These are some of the most popular, and most fun, games kids are playing today.
With so many games aimed at kids and teens, it can be hard to know where to start. These are some of the very best kid- and teen-friendly games available right now, and the ones your kids probably want to play.
Keep checking back with SuperParent, as we’ll regularly update this list with new games your kids may want to try. If you want to see any of the games we’ve previously featured on this list, head over to Page 2.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Rated E for Everyone
Available On: Switch
This life simulation game lets players of all ages travel to a deserted island where they can build a new life for themselves. They can plant flowers, collect fruit, catch bugs, go fishing, interact with friendly talking animals, and much more as they customize the island to suit their tastes. If you only have one Switch system, multiple people can share the same island. Or, if you have multiple Switches, each family member can have their own island, and you can visit other players through local or online multiplayer. New Horizons is one of the most wholesome, relaxing games to come out in quite a long time, and you don’t need to be a kid to enjoy it.
Appropriate For: 5 and up. While the game is family-friendly, the dialog is presented through text, rather than voice-acting, so players need to know how to read.
Minecraft
Rated E for Everyone
Available On: Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Mac, iOS, Android
Originally released back in 2011, Minecraft lets players mine cubes, gather resources, craft items, and build pretty much whatever they can dream up. It’s available on every platform under the sun and has been spun off into several cool side projects, including an adventure game (Minecraft: Story Mode) and a classroom-ready educational tool (MinecraftEDU). Whether your kids are reconstructing Hogwarts, trying to take down the fearsome Ender Dragon, or glued to a Minecraft YouTuber like Stampy or CaptainSparklez, they’re probably thinking about Minecraft right now.
Appropriate For: 6 and up. Minecraft can be scary – monsters come out at night – so consider confining younger kids to the game’s nonviolent “Creative” mode.
Dragon Quest Builders 2
Rated E10+ for Everyone 10+
Available On: Switch, PlayStation 4, PC
This role-playing game challenges players to defeat a cult called the Children of Hargon, which has “outlawed the building, cooking, and creation of all things.” To do this, they’ll need to travel to a variety of islands where they can mine for and collect resources, defeat enemies of multiple shapes and sizes, and complete quests for the world’s citizens (who have lost the ability to build) by constructing different rooms to suit their needs. The game’s resource gathering and building mechanics make it similar to Minecraft, but the inclusion of a lengthy story mode gives the game more direction. In addition to this story mode, the game includes an online multiplayer mode that lets players build with friends.
Appropriate For: 10 and up. The game’s storyline includes references to some adult topics, and its combat system may be tricky for younger kids to master. Also keep in mind that the game’s dialog is presented through text, so players need to know how to read.
Pokemon Go
Rated 9+ on iOS, E for Everyone on Android
Available On: iOS, Android
If you’re reading this story on your mobile phone, there’s a 50/50 chance your child is pestering you to hand it over so they can trap the Magnemite sitting on your shoulder. The augmented reality phenomenon lets players hunt, trap, and train digital critters by wandering around the real world. It’s still going strong – hundreds of pocket monsters have been released since Pokemon Go dominated the summer of 2016. It can be fun to track and trap Pokemon together, and Go’s real-world exploration gets kids off the couch and out of the house. Make sure to be aware of your surroundings while you walk, however.
Update (03/21/20): Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the way players enjoy Pokemon Go in groups, the game’s developer has made many changes to encourage and support solo gameplay. That means you can take a walk outside with your immediate family and still have some fun playing Pokemon Go in a safe way.
Appropriate For: 9 and up. Since it’s best played while out and about, parents should consider it a parent-child cooperative game at least until their kids are old enough to roam around unsupervised.
Fortnite: Battle Royale
Rated T for Teen
Available On: Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Mac, iOS, Android
This creative shooter’s main mode (Save the World) encourages players to think strategically as they build fortifications and work together to defend against waves of nefarious enemies. The real star of the show, however, is the free-to-play “Battle Royale” mode. Inspired by PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, Fortnite: Battle Royale drops 100 players onto a huge map. The last one standing (usually atop a giant self-built tower) wins. Fortnite’s unpredictability has turned it into one of the world’s most popular games with teens and, yes, their younger siblings.
