Best Video Games For Kids and Teens

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Most parents worry about the games their children play on consoles, online, or mobile (unless those like the parents of Mike Teavee, right?)

Our family plays games almost daily. If we are not playing competitively/cooperatively in games like Mario Party or Overcooked; we are taking turns in a single player adventure, usually replaying our favorites: Sly Cooper or Jak and Daxter. Otherwise, my son and I are competing to see who can complete a game first. He beat me in finishing Horizon: Zero Dawn! Though in my defense I discover all the things first and he does the story first.

Now on to the best games for Kids and Teens!

Kids

Now, depending on when you allow your children to start gaming, some could be a bit outside their scope. Then again, kids have a way of surprising you as our son does when playing strategic games. He’s always loved games from a young age and has been playing games like Caylus, Shadows Over Camelot, and Power Grid since he was six or seven years old. So, I guess it’s at the discretion of the parents. Decide what you will allow your children to play and not play.

Disclaimer: We are definitely a Playstation and Nintendo family, but I’ll try not to be bias and add in games from all consoles. Click the Images to get yours today!

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Move to deserted Island with anthropomorphic animals! Interact and compete jobs to take your island from desolate sand pit to thriving town, fish, grow plants, and more. Customize the island the way you want.

This gives kids free reign to create their island as they see fit. Growing, planting and building as they want. The passage of time is connected to the time on the console. So it allows you to experience it in real time. The player is in control of all the design aspects of the game, from the player characters clothes to their home interior design.

All games allow for some form of connection between players. It allows four human players to occupy one island at a time and they can communicate through messages throughout he village post office or bulletin board.

Mario (Any in Franchise)

Marion is a universal character that most if not all people know. Their games are always fun and allow for any age group to play. From the earlier games with progressive levels to multiplayer party games where players complete in mini games. These are great starters for younger children (in my opinion) as the part games give tutorials for playing the games.

From single person side scrollers, to 3d semi open world, to multiplayer mini games. There is something for everyone here in the Mario Universe. Choose which you’ll play next!

Racing (Sonic, Crash, Mario Kart)

Racing has become popular in recent years as games like Sonic, Crash Bandicoot and Mario have created racing chapters. Challenge friend and family to racing courses in any of these three games and you’ll have fun for hours. Collect items to toss forward or backward on the track to distract and impede their progress.

Play solo to collect metals and different rewards for added aesthetics and more. I mean, you should be practicing anyway to beat them on those more difficult levels, right? These are great for those that love racing, but aren’t quite ready for the GTA type games.

Pokemon (Any)

Pokemon is one of those games (cards) that receded for a bit, then came roar back like a flood. There are no so many games its almost hard to keep track of them. Though the concept of most is still the same. Find and capture Pokemon, train them and then compete with them for the championships.

The nice thing is that you can explore the world to search for Pokemon; catching and training them as you go. Evolve them to make them stronger and give them new abilities. Take them to Pokemon centers to heal them, and send them to be stored for future play.

Players choose their starter pokemon from one of three types: Grass, Fire, and Water. Then it’s off to explore, train, and battle for the championship. Don’t worry, the better you train and have a connection with your pokemon, the better they should do. If you don’t train them, they won’t get better.

Minecraft

Minecraft is for everyone, young and old. Especially those that love to build as you can do this within the game at any time. Build homes, pools, gardens, a farm, or even your favorite sites from different movies. There have been some amazing builds from LOTR and others out there that people have done.

You have the choice to play in survival mode or creative mode. Survival mode is where you need to find all of your resources, maintain your health, craft items and build structures. In creative mode you have unlimited resources to build with and use as well as access to flight throughout the game.

There are no goals or missions to complete. Players have the freedom to do as they wish, build what they want, and create at will.

Spiderman

Who wouldn’t want to play as their friendly neighborhood Spiderman? Move throughout the city completing tasks that help citizens and stop your enemies from causing harm. You also have the ability to collect old backpacks that were left around town, as well as other collectables.

Listen, I’ve tried playing this game and I had a terrible time trying to get him to swing from his web. My son, on the other hand, had no problem figuring this out. I’ll have to give it another try, but if my son can get the hang of it then so can I as well as other kids.

Ratchet and Clank

With the new Crack in Time hitting the shelves not that long ago, Ratchet and Clank has continued its popularity with the younger groups. The cartoon characters and their lovable banter make this a generational game that keeps going throughout the years.

