Ever since debuting in 2020, the PlayStation 5 has steadily amassed an impressive library, albeit one that is not really known for its kids' games. Want horror? The PS5 has plenty. Craving an open-world game or maybe a sandbox? There are almost too many options. Looking to play a Soulslike or a third-person shooter? Some projects do both. Looking for a children's game? Well, you might need to dig a bit deeper to find games in most genres.
While not exactly lacking, PS5 games for children do not tend to be highlighted as intensely as releases designed for older players. Consequently, parents might struggle to come up with a range of child-friendly options across most genres, especially if they move away from platformers. To help streamline this process as much as possible, let's take a look at some of the best PS5 kids' games across many genres.
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Quick Picks: Best PS5 Games For Kids
A Few Straightforward Recommendations For Parents Who Are Looking For Something To Play
|
Best Overall PS5 Kids Game |
Astro Bot |
|---|---|
|
Best Game For Young Kids (5-7) |
Paw Patrol World |
|
Best for Family Co-Op (Play Together) |
Overcooked! 2 |
|
Best for Short Play Sessions |
Astro’s Playroom |
|
Best Non-Violent / Low-Stress Game |
Lego Voyagers |
Introductory PS5 Game For Kids
Astro's Playroom
Astro's Playroom
- Released
- November 12, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Team Asobi
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
Except for a few Nintendo masterpieces, Astro's Playroom might just be the best pack-in game of all time; if nothing else, it is Sony's greatest effort. Due to arriving pre-installed on the PS5, this short but adorable 3D platformer will introduce most people to this console generation, and it offers fun for all ages. As a celebration of PlayStation's history, the game's many references and collectibles will delight long-term fans who have been on this journey since the early days of Crash Bandicoot and Tomb Raider. Meanwhile, older players who do not have an attachment to the brand can look forward to a polished platformer that does a fantastic job of showcasing the DualSense controller's capabilities.
Astro's Playroom does a surprisingly good job of striking a balance between accessibility and difficulty, with the latter being just steep enough to require the player's full attention. Putting aside a small handful of frustrating moments that rarely last more than a couple of minutes, the campaign is primarily a delight that should entertain kids who are taking their steps into the world of gaming. At the bare minimum, they will probably love Astro as a character.
Action
Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania
Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania
- Released
- October 5, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Cartoon Violence
- Developer(s)
- Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Genre(s)
- Action, Platformer
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.
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.
Alternative PS5 Action Games For Kids:
- Ben 10: Power Trip
- Kao the Kangaroo
- Pumpkin Jack
Adventure
Lil Gator Game
Lil Gator Game
- Released
- December 14, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Open-World
Lil Gator Game is the type of adventure that a child would come up with, and that is meant to be taken in the most positive way possible. As the eponymous gator, players will go on a self-driven adventure to create an adventure worthy of impressing their older sibling, with the main goal being to create an opportunity for family bonding. It is a simple premise that is executed beautifully and with endless charm. The latter is really Lil Gator Game's selling point since, in terms of gameplay, there is not all that much here to get excited about; just to be clear, what is included plays well, but most of the mechanics are fairly stripped down and straightforward.
While obviously great for younger players looking for a lighthearted and cute adventure, older folks might also appreciate Little Gator Game's innocence and whimsy. As the years roll by and flights of fantasy give way to hard reality, child-like wonder and imagination become fleeting skills that are rarely exercised; Little Gator Game might spark them to life in parents as they watch their kids have a good time.
Alternative PS5 Adventure Games For Kids:
- Jusant
- Lego Horizon Adventures
- The Pathless
- The Smurfs 2 - The Prisoner of the Green Stone
Beat 'Em Up
Marvel Cosmic Invasion
MARVEL Cosmic Invasion
- Released
- December 1, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
- Developer(s)
- Tribute Games Inc.
- Genre(s)
- Beat 'Em Up, Superhero, Action
Beat 'em ups, on paper, are the perfect genre for beginners, as they usually have simple combat that is quite accessible. However, the genre is also known for its difficulty curves, and most of its best games pack a serious punch that makes them difficult to recommend to parents looking for something to play with their kids.
