Most of today’s biggest video games are made for teenagers and adults. Finding games that are fun, safe and right for your child’s age takes more than reading the box. This guide lists 12 of the best video games for kids in 2026 on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC and mobile, with the official European PEGI age rating for each one.
You’ll also find which popular games are not meant for younger children, how to set up parental controls in a few minutes, and how to balance gaming with active play.
Quick answer: for ages 4 to 6, start with Mario Kart World, Super Mario Bros. Wonder or Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds (all PEGI 3). For ages 7 to 9, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, Astro Bot and Minecraft (PEGI 7) are safe favourites. For ages 10 to 12, try LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, The Plucky Squire or Rocket League.
How We Chose These Games
We started from recent expert recommendations, including PCMag’s 2026 list of the best video games for kids, and kept only games that:
- are already available, not pre-orders;
- have an official PEGI rating of 3 or 7, the ratings used in Spain;
- are fun to play together as a family or with friends;
- don’t push children into constant spending.
We checked every PEGI rating against the Family Gaming Database, which lists official European ratings. Only playing on Nintendo Switch? See our separate guide to the best Nintendo Switch games for kids.
PEGI Age Ratings Explained
In Spain and the rest of Europe, games are rated by PEGI. The number shows the minimum recommended age based on content, not difficulty.
- PEGI 3: suitable for all ages.
- PEGI 7: may include mildly scary scenes or cartoon violence with no realistic injuries.
- PEGI 12: more realistic violence, bad language or online features better suited to older children.
- PEGI 16 and 18: for teenagers and adults.
- PEGI “!” (parental guidance recommended): used for platforms full of content made by other players, such as Roblox, where no single age can be guaranteed.
Look out for the “In-game purchases” label too. It means the game sells extra items for real money.
PEGI is not the same as ESRB. Many American guides use the US ESRB system (E, E10+, T), and the two don’t always agree. For example, Marvel Cosmic Invasion is rated E10+ in the US but PEGI 12 in Europe. In Spain, follow the PEGI label.
The 12 Best Video Games for Kids at a Glance
| Game | Platforms | PEGI | Our suggested age |
| Mario Kart World | Switch 2 | 3 | 4+ |
| Super Mario Bros. Wonder | Switch, Switch 2 | 3 | 5+ |
| Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds | PS5, PS4, Xbox, Switch, Switch 2, PC | 3 | 6+ |
| Disney Dreamlight Valley | PS5, PS4, Xbox, Switch, PC, Mac | 3 | 7+ |
| Astro Bot | PS5 | 7 | 6+ |
| LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga | PS5, PS4, Xbox, Switch, PC | 7 | 7+ |
| LEGO Horizon Adventures | PS5, Switch, PC | 7 | 7+ |
| Minecraft | Almost every console, PC, tablet and phone | 7 | 7+ |
| The Plucky Squire | PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC | 7 | 8+ |
| LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight | PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, PC | 7 | 8+ |
| Among Us | Phone, tablet, PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch | 7 | 9+ |
| Rocket League | PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC | 3 | 8+ |
Our suggested age considers reading, difficulty and online features, so it is sometimes higher than the PEGI number.
Best Video Games for Ages 4 to 6
Mario Kart World (PEGI 3)
The easiest game to recommend to families. Up to four players can race on one console, and smart steering and automatic acceleration stop younger children from falling off the track. They can also explore the open world freely without the pressure of winning. Still on the original Switch? Mario Kart 8 Deluxe offers the same family fun.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder (PEGI 3)
A colourful 2D Mario adventure full of surprises. Up to four players can play together, and some characters don’t take damage, which makes it perfect for a parent playing with a younger child.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds (PEGI 3)
A fast, funny kart racer with Sonic and friends, and the best Mario Kart alternative on PlayStation and Xbox. It includes in-game purchases and a season pass, so set a spending limit before your child starts.
Best Video Games for Ages 7 to 9
Astro Bot (PEGI 7)
The best family game on PS5. Children guide a small robot through creative space worlds full of surprises. It’s easy to start but has plenty of secrets for older players to find.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (PEGI 7)
All nine Star Wars films in one funny LEGO adventure. Two players can play together on one screen, and the LEGO humour keeps the fights light. It’s a great game for a parent and child who both love Star Wars.
LEGO Horizon Adventures (PEGI 7)
A kid-friendly LEGO version of a grown-up adventure series, with robot dinosaurs and lots of humour. Defeated enemies simply break into LEGO bricks, and the game works well in two-player co-op.
Minecraft (PEGI 7)
Still the best building game for children, and it runs on almost every device. Creative mode is like unlimited digital LEGO; survival mode adds mild monsters at night. If your child plays online, use a private world with friends or a moderated server.
Disney Dreamlight Valley (PEGI 3)
A cosy life game where children grow vegetables, cook, decorate and make friends with Disney and Pixar characters. It needs some reading, so we suggest it from about age 7. It offers optional cosmetic purchases with an in-game currency called Moonstones.