In the earlier games, you follow Ratchet, a lombax as he tries to do more with his life than a mechanic. Dreaming of becoming a hero like his idol, Captain Quark. He finds out that his idol isn’t all he thought he was. Ratchet goes on to become the hero his idol turned out not to be. He travels the universe to different planets finding items to use along the way. He fights off whatever is attacking the planet ultimately leading to the main boss fight.

In the newer game, not only is he fighting with a new enemy; he also finds another lombax! He struggles to decide if he wants to continue finding his long lost family and others of his own kind.

It’s a great adventure and one of my three all time favorites that I go back to when I don’t have anything new to play!

Sly Cooper

A sneaky raccoon thief, Sly Cooper with his friends Bentley (Turtle-Brains) and Murry (Hippo-brawn) only steal from other thieves. The concept may not be the greatest since the game is all about thievery. There is a moral compass as he only steals from other thieves and brings them to justice at the same time. Narrowly escaping Inspector Carmelita Fox each time and ultimately(end of the third game) deciding to hang up his mask and live on the side of good.

Unfortunately, that itch to stop thieves comes back. He travels to different eras with the use of a time machine created by Bentley and Penelope. He Meets his ancestors and helping them right the wrongs that have changed history for the worse.

Again, there is funny banter between characters, costumes to be worn, items and abilities to collect, and more as you defeat the thieves that lead up to the one that has been tormenting his family line throughout the centuries. Yes, centuries! (Another all time favorite!)

Jak and Daxter

Here is another of my three all time favorite games. Jak and Daxter start their journey in a small village you explore as a new threat appears causing mischief. Taught by Samos the Sage and with the help of Keira, a mechanic. You roam the world searching for orbs to trade (currency) and power cells to power machines. While defeating enemies, you try to find a way to change Daxter back to his former self. Yeah, he fell into a vat of dark eco and came back as an ottsel. So, there’s that.

In the following games, Jak and the others travel to a new world to fight a new threat that has tortured him for the last two years. (There is a PSP game that focuses on Daxter trying to find Jak within those two year as he takes up a job as pest control.) He gains new friends, fight the baron and metal heads to save the world and himself.

Then with all the good he’s done, the third game has him as an outcast. He is literally thrown to the desert to survive. Luckily, Ashelin has friends beyond the boarders of the city. He, Daxter and Pecker are saved by an outlaw group that have taken refuge in the desert. Complete tasks, get back into the city, help those that turned away, and find out more about his childhood in this third chapter. Let me tell you there are some surprises you won’t want to miss. There is also Combat racing where you find out Crew had a will that has a dangerous stipulation. The final (but hopefully not the last) game where eco is running low. You’re trying to find a way to keep it plentiful and keep others from stealing it.

Lego

There are SO many Lego games out there. It’s hard to choose which ones to pick because Lego and the developers have made them accessible for nearly every age group. It really depends on your likes and interests as to which ones you prefer to play. From Harry Potter to LOTR to Star Wars and the Lego Movie, there are a ton out there to explore. Some follow their movie adaptations throughout the game. Each have missions, side missions, bricks and studs to collect for upgrades and abilities. Take your pick and adventure through your favorites!

Legend of Zelda

Legend of Zelda has been a long running video game that has made it through the years with more and more added to their lineup. All open world, discoveries for Link and Zelda to find and defeat the various versions of Ganon (Ganondorf).

The beauty of open world games is that you can choose to discover every aspect of the open world. Or just focus on the missions that are presented. Collect what you need and move on or collect everything and 100% the game. (As I do!) Finding every last item and completing every mini mission isn’t necessary to the completion of the main story. Though it gives you more to experience and discover as the characters.

Providing three timelines throughout their game lineup, you have a choice to follow the hero on his journey, his childhood era or his adult era. Then there is the story chronology with Breath of the Wild completing them all as one of the most recent releases.

Crash Bandicoot

One from ages past, like Mario, it has come back into style and is thriving with audiences everywhere. Follow Crash and his fellow crew members as they defeat Neo Cortext and others that want to eliminate Crash for being a “failed” experiment. Along with trying for world domination.

Crash, like some other characters (ie: Jax – in the first game) has no voice. His companions often do the talking for him, but that doesn’t stop him from journeying to stop the evil scientist from trying to take over the world.

Collect wampa fruit and masks to keep your health up. Gems/crystals as a reward for breaking every box in the level or finding hidden areas.

Spyro

Spyro is another that has made it throughout the years and new ones have come to the market as of recently for players to enjoy. This purple dragon must defeat those that hate him. Those that steal their eggs or just plain have a grudge against him for being a dragon.

