While some online video games are inappropriate for children, there are quite a few that provide a safe environment for young players to experience multiplayer gaming without the need for parental supervision at all times. Here are some fun online video games for kids of all ages to play by themselves.
Best Online RPG for Kids: Pokemon Sun and Moon
Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon are modern entries in the long-running Pokemon roleplaying games that first began way back in the ’90s on the Nintendo Gameboy.
Pokemon video games are very safe for children to play online.
All of the offline content in Pokemon is family-friendly.
Runs a bit slow in parts on older 3DS models.
Some players may be disappointed by the lack of Pokemon gyms.
In addition to featuring some genuinely enjoyable single-player offline story campaigns that will keep players of all ages busy for days, each Pokemon game also supports online multiplayer in the form of Pokemon trading and battles.
Communication with other Pokemon players is very minimal and is almost entirely restricted to basic gameplay information entered on a player’s in-game ID card such as their nickname and how many Pokemon they’ve caught. Other forms of communication include emojis and basic phrases, which are created from a list of pre-approved safe words.
Best Online Dancing Game for Kids: Just Dance 2020
Ubisoft’s Just Dance video games are lots of fun for local multiplayer gaming sessions but they also feature some casual online multiplayer as well.
Safe online play that requires no parental supervision.
Online gaming that encourages physical activity.
No way to play online with friends at the same time as matches are random.
The emphasis on online gameplay lessens with each Just Dance game.
Referred to in-game as the World Dance Floor, Just Dance’s online mode has players dancing to the same song as other players from all around the world at the same time. There’s no verbal or visual communication with other players, however, you can see the top dancers’ scores update in real time, which creates a sense of genuine competition amongst the participants.
Best Online Game for Creative Kids: Minecraft
Most children who have an interest in video games have likely played Minecraft, seen their friends play it, or watched a streamer stream it on Twitch or Mixer by now. Minecraft is extremely popular not just with junior gamers but also with many teachers due to its capacity for teaching problem-solving and construction.
Equally educational and fun for kids to play.
The online Minecraft community is fairly kid-safe and student oriented.
Most versions of Minecraft require an Xbox network account to play, even on the Nintendo Switch and mobile.
Pre-kinder kids may find the green zombie-like monsters scary.
Minecraft has a strong solo-player offline element, but kids can also go online and play with or against other players, and there’s also the ability to share creations and download those made by others. The simplified graphics prevent any of the action from being too scary and the voice chat can be disabled via parental settings.
It’s recommended to create an Xbox network account for your child and manage it yourself.
Best Online Kids Game for Star Wars Fans: Star Wars Battlefront II
Star Wars Battlefront II is an action-shooter video game that uses characters and locations from all three eras of Star Wars movies and cartoons. The graphics are simply stunning, especially on an Xbox One X or PlayStation 4 Pro console, and the sound design will make anyone playing feel like they’re in the middle of a Star Wars battle.
Kids can still express themselves with humorous emotes when voice chat is disabled.
The locations and characters look just like they do in the films.
The action will be too intense for younger players, but no more so than the Star Wars movies themselves.
Some junior Star Wars fans may dislike the lack of Jar Jar Binks and Porgs.
There are a variety of fun online modes for kids and adults to play in Star Wars Battlefront II with the two most popular ones being Galactic Assault and Heroes Versus Villains. The former is a massive online 40-player battle mode that recreates iconic moments from the films while the latter lets the player play as iconic characters like Luke Skywalker, Rey, Kylo Ren, and Yoda in four-on-four team battles.
There is no built-in voice chat functionality in Star Wars Battlefront II though players still can converse with friends using a console’s own online services, which can be disabled.
Best Kids-Friendly Online Shooter: Splatoon 2
Splatoon 2 is a colorful shooter for junior gamers who are too young for the likes of Call of Duty and Battlefield. In it, players take on the role of Inklings, child-like characters who can transform into colorful squids and back again, and can compete in online matches with up to eight other people.
A third-person shooter designed with kids in mind.
Colorful characters and levels make it a joy to play and watch.
Online modes don’t feature as many players as other games.
Only available on the Nintendo Switch.
