Often, game developers underestimate kids, focusing too much on teaching or oversimplifying their explanations. However, skilled developers recognize that children are surprisingly insightful. This approach led to games gaining more recognition – they were enjoyable for everyone, and importantly, they treated kids with respect instead of talking down to them.
Whether it’s the classic NES or the upcoming Switch 2, there are tons of fantastic games for kids, including role-playing games and building simulators. Games like Minecraft, Lego Party, and the Just Dance series are incredibly popular, and we’ll explore why, along with many other great options.
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Minecraft
Building A Better Life
Minecraft is a hugely popular game for kids, and its initial success as an independent creation actually helped define a new type of game and influenced online streaming. While the visuals are basic, they’re easy to understand, and the game doesn’t rely on complicated stories or quests that might be difficult for younger players to follow.
Kids can quickly pick up the basics of building and crafting in Minecraft, and then their imaginations can take over. The Minecraft community is amazingly creative, and it’s also a fun game for adults!
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
A Race To Your Dreams
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a truly excellent racing game and has become the defining kart racer, much like Super Smash Bros. is for fighting games. It features a wide range of characters from popular Nintendo franchises like Zelda and Splatoon, and the race tracks are designed to match their worlds.
Nintendo fans loved it, and kids did too! The game was constantly being updated and easy to play on the go with the Switch. Plus, the controls were incredibly smooth, making it simple for anyone to pick up and enjoy.
Splatoon 3
A Kid-Friendly Shooter
It can be concerning to let children play shooting games, particularly those with online multiplayer, due to potential violence and negative interactions with other players. The Splatoon series, and especially Splatoon 3, stood out because it offered a kid-friendly alternative.
Honestly, as a fan, the best part of this game is the matches! You basically shoot ink at the other players to cover them and win, but the real goal is to paint the whole arena with your team’s color. There’s a story mode and stuff, but when I was a kid, all my friends and I cared about was the multiplayer – it was SO addictive!
Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu/Eevee!
Easier Than Most Pokemon Games
Both Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! are updated versions of the classic Pokémon Yellow game, now available on the Nintendo Switch. They’re designed to be easy for new and younger players to pick up. Like in Pokémon Go, you can catch Pokémon simply by throwing a Poké Ball when you encounter them, without needing to battle first.
The battles in this game are quite simple, even simpler than in previous versions. These games are clearly designed for younger players, making them a good introduction to the series, though they might not be as engaging for adults. They take a more streamlined approach to the core gameplay.
Kirby’s Epic Yarn
Colorful, Cute, And Accessible
Kirby’s Epic Yarn is a charming Wii game, also available on the 3DS, that puts Kirby in a delightful 2D world crafted entirely from everyday objects. It’s a particularly great game for younger players.
Unlike typical Kirby games where he copies enemy abilities, this game let Kirby turn into different vehicles to solve problems – like becoming a fire truck to extinguish flames. The levels were more interactive, and because it was so forgiving – meaning there was almost no penalty for failing – it was a great choice for younger players.
Disney Infinity 3.0
Three Properties In One
Disney Infinity 3.0 was the last game in the Disney Infinity series, and it became popular by including Star Wars. Players could use Star Wars figures to unlock playsets based on the movies, and also collect new characters from Disney and Marvel, such as Mulan and Rocket Raccoon, to use in the game.
Similar to Lego games, this platformer is simple for kids to pick up and play, and the battles aren’t very difficult. For fans of Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars, it was a perfect game that unfortunately didn’t stay popular for long after it came out.
Lego Party
A Better Way To Play Board Games
Lego Party is very similar to Mario Party. Players pick a Lego character and then play a board game against each other. Landing on different spaces can give players advantages or trigger fun mini-games.
The best part of this game is the collection of mini-games. While each one plays a little differently, they’re all easy to pick up, making them fun for players of all ages – whether you’re virtually riding a unicycle or snowboarding! It’s a bright, cheerful game, and because it’s part of the popular Lego brand that kids already enjoy, it’s a great choice for family fun.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
An Island Resort By Your Making
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a bit more complex, but similar to Minecraft, it becomes easy to pick up once you understand the basics. While there’s a lot of reading involved, which might be challenging for some children, the game is fun to play regularly.
This game can also help children learn responsibility by following routines, like tending the garden and selling the harvest. With its customizable house, characters, and adorable animal neighbors, it’s a visually appealing and engaging life simulation for kids.
Just Dance
Get Up And Groove
Since its beginning in 2009, the Just Dance series has always been popular with children. Kids enjoy dancing to the music, even if they don’t fully understand the songs, and this popularity led to the creation of Just Dance games specifically designed for them.
Besides extra games, the main Just Dance series also features songs kids love, such as those from Disney films like Moana or popular cartoons like Bluey. If a child feels like moving, they’ll happily dance along to any Just Dance game, even if they don’t quite hit the beat.
Sesame Street: Once Upon A Monster
Double Fine’s Hidden Masterpiece
Despite being made by the talented team at Double Fine and featuring beloved characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets, Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster isn’t very well known today. This is likely due to the fact that the game heavily relied on the Kinect motion sensor. Each part of the game offers a different, small activity, often involving dancing with characters like Elmo and Cookie Monster.
Despite being designed for very young children, the game felt respectful and never talked down to them. It was presented in a fun and playful way, and the voice actors sounded genuine, showing that the team at Double Fine truly cared about creating a quality game worthy of the Sesame Street brand, rather than just a quick way to make money.
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2026-04-02 00:35