Best Video Games for Ages 10 to 12
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight (PEGI 7)
The newest LEGO game, released in 2026. It mixes LEGO humour with open-world exploration, puzzles and fun fighting inspired by the Batman Arkham games, but without their dark tone. It’s an excellent choice for children who are ready for a longer adventure.
The Plucky Squire (PEGI 7)
A hero jumps in and out of a storybook, solving puzzles by moving words on the page. It’s original, funny and great for children who love reading and creative thinking.
Among Us (PEGI 7)
A social deduction game: players work on a spaceship while one secret “impostor” tries to sabotage the crew. It’s fun with friends and family, but public online games mean chatting with strangers. For younger players, use private games with people you know.
Rocket League (PEGI 3)
Football played with rocket-powered cars. It’s free to play and suitable in content for all ages, but it takes practice, so we suggest it from about age 8. It includes text and voice chat and optional purchases, so turn chat off or limit it to friends.
Active Video Games: Gaming That Gets Kids Moving
Not all screen time is the same. Motion games turn gaming into exercise:
- Just Dance: the classic family dance game, with a new edition every year. Extra songs come through a Just Dance+ subscription, so check what’s included before you buy.
- Nintendo Switch Sports: tennis, bowling and other sports played with real movements.
- Ring Fit Adventure: an adventure game you play by running on the spot and squeezing a fitness ring.
Popular Games That Aren’t Meant for Younger Kids
Your child may ask for these because their friends play them. Here’s what the ratings say:
| Game | PEGI | What parents should know |
| Fortnite | 12 | Cartoon-style shooting, voice chat with strangers and V-Bucks purchases. Epic’s parental controls let you turn off voice chat and require a PIN for purchases. |
| Roblox | “!” (parental guidance recommended) | Millions of games made by other players, so content varies widely. Chat, Robux spending and scams are the main risks. Read our full guide: Is Roblox safe for kids? |
| Marvel Cosmic Invasion | 12 | A fun superhero brawler, but rated higher in Europe than in the US. |
| Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales | 16 | Often appears on American “best games for kids” lists, but in Spain it is rated for ages 16 and up. |
How to Make Gaming Safer in 10 Minutes
Every console has free parental controls. Set them up once and most problems go away:
- Nintendo Switch: the free Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app on your phone.
- PlayStation: Family Management in your PlayStation account settings.
- Xbox: the free Xbox Family Settings app.
With these tools you can:
- block games above a chosen PEGI age;
- set a daily play-time limit;
- turn off or limit online chat;
- set a spending limit or block purchases.
Also keep the console in a shared room, not the bedroom, and play together from time to time. You’ll learn what your child enjoys and spot problems early.
Balancing Video Games and Active Play
Video games can teach problem-solving, creativity and teamwork. But children also need real movement. The World Health Organization recommends that children aged 5 to 17 get an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day, and that recreational screen time is limited.
A simple rule that works for many families: gaming comes after active play, not instead of it. Read more about screen time and the developing brain.
Video Games You Play with Your Whole Body at Kids Arena Marbella
If your child loves video games, Kids Arena in Nueva Andalucía, Marbella, offers the best of both worlds: digital challenges they play by running, jumping and climbing. Our main activities are designed for children aged 5 to 12:
- Interactive Games: immersive digital challenges controlled by movement, speed and quick reactions.
- Virtual Reality Games: explore virtual worlds with Meta Quest headsets.
- Interactive Cycling: race on gaming bikes, pedalling and steering through on-screen action.
- Pleyo Station: a mini-trampoline that works as a game controller.
- Laser Maze Challenge: a real-life mission through a room full of laser beams.
Add professional climbing walls, a ninja course and a zip line, and gamers get a real workout without noticing. It’s also a great plan for rainy days in Marbella and a favourite theme for kids’ birthday parties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best video game for a 6-year-old?
Mario Kart World, Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds are all rated PEGI 3, easy to learn and fun to play together.
What video games are good for 10-year-olds?
Minecraft, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, Astro Bot and The Plucky Squire are all rated PEGI 7 and offer longer adventures, puzzles and building.
What age is Fortnite for?
Fortnite is rated PEGI 12 in Europe. It includes cartoon-style shooting, voice chat with strangers and in-game purchases. If younger children play, use Epic’s parental controls.
Is Roblox safe for kids?
Roblox carries a PEGI “!” label, meaning parental guidance is recommended, because most of its content is made by other players. Use the parental controls to limit chat and spending, and play together at first.
What is the difference between PEGI and ESRB?
PEGI is the age rating system used in Spain and Europe (3, 7, 12, 16, 18). ESRB is the American system (E, E10+, T, M). The same game can receive different ratings, so in Spain always check the PEGI label.
How much gaming time is OK for children?
There is no single number that suits every child. The WHO recommends at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day for children aged 5 to 17 and limiting recreational screen time. Agree on clear daily limits and use the console’s parental controls to enforce them.
Mix Gaming and Real Play in Marbella
The best gaming routine combines great games at home with plenty of real movement. Bring your child to Kids Arena Marbella to climb, jump and play interactive games with their whole body. Weekends and school holidays are busiest, so we recommend booking ahead.
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