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The best video games that kids can play that are family friendly without blood and gore.
It’s not easy to find the greatest video games for kids. There are many video games aimed towards children, and some of the best-selling games of all time are aimed at a younger demographic, but sorting through all the alternatives to identify what’s “good” is a difficult task.
Fortunately, you do not have to go through the procedure. We’ve compiled a list of 30 of the best games for kids on PlayStation 5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC.
What to Look for When Buying Video Games for Kids
Age-Appropriate
The age-appropriateness of the game is one of the most crucial elements to consider while purchasing video games for your child. The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rates video games, giving parents and caregivers an indication of a game’s proper age level usage.
- E: This level rating means “Everyone,” so the content is typically suitable for all ages. There may be mild language or mild violence depending on the game.
- E 10+: Meant for “Everyone 10+,” children from 10 years old and up can play the content in video games with this rating. It’s once again possible there will be fantasy, cartoon, mild language or violence, or suggestive themes.
- T: Standing for “Teen,” this content is usually OK for children ages 13 years old and up. However, language is typically stronger, and there may be more crude humor, gambling, or violence depending on the video game.
- M: “Mature 17+” is for those who are 17 years old and older due to content possibly containing blood/gore, sexual content, strong language, and intense violence.
- A: This rating is for “Adults 18+” because content is not suitable for children at all. Video games with this rating may contain gambling with real money, graphic sexual content, or long moments with intense violence.
- RP: RP stands for “Rating Pending,” meaning video games with this rating have not yet been assigned a final ESRB rating.
System Type
There are dozens of various video gaming systems to pick from, believe it or not. Some of the most well-known ones are PlayStation, XBOX, PC games, and mobile games.
Because video games aren’t a “one-game-fits-all” when it comes to consoles, make sure the games you’re considering are compatible with your child’s system.
Typically, you will notice a description of the system with which the video game is compatible. For example, XBOX is recognised for their green cases, whereas PlayStation will display a “PS4” with the number corresponding to the system.
Best Video Games For Kids
Paw Patrol: On A Roll
Paw Patrol: On A Roll is a fun and exciting action game for kids. It is a virtual reality game based on the popular Paw Patrol TV show. The game allows players to control their favorite Paw Patrol character, Chase, Marshall, Skye and Rubble.
They can play as Chase, Marshall or Rubble in various missions to save the day and help rescue stranded puppies. The game supports VR headsets such as Google Cardboard, Samsung Gear VR and Oculus Rift. Parents can use the app to check in on their children while they are playing.
It is also great for kids who have autism or other special needs because the characters and scenarios correspond closely to those found in their daily lives.
The game can be played alone or with friends because it is easy to set up and use. It only takes about 10 minutes to get started.
Pokemon Snap
The best video game for kids is a game that allows your child to learn about different animals and the environment in a fun way. Some of the most popular games for kids include Pokémon, Angry Birds, and Minecraft.
There are many benefits to playing video games, including improved hand/eye coordination, problem-solving skills, reflexes and reaction time. As your child grows older, they will learn how to focus and concentrate. Playing video games can also help build confidence as your child becomes more comfortable with taking risks and making decisions in unfamiliar environments.
Super Mario 3D World
The Super Mario series is one of the most beloved video game series of all time, and it has been loved by kids and adults alike for over 30 years. The original Super Mario Bros. was released in 1981 for the Nintendo Entertainment System and instantly became a hit with both kids and adults. Since then, there have been hundreds of games in the series, including not only platformers like Super Mario 3D World, but also puzzle games like Super Mario 2D World and action games like New Super Mario Bros U.
Many of these games have been released on a variety of different platforms, including Nintendo’s own Wii U console. Whether you are a kid who loves to play video games or an adult who grew up playing them, there is sure to be something in the Super Mario series that you will enjoy.
So grab your favorite controller, suit up as one of your favorite characters from the Mushroom Kingdom, and let’s go!
Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster
Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster is a video game based on the Sesame Street characters, created by Ubisoft and released in September 2011. The game was developed for multiple platforms, including Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
The gameplay is similar to other point-and-click adventure games, in which the player explores environments and interacts with characters to solve puzzles. The story of the game revolves around Big Bird searching for a monster called “The Beast”, who has abducted Grover, Cookie Monster’s best friend. The player controls Big Bird as he explores various scenes to find clues leading to the Beast’s location.
Hasbro Family Fun Pack
The “Family Fun Pack” is a video game that was released for the Nintendo GameCube, Microsoft Xbox, and Sony PlayStation 2. It is based on the “My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic” TV show. The game is developed by Headstrong Software and designed by Hasbro Interactive. It is part of the “My Little Pony” series and one of a number of similar titles based on the franchise.
