What child doesn’t love video games? We have plenty of recommendations to keep your child playing.
When video games first came out, they were pretty much all E for everyone. Violence was limited to eating ghosts in Pac-Man, and the closest thing to sex was Princess Peach giving Mario a quick peck on the cheek. Unfortunately, as time has gone on, not all games are appropriate for children, and as parents, it’s not always obvious which ones are and which ones are not.
Here is a list of some highly rated games that not only can you feel comfortable letting them play, but that your children will also love.
Minecraft
This game is probably one of the most popular children’s games right now. There are Minecraft toys, clothes, and even movies. If you’ve never heard of it, Minecraft is basically a game kids can play on their computer or gaming counsel. Players explore the world around them and can build their own world with everything from mountains to homes. What’s important to note is that children are also able to interact with other players and their world thus they could encounter more explicit content.
This game is great for inspiring creativity and children even learn a little about geometry while they build their world. As with any game, just be sure to monitor their usage and that they are playing responsibly.
Just Dance 2018
The Just Dance games have been out since 2009 and have improved with each new rendition. Similar to the arcade game Dance, Dance Revolution where players select a song and are given instructions on how to move in order to “dance.” Just Dance replaces the on-screen arrow directions with an on-screen dancer and scrolling pictures of poses. Players follow the motions and the game judges their accuracy. This game is great for getting active and fun for the entire family to play together.
The only thing parents need to be concerned about is the occasional suggestive lyric or dance move. Remember, these are the clean versions of popular songs you would hear on the radio though there may be some sexual innuendo. Most likely, any suggestions will fly right over your child’s head though. As far as dance moves, it’s generally mild.
Portal 2
Portal is a first-person game that’s part puzzles and part action. Kids love this game because it has robots and the puzzles are challenging but not to the point it’s frustrating. Children ten and up are usually able to complete most puzzles. This game has minimum violence that involves shooting enemy robots but no blood or gore.
From playing this game your children will learn how to solve problems using their powers of observation, testing hypothesis and deduction. The main character is a woman that uses her intelligence to solve problems instead of weapons.
Mario Kart 8
Oh yes, Mario Kart is back. And, to be honest, he really never left. The latest release of the franchise is a beautifully made game available on the Nintendo Switch. Mario Kart 8 is a racing game starring all the beloved characters from the Mario franchise. Players pick a character as their avatar and then they can race either the game or their friends. This is a blast for family’s because up to four people can play at once, allowing for some healthy competition.
As far as things to look out for is very, very mild violence. Players can shoot “weapons” at each other such as lightning bolts and turtle shells to gain the lead. Honestly, there’s more violence in an episode of Tom and Jerry.
Farming Simulator
Now this game has a boring name, but don’t let it fool you. It is one of the most popular simulation games of 2017. To understand this game think FarmVille but with better graphics and none of the annoying Facebook invites.
Your kids can learn about owning and tending their own farm. This includes planting and harvesting crops, selling goods, caring for livestock and expanding your property. A bonus to this game is that there’s no iffy content, so you don’t have to stress when your kids want to play.
Pokémon Sun and Moon
Pokémon is another game franchise that has been around for quite a while- since 1996 actually. Now in their seventh generation, there are hundreds of new Pokémon to collect and a new and original storyline to complete.
Pokémon is an adventure game that children play on their handheld consoles. Players choose their avatar and go on an adventure to catch Pokémon and be the best Pokémon trainer they can. Part of the game involves battles with wild Pokémon and other trainers but violence is limited to suggested damage to a Pokémon when it is attached. This game teaches children the benefit of teamwork and strategy as well as inspires a collecting hobby, as Pokémon can be carried from game to game and traded like baseball cards amongst other players. Children do need to be able to read a little to follow the storyline.
Zoo Tycoon
Do your kids love animals? Chances are good they do. Check out Zoo Tycoon where players can not only design their own zoo but also manage it by adopting and caring for animals. The graphics on this game are great and the animals are very detailed.
This is one of those games that parents can feel comfortable knowing their kids are playing it. There is no bad language, violence or suggestive images. The zookeepers teach kids to have a positive attitude, appreciate animals and the economics of business management. They will also learn about several species of animals and how a zoo operates in regards to obtaining animals, breeding endangered species, sharing animals with other zoos and releasing animals back to the wild.