The aim of each match is to cover as much of the field in your team’s color as you can by blasting and spraying paint on the floors, walls, and opponents. Splatoon 2 uses the Nintendo Switch smartphone app for voice chat, which can be controlled or disabled by parents.
While online voice chat features can be disabled in video games and on consoles, more and more gamers are using third-party chat apps such as Discord and Skype to communicate while playing online with friends.
Most-Popular Online Game for Kids: Fortnite
Fortnite is easily one of the most-popular video games in the world with both kids and adults.
Completely free to download and play on every major console and mobile device.
Fortnite supports crossplay which means kids can play with their friends on other systems.
While free, there is a strong emphasis on buying digital items in-game.
Game can take several minutes just to load the title screen.
While there is a story mode in Fortnite, its Battle Royale mode is what most gamers play. In it, users connect with 99 other players from around the world and, depending on the match’s rules, take out the other team or every other player to claim victory.
The concept sounds violent and inappropriate but there’s zero gore, player deaths are more like digital disintegrations, and everyone gets to dress up in wild outfits such as a teddy bear onesie or a fairy.
Voice chat in Fortnite is enabled by default to work with other squad/team members but this can be disabled in the game’s settings on all platforms. Kids can still form private chats with their personal friends on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles but this can be disabled completely by using the respective console’s parental restrictions.
Online purchases can be restricted on gaming consoles by using parental or family settings. Requiring a password or PIN be entered before a digital purchase is processed is also recommended on mobile and consoles.
Best Online Platformer for Kids: Terraria
Terraria is kind of a mix between Super Mario Bros and Minecraft. In it, players must navigate 2D levels and fight monsters, much like in a traditional platformer, but they’re also given the ability to craft materials they find and create constructs within the world.
An action game that encourages creativity.
Loads of content to keep even hardcore gamers playing for a long time.
Some menu items are cropped off on some TV sets.
No crossplay between different versions.
Players can connect with up to seven other players to play online with which creates numerous opportunities for some fun, and safe, co-op multiplayer action. Terraria relies on consoles’ built-in voice chat solutions, which can be disabled by parents.
Best Online Sports Game for Kids: Rocket League
Combining soccer with racing may seem like an odd choice but Rocket League pulls it off well and has become incredibly successful with its fresh concept.
Very easy to understand and play due to its soccer-based gameplay.
Fun downloadable content based on Hot Wheels, DC Comics characters, and Fast and Furious.
Strong emphasis on buying in-game digital content with real money.
Some lag on slower internet connections.
In Rocket League, players drive a variety of vehicles on an open soccer field and must smash the giant ball into the goal just as in a traditional soccer game.
Gamers can play in online multiplayer Rocket League matches for up to eight people, and there are loads of customization options for kids to personalize their cars and make them their own. Voice chat can be controlled via the console’s family settings.
Best Games Website for Kids: Lego Kids
The official Lego website is a fantastic source of free video games that can be played online without any app or plugin downloads. All you need to do to play these games is to click on their icon from the main screen and the entire video game will load within the internet browser. No account sign-ups or exchanging of information is required.
A good variety of video game genres such as racing, platforming, and puzzles.
Games based on major brands like Lego Friends, Batman, Star Wars, and Ninjago.
Very easy to click on promos for the paid console and smartphone games.
Children will likely want you to buy more Lego sets after playing these games.
When using the Lego website, it’s important to check the icons of the games listed. Those that display a gaming console icon or one with a tablet and smartphone are promos for the paid Lego video games such as Lego Marvel’s The Avengers. The ones that are free to play online are the games that use the laptop icon.
Classic Online Arcade Game for Kids: Super Bomberman R
Super Bomberman is back for modern consoles with more of the classic multiplayer arcade action that made it so popular in the 90’s. In Super Bomberman R gamers get to play solo or local multiplayer with up to four other players but the real fun is the online mode where matches consist of eight players.
No communications in-game besides the console’s built-in voice chat, which can be disabled by parents.
Fun Halo character cameo in the Xbox One version.
More online modes would have been nice.
Graphics look a little old by today’s standards.
In Super Bomberman R’s multiplayer modes, the aim is to defeat other players by strategically placing bombs within the maze-like level. Power-ups and abilities provide some variety to the proceedings but overall it’s good, simple fun that anyone can play.
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