Digital parenting is exhausting because we’re often acting as "tech police"—checking logs, setting timers, and hovering over Fortnite matches. This creates a dynamic where tech is a point of friction.

Shared media experiences flip the script. When you play Super Mario Odyssey together, you aren't "supervising"; you’re a teammate. Research shows that "co-viewing" and "co-playing" are significantly better for a child’s development than solo screen time. It allows you to model sportsmanship, discuss plot points, and—most importantly—bond over something that doesn't involve a toilet with a head coming out of it.

Ask our chatbot about the benefits of co-playing video games with your kids

Gaming is the easiest place to start because the icons of the 90s are currently having a massive renaissance.

If you grew up with a SNES or N64 controller in your hand, you already know how to play this. The beauty of the modern version on the Nintendo Switch is the "Smart Steering" and "Auto-Accelerate" features. It allows a 5-year-old to compete with a 35-year-old without falling off the track every three seconds. It’s the ultimate "no-tears" nostalgia trip.

Let’s be honest: some of the 3D Sonic games from the early 2000s were absolute trash. But Sonic Superstars returns to the 2D side-scrolling roots we loved on the Genesis. It’s fast, colorful, and features 4-player local co-op, which is a rarity in a world where everything is moving to online multiplayer.

While not a 90s property, Minecraft taps into the exact same creative energy we had with LEGOs and SimCity. If your kid is obsessed with Roblox, try pivoting them to a private Minecraft server. It’s a safer, more intentional environment where you can build a "family world" together.

Check out our guide on how to set up a safe Minecraft server for your family

Not everything from the 90s aged well (looking at you, Space Jam—it’s actually kind of unwatchable now). But some things are timeless.

This is the gold standard for shared nostalgia. It’s packed with "Easter eggs" for you (the music, the obscure characters) but stands alone as a high-octane adventure for them. It’s the perfect Friday night movie that won’t make you want to scroll on your phone the whole time.

If your kids are into superheroes but you’re tired of the endless MCU homework, X-Men '97 on Disney+ is a miracle. It picks up exactly where the 90s cartoon left off but with modern animation and sophisticated writing. Note: This is definitely for the older crowd (Ages 10+), as it handles some heavier themes.

Wait, Bluey isn't 90s nostalgia? Correct. But Bluey is the first show in decades that feels like it was written for 90s kids who are now parents. The references to 80s/90s parenting styles, the music, and the "Relic" episode (where Bandit struggles with his own nostalgia) make it a shared experience unlike any other "toddler" show.

Nostalgia doesn't have to be digital. In fact, some of the best "wellness" moments happen when you put the phone down and lean into the analog versions of our childhood obsessions.

The Pokémon craze never actually ended; it just went dormant for a bit. If your kid is starting to collect cards, don't just let them sit in a binder. Learn the actual game. It teaches math, strategy, and patience. Plus, seeing their face when you pull out your old holographic Charizard is a core memory in the making.

The digital pet is back, and it’s surprisingly a great tool for teaching "digital responsibility." The new Tamagotchi Uni connects to Wi-Fi but in a very controlled, "walled garden" way. It’s a low-stakes way to talk about caring for something and managing "notifications" without giving them a full smartphone.

When re-introducing your childhood favorites, remember that "G" and "PG" ratings have changed.

Learn more about how movie ratings have changed over the decades

The quickest way to make something "uncool" is to demand that your kid loves it as much as you did.

If you sit them down to watch The Lion King and they start fidgeting or asking for their iPad, don't take it personally. Their brains are wired for the high-dopamine, fast-cut editing of modern YouTube. Old media is "slow" to them.

The trick? Don't make it a ceremony. Just have the game running or the movie on in the background. Let them wander in and get curious.

Also, be prepared for them to roast your favorites. They will tell you that the graphics in the original GoldenEye look like "potatoes." They aren't wrong. Acknowledge it, laugh about it, and move on to the modern remake.

Shared media experiences aren't about living in the past; they’re about finding common ground in the present. When you share a piece of your childhood with your kid, you’re giving them a context for who you are. You’re moving from being the "warden of the Wi-Fi" to being a curator of cool experiences.

So, is Mario still cool? Yes. But he’s cooler when you’re playing together.

Ask our chatbot for a 90s movie recommendation based on your kid's age