If your kid is asking for a "farming game," they’re likely looking for that specific "cozy" vibe where the biggest stress is whether the turnips will be watered before the general store closes. For 2026, the big news is the release of Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar (August 27) and Harvest Moon: Home Sweet Home Special Edition (October 30).
Quick Recommendations:
- The Gold Standard: Stardew Valley is still the best entry point for ages 10+.
- The Family Choice: Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life is perfect for kids who want to focus on raising a family and seeing their character age.
- The Exploration Choice: Harvest Moon: The Winds of Anthos is better for kids who want a massive open world to explore rather than just a single farm plot.
Check out our full list of the best cozy games for kids
Before you hit "buy" on a console store, we need to talk about the weirdest divorce in gaming history. If you grew up playing Harvest Moon on the Super Nintendo or GameCube, the game you remember is actually now called Story of Seasons.
Here’s the deal: The original Japanese developers (Marvelous) split from their Western publisher (Natsume) back in 2014. Natsume kept the name "Harvest Moon," but Marvelous kept the actual gameplay and team.
- Story of Seasons: This is the "original" series. It’s generally higher quality, more polished, and stays true to the classic farming-social-marriage loop.
- Harvest Moon: These are new games made by the old publisher. They’ve had a rocky decade, but their recent titles like The Winds of Anthos have actually started to get pretty good.
The takeaway for parents: Don't just buy based on the name you recognize from 1998. Look at the specific title reviews.
In a world where Fortnite and Roblox are constantly screaming for attention with battle passes, timers, and "limited time offers," cozy games are the digital equivalent of a weighted blanket.
There is no "game over" screen in Harvest Moon. If you don't water your corn, it just dies, and you try again tomorrow. This low-stakes environment is exactly what a lot of kids (and let's be honest, us too) need after a day of school. It offers:
- Total Agency: They decide what to plant, how to decorate, and who to befriend.
- Rhythmic Gameplay: The daily loop of wake up -> water crops -> pet cow -> talk to villagers is incredibly soothing for anxious minds.
- Brain Rest: It’s "active" enough to be engaging, but not so intense that it triggers a cortisol spike.
2025 is shaping up to be a massive year for digital farmers. Here is what should be on your radar:
Release Date: August 27, 2025 Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PC This is a remake of a classic DS game. The hook here is that instead of just shipping your crops in a box, you actually run a stall at a weekly town bazaar. It teaches a bit of "salesmanship"—kids have to shout to attract customers and manage their inventory in real-time. It’s a great pick for kids who like the "tycoon" aspect of games.
Release Date: October 30, 2025 Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PC Originally a mobile game, this "Special Edition" brings the experience to the big screen. It’s a bit more traditional and "cute" than the open-world Winds of Anthos. It’s a solid "first farming game" for younger kids (ages 6-8) because the mechanics are a bit more streamlined.
Release Date: July 2025 Platforms: Nintendo Switch These are ports of older 3DS games. To be blunt: these aren't the best in the series. They use a "block-based" world-building system similar to Minecraft, which some kids love, but the critics were pretty harsh on them. Only grab this if your kid is a completionist who has played everything else.
Ask our chatbot for a comparison of the 2025 farming releases
It sounds silly to say a video game about virtual cows builds "life skills," but if you watch a kid play Stardew Valley or Story of Seasons, you’ll see some serious cognitive work happening.
- Time Management: The "days" in these games usually last about 15-20 real-world minutes. Kids quickly learn that they can’t go fishing, mine for ore, and plant 50 seeds in one day. They have to prioritize.
- Delayed Gratification: You plant a seed on Monday, but you don't get the payout (and the cool new backpack you wanted) until the following Sunday. In an era of instant-everything, this is a healthy lesson.
- Resource Allocation: "Do I spend my 500 gold on better fertilizer or on a gift for the person I want to befriend?" This is basic budgeting 101, just with more pixels.
- Social Empathy: Much of the game involves talking to villagers and learning their likes/dislikes. In Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life, the way you treat your child actually influences what career they choose when they grow up. It’s surprisingly deep.
Most of these games are rated E for Everyone, but there are a few "parental" things to keep in mind:
The "Marriage" Mechanic
Almost every farming sim includes a social system where you can eventually marry a villager. In 2026, most of these games (including all recent Story of Seasons and Harvest Moon titles) allow for same-sex marriage and non-binary character options. It’s handled very wholesomely—usually involving giving someone a specific "blue feather" or flower. There is no "inappropriate" content here; it’s basically just "best friends who live together and occasionally mention they love each other."
Combat
Stardew Valley and Rune Factory have "mines" where you fight monsters (slimes, bats, etc.) with swords. It’s very cartoonish, but if you want a strictly non-violent experience, stick to the main Story of Seasons titles.
Online Safety
The good news? Most of these are single-player. There’s no chat room for strangers to slide into. Some games have very limited "asynchronous" multiplayer (like seeing another player's farm stats), but generally, these are some of the safest games on the market for kids.
If your kid is deep into a farming sim, they probably have a "plan." Instead of asking "When are you getting off that screen?" try these:
- "What are you trying to save up for right now?" (Helps them articulate their goals)
- "Which villager is your favorite? Why?" (Great for talking about personality traits and friendships)
- "I saw you lost some crops because of the season change. That's frustrating—how are you going to make that money back?" (Encourages problem-solving)
If you are looking for a game that isn't "brain rot," you really can't go wrong with this genre. Whether it's the classic polish of Story of Seasons or the indie charm of Stardew Valley, these games offer a rare combination of relaxation and genuine mental exercise.
Just remember: if they start asking for a real-life chicken coop in the backyard, don't blame us.
Next Steps:
- Check if they have a Nintendo Switch; if so, Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life is often on sale and a great starter.
- If they want something more modern and "indie," grab Stardew Valley.
- Set up a Screenwise profile to see how your kid's gaming habits compare to other families in your community.