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Fortunately, there are two major exceptions, both of which were developed by Tribute Games. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge and Marvel Cosmic Invasion are equally fantastic beat 'em ups that lower the barrier of entry considerably, at least when played on lower difficulty settings. While the former is slightly easier and more accessible, the latter has more depth and features an IP that more kids are likely to be familiar with in 2026. That said, if your kid loves the Ninja Turtles, go with Shredder's Revenge over Marvel Cosmic Invasion.
Alternative PS5 Beat 'Em Up Game For Kids:
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge
Battle Royale
Fall Guys
Fall Guys
- Released
- August 4, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E for Everyone: Mild Cartoon Violence
- Developer(s)
- Mediatonic
- Genre(s)
- Battle Royale, Platformer, Action
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 cartoony aesthetic and an overabundance of silliness, this title does not take itself too seriously and is very accessible. Perfect for short sessions when the only goal is to have a good time and maybe a few laughs, Fall Guys can be thrown on whenever someone is not sure what they feel like playing, and that goes for both children and adults.
Alternative PS5 Battle Royale Games For Kids:
- Fortnite
Co-Op
Lego Voyagers
LEGO Voyagers
- Released
- September 15, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Everyone
- Developer(s)
- Light Brick Studio
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Puzzle, Platformer
All Lego games are perfect for kids, and most of the modern ones support co-op. The obvious route is to just go with one of the IP releases like Lego Avengers or Lego The Incredibles, especially since the PS4 games are playable on PS5; that said, Lego Voyagers is the slightly more interesting pick, and it does not require a built-in love for a franchise.
Designed entirely around 2-player co-op, a parent and their child must work together to solve puzzles that largely revolve around platforming, all the while basking in gorgeous visuals that are among the best on the PS5. Lego Voyagers is fairly short, which can be a bit disappointing, but its quality more than makes up for that shortcoming.
Alternative PS5 Co-Op Games For Kids:
- KeyWe
- Overcooked: All You Can Eat
- PlateUp!
Farming Sim
Doraemon Story Of Seasons: Friends Of The Great Kingdom
Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom
- Released
- November 1, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone Due To Alcohol Reference, Mild Language
- Developer(s)
- Brownies, Marvelous
- Genre(s)
- Farming
Farming sims come in many shapes and rhythms. Some, like Stardew Valley, are time-consuming and demanding, while others offer 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.
Alternative PS5 Farming Simulation Games For Kids:
- Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom
- Roots of Pacha
- Stardew Valley – PS4 version
Fighting Game
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2
- Released
- November 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ For Comic Mischief, Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Ludosity, Fair Play Labs
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
The first Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl was a decent Super Smash Bros. Clone that did not really do enough to stand out from the crowd, making it difficult to recommend it to anyone but the most die-hard fans of the central properties. With a sequel debuting just about two years later, someone who was not impressed with the original will likely see no reason to pick up its successor; however, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 builds considerably on its predecessor's foundations. This 2023 release serves as a prime example of what a sequel should be, delivering not only a more fine-tuned core experience but also adding ideas and mechanics that elevate the overall package to the next level.
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Kids can look forward to trying out Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2's impressive roster of fan-favorite characters that includes personalities from SpongeBob, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Rugrats. More excitingly, the characters come with their nuances and strengths, meaning players are incentivized to take each fighter out for a spin since they play differently from each other. Mechanically, the sequel implements a Slime meter that can provide a wide range of boosts to different moves and attacks, along with providing access to a special finisher. This concept is well executed and by far Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2's freshest idea, one that elevates it from a clone to a standout product.
Alternative PS5 Fighting Games For Kids:
- Divine Knockout – Free
- Them's Fightin' Herds
Life Sim
Disney Dreamlight Valley
Disney Dreamlight Valley
- Released
- December 5, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Everyone / In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Gameloft
- Genre(s)
- Life Simulation, Casual
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.
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.