The best games for kids

In this guide about games for kids you will learn:

  • Which computer games are particularly suitable for children
  • For which age groups the games are suitable
  • For which platforms the games are available
  • Why these games are particularly clever or creative for children

With our guide to games for children, we offer you an up-to-date overview of games that are ideal for children. We've chosen some of them because they're fun for all ages, while others are specifically for kids of a certain age. Be sure to explain the games well to your children and don't let them play alone, but get involved and help if they get stuck. This increases the fun of the game and avoids frustration.

We'll also tell you which games offer additional content for extra money and which games are completely free of microtransactions.

Super Mario Maker 2

Finally create Super Mario levels yourself! The accessible level editor in Super Mario Maker 2 () lets kids get started right away, arranging objects and game characters as they see fit. Even the music and sounds can be changed, and parents can help their little architects build. Those who have built enough will find over 100 levels in the story mode or can download and play other players' creations online.

  • Suitable for: Children from 6 years
  • Paid additional content: No
  • Genre: Jump&Run
  • Platform: Nintendo Switch

Super Mario 3D World Bowser's Fury

Super Mario 3D World () teaches children spatial thinking. Unlike classic Mario games, the aim here is to explore a three-dimensional game world with up to four players. Pleasing: Princess Peach is not a helpless maiden this time, but can also be chosen as a character alongside Mario, Luigi and Toad. Less pleasing: the seven fairies of Fairyland take over Peach's old role - they are held captive by villain Bowser.

  • Suitable for: Children ages 6 and up
  • Paid additional content: No
  • Genre: Jump&Run
  • Platform: Nintendo Switch

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Fun for the whole family: in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (), even the youngest players can join in the fun thanks to the clever controls, which ensure that you don't go off the track or in the wrong direction. A total of 48 tracks and over 40 game characters await up to four players on one console at the same time. Thanks to the new DLC, the total number of tracks will be expanded by another 48 tracks by the end of 2023.

  • Suitable for: Children ages 4 and up
  • Paid additional content: Yes - booster track pass ()
  • Genre: Racing game
  • Platform: Nintendo Switch

Mario Party Superstars

Board games were yesterday, today the family can gather around the Switch: In over 100 mini-games, Mario Party Superstars () makes excellent use of the Joy-Cons' capabilities and the mobile screen. The games can be played both with and against each other - so skill and teamwork are trained in equal measure.

  • Suitable for: Children aged 6 and up
  • Paid additional content: No
  • Genre: Party game
  • Platform: Nintendo Switch

Rayman Legends

Rayman is not quite as old as Mario, but at around 25 years old, he is also one of the long-serving jump&run game characters. Up to four players can compete together in local co-op mode. Some of the levels don 't give Rayman time to think, which is why Rayman Legends () is rather unsuitable for the very young.

  • Suitable for: Children from the age of 8
  • Paid additional content: No
  • Genre: Jump&Run
  • Platform: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Wii, Wii U, Nintento Switch

Minecraft

Minecraft () has been taking children's hearts by storm since its release in 2009: the mixture of construction kit and role-playing elements is, in a way, a genre in itself and is considered the best-selling game in the world. Like a Lego box, Minecraft gives children a lot of creative freedom to dive into their own world, which is why parents should always keep an eye on the length of the game.

Although the Minecraft in-game store offers additional content for a fee, the huge community has also created a lot of free content for the block game. We'll introduce you to the best free mods, skins, texture packs and more in our guides.

  • Suitable for: Children 6 years and older
  • Paid add-on content: Yes, there are numerous skins, texture packs, maps or even mini-games to buy in the in-game store
  • Genre: Open-world game, building simulation
  • Platform: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo 3DS

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

With Pokémon Legends: Arceus (), the popular series takes on a whole new tone. For the first time, you move with your trainer in an open world and hunt for pocket monsters. Instead of fighting against other trainers, in Arceus you'll mainly be competing against the great kings, who have to be defeated. However, it's precisely because of such battles and the game's complexity that this Pokémon installment is aimed more at older children.

  • Suitable for: Children 12 years and older
  • Paid additional content: No
  • Genre: Role-playing game
  • Platform: Nintendo Switch

Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

For teenagers, Zelda: Breath of the Wild () is suitable for the Nintendo Switch. The huge open world wants to be explored and Princess Zelda must be saved. Along the way, you have to collect herbs and flowers, solve small puzzles, and fight all kinds of baddies. Our ten most important beginner tips for Zelda: Breath of the Wild will help you get started in the fantasy land of Hyrule.

  • Suitable for: Children aged 12 and up
  • Paid additional content: Yes, paid expansion pass offers new challenges
  • Genre: Action-Adventure
  • Platform: Nintendo Switch

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Animal Crossing: New Horizons () is another Switch game for kids in our list. Here, kids can let off steam creatively. The setting is an island that can be freely explored and designed. From fishing to woodcutting and crafting, countless activities are possible for up to eight players at the same time. You can find the best tips for your island adventure in our guide.

  • Suitable for: Children aged 8 and up
  • Paid additional content: Yes - expansion "Happy Home Paradise" ()
  • Genre: Adventure
  • Platform: Nintendo Switch

Overcooked! All You Can Eat

In Overcooked! All You Can Eat (), good teamwork is worth its weight in gold! After all, cooking is all about organized workflows and good timing. This multiplayer title is so wonderfully over-the-top that you never think you're actually working. It's a bit too challenging for the very young, but kids eight and up shouldn't have any problems with this kitchen battle.

Overcooked All You Can Eat is a game collection that includes all of the content from Overcooked 1 and Overcooked! 2, plus an additional seven levels and new Trophies and Achievements.

  • Suitable for: Children ages 8 and up
  • Paid additional content: No
  • Genre: Action, Arcade
  • Platform: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC

Yoshi's Crafted World

Dinosaur Yoshi has made it to some fame and his own game series as a loyal companion to Mario himself. His adventures are clearly aimed at younger players, as the difficulty level is moderate and the "Relaxed" mode lets you protect Yoshi from crashing with the press of a button. Yoshi's Crafted World () is also great fun in co-op mode for two players. Our guide provides you with all the info on the game.

  • Suitable for: Children aged 6 and up
  • Paid additional content: No
  • Genre: Jump&Run
  • Platform: Nintendo Switch

The Sims 4

In The Sims 4 () you create your own Sim according to your ideas and design his life, including housing, work and social interaction. There is a lot of freedom, especially when it comes to the design of the Sims. Restrictions according to origin or gender are practically unknown in the game. Note: Sims can die, which might frighten some children.

  • Suitable for: Children 6 years and older
  • Paid add-on content: Yes, numerous paid expansions
  • Genre: Simulation
  • Platform: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Osmo Coding Kit

The Osmo Coding Kit () is designed to teach children programming through play. Game character Awbie must be steered across the playing field on the iPad and avoid obstacles. Using blocks of programming code placed in front of the iPad and captured via a camera, players can give Awbie commands. A clever combination of digital and physical worlds with a real learning effect.

  • Suitable for: Children 5 years and older
  • Paid additional content: No
  • Genre: Educational game
  • Platform: iPad and building block set

Just Dance 2022

Are you looking for a video game where the kids can really let off steam? Then you've come to the right place with Just Dance 2022 (). The dance game comes with 40 new songs including matching choreographies for dancing the night away. Eight child-friendly choreos are also on board especially for children, so that even younger kids can dance along.

  • Suitable for: Children from 6 years
  • Paid additional content: Yes, a monthly subscription includes additional songs
  • Genre: Dance game
  • Platform: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch

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