Appropriate For: 13 and up. Though it rewards strategic thinking and its violence is much more cartoonish than that of mature games like Call of Duty, Fortnite is still a pretty intense online shooter.
Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield
Rated E for Everyone
Available On: Switch
These Pokemon-themed role-playing games let players become a Pokemon Trainer on a quest to become the Champion of the Galar Region. They’ll be able to travel through beautiful environments full of wild Pokemon to capture and other trainers to battle. As they explore, they can put their skills to the test in a series of Gym battles against some of the game’s most powerful characters. There are 400 Pokemon to collect across both games, and even more will be added once the game’s premium (and optional) Expansion Pass content launches later this year. For more information about Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield, check out our review.
Appropriate For: 8 and up. The game’s dialog is presented through text, rather than voice acting, so players need to know how to read. Plus, younger kids may not master some of the game’s battle mechanics as easily as older ones.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Rated E for Everyone
Available On: Switch
A multiplayer stalwart for over 25 years now, Mario Kart remains the go-to racer for kids with a competitive streak (ie. basically all kids). Though Mario Kart 8 was originally released for Nintendo’s lackluster Wii U console, this Switch version is bigger, faster, and perfectly portable. It’s also the perfect game to play with your child, though you have to promise to not get mad when they nail you with a blue shell right before you cross the finish line.
Appropriate For: 6 and up. It’s-a Mario!
Roundguard
Rated E for Everyone
Available On: Switch, Xbox One, PC, iOS through Apple Arcade
Imagine launching a bunch of bouncy adventurers down the screen like pinballs in the hopes of completing quests. Yes, for all you longtime gamers out there, we’re talking about a roguelike Peggle. Take careful aim and send one of three different characters with different special abilities into the fray. Bop bad guys, break open chests of gold by slamming into them, and gain levels along the way. While it’s great fun for your kids, you’re likely to be playing right alongside ‘em.
Appropriate For: 10 and up. While there may be some words they may not be able to read, there’s nothing wholly inappropriate. There’s some super mild blood (cartoonish) at worst — so maybe play a round solo before letting your youngest gamers try.
Beat Saber
Rated E for Everyone
Available On: PlayStation VR, PC VR, Oculus Quest
It’s been jokingly referred to as “Jedi Hero,” but this light saber music game is without a doubt fun for the whole family — provided everyone in the house is ready for VR. Strap on a headset and you’re in a virtual arena. As the music plays, targets and obstacles come your way so be ready to slash and dodge your way to the beat. With a saber. Get it?
Appropriate For: 8 and up. While technically, there is no material within Beat Saber that’s inappropriate for children, the jury remains out on when it’s a good time to introduce your child to attached-to-the-head virtual reality. Use your discretion and make sure to monitor your child’s play time in VR.
Super Smash Brothers Ultimate
Rated E10+ for Everyone 10+
Available On: Switch
If your kids have ever gotten into friendly debates about which video game character is stronger, this is the game for them. Pick your favorites — there are MANY in-game to choose from — and battle buddies or family members to settle the score. While the venerable series has been around since 1999 (first on the Nintendo 64), the Nintendo Switch version truly lives up to its “Ultimate” name. It isn’t just a collection of characters from the Nintendo universe — it gathers up favorites ranging from Street Fighter charactersand Pac-Man to super soldiers and Pokemon. If you ever wanted to slap around your favorite video game characters in a cartoony fashion, this is the game for you — and your family.
Appropriate For: 10 and up. There’s some low-grade cartoon violence and comic mischief, but nothing that should be of great concern for most grade-school gamers. That said, the temptation will be there for your young players to use in-app purchases to buy new playable fighters.
