Eight is that sweet spot where kids are ready for more complex games than the Switch typically offers, but they're definitely not ready for the M-rated stuff their older siblings (or let's be honest, their friends' older siblings) are playing. The PS5's library skews older than Nintendo's, which makes finding age-appropriate content a bit trickier.

The ESRB ratings are your friend here, but they're not perfect. An E10+ game can range from "totally fine" to "maybe wait a year." That's why we're breaking down not just what's rated appropriately, but what actually works for this age group in terms of difficulty, themes, and whether you'll get pestered about in-game purchases every five minutes.

Ages: 7+ | ESRB: E

This is the game that proves cooperative play doesn't have to end in sibling warfare. Sackboy takes the charm of LittleBigPlanet and turns it into a full 3D platformer that's genuinely delightful. The levels are creative, the difficulty ramps up nicely, and the co-op mode actually requires teamwork rather than just having two players occupy the same space.

Why it works: The game has a goofy sense of humor that lands with kids, the costumes are fun to collect, and it's forgiving enough that an 8-year-old won't rage-quit but challenging enough that they'll feel accomplished. Plus, if you're playing together, the co-op levels are actually designed for cooperation—you'll need to work together to progress.

Parent note: No microtransactions, no online strangers, just pure platforming fun. This is as safe as PS5 gaming gets.

Ages: 6+ | ESRB: E

If you've turned on your PS5, you've probably encountered Astro through the pre-loaded Astro's Playroom. The full game, Astro Bot, takes that concept and expands it into one of the best platformers on the system. It's PlayStation's answer to Mario, and honestly? It's that good.

Why it works: The game makes brilliant use of the PS5's controller features—kids love the haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. The levels are imaginative, the difficulty is perfectly tuned for this age, and there's zero violence. Astro just bops robots and collects things. It's pure, joyful gaming.

Parent note: This game showcases what the PS5 can do without any mature content whatsoever. If you want to justify that expensive console purchase with something the whole family can enjoy, this is it.

Ages: 8+ | ESRB: E10+

The LEGO games have been a parenting cheat code for years, and this one is the most ambitious yet. All nine Star Wars movies, hundreds of characters, and that signature LEGO humor that makes even the prequels tolerable.

Why it works: If your kid has any interest in Star Wars, this is basically endless content. The gameplay loop of smashing LEGO bricks, collecting studs, and unlocking characters is addictive in the best way. The humor is genuinely funny, and the game never takes itself too seriously—when Darth Vader gets defeated, he just falls apart into LEGO pieces.

Parent note: The E10+ rating is mostly for "cartoon violence" (LEGO figures falling apart). There's no blood, no real danger, just plastic bricks. The game does have DLC character packs, but the base game is massive enough that you probably won't hear about it. If you're looking for alternatives to Fortnite that still feel "cool" to kids, LEGO games are a solid bet.

Ages: 9+ | ESRB: E10+

This is where we start pushing the upper edge of what's appropriate for an 8-year-old, but if your kid is mature for their age and comfortable with action games, Rift Apart is stunning. The graphics are genuinely jaw-dropping, the gameplay is fast-paced, and the story is surprisingly engaging.

Why it works (with caveats): The game features combat with cartoonish weapons—no blood, no realistic violence, just zapping robots and alien creatures. The difficulty can be adjusted, and there's a robust accessibility menu. The dimensional rifts mechanic is mind-blowing and makes kids feel like they're playing something truly next-gen.

Parent note: Some kids will find this too intense. There are boss fights, combat is constant, and the action can be overwhelming. If your 8-year-old still gets scared during action sequences in movies, maybe wait a year. But if they've handled games like Minecraft in survival mode or Mario Odyssey, they'll probably be fine.

Ages: 10+ | ESRB: T

Yes, this one's rated T for Teen, but hear me out. Kena is like if Studio Ghibli made a video game. It's gorgeous, the story deals with themes of grief and healing in a way that's mature but not inappropriate, and the combat is more strategic than violent.

Why it works (for the right kid): If you have a thoughtful 8-year-old who's ready for more emotional depth in their games, Kena might be perfect. The Rot creatures (little spirit companions) are adorable, the world is beautiful to explore, and the game rewards patience and problem-solving. The combat involves fighting corrupted spirits, but it's more mystical than violent.