In this game players take control of Twilight Sparkle and her friends as they learn how to use magic. The player can explore Ponyville, Cloudsdale and other locations while meeting many new characters. The goal is to complete various quests in order to create friendship between ponies. Along the way players can collect items, level up their characters and unlock new areas.
Super Mario Odyssey
The latest installment of the “Mario” series, “Super Mario Odyssey”, was released on October 27, 2017. This latest installment is a 3D platformer with open-ended gameplay elements that takes place in New Donk City. It introduces several new mechanics including Cappy, a character that can be picked up and used as a weapon.
Cappy can also be used to solve puzzles or defeat enemies. The game also features characters from across the franchise such as Mario, Luigi, Peach and Bowser. Most notable however is the inclusion of two new playable characters: Mario’s brother Luigi and his daughter Moustafa.
Cappy (the main character) can take on the form of certain enemies in the game and use them as weapons to fight enemies or solve puzzles. Cappy can also be used to suck up items such as coins, Moons, Power Moons and even capture enemies. One unique aspect of this installment is that all of these collectibles are scattered throughout New Donk City so it will take players some time to fully complete the game.
In addition to being a fun game that everyone can enjoy, “Super Mario Odyssey” also has an educational side to it as it explores many different themes through the game’s story and gameplay mechanics. For example, one main theme is family and how they affect our lives. There are also other themes such as parenting, technology and education that are
Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection
Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection is a video game developed and published by PlayFirst, which was released on September 29, 2017. This game is part of the Zoo Tycoon series. In this game, you can build zoos and aquariums by yourself or with your friends. You can also buy animals from the zoo to add to your zoo and make money from renting them out to tourists.
There are also new features in this game compared to previous ones in the series, such as an improved graphics engine for better graphics, increased customization options for your zoo, and more realistic animal behaviors.
There are five different types of animals that you can buy and keep in your zoo. These include amphibians, reptiles, mammals, birds, and invertebrates. You can raise these animals in accordance with their specific needs such as whether they need to be fed more often or have more space at home.
Yoshi’s Crafted World
Yoshi’s Crafted World is an upcoming sandbox platformer video game for the Wii U and Nintendo Switch. It was developed by Good-Feel and published by Nintendo for North America and Europe in 2019. A free demo version of the game was released on June 27, 2018. An open beta version was released on September 26, 2018, and a full release version was released on October 16, 2018.
In Yoshi’s Crafted World, players can create their own Yoshi eggs with various materials found throughout the world to hatch a wide variety of custom Yoshi including Baby Yoshis that can be used as a mount.
Players can also customize their own Yoshi Eggs using different color palettes to create unique combinations and have fun with friends as they share screenshots of their custom eggs online in social media. In addition, players can use their custom eggs to help them explore and complete missions.
During gameplay, players can also collect Power Eggs to unlock special abilities like Baby Yoshis that can be used to solve puzzles or defeat bosses. In addition there are several different types of enemies to fight such as Shy Guys and Spiny Tops that players can defeat with the help of Baby Yoshis or other special abilities.
Nickelodeon Kart Racers
Nickelodeon Kart Racers is an action-racing video game developed by Three Rings and published by Vivendi Games in 2010. It is based on the Nickelodeon TV series “The Legend of Korra” and follows Korra, a female Avatar, and Asami, her rival.
The player controls Korra and can select between three different racing modes: time trial, battle mode, and battle arena. In each mode, the player must complete various objectives to win points. Throughout the game, the player can collect items such as health boosts, speed boosters, and traction boosters.
There are five tracks in total: track 1 – Time Trial; track 2 – Battle Arena; track 3 – Battle Arena; track 4 – Time Trial; track 5 – Time Trial
Minecraft
Minecraft is a sandbox video game created by Swedish game developer Markus Persson, and later developed and published by Mojang. It is available on Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, and iOS.
The player is placed in a 3D virtual world composed of cubes from which they can build. Everything in the game can be manipulated and customized. Players can collect resources such as wood, stone and ore to build shelters, roads and other structures. They can also mine ore to craft tools and weapons.
The game allows players to interact with each other by trading items and creating alliances. There are also games-within-the-game that the player can participate in, including survival modes where they must collect resources to avoid death.
The game was inspired by Infiniminer, Dwarf Fortress and Dungeon Keeper (among others), but its gameplay mechanics and aesthetics are original creations from Persson himself. Despite its sandbox nature, it has a strong focus on survival aspects; players must provide for themselves in order to survive in the world.
Minecraft has become one of the best-selling video games of all time with over 105 million copies sold across all platforms as of February 2018.
Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure
“Rush: A Disney Pixar Adventure” is a video game based on “Cars 3”. It was released for the iOS, Android, and Kindle Fire operating systems in 2017.
The game follows Lightning McQueen who, along with his friends Mater and Sally, must work together to collect all the pieces of a rolling car that has been stolen. The player can control the vehicle’s speed by tilting their device.
The game features a mix of driving and puzzle gameplay. The player must navigate through mazes, avoid obstacles, and collect items to progress.
Among Us
The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
Link’s Awakening is the first Zelda game that was designed for the Game Boy handheld console. It was released in 1993 and has since become one of the most popular titles in all of Nintendo’s expansive library.
The game follows the young hero as he finds himself washed up on a mysterious island. There, he must try to fight off the evil forces that have taken over the place and restore peace to the land. With its beautiful visuals and engaging gameplay, Link’s Awakening is a classic adventure worth playing.
If you’re new to the series or just looking for something fun to play on your phone or tablet, this is a great place to start. You can get it on both Android and iOS, so you’ll be able to enjoy it no matter which device you use.
Just Dance
Dance games are a popular form of entertainment. They allow players to tap, swipe and hold patterns on a virtual dance floor to match the beat and earn points. Some players perform dances in real life while others simply move their bodies in sync with the game’s song. The first Dance video game was released in 2005. It was called “Dance Dance Revolution.”
The game is designed for participants to dance to “exercises” that show how they can move their feet and body in perfect time to the music.
There are currently over 700 Dance video games for different platforms including Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Android and iOS. Each one has its own unique gameplay style. Some use motion controls while others require players to press buttons on a controller or keyboard. Every Dance game is unique from each other in terms of gameplay, songs, difficulty and even graphics.
Super Mario Maker 2
When the original Mario Maker was released on Wii U in 2015, it introduced a unique way for people to create levels for their favorite games.
Now, the game is making its way to the Nintendo Switch as a sequel that offers many improvements over the original. For example, creating stages for Mario games has been completely revamped with new tools and features. The level editor is also more flexible and easier to use than before. Of course, this game wouldn’t be complete without all of the classic Mario games represented as well.
Once you’re done creating your masterpiece, you can even share it online and watch as other players try to beat your level. With so much fun to be had, the only thing standing in the way of Mushroom Kingdom greatness is you!
EA Sports FIFA 21
The EA Sports FIFA franchise is an annual series of association football video games published by Electronic Arts. The first game of the series was released in 1993, and has since become the best-selling sports video game franchise.
The latest version, FIFA 21, was released on September 25, 2018 for PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.
As of May 2018, EA Sports has sold over 250 million copies of FIFA franchise games worldwide. As well as football games, the FIFA franchise also includes soccer simulation games such as FIFA Soccer 14 and FIFA Street.
Scribblenauts Mega Pack
Scribblenauts is a puzzle-adventure video game developed by 5th Cell and released for the Nintendo DS. Scribblenauts was first released on October 7, 2008 in North America.
The game follows the adventures of Maxwell, a young boy who has the ability to summon anything he writes down into existence. By using shape-shifting magic and his imagination, Maxwell is able to create anything he can imagine by simply drawing it.
The game has been well received by critics and players alike.
It won numerous awards including Best Puzzle Game of 2009 from IGN, Best Puzzle Platformer of 2009 at GameTrailers, and Best Puzzle Game of 2009 by Gametrailers. It also came 4th place on Metacritic’s Top 25 DS games of all time list.
Epic Games – Fortnite
Epic games is one of the leading video game companies in the world. They are responsible for some of the most successful video games like Fortnite and PUBG. They are also known for their community-oriented approach to game development which has resulted in a very positive reputation with gamers.
In addition to creating successful video games, Epic Games is also an active supporter of various causes and charities. They have donated money and resources to various organizations that support workers rights, animal rights, and environmental conservation. In addition, they have helped to raise awareness about those issues by partnering with other organizations to create special events and fundraisers.
Epic Games was founded by Tim Sweeney in 1991. The company’s first product was Unreal, a popular first-person shooter (FPS) game engine. It continues to be used by many major developers today.
Dragon Quest Builders
The “Builders” series is a spin-off of the “Square Enix Collective” initiative. The goal of this initiative is to help independent developers and small teams get their foot in the door with larger publishers. As such, many of the games released under this banner have been developed by teams with less than $10,000 in funding.
One of the best-known examples of a game that was built by a small team through the Collective is “Dragon Quest Builders.” Originally released for both PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in 2018, “Builders” is a sandbox action RPG set in the world of Dragon Quest.
In addition to building new buildings and customizing your own home, you’ll also be able to explore outdoor areas and fight large monsters with up to three other players. If you’re interested in seeing how other developers have taken advantage of the Collective, then you should definitely check out “Builders.”
