Sony's PlayStation 5 is steadily building up its library, both in terms of quality and variety. Demon's Souls, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, Hades, Deathloop, Returnal, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Hitman 3, Resident Evil Village, and Lost Judgment are all great games that should satisfy teenagers and adults with a wide range of needs, however, none of these are really suitable for young children.
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Parents who find themselves with a PS5 might want to play something with their kids, but which games should they try? Which titles serve as welcoming entry points for youngsters taking their first steps into the exciting world of gaming? Here are the best PS5 games for kids split into multiple genres.
Release Date
November 12, 2020
PS Store Price
Free
Age Rating
Everyone 10+
Starting with a freebie, Astro's Playroom comes installed on every PS5, so this will likely be the first game most people play on the console. A 3D platformer that highlights the PS5's unique features, especially the DualSense controller, Astro's Playroom is a great tech demo. However, what makes this title so special is that it is also an amazing platformer in its own right.
Astro's Playroom will undoubtedly delight people who have been with Sony for generations, but it is also the perfect introductory point for newcomers. With controls that are easy to grasp and an overabundance of charm, Astro's Playroom might transform a child into a gamer.
Release Date
April 22, 2022
PS Store Price
$19.99
Age Rating
Everyone
Available on PS Plus Extra & Premium
No
Amazon Listing Page
Ayo the Clown
A throwback to classic 2D platformers, Ayo the Clown is a charming game that, while not exactly unique, delivers something that is difficult to come by natively on the PlayStation 5. Set in small stages that promote exploration, players will make their way through vibrant levels as they gradually acquire new abilities that expand the eponymous character's moveset.
This is a tried-and-tested formula for a reason - ​​​​​​it simply works. 2D platformers are also fantastic for introducing children to gaming in general, as their straightforwardness makes them incredibly easy to understand and follow. Ayo the Clown is a confident example of this genre.
Release Date
November 12, 2020
PS Store Price
$59.99
Age Rating
Everyone
Amazon Listing Page
Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Astro's Playroom can be used as a launching pad for another 3D platformer on the PS5, and Sackboy: A Big Adventure is a delight and a half. A LittleBigPlanet spin-off, Sackboy combines colorful visuals with responsive gameplay and a hint of puzzles. Whether played solo or in co-op, Sackboy is an absolute blast, and it is quite easy.
The platforming genre tends to be associated with children's games, and while these types of titles are not as common as they were during the '90s, there are usually a few stand-out releases on each modern console. Sackboy is basically the PS5's equivalent of Super Mario 64​​​.
Release Date
October 5, 2021
PS Store Price
$39.99
Age Rating
Everyone 10+
Amazon Listing Page
Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania
The 2010s were not kind to Super Monkey Ball, but Banana Mania at least got the current decade off to a good start. Essentially a platformer, Monkey Ball is all about carefully navigating a sphere through winding levels toward an endpoint. Straightforward as that sounds, Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania can be quite challenging and comes packed with hundreds of stages.
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Although it can be frustrating at times, Banana Mania has nothing in it that is inappropriate for children. The gameplay does require quite a bit of precision, so this recommendation is mainly for older kids who have some experience with games and are looking for something to keep them busy for a long time.
Release Date
March 10, 2023
PS Store Price
$49.99
Age Rating
Everyone 10+
Amazon Listing Page
DC's Justice League: Cosmic Chaos
Strangely, a 2023 game featuring Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman went by largely unnoticed. Boasting a cartoonish art style that reveals the project's family-friendly approach, DC's Justice League: Cosmic Chaos is undoubtedly designed with children in mind, putting it in stark contrast to DC's flagship properties like Arkham, Injustice, and the upcoming Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. However, despite its fairly simplistic combat and silly tone, Cosmic Chaos is a tasty treat that should satisfy even die-hard fans of the comics.
Mr. Mxyzptlk is up to no good, and it is up to DC's legendary trio to put an end to the powerful being's shenanigans. The campaign features a small but charming overworld that serves to usher players from dungeon to dungeon, with the latter playing out similarly to popular isometric action RPGs like Diablo. While nothing too special, the combat is explosive and satisfying, particularly since players can swap between the three heroes on the fly.