Parent note: The T rating comes from fantasy violence and some scary imagery. There are moments that might be too intense for sensitive kids—corrupted spirits can look creepy, and the themes of death and loss are present throughout. This is a "know your kid" situation. Play the first hour together and see how they handle it. Some 8-year-olds will love it; others should wait until they're 10 or 11.

These didn't make the top five, but they're worth knowing about:

Bugsnax (Ages 8+, E10+) - Weird, quirky, and strangely compelling. You catch creatures that are half-bug, half-snack. It's as odd as it sounds, but kids love the creature-collecting aspect and the humor.

It Takes Two (Ages 10+, T) - This is THE co-op game, but it requires two players at all times. If you're committed to playing through a game with your kid, this is an incredible bonding experience. The T rating is for some mild language and a scene involving a sentient stuffed elephant that's... intense. Read more about It Takes Two for families before diving in.

Sonic Frontiers (Ages 8+, E10+) - If your kid is a Sonic fan, this is the best 3D Sonic game in years. It's open-world exploration with that classic Sonic speed. The camera can be wonky, but the gameplay is fun.

Little Big Workshop (Ages 10+, E) - A management sim that's more complex than it looks. Kids build and manage a factory, which is surprisingly engaging. Great for kids who love the business side of Roblox.

Let's address the elephant in the room: your 8-year-old probably isn't asking for Sackboy. They're asking for Fortnite, Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, or whatever their friends are playing.

Fortnite (T rating) is the most defensible of these. It's cartoony, the violence is not realistic, and it's genuinely where a lot of social interaction happens for this age group. That said, it's also where they'll encounter voice chat with strangers, microtransaction pressure, and a skill ceiling that can be frustrating. If you're considering it, read this guide about Fortnite for 8-year-olds and set up parental controls from day one.

Call of Duty and GTA are hard no's for 8-year-olds. These are M-rated for good reason—realistic violence, strong language, mature themes. "But their friend plays it" is not a good enough reason. You're the parent; you get to make this call. If you need backup, here's why M-rated games aren't appropriate for elementary schoolers.

The PS5 has a bunch of free-to-play games that kids will discover: Fortnite, Rocket League, Fall Guys, Genshin Impact.

Fall Guys (E rating) is genuinely fine—it's a chaotic party game with jellybean characters. No chat, no real violence, just silly obstacle courses. The microtransactions are for costumes only.

Rocket League (E rating) is soccer with cars. It's fun, it's competitive, and the skill ceiling is high enough that kids can play for years. Chat can be disabled, and the worst part is kids getting frustrated when they lose.

Genshin Impact (T rating) is trickier. It's beautiful, the gameplay is engaging, but the gacha mechanics (basically gambling for characters) are predatory. If your kid plays this, you need to lock down spending and have serious conversations about how gacha games work.

Before handing over that controller, take 20 minutes to set up the PS5 properly:

Learn more about PS5 parental controls if you want a detailed walkthrough.

The PS5 has legitimately great games for 8-year-olds, but you have to be more intentional about finding them than you would on a Switch. Stick with E and E10+ ratings, read reviews beyond just the ESRB description, and don't be afraid to play the first hour of a game with your kid to see if it's a good fit.

Your 8-year-old might push back on "baby games," but here's the thing: Sackboy, Astro Bot, and LEGO Star Wars aren't baby games. They're genuinely fun, well-designed experiences that happen to be age-appropriate. Frame them as "the games that are actually good" rather than "the games you're allowed to play," and you'll get less resistance.

And if your kid is desperate to play what their friends are playing, that's a conversation worth having about peer pressure, age-appropriate content, and why different families make different choices. It's not fun, but it's part of parenting in 2026.

The PS5 can be a great gaming platform for elementary schoolers—it just takes a bit more curation than other systems. But when you find the right games, the graphics, the controller features, and the gameplay experiences really are impressive. Your 8-year-old gets to feel like they're playing "real" games, and you get to sleep well knowing they're not shooting realistic humans or stealing cars. Win-win.