Mario Kart 8
Mario Kart 8 is a kart racing video game developed by Nintendo EAD and published by Nintendo for the Wii U console. It is the eighth main installment in the Mario Kart series and was released worldwide on April 28, 2016.
There are eight playable characters to choose from, each with their own vehicle and kart. The player can switch between them at any point during the race. Each character has different statistics including speed, acceleration and weight, which affect how they drive and handle on the track. The game features anti-gravity sections where players can drive on walls and ceilings. The game also features character-specific items that can be picked up during a race and used to help in certain situations.
There are a total of 24 tracks in the game, split into four different cups: Mushroom, Flower, Star and Special. Each cup has four tracks, with three being unlockable after completing the first three cups. There are also five battle courses that feature item boxes that contain items like Bob-Ombs that can be picked up by other racers or thrown at them to slow them down or slow down their vehicle altogether.
There are also two battle modes: Balloon Battle and Coin Runners, both available only in Battle Mode. These modes involve grabbing coins spread throughout the course while avoiding obstacles such as metal barriers or spike balls thrown by opponents to hinder you from reaching your goal.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is a first-person action-adventure video game developed by Insomniac Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation Vita. It is the fourth installment in the “Ratchet & Clank” series, following its predecessor “Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault”, and preceded by “” and “” respectively.
Rift is set on planet Quartu, which has been quarantined to prevent a deadly epidemic from spreading to the rest of the galaxy. The player controls Ratchet, who must find out what caused this quarantine and stop it from infecting other planets. The game features boss battles against giant robots and giant monsters, platforming levels, weapons customization, and an online multiplayer mode co-op play with up to four players on Vita.
The game received mixed reviews from critics upon release; while it received high praise for its graphics, gameplay, and sound design, it scored low marks for its story and linearity. It was praised for its visuals on Vita but criticized for its short length. A sequel titled “Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus” was released in 2019.
Playing video games with your kids
You don’t want your child drowning in screen time, but playing video games with your children is acceptable. Especially if you’re cooperating or working towards a same goal.
Benefits Of Video Games For Kids
When children play video games, there are obvious precautions that parents should take. Some children have difficulty turning off or transitioning from gaming. Others experience mood swings or become hyperfocused while playing. There are other children who are secretive or who are completely obsessed by video games. However, there are some advantages.
Reading
According to studies, children who play video games may improve their reading skills slightly. This is true even for children who have difficulty reading and when they play action games.
Researchers believe this is because children must decipher language instructions in order to play. There’s also the element of amusement. Children who are hesitant to open a traditional book may hurry to read a website or internet forum to stay up to date on their favourite game.
That doesn’t imply video games should take the place of reading.
Visual Spatial Skills
Many games, such as Minecraft, are set in 3D virtual environments that children must navigate. There’s also no GPS or smartphone map app to guide you.
As a result, children who play these games have the opportunity to practise their visual-spatial skills. This can help you perceive distance and space better.
Imagination and Creativity
There’s a lot of room for imaginative play when kids are young, from LEGOs to dolls to make-believe. However, for tweens and teens, society sometimes frowns on such type of play. Video games allow children to continue their imaginative play.
There is additional evidence that games promote innovative thinking. Twelve-year-old gamers were asked to sketch, tell tales, ask questions, and make predictions in one study. All of the children shown a high level of originality and interest.
Career Opportunities
The inaugural Fortnite World Cup victor, a 16-year-old boy, took home $3 million. The other 99 solo finalists received prizes ranging from $50,000 to $1.8 million.
Like professional athletics, the chances of becoming a professional video gamer are extremely slim. However, the video game business is expanding at a considerably quicker rate than traditional sports and entertainment.
There are numerous occupations available in this expanding business, including coding, marketing, and event management.
Signs that Your child is playing video games too often
For older children, the AAP recommends no more than two hours of video game activity per day. Even this may be too much screen time for some youngsters, and there are warning signals to look out for if your child has been playing too much. 3
Sleep deprivation and focus problems after playing are indicators that your child needs to put down the controller for a well-deserved rest. Look for a lack of time management skills as well as what video game violence is saying. Finding a happy medium with video games can ensure that your child is healthy not only physically, but also psychologically.
Can video games be beneficial for Your child’s health
While video games have a negative reputation when it comes to children, there are some advantages to screen time. However, the advantages will vary depending on the type of video games your child plays.
Some games will assist your youngster improve their problem-solving skills or hand-eye coordination, depending on the game. If your youngster enjoys Virtual Reality games, they will benefit from physical activity. However, it is vital to note that computer games should not be used in place of going outside or participating in sports, and that moderation is essential.