Release Date
June 10, 2021
PS Store Price
$19.99
Age Rating
Everyone
Chicory: A Colorful Tale is one of those games that everyone should play, regardless of their age. Overflowing with creativity, this delightful indie title casts players as a dog charged with using a paintbrush to bring color back to the world. This journey primarily consists of solving puzzles that are not especially difficult, along with taking on a few boss enemies. More importantly, Chicory actively encourages players to tap into their imagination, rewarding and praising them along the way.
Thematically, Chicory: A Colorful Tale has some interesting things to say about the creation process. This aspect of the experience will likely go over the heads of most children, but that just means they have a reason to revisit the game later on in life.
Release Date
November 15, 2022
PS Store Price
$24.99
Age Rating
Everyone 10+
Amazon Listing Page
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge
Modern beat 'em ups are not only rare, but they tend to be fairly hard as well. Consequently, the genre is not the greatest pick for very young kids, as they might find themselves getting frustrated. On the other hand, the genre typically utilizes straightforward and easy-to-grasp controls, even if the mechanics might be difficult to master.
Shredder's Revenge is really no exception. The short campaign gradually increases its difficulty until it becomes genuinely challenging, although it is overall not quite as tough as, say, Streets of Rage 4 or 3D brawlers like Sifu. More importantly, the game's vibrant visuals and quirky characters are likely to keep the attention of kids, especially if they have been exposed to the TMNT cartoons. Shredder's Revenge also supports co-op, so older siblings or parents can join in to lend a helping hand.
Release Date
June 21, 2022
PS Store Price
Free
Age Rating
Everyone
Battle royale games suitable for children always come with asterisks since parents do not only have to take the gameplay into account. In a title like Fall Guys or Fortnite, kids will be interacting directly with other players of all ages, which can lead to them learning a few choice words if the voice chat is active. However, in the case of Fall Guys, its voice chat has to be manually switched on by players through the menu's Audio options.
Focusing on the gameplay, Fall Guys is a party game battle royale revolving around mini-games. With a vibrant, cartoon aesthetic and an overabundance of silliness, this title does not take itself too seriously and is very accessible.
Release Date
November 12, 2020
PS Store Price
$49.99
Age Rating
Everyone
OK, management games do not exactly scream "for kids." They typically necessitate that players focus on minor details, which can be quite frustrating, and Planet Coaster is no exception. The game comes with deep mechanics that, if someone wants to create a well-running park, will need to be mastered.
Alternatively, a player can jump into Sandbox mode and do whatever. Just let the mind go wild and have fun, caring not for logic or consistency. This approach makes Planet Coaster a fun ride for younger children, although it is probably best that parents only buy this game if they are also interested in playing.
Release Date
November 12, 2020
PS Store Price
$39.99
Age Rating
Everyone
Available on PS Plus Extra & Premium
Overcooked! 2
Amazon Listing Page
Overcooked! All You Can Eat
Overcooked: All You Can Eat packs in the two PS5 kids games, creating one of the most complete party co-op compilations on the market. Players must work together to prepare and plate their dishes so they can complete orders. This game is fun, chaotic, and perfect for a group of four.
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Overcooked: All You Can Eat also introduced an Assist mode that reduces the pressure during levels, making it an amazing option for young children who are getting used to the ropes. When played normally, Overcooked can become fairly frustrating since the stages gradually ramp up the requirements, eventually demanding a near-flawless kitchen. As such, kids might start to feel overwhelmed after a while.
Release Date
November 2, 2022
PS Store Price
$49.99
Age Rating
Everyone
Farming sims come in many shapes and rhythms. Some, like Stardew Valley, are time-consuming and demanding, while others seek to be more relaxing experiences. Story of Seasons falls within the latter category, and Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom represents the franchise as its charming peak. Based on a hugely popular Japanese anime, this spin-off casts players as Noby, a boy who is close friends with a robot cat who can do incredible things. In this case, Doraemon uses a rocket to send himself and Noby to an alien planet, albeit one that is not all that dissimilar to Earth.
Long story short, Noby and Doraemon have to successfully grow a farm if they want to go home. Friends of the Great Kingdom's farming mechanics are easy to grasp but also require just enough thought to be engaging. Like the best farm sims, the game fills the world with colorful NPCs for Noby to befriend.
