Finding the best PC games for children is more of an art than a science, but parents still have plenty of options to choose from.
Given that many modern parents grew up with video games, it is only natural for them to want to share their love of gaming with their children. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to tell which games are good for young kids, especially since a lot of games made for kids can be played online and have “microtransactions.”
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Common Sense Media and video-sharing sites like YouTube and Facebook are excellent resources in this regard. Obviously, the best way to determine whether a game is appropriate for one’s child is to play it with them so as to gain a better understanding of the content they’ll be consuming. Numerous of the best PC games for children also feature parental controls, which parents should utilize whenever possible.
Tom Bowen’s 4 November 2022 update of the following: Finding the best computer games for children can be challenging for numerous reasons. Obviously, ensuring that a game’s themes and concepts are age-appropriate is the most important consideration for parents, but it is by no means the only one. Attempting to get a child to play a game designed for someone much younger than them may cause them to lose interest or feel like they’re being coddled, while a game that is too difficult or complicated may cause them to feel sad or upset. Therefore, it is essential to strike a healthy balance when selecting games for young children, as the majority of the best PC games for children tend to do.
Numerous of the most popular video games for children feature online connectivity and microtransactions. In light of this, parents should monitor who their children are communicating with and remove or password-protect payment information so that their children cannot spend their money on purpose or by accident.
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The Top PC Games for Children Ages 3 to 7
Parents need look no further than Minecraft when it comes to PC games that are appropriate for young children. It is a game that encourages children to express their creativity by allowing them to construct anything they can imagine. The game features basic combat, but due to its blocky art style, it is extremely tame and contains no blood. If parents are still concerned, they can set the game’s difficulty to Peaceful to eliminate all hostile mobs.
LEGO Worlds offers a similar, albeit simpler, experience to Minecraft, though, as expected, it places a greater emphasis on construction than on combat. LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens, however, is one of the best examples of a LEGO game with a more action-oriented focus than many of the others. Children may not comprehend the plot, but they should still enjoy the gameplay and sound effects, and they can even play the game in split-screen co-op mode with an adult or older sibling.
It is important to note that young children do not always need to be skilled at video games in order to enjoy playing them. Grow Home by Ubisoft is a prime example of this. Realistically, most children won’t be able to guide the adorable robot B.U.D. to the top of the beanstalk without assistance, but the game’s vibrant visuals and excellent sound design should still stimulate their senses. Also applicable to Alba: A Wildlife Adventure, which is also fairly educational.
Other Fantastic PC Games Appropriate for Children Ages 3 to 7
- Autonauts – Ben 10
- Chicory: A Vivid Tale
Farm Together and Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2: Grand Prix - Paw Patrol: On A Roll – Tetris Ultimate – Uno – Goose Game Titled Unknown
The Top PC Games for Children Ages 8 to 12
Roblox can be extremely entertaining for young children, but parents should be aware of a few significant restrictions. First, they must ensure that their child’s age is set to a value below 13 so that they cannot communicate with anyone who is not on their friends list. Additionally, they should set a parent PIN so that children cannot alter settings or spend money without their knowledge.
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout is a fun and effective way to introduce young children to competitive gameplay. Voice chat is also not required to enjoy the experience, so parents need not be too concerned about who their children are playing online with. Stardew Valley, an expansive farming simulator with charming and non-offensive visuals, is a better option for parents who wish to ease their children into the RPG genre. It is filled with positive messages and excellent role models, and is relatively simple to comprehend.
A Boy and His Blob is a poor choice for those searching for an excellent platformer for children between the ages of eight and ten. The game is centered on a touching tale of friendship and serves as an excellent introduction to the genre. Similarly, Forager is an excellent introduction to open-world games and will introduce children to the crafting, cooking, and survival mechanics found in many contemporary video games.
Other Fantastic PC Games Appropriate for Children Ages 8 to 12
A Hat In Time
Cat Quest Dragons: New Rider Dawn
Just Dance 2023
Minecraft Dungeons
Planet Coaster Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville Rayman Legends Unravel 2 Octodad: Dadliest Catch
The Top PC Games for Children Aged 13 to 17
Fortnite is a battle royale game in which players compete against one another until only one remains. Thematically, it may appear to be a mature game, but it is no more violent than many contemporary children’s cartoons. Parents should familiarize themselves with the game’s monetization system and set up parental controls before leaving their children unattended. For younger children, it may be prudent to disable voice chat entirely from the settings menu.
Overcooked! 2 is a cooperative game in which players collaborate to prepare food orders as quickly as possible. It is excellent for teaching children about teamwork and is an excellent choice for families looking for games to play together. Guacamelee! is another enjoyable co-op game thanks to its vibrant visuals. The platforming can be a bit tricky at times, but the game is an excellent introduction to the action platformer genre.
The majority of teen-targeted video games contain some form of violence, which may concern some parents. WWE 2K22 offers a reasonable compromise for those who do not mind playfighting. As with many of its predecessors, the game contains blood, which can be disabled via the settings menu. Return to Monkey Island, a point-and-click adventure game that requires a great deal of critical thinking, is a better option for parents who wish to shield their children from violence.
Other Fantastic PC Games Appropriate for Children Ages 13 to 17
Among Us
FIFA 23 Jurassic World Advancement
Marvel’s Avengers
Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom
Planet Zoo Space Race
Sonic Mania
The Sims four
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