Some developers treat kids too simply by explaining things or making it all about education when they make games. A good developer knows that kids of a certain age are a lot smarter than they may appear. That's how these games became more respected in the community because they were fun for all ages and did not talk down to kids.
From the NES to the Switch 2, there are great games for kids of all varieties, like RPGs or building sims. Minecraft, Lego Party, and the entire Just Dance franchise are just three examples, but let's get to the others and also explain why these three games rule.
Find all 10 pairs
Find all 10 pairs
Minecraft
Building A Better Life
Minecraft is the ultimate game for kids, and it was so successful as an indie game that it created a genre in both video games and the streamer market. The graphics are simple but clear, and the lack of a story or quest system will not bog younger players down with text they cannot read.
With some basic pointers on how to dig up the earth and how to craft, kids will learn from there. The creativity the Minecraft community has shown is incredible, and it’s a great one for adults too, to be clear.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
A Race To Your Dreams
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is one of the finest racing games around, which ultimately turned the franchise into the Super Smash Bros. of kart racers. Link from the Zelda series, Splatoon Kids from Splatoon, and many others from Nintendo franchises made it in, along with levels customized to their in-game universes.
It was a win for Nintendo fans, but kids got into it as well, thanks to the constant updates and availability on a portable console, the Switch. The controls are buttery smooth, so that anyone can turn the game on and play to have a good time.
Splatoon 3
A Kid-Friendly Shooter
Giving a shooting game to a child, especially a multiplayer-focused one, can be risky because of violence and bad sportsmanship from the opposing team. That’s what made the Splatoon games so good for kids, with Splatoon 3 being the most fully featured of the bunch.
In matches, players shoot their opponents with ink to knock them out, with the main goal being to paint the arena in their team’s colors. There is a story and some other side content, but for kids, the multiplayer mode was all they needed to get hooked.
Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu/Eevee!
Easier Than Most Pokemon Games
Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokemon: Let's Go, Eevee! are remakes of Pokemon Yellow for the Switch, which are the simplest to understand for younger players. When approaching a Pokemon, players can simply toss a Pokeball without battling, similar to Pokemon Go’s controls.
There is battling in the game, but it’s very easy and even more basic than past iterations. These games were definitely aimed toward kids even more than the main Pokemon games, so even though they may not appeal to adults, they are great starting points that help simplify the formula.
Kirby's Epic Yarn
Colorful, Cute, And Accessible
Kirby's Epic Yarn is a Wii game, which also got a port on the 3DS, starring Kirby in a 2D adventure where the entire world is made out of household materials, which is adorable and perfect for younger generations.
Instead of gaining powers from enemies, Kirby could transform into various vehicles depending on the situation. A fire truck could be used to put out fires, for example. The levels had more interactivity than most Kirby games, and the death penalty was so lacking that it easily became the best one to give to kids.
Disney Infinity 3.0
Three Properties In One
Disney Infinity 3.0 is the final iteration of the toys-to-life franchise, and it added Star Wars as the big new gimmick. Players could drop into playsets from the new or old Star Wars movies, along with gaining new Disney or Marvel characters to play with, like Mulan from Mulan or Rocket Raccoon from Guardians of the Galaxy.
Like Lego games, the action and puzzle platforming is easy enough to understand for kids, and the combat is not too challenging. For kids who love Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars characters, this was the ultimate dream that died too soon after launch.
Lego Party
A Better Way To Play Board Games
- ESRB
- Everyone / Mild Fantasy Violence, Comic Mischief
- Genre(s)
- Party Game
Lego Party is essentially a Mario Party clone wherein players get to choose their Lego character and then compete with others in a board game. Depending on where they land, players can get bonuses and even compete in mini-games.
The mini-games are the highlight as controls will always differ, but are simplistic enough to understand for any age player, from riding unicycles to snowboarding. It’s silly, colorful, and it’s part of a huge franchise that kids still love, Lego, so it’s a win-win situation for the whole family.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
An Island Resort By Your Making
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a more involved game, but like Minecraft, once the rules are explained, it will be easier to understand for all types of players. There is a lot of text, which may hinder some kids, too, but the gameplay loop is enjoyable to come back to on a day-to-day cycle.
It may even teach kids responsibility by sticking to schedules from weeding the garden to harvesting fruit to sell. The house customization, player customization, and all of the cute critter NPCs make it a fun one to look at for kids as a life-sim experience.
Just Dance
Get Up And Groove
Just Dance
- Released
- November 17, 2009
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ // Lyrics, Mild Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft
- Genre(s)
- Rhythm, Music
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Wii
Just Dance, from the very first iteration in 2009 to the latest 2026 model, has always been kid-friendly. No matter if it is a song kids know or understand, they will dance to it. Kids just like to dance, and this even led to spinoffs aimed at them.
Spinoffs aside, the mainline games have kid-centered songs too, like from Disney movies, including Moana, or cartoons like Bluey. When kids feel the itch to dance, even if they aren’t following the rhythm, they will gladly jump up and play any Just Dance game.
Sesame Street: Once Upon A Monster
Double Fine’s Hidden Masterpiece
Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster is one of the most obscure Double Fine games today, thanks to its Kinect-centered controls. In collaboration with The Muppets, each episode features a new mini-game to perform with characters like Elmo or Cookie Monster, including dancing.
Even though it is aimed at very young children, the game did not belittle kids. The presentation was inviting, silly, and the voice cast led an aura of authenticity to the project, showcasing that the team at Double Fine actually wanted to make something worthy of the Sesame Street name instead of creating a cheap cash grab.