If you’re looking for the best Xbox one games for kids, then you’re in the right place. The Xbox One is still one of the most popular consoles around today (it’s still more popular than the Nintendo Switch), and there’s a lot of games available for it.
But, it can be hard to find games specifically for kids nowadays. It seems like most of the games being released are violent shoot ’em ups that aren’t really suitable, especially for younger kids.
So, finding the best Xbox one games for kids isn’t easy, but there is still a ton of games out there which are suitable. If you aren’t really sure on what games to give your kids, then have a quick look at this list to see if there’s anything you think might be suitable.
Best Xbox Games for Kids
Ori and the Will of Wisps
Ori and the Blind Forest was one of the most popular games back in 2015 and it became an immediate success, even though the gameplay is relatively simple. The Will of Wisps looks to expand on this success, making it one of the most anticipated games of 2019. Whilst Ori is generally suitable for most ages, one issue with it is that it can actually be quite difficult, which might rule out younger children.
Crackdown 3
Although Crackdown 3 has earned a mature rating, it’s quite harsh and the game itself doesn’t really warrant anything more than a teen warning (in my opinion). The game has a little swearing, but nothing more than what you might see in a teen focussed film. There’s not much blood and gore either, which makes this game a good choice for older youngsters in my opinion. If you don’t like the idea of Grand Theft Auto for your kids but they’re desperate for this type of game, then this could provide a good compromise.
Ooblets
Ooblets is a game being released in 2019 that’s only available on Xbox and PC, so you won’t find it on the Playstation. Whilst the description of the game might make it appear to be like Farmville, it’s actually quite different. Essential, Ooblets is a farming game taking inspiration from Pokemon (taking care of animals and Pallet Town) and Harvest Moon, another agriculture simulator. Whilst some kids might find Ooblets a little boring, it’s a fun game that’s suitable for all of the family to play together. Though, it might be a little slow for older kids.
Jump Force
Although many parents don’t like their kids playing fighting games at a young age, once they get to pre-teen years the likelihood is their interest will have peaked in these types of games anyway. They’re extremely popular amongst kids, and Jump Force looks to be the 2019 equivalent of older games like Tekken. You get the choice of playing from tons of anime characters, so if you’re kids are Anime nuts, then this is a good choice for them. Jump Force makes a great gift for kids over 12.
Dirt Rally 2.0
If your kids like driving and racing games, then Dirt Rally looks to be a good choice coming out in 2019 (February). It’s a pretty basic racing game, but the graphics and controls make it one of the best options out at the moment. There aren’t many other games that are going to match it if you’re looking for racing games. Dirt Rally would be a good choice for kids of all ages.
Team Sonic Racing
Let’s face it; Mario Kart has dominated racing games since it was first released back in the early Nineties on the SNES. And ever since, other characters and franchises have tried to muscle in on the arcade racing scene with little success (except maybe Crash Team Racing back on the Playstation a long time ago!). Sonic Team Racing looks to try and get it’s piece of the arcade racing pie again (this is their third instalment), with a new release coming in 2019. It’s suitable for all ages, so could be a good one for all the family.
Crash Team Racing
Its impossible to mention Sonic without mentioning Crash Team Racing too, which got a big reboot in the middle of 2019. CTR was one of the most popular alternatives to the standard Crash Bandicoot games released back in the 90s, as well as Crash Bash (which sadly hasn’t had a reboot, yet!).
After playing the game on it’s release, it’s definitely a great throwback to the original, which was released 20 years ago. Although there’s a few teething snags with the load times (especially on Nintendo Switch), this is surely going to be resolved soon with the upcoming updates.
Spyro Reignited
Probably the most anticipated game towards the end of 2018 was the Spyro Trilogy. After so much success with the remastered version of the Crash Bandicoot’s that were released in 2017 (which feature a little later in the list!), it’s no surprise that other old school games would get their shine as well. Fortunately the next game up for a remastering was Spyro, and it’s pretty awesome.
Spyro is a great example of simplistic game that still works today in the remastered version. Sure, the controls are a little simple, but that makes it perfect for kids. Whilst the controls are suitable for kids, the game itself will hold some nostalgia for older people, so it’s a worthwhile game to think about considering adding to your Xbox One collection.
Overcooked 2
If you’re looking for a game that the whole family can play together, then Overcooked 2 is definitely a good example of this. It’s a 1-4 player co-op game that will bring you a heap of fun when you’re playing it. The beauty of the game is really in it’s simplicity, as you’re essentially asked to cook food as a different character. But, this takes you through various levels and environments which make the game super fun. It’s a cool game that should keep the kids occupied, and ideal for younger ages.
However, it should be noted that Overcooked isn’t much fun to play alone, so it’s a better game to choose if you’re looking at something that you can play together.
Forza Horizon 4
If you like Racing games, then Forza Horizon 4 is probably one of the best choices released recently. It came out in the last quarter of 2018, and it’s definitely one of the cleanest racing games to be released recently. The steering is excellent, so it could be worth picking up a Thrustmaster to play on if you want to use it with a steering wheel. It has insane rankings on IGN and pretty much everyone who’s played it can attest to how good it is – it might be one of the best Forzas ever.
Sea of Thieves
Sea of Thieves is a relatively unique game, because there’s really a lack pirate games out there. In fact, I can’t recall a really good pirate game that I’ve ever played, so it’s nice to see one come in and break the trend of bad pirate games. But, that doesn’t mean to say that Sea of Thieves is perfect however – it’s really not.
