skills. The multiplayer options make it great for family game nights too.
Which video game consoles are recommended for children aged 7?
Nintendo Switch is ideal for 7-year-olds due to its large library of family-friendly games and flexible play options. Kids can play on the TV or in handheld mode, making it versatile for different situations.
The Switch Lite is another good option if portability matters more than TV play. It’s more affordable and designed specifically for handheld gaming.
Xbox Series S with Game Pass offers good value with many age-appropriate games available through the subscription service. Parents can set screen time and content limits easily.
Can you suggest some video games that are suitable for children aged 12?
Among Us teaches teamwork and deduction skills as players work together to find the “impostor” on their spaceship. The cartoon violence is very mild, making it appropriate for most 12-year-olds.
Astro Bot showcases platforming fun with charming robot characters and no inappropriate content. The game includes clever puzzles that challenge kids without frustrating them.
Sports titles like NBA 2K or FIFA series provide realistic simulations of favorite sports. These games can teach strategy and offer multiplayer options for friendly competition.
What are the safest video game options for young children?
PBS Kids games are designed specifically for young children with education in mind. These games focus on learning through play with familiar characters.
Nintendo’s first-party games like Mario and Kirby titles are famously safe for all ages. They avoid realistic violence, bad language, and other mature themes.
Games with the ESRB rating of EC (Early Childhood) or E (Everyone) without interactive elements are safest. Parents should still check reviews for content that might upset sensitive children.
How do I choose the best video games for kids around 6 years old?
Look for games with simple controls and clear objectives. Six-year-olds are still developing coordination, so games shouldn’t require complex button combinations.
Consider educational games that teach basic reading, math, or problem-solving. Games like Animal Crossing can introduce concepts like saving money and resource management in a fun way.
Check for adjustable difficulty settings so the game can grow with your child. Many Nintendo games offer “assist modes” that help younger players succeed while still having fun.
What are the most engaging video games for 11-year-old players?
Minecraft continues to be highly engaging for 11-year-olds, offering both creative and survival modes. The game’s flexibility allows kids to build amazing structures or go on adventures with friends.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe balances accessibility with depth, making it perfect for this age group. The variety of tracks, characters, and kart customization options keeps the experience fresh.
Among Us encourages social deduction and communication skills that 11-year-olds are developing. The game’s simple premise hides complex social dynamics that kids find fascinating.
