For kids under six, the biggest hurdle is the "Game Over" screen. It’s a literal wall to their enjoyment. These picks remove that wall entirely.

This is the ultimate starter game. You play as a hole in the ground. The more things you swallow, the bigger the hole gets. That’s it. It’s funny, the physics are satisfying, and it teaches the basics of moving an object around a screen without any "death" or "enemies." It’s short, sweet, and doesn't have a single "Ohio" meme in sight.

If your child is in their "chaos era," this is the one. You are a goose. Your job is to be a nuisance to a gardener. There is no way to lose. If you get caught, the gardener just shooes you away. It’s a masterclass in "emergent gameplay"—which is just a fancy way of saying "letting kids figure out how to solve problems by being silly."

Think of this as a digital dollhouse. There are no rules, no scores, and no "winning." Kids just move characters around, dress them up, and make them eat virtual crumpets. It’s perfect for the 4-6 age range because it mirrors the way they play in real life. Warning: Toca Boca loves to push expansion packs. It’s not "brain rot," but it can be a "wallet rot" if you don't set up your app store passwords correctly.

Ask our chatbot for more games that don't have "Game Over" screens

If your kid is ready for a Nintendo Switch, don't just hand them the controller and walk away. Start with games that have a "Co-Pilot" or "Assisted" mode.

This game has a genius "Assist Mode" that adds arrows on the floor to show you where to go and prevents you from falling off cliffs. Even better? You can play as "Cappy" (the hat) while your kid plays as Mario. You handle the jumping and the enemies, and they get to feel like the hero.

Kirby is the king of beginner-friendly gaming. The second player plays as "Bandana Waddle Dee," who is basically invincible. It’s a great way to teach them about "boss battles" without the trauma of losing all their progress. Plus, Kirby turning into a car is peak entertainment for a five-year-old.

Let’s be real: this game is a bit clunky and very short. If it were any other brand, I’d tell you to skip it. But because it’s Bluey, your kids will forgive the bugs. It’s designed specifically for families to play together, and it’s a very gentle introduction to "mini-games."

Once they’ve mastered the controller, move them toward "sandbox" games. These are games where the goal is whatever they want it to be.

Do NOT put a 6-year-old in "Survival Mode" unless you want to deal with tears when a Creeper blows up their house. In Creative Mode, they have infinite blocks and can't die. It’s essentially digital LEGOs. It’s the gold standard for a reason. About 60% of kids have tried Minecraft by the time they hit second grade—it’s the new universal language of the playground.

This is a hidden gem. You play as a young girl visiting her grandparents on a Mediterranean island, taking photos of animals and cleaning up trash. It’s incredibly chill, pro-environment, and has zero combat. If you want a "wholesome" vibe, this is it.

Check out our full guide on why sandbox games are better than competitive games for development

I get asked this every single day. "My kid's friends are all on Roblox, should I let them join?" Here’s the no-BS take: Roblox is not a 'first' game. It’s a platform. It’s chaotic, the moderation is hit-or-miss, and the "games" inside it range from brilliant to absolute "brain rot" (looking at you, Skibidi Toilet clones).

If you do go the Roblox route, you need to be the "manager." You need to lock down the privacy settings and explain that Robux is real money. For a first-timer, stick to the curated experiences listed above. They’re safer, better designed, and won't try to sell your kid a virtual pet for $20.

When you’re starting out, the "how" is more important than the "what."

Gaming is the first time many kids experience "fair" failure. In a board game, maybe Mom lets them win. In a video game, the jump is either made or it isn't.

This is a huge teaching moment. If they start getting "salty" (parent-speak for "being a sore loser"), it’s time to pause. Talk about how games are puzzles. If you can't solve it now, your brain just needs a little more "data" to figure it out later.

If they start using slang like "L-Rizz" or calling things "mid" because they saw it on a YouTube gamer's channel, don't panic. It’s just the culture. But do keep an eye on who they’re watching. DanTDM is generally a safe bet; stay away from the high-screaming, "prank" style channels.

Your child's first video game experience shouldn't be about winning; it should be about agency. It’s the first time they get to be in the driver’s seat of a story.

Pick games that encourage them to poke around, try weird things, and laugh when they fail. If you start with high-stress, competitive, or "pay-to-win" games, you’re setting them up for a tech relationship built on dopamine hits rather than genuine skill and creativity.

Learn more about how to set healthy screen time boundaries that actually stick