After a while, the gameplay on Sea of Thieves can get extremely repetitive. The main novelty of the game remains in the story itself, and the gameplay can get a little boring. It’s more suited for early teens, much of this is because the game is online and they’ll probably have to deal with trolls.
Rocket League
Although Rocket League wasn’t initially available on the Xbox One, it’s since become one of the most popular games on pretty much all platforms. It’s awesome in the way that you’re not confined to one console, meaning that someone on an Xbox can play against someone on a PC, which isn’t the case with the majority of games. Rocket League updates the game regularly, so although it was released years ago, they’re always releasing new game modes and different cars to drive.
Essentially, Rocket League is just soccer with cars (but they’ve since updated it so include cool new game modes, like Basketball and Ice Hockey). It’s a great game for all ages.
Minecraft
For years, many parents have been puzzled by the appeal of Minecraft to younger kids. But still, it’s one of the most popular games to date and it’s definitely worth adding to your kids collection if you haven’t done so already. It’s a relatively simple idea – allowing people to create their own cities and towns from the ground up. Of course it’s a little more than that, but that’s the basic premise. If you’re looking for a game that’s suitable for all ages and isn’t just a wild shoot ’em game, then Minecraft might be a good choice.
Roblox
Whenever people talking about Xbox games for kids, I’m always quick to mention Roblox. Primarily because it’s a free game, so why not download it right? Although the graphics put some people off of Roblox and games like it, that’s part of the fun. Roblox is definitely one you’ll want to get if your kids friends play it too.
Roblox is one of the best ways to let your kids play an MMO (Massive Multiplayer Online) game without having to worry about too much violence. A lot of MMOs like Fortnite and Apex might not be suitable for younger kids, so it’s nice to have an alternative. However, you will still have to monitor their online use to ensure their safety (which is one reason why you might want to avoid online play at a young age).
Crash Bandicoot N Sane Trilogy
The Crash Bandicoot N Sane Trilogy just blasted past selling 10 million units in 2019, and it looks to increase on that in the coming years. It’s generally a heavily updated version of the older Crash games that many of us would have played on the original Playstation back when we were kids. Whilst it would make a perfect gift for kids, it’s also a good choice if you’re trying to channel your own inner child too.
With the N Sane Trilogy, you’re getting remastered versions of the first three games; Crash Bandicoot, Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back and Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped. Crash is generally great for younger kids, because the gameplay is particularly easy to get use to and there’s not a whole lot of controls to learn.
Games for the Lego Series
There’s been a ton of great games released from the Lego series that are ideal for young kids. In 2019 they’re releasing the game to accompany the Lego Movie 2 as well as Lego Marvel Avengers 2, but in the last few years they’ve released some awesome lego games like;
- Lego Incredibles
- Lego Marvel Superheroes 2
- Lego DC Super Villian
- Lego Star Wars
These are just some of the games that have been released in the last couple of years, so keep your eyes peeled to see if you can get your hands on any of them. Generally Lego games tend to be suitable for all ages of kids, so you don’t need to worry about age rating.
Whilst typically the Lego story games don’t have particularly long gameplay, this doesn’t mean that you should skip them over, as often for kids their replay value is much higher than with adults. So if your child has fallen in love with Star Wars, superheroes or something else, then the newest Lego series game is a great option.
Sports Games for Kids – Ideal for ages 7+
FIFA
For kids that enjoy Sports games, then FIFA is the first game on the list. Even though soccer isn’t as popular in America as it is in the rest of the World, it’s still one of the most popular sports games in the United States too. Although there isn’t a great deal of difference between each game that comes out, it’s a ritual purchase for a lot of people, especially kids. It’s great for kids of any age, as there’s a wide variety of different difficulties to choose from, as well as a variety of different games modes.
NBA 2k
Like with Fifa and Pro Evo, there was a time when 2k wasn’t the best NBA game (back when NBA live was around). But nowadays, 2K is the indisputable best basketball game around and if your kids enjoy basketball, then this is a definite add to the Christmas list.
With all the exciting trades happening recently, the upcoming 2K will surely be a must have for a lot of young kids. Lebron and AD, Kawhi and PG, Kyrie and KD will be some of the best duos to play with on 2K, but I’m most excited to see what the Harden/Westbrook combination is like and see what the Rockets have to offer on the newest 2K.
Madden
Madden is the other game that’s an essential for any kid that loves football. It can be a little difficult to learn how to play with the tactics, but it can be advantageous for those that want to learn a little more about football itself. Whilst Madden isn’t quite as popular as it used to be, it’s still one of the biggest sports games sold worldwide and undoubtedly a great game for both kids and adults.
Conclusion
Overall, these are just some of the best games to consider if you’re looking for Xbox One games for kids. There’s a wide variety of games here, with some suitable for really young kids, whilst others are better for older kids and teenagers. Remember to check the age rating of any game before purchasing it to ensure that you’re okay with your kids playing. And of course, make sure you’ve stocked up one the right Xbox accessories to avoid disappointment – getting a battery pack for your Xbox one is the most important thing for me, otherwise the kids usage will eat through the batteries!
There are a ton of good games coming out in 2019, and this is just a small selection of the current games available for youngsters and kids. Many of the games here are available on other platforms too, so if they have a PC or you’re interested in kids Playstation games, then they’re also available on different consoles. But if you’re sticking with Xbox, then these are some of the best games available right now.
