Buying games for kids can be a daunting task. After all, many of them are violent or feature content unsuitable for the young. Don’t worry, we’ll help! We’ve picked a bunch of games that we think might be perfect for your progeny, without you having to worry about any nasty stuff they might contain.
Naturally, you need to pay attention to the ESRB or similar age ratings in order to determine whether a game you’re about to buy is suitable for your kids. Either way, most of the games on this list are perfect for any age. Yes, adults can enjoy them just as much, so don’t make the mistake of dismissing these titles as just “kiddie affairs!”
| Game | Release | Genre | Developer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Sackboy: A Big Adventure | 2022-10-27 | Platform | Sumo Digital |
 | Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Nintendo) (US) | 2017-04-27 | Kart racing | Nintendo EPD |
 | Minecraft Java Edition | 2013-11-19 | Action | Mojang Studios |
 | LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga | 2022-04-05 | Action | Traveller's Tales |
 | Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Nintendo) (EU) | 2020-03-20 | Social simulator | Nintendo EPD |
 | Need for Speed Unbound | 2022-12-02 | Racing | Criterion Games |
 | Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Nintendo) (EU) | 2017-04-27 | Kart racing | Nintendo EPD |
 | Untitled Goose Game | 2020-09-23 | Indie | Panic |
 | Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Nintendo) (US) | 2020-03-20 | Social simulator | Nintendo EPD |
Let’s take a look at our picks, shall we? Here’s the first game on our list:
Sackboy: A Big Adventure
| Release date: | 2022-10-27 |
| Genre: | Platform |
| Developer: | Sumo Digital |
This LittleBigPlanet spin-off from 2020 is a cutesy platform game that especially younger children (aged below 7, perhaps) will love. Unlike its 2.5D predecessor, this one is fully three-dimensional, allowing you to utilize a wide range of moves that you need to perform in order to progress further. There are also helpful powerups that will aid you in your quest.
And your goal? Thwart an evil plot by a vile villain going by the name Vex. This fellow enslaved the Sackpeople (minus Sackboy, who luckily escaped) and is full of malicious intent. Your goal is to stop him from taking over the Craftworld.
Minecraft
| Release date: | 2013-11-19 |
| Genre: | Action |
| Developer: | Mojang Studios |
We think we don’t really need to introduce this title. After all, it’s a classic, a game that kids all around the world know and love! Minecraft is famous for its survival mode, but its way more popular feature is the ability to construct amazing stuff using all the raw materials found around you.
It’s also an amazing educational tool, used in schools to teach chemistry, computer science and computer-aided design. Sounds like a fantastic title to get your kids, doesn’t it? Be sure to gift it to your progeny if you haven’t already. It’s not just a wonderful game, it’s also something that’ll teach them plenty of useful things without being blatant about it.
Minecraft is mainly available on PC, but there are also console and mobile versions of the title.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
| Release date: | 2022-04-05 |
| Genre: | Action |
| Developer: | Traveller's Tales |
Traveller’s Tales’ LEGO games were always a fun mixture of good-natured platforming and parodies of major franchises, such as Star Wars, the Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Marvel Cinematic Universe, DC Universe, and so on. Unfortunately, while fun, the gameplay of these games became somewhat stale and this is something The Skywalker Saga aimed to change.
This action-adventure game is a combination of all nine movies in the Star Wars saga into one huge campaign. No, it’s not a compilation of the previous games with some polish slapped on them and a bunch of extra missing levels added. It’s a fresh experience, with forty five levels across all nine episodes. There’s also plenty of other stuff to do, including exploration, unlocking new characters and collecting all the special items that are scattered across the game. What fun!
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch.
Need for Speed: Unbound
| Release date: | 2022-12-02 |
| Genre: | Racing |
| Developer: | Criterion Games |
The latest addition to the Need for Speed series, Unbound takes you to Lakeshore City, a fictional place inspired by Chicago, which you can freely explore and take part in all sorts of racing competitions. Street racing is the focus here and one of your goals is to gain notoriety among the police. You can also freely customize your cars. Unbound is also unique due to its visual style, which blends graffiti and cel-shading with realistic looks (which is a bit controversial, to be honest).
Since the game deals with illegal racing, it’s probably better for teens rather than kids, but if you’re looking for a fun arcade racer for young car fans, Unbound might be one of the best picks around.
The game is available on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
| Release date: | 2017-04-28 |
| Genre: | Kart racing |
| Developer: | Nintendo EAD |
A fantastic re-release of one of the best kart racers around, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe lets you compete with others on various courses and sabotage them with different power-ups. It’s all super crazy and fun! You can choose from all sorts of characters from the Mario universe (some cross-overs are also featured here) and game modes, which warrants hours of fun.
This cartoony mischief and mayhem is of course very family-friendly, so you can totally get it for your kids and even play with them, as split-screen supports up to four players. You can duke it out with even up to twelve players online.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is available on Nintendo Switch.
Stardew Valley
| Release date: | 2016-02-26 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | ConcernedApe |
This is one of the games that teach useful stuff in addition to being just plain fun! Stardew Valley is about your character taking over your in-game late grandfather’s farm. It’s old and dilapidated, but all it takes is just a bit of work and effort to restore it to its former glory, better yet, make it much bigger and much more profitable!
There’s even room for interaction with the citizens of Pelican Town. You can develop strong bonds with them and even marry them! Your spouse will then help out with the farm. Stardew Valley is a lovely, relaxing experience that is more about building and preserving rather than combat (although it is available here as well). Definitely one of the best games you can buy for your kids. You might as well pick it up yourself, there’s a huge chance you’ll enjoy it very, very much!
Stardew Valley is available on PC.
Untitled Goose Game
| Release date: | 2020-09-23 |
| Genre: | Indie |
| Developer: | House House |
Ah yes, the mischief simulator. Untitled Goose Game is equally fun to watch as it is to play! As the titular goose, your children’s task will be to complete certain tasks and pull innocuous pranks on the villagers. Nothing bad or harmful, just plenty of good-natured shenanigans. Better yet, two people can play in the co-operative mode together. Twice the fun!
If you’re looking for a great game that younger kids can easily pick up, one that lacks any violent content, Untitled Goose Game is a right choice. It’s clever, it’s cute, it’s really well-made. Who knows, maybe you’ll enjoy it yourself?
Untitled Goose Game is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
| Release date: | 2020-03-20 |
| Genre: | Social simulation |
| Developer: | Nintendo EPD |
The last game on our list is a yet another cutesy sim that’ll teach your kids how to build things and maintain them. New Horizons has you move to a deserted island where you can start your life anew and make the place your new home, interact with the locals, collect useful items and resources, as well as craft new items.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons will be fun both to newcomers and fans of the series. It’s lovely and super relaxing to play. There’s no need to worry about any violent content, the game is all about making your own place in the world.
