Kids' Media Reviews
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Our favorite family-friendly video games (and other media)
My main criteria for a productive and enriching gaming experience:
- no microtransactions
- no "engagement" algorithms
- no realistic violence
Video games are a great medium for seeing things from new perspectives, practicing logic and dexterity, and story comprehension.
Video Games
I have played through all of these with my 4-6 year old kid. Many are co-operative, some are single-player and we can trade off with the easier and harder parts, or treat it like a "choose your own adventure" interaction.
Journey (PC, Playstation, iPad)
- 3D exploration game
- 1 player, with online guests (no talking)
- controller or mouse/keyboard
- no reading, lots of visual storytelling
- no violence
Outer Wilds (PC, Consoles)
- 3D first-person walking and flight simulator
- 1 player
- controller or mouse/keyboard
- environmental puzzles with written clues
- reading comprehension and interpretation of themes and meanings
- "Echoes of the Eye" expansion has much less reading, all visual storytelling
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo)
- 3D open-world game
- 1 player
- controller
- occasional reading of instructions
- wholesome, but has combat with swords and archery
Mario Kart 8 (Nintendo Switch)
- 3D racing game
- 4 player competition
- controller
- almost no reading
Unpacking (PC, Consoles)
- 2D "puzzle" game with a focus on aesthetics
- 1 player
- mouse or controller. good way to learn left click / right click with no time pressure
- visual interpretation of objects from different time periods
- very little reading, but lots of reading comprehension
A Short Hike (PC, Consoles)
- 3D platformer
- 1 player
- controller or keyboard
- occasional reading of instructions
Spiritfarer (PC, Consoles)
- 2D management game
- 2 players, both have pretty full control
- controller or mouse/keyboard
- constant reading, deep story with themes about dealing with death
Peglin (PC)
- 2D physics puzzle game
- 1 player
- mouse or controller
- reading between levels
Donut County (PC, iPad, Playstation)
- 3D top-down "katamari" puzzle game
- 1 player
- touchscreen
- reading between levels
What the Golf (iPad, PC, Consoles)
- multi-genre puzzle game
- 1 player
- touchscreen and motion controls
- occasional reading of flavor text
Kirby and the Forgotten Land (Nintendo Switch)
- not recommended (multiplayer experience is too boring)
- 3D platformer
- 2 player assistance, 2nd player's actions are very limited
- controller
- occasional reading
Kirby: Star Allies (Nintendo Switch)
- 2D platformer
- 4 players, all players get to use different characters and elements
- controller
- almost no reading, most instructions are visual
Super Mario Odyssey (Nintendo Switch)
- 3D platformer
- 2 player assistance, 2nd player can productively help with jumps
- controller
Super Mario 3D World (Nintendo)
- 3D platformer with 2D-style level design
- 4 player co-operation
- controller
Bowser's Fury (bundled with Super Mario 3D World)
- 3D platformer
- 2 player assistance
- controller
New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe (Nintendo)
- 2D platformer
- 4 player co-operation
- controller
It Takes Two (PC, Consoles)
- 3D action puzzles with forced co-operation
- 2-player only
- controller
- fully voice-acted
Slime Rancher (PC, Consoles)
- 3D first-person farming simulator
- 1 player
- controller or mouse/keyboard
- optional reading
Roblox
- not recommended (microtransactions, chat with strangers)
Mobile Games
It can be difficult to identify mobile games that are actually games, instead of addictive gambling apps.
Check the available in-app purchases.
If it has purchases for "remove ads" or "unlock extra levels", then it is a normal game.
If it has purchases for "buy X gems for $X.99" then it is addictive gambling.
Sadly this rules out most "hidden object" games.
Some very good apps are only available by subscription.
Always subscribe for the shortest time period. The savings for a 1-year subscription are meaningless if the kid loses interest after 1 month.
Crayola Create and Play
- age 3+
- lots of good activities
Sneaky Sasquach
- 2D open-world game
- 1 player
- touchscreen
- occasional reading of instructions
- wholesome and non-violent
Sago Mini
- various games for age <5
- "Sago Mini World" and "Sago Mini School" are subscription only
- very good activity delivery box
Toca Boca
- various games for age <5
- "Toca Tea Party" and "Toca Birthday Party" and "Toca Store" are multiplayer on a tablet
- "Toca Life" games for age 5+
Fox and Sheep
- various games for age <5
- "Shake the Tree" and "Good Morning Shrek" are good introduction to touchscreen
Bubl
- various games for age <5
- "Bubl Gelato" is very cute
Avokiddo
- various games for age 4+
- "Thinkrolls" series teaches logic
Teach Your Monster to Read
- age 6+
- interactive phonics practice
Retro Games
Kirby Super Star
- 2D platformer
- 2 player co-operation
- controller
Legend of the Mystical Ninja
- 2D beat-em-up
- 2 player co-operation
- controller
- use cheat codes for unlimited lives
Sonic Mania
- 2D platformer
- 2 player assistance
- controller