Release Date
October 5, 2021
PS Store Price
$49.99
Age Rating
Everyone 10+
Amazon Listing Page
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl
Like the horror genre, fighting games are not usually designed with young children in mind, even if many '90s kids grew up playing Mortal Kombat in arcades. Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl is the obvious exception on the PlayStation 5, as the brawler takes a page from Super Smash Bros' playbook rather than more technical fighters like Tekken or Dead or Alive.
Collecting fan favorites from Nickelodeon's history, All-Star Brawl moves at a blistering pace, delivering combat that seems designed to spark laughter in local multiplayer sessions. Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl does lack single-player content and polish, so it is only really worth considering for children who are huge fans of the included properties.
Release Date
Early Access
PS Store Price
$29.99
Age Rating
Everyone
Disney Dreamlight Valley is a charming life sim that also incorporates adventure and role-playing elements. Disney's reach is inescapable, and the company's animated movies, TV shows, and theme parks make special appearances in so many childhoods. While there are plenty of Mickey Mouse-themed games, few titles capture the magic of Disney as well as Disney Dreamlight Valley.
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After creating their own character, players step into a vibrant world filled with biomes based on Disney and Pixar's properties. Along with collecting resources needed to cook food and complete other life sim staples, players can talk to iconic characters and complete quests for them. Once done, that persona will join the player's village.
Disney Dreamlight Valley is currently in early access, with a full release set for sometime in 2023. While not a finished product, the game already has a decent amount of content.
Release Date
February 22, 2023 (PS5)
PS Store Price
$39.99
Age Rating
Everyone
Amazon Listing Page
Tetris Effect: Connected (PS4)
Tetris is eternal. The original game was a masterpiece in the '80s and time has done nothing to dilute the core concept's appeal. Tetris Effect gives the franchise a modern makeover by incorporating music into the mix and a stylish aesthetic that makes each movement exciting. Originally released in 2018, Tetris Effect launched with a plethora of single-player options, all of which were retained for the Connected re-release; however, the latter added multiplayer on top of everything the vanilla version contained.
Supporting local and online co-op along with PvP, Tetris Effect: Connected encourages players to either work together to create the Tetris puzzle or to face off in epic battles. Both modes work well and are a lot of fun, and they are also very different from each other. More importantly, this game has way more to offer than just online matches. Even with a few modern twists, this is still ultimately Tetris, which means gameplay that nearly everyone can enjoy.
Release Date
November 8, 2022
PS Store Price
$59.99
Age Rating
Everyone 10+
Amazon Listing Page
Sonic Frontiers
Sega's Blue Blur has been introducing children to the magical world of games for the best part of three decades. Sure, not everything Sonic touches turns to gold, but the franchise is still capable of producing something special every once in a while. Sonic Frontiers marked the license's first attempt at adopting an open-world format, something that initially seemed a poor fit for a property that depends heavily on tightly-designed levels. Unsurprisingly, this transition was not seamless, and there are certainly times when the game threatens to fall apart; however, overall, Sonic Frontiers is a respectable addition to the oversaturated open-world sphere.
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These sorts of projects can be rather overwhelming, drowning players in content and busy work that hurts rather than elevates the overall experience. Although not devoid of these issues, Sonic Frontiers is a fairly streamlined take on the open-world concept, and it is also pretty easy. As Sonic generally controls well, running around Starfall Islands is simply fun, which makes the minute-by-minute gameplay loop enjoyable.
Release Date
March 17, 2023
PS Store Price
$39.99
Age Rating
Everyone
While most of the best PS5 kids games should work for a wide age range, they are not really intended for preschoolers. Peppa Pig: World Adventures is specifically designed for very young children, to the point that anybody over the age of 4 will likely not get too much out of this package.
Petoons Studio's game takes players on a worldwide trip, allowing them to visit some of the most recognizable sights alongside Peppa Pig. The gameplay is, unsurprisingly, basic, with most of the content revolving around easy mini-games and educational content.
Release Date
October 12, 2022
PS Store Price
$29.99
Age Rating
Everyone
While pretty much every Lego game is suitable for children, most of the brand's releases are action-adventure titles that do not try to translate the joy of physically building things using legos. Lego Bricktales is a rare exception.