Spyro travels through worlds collecting gems to open new areas and for buying skills. In some games the player must save the dragon eggs, and flame small creatures to keep sparks healthy as well since he is your life bar. In another game you collect Talismans and orbs, and yet others you collect fireflies to use as bubble breath, or as a goal.

Overcooked

Overcooked is one of my favorite multiplayer games to play as a family. You can choose the characters you play as. The goal of the game is to gain the skills to cook in order to defeat a monster meatball or zombie bread loaf. You work to gather to cook the oders that come up. You then gain skills as the levels go by while learning to navigate different terrain such as icebergs, lava, conveyers and more.

It’s great fun and laughter as you try to get orders out while maneuvering, chopping, sautéing, frying, and building orders.

Kingdom Hearts

You are a human boy (or chosen between three human characters in newer games) and you roam the Disney lands. Your goal is to defeat the heartless and Xehanort. Using the Keyblade to unlock doors and battle Disney enemies, Sora (Chosen Character) must help Disney characters. Not only that, but to save the Disney princesses as well as his friends.

Each game has their own set of obstacles they tackle. Their goal to help Disney characters restore their lands and rid them of the heartless.

Looking to see your favorite Disney characters in a video game, well this is the one for you!

Teens

For those that are a bit older, there are plenty of games that are for you. Ones that offer single or multiplayer choices, online, or not.

I chose one’s I know I play and would allow my children to play. If you happen to not agree, as I said it’s at the discretion of the parent as to whether you would allow your teen to play these games. You are the parent.

Now that, that’s out of the way… I know there’s more games out there that would be good for either age group, these are the one’s I’m familiar with. Let’s get to the games!

Fortnite

Fortnite is one of those games that is huge. The developers are releasing new additions, upgrades and more all the time. Play with friends, create groups, or just go it alone and see how many peeps you can take out. Build fortifications, collect weapons from boxes or eliminated enemies, and collect resources. You can also damage or demolish others fortifications.

It’s a great game to play with (or against) friends. Work together against other online players to save the world or battle Royale.

With all the expansions and additions, you have plenty of skins, items, materials and more to purchase with their V-bucks or physical money. Create a character all your own or use one the skins available. Fun, creative, and co-op or not. Choose how you want to play and who you want to play with. Have fun!

Racing (Jak X)

As mentioned above, this game is racing based with a backstory. Jak and others are gathered to read the will of Crew, the crimelord in Jak 2. Surprised that they would even be considered in his will, they gather and meet a woman who claims to be Crew’s daughter. They all have a celebratory drink and then the they are hit with a bomb. Crew has poisoned them all and the only way to get the anecdote is to race! You race around different tracks, in battle arenas, and more.

There’s more to this story, but let’s not give it away if you haven’t played yet. Just go out and race for your life!

Rocket League

Who wouldn’t want to play soccer with rocket-powered cars? Play with up to eight players assigned to two teams. The game comes with a single player mode as well and has cross-platform capabilities.

They’ve released updates that allow you to customize game rules and modes based on ice hockey and basketball. So even more fun!

Final Fantasy (Franchise)

Here is another franchise that has been going strong for a while. It’s got a huge fanbase like the others and are generally stand alone. Each has a different setting, plots and main characters. They have linked recurring elements through multiple games as well as character names. So, there could be some similarities as you play.

Each plot centers on a specific group of heroes who are battling a great evil while getting an inner look at the character’s struggles and relationships. With that, you are starting a new story each time you start a game, which may or may not be what you are looking for. If you want to start a new game each time, then you’re in the right place.

Horizon: Zero Dawn and Forbidden West

Seriously, one of my new favorites and not just because Aloy is a redhead. 😉 Aloy spends her life wanting answers for why she’s been an outcast and shunned all her life. Living in the wilds, she’s learned to take care of herself in a world where creature-like machines roam the earth.

You can follow the main mission or roam the earth uncovering items and completing side quests. There are a range of weapons and skills you can acquire, along with outfits. With different terrains to explore you have a variety of environments and machines to encounter. Tallnecks, which are docile machines that roam in specific areas are your map viewpoint unlocks.

There is so much you can do in this game it’s crazy! Along with the main mission, you have side missions, corrupted zones, campfires as waypoints/savepoints, overriding machines, and so much more! You really need to check this game out if you haven’t already.

Final Thoughts

Although there are a ton of games out there for all age groups. It’s really up to the parents for children younger than 18 to decide whether the game is appropriate for their children. You may feel some of these will work and others won’t. That’s totally fine. These are suggestions based on me and my family. Take what you like, leave the rest. And happy gaming!