Keep it G-rated: The best online games for kids to play
While producing a decent human being from scratch in an age dictated by social media & video games is nothing short of a heroic act, you don’t always have to be super strict about your kids’ screen time.
That said, a quick cruise through current video game hits that offer copious violence & adult themes is sure to turn away any parent. So, for all the moderation loving parents out there, we have compiled this list of the best online games kids can play safely.
Animal Jam
Touted as “Best App for Kids” at the Google Play Awards, Animal Jam is an online game developed by WildWorks. The tropical roleplaying wonderland of Animal Jam.
The game is a fun way to teach your kids about zoology & ecology. The kids get a chance to become the animal of their choice and even choose different accessories for their animal persona. Parents have strict control over their child’s Animal Jam account settings, and the game activity is also rigorously moderated.
Minecraft
Minecraft is a game of endless possibilities bound to keep your kids hooked for hours. Children will have to use their imaginative thinking to navigate through the infinite worlds of Minecraft and shape new blocky creations. The game has three different modes that have four levels of difficulty. Developed by Mojang, the sandbox adventure game has no end goal, no story, and is relatively simple to play.
Your journey in Minecraft is what you want to be, but you’ll have to work for everything from building structures to turning raw pig meat into a cooked pork chop. Since the game caters to adults as well, you can join one of the personal “realm” or vetted kid-appropriate Minecraft online servers to limit your child’s interactions.
Rocket League
Drive, boost, jump, and flip your car to score a goal! Rocket League is an unusual game that combines racing with soccer. The high-powered arcade-style soccer video game was developed & published by Psyonix. Rocket League has a bit of a learning curve, but the fun customizations make the game an enjoyable retreat.
The vehicular mayhem encourages teamwork and allows kids to play in multiplayer matches for up to eight members in fluid, physics-driven competitions. The game’s online chat channels can be controlled via platform-specific settings. Rocket League is considered suitable for all age groups and doesn’t contain any sounds or pictures likely to disturb young children.
Splatoon 2
Splatoon 2 is an ink-slinging third-person shooter game proven to be irresistible for young gamers. The game is developed by Nintendo and features signature Nintendo-esque visuals. The colorful shooter game features the standard Turf War mode for Regular Battles, in which two four-player teams have three minutes to cover the most turf with their color of ink.
Splatoon 2 has its first installment’s rotation of Splat Zones, Tower Control, and Rainmaker for Ranked Battles, unlocked at level ten, while also adding a new Clam Blitz mode. The modes may sound complicated, but they are pretty easy once you get the hang of it. Splatoon 2 is a messy & energetic family-friendly way for kids to have some splatting fun.
Animal Crossing
The beloved social simulation game series developed & published by Nintendo gives players the peaceful island life of their fantasies. Originally designed for Nintendo Switch devices, a version of Animal Crossing can also be downloaded through the Play Store.
Kids can tap into their creative thinking to design their own imaginary world, choose from an endless roster of animal characters, and befriend cute animal neighbors.