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In order to collect Happiness Crystals, players must travel to different worlds and help out the locals with a handful of requests. Generally, this process involves solving a puzzle by building something out of legos, and these brainteasers can get quite challenging at times. Lego Bricktales is one of those games that children and parents can both enjoy; the former will appreciate the colorful worlds, while the latter can step in when the puzzles are a bit too difficult.
Release Date
September 30, 2021
PS Store Price
$49.99
Age Rating
Everyone
Amazon Listing Page
Hot Wheels Unleashed
In truth, most arcade racing games are suitable for younger players since they typically do not contain anything controversial and are accessible. That said, some titles are more likely to keep a child's interest than others, and the PS5 is not exactly overflowing with these projects. Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3 could be a decent pick for die-hard fans of the broadcaster's properties. Team Sonic Racing and Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled are good-to-great as well, although neither release has a native PS5 version.
Consequently, if forced to select the best kart-ish racer on the PS5, it would have to be Hot Wheels Unleashed. In recent years, licensed games have become more reliable, and this 2021 project is an example of this shift. Hot Wheels Unleashed looks fantastic and plays really well, all the while providing a plethora of customization options to satisfy players who wish to create their own vehicles. While its modes could use more variety, the game's foundations are extremely solid.
Release Date
November 11, 2022
PS Store Price
$59.99 (Standard Edition)
Age Rating
Everyone
Amazon Listing Page
Just Dance 2023
Ubisoft's Just Dance is probably the most well-known rhythm franchise in gaming, with each iteration highlighting popular modern and classic tracks. If need be, the chosen tracks are tweaked to match the license's family-friendly image, ensuring the content is appropriate for all ages.
Just Dance 2023 is shaping up to be the license's last traditional annual entry, and new songs will be added to the app in the future. With stylish visuals and (generally) easy-to-follow choreography, this game is a safe pick for kids.
Release Date
April 30, 1998 (PS1); June 13, 2022 (PS5 & PS4 Port)
PS Store Price
$9.99
Available on PS Plus Extra & Premium
Only Premium
Age Rating
Everyone
This one is a bit of a cheat since Hot Shots Golf is a PS1 release that has been ported to Sony's modern consoles, but it is nevertheless one of the better sports PS5 games for kids. Unlike most of the genre's current licenses, Hot Shots Golf does not have online support, a feature that would be unnecessary for very young players. While certainly old, the game holds up reasonably well, and the gameplay's simplicity is a positive.
With cartoonish characters, charming antiquated visuals, and arcade-style gameplay, Hot Shots Golf is a classic for a reason. Kids enjoyed the game in 1997 and there is no reason the same cannot happen in 2023.
Release Date
April 18, 2023
PS Store Price
$39.99
Age Rating
Everyone 10+
Amazon Listing Page
Minecraft Legends
Mojang's Minecraft is unquestionably the biggest game of the last decade, and its sandbox design lends itself to every age group. There is a good chance that someone's first exposure to gaming will be Minecraft, and the main entry provides players, both young and experienced, with a canvas to explore their creativity. Over the last few years, Mojang has started to expand its license to other genres, and these spin-offs have largely attempted to be entry-level experiences in their own right. Minecraft Dungeons is an accessible dungeon crawler, while Minecraft Legends tackles the more niche real-time strategy world.
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Strategy games have historically struggled to simplify their core ideas in a way that does not directly undermine their appeal to their main demographic. Legends succeeds where many others failed since it is arguably designed with Minecraft fans in mind rather than strategy game enthusiasts. While perhaps a bit too streamlined for die-hard genre veterans, its mechanics are still largely in-line with standard strategy offerings, just streamlined in the name of accessibility.
Release Date
June 11, 2021
PS Store Price
$69.99
Age Rating
Everyone 10+
Amazon Listing Page
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Ending on a recommendation for older kids, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is one of the best games on the PS5. With visuals ripped right out of a Pixar movie and characters that are irresistibly endearing, Rift Apart is a treat for the senses. It also happens to play like a dream.
Mechanically, there is more going on here than most other kids' games, but Rift Apart's controls are rather intuitive. The "Rookie Recruit" difficult setting makes the game very easy, and Rift Apart also has a range of other accessibility options. While perhaps not a conventional "children's game," Insomniac's title is the type of release that can make someone fall in love with gaming. It is that good.
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