Ages 5+ | Nintendo Switch

If you own a Switch and don't own Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, honestly, what are you even doing? This is the racing game that works for literally everyone. Your kindergartener can turn on auto-steering and auto-acceleration and actually finish races. Your middle schooler can turn those assists off and master the drift mechanics. You can play with your spouse after the kids go to bed and it's genuinely competitive.

The genius of Mario Kart is the chaos. Someone in first place? Here comes a blue shell to level the playing field. Dead last? You're getting the good items. It's the great equalizer, which means family game night doesn't turn into "watch Dad win every single race." The tracks are colorful, the characters are familiar (hello, childhood nostalgia), and the music absolutely slaps.

Parent tip: Battle mode is often better than racing for younger kids. Less pressure to "win," more emphasis on just having fun hitting each other with shells. And the 200cc speed class? Save that for when the kids are at grandma's—it's legitimately hard.

Ages 8+ | Xbox, PC

If your kid knows the difference between a Lamborghini and a McLaren and has opinions about which is cooler, Forza Horizon 5 is your move. This is an open-world racing game set in a gorgeous fictionalized Mexico, and it's basically a car lover's dream. The game features hundreds of real licensed cars, from classic muscle cars to modern supercars, and the driving feels good without being so realistic that kids bounce off it.

The open world is key here—kids can just drive around, discover new areas, and mess around without the pressure of structured races. There's a whole progression system that actually teaches patience and goal-setting (you can't just have the Bugatti immediately, sorry kiddo). The game also has a "rewind" feature that lets you undo crashes, which is clutch for younger players still learning the tracks.

What parents should know: There's a social component where other players appear in your world, but it's limited and can be turned off. The game also features a radio with licensed music—most of it is fine, but you might want to preview the stations or just use the classical/instrumental options. The game is part of Xbox Game Pass, which is worth considering if you're not sure about dropping full price.

Ages 6+ | All platforms

This game gets it. Instead of trying to make realistic racing, it leans fully into the fantasy of Hot Wheels tracks—loops, boosters, magnetic sections, and tracks that go through bedrooms, garages, and skate parks. The cars are die-cast toys (with that satisfying metallic look), and the whole vibe is exactly what kids imagine when they're playing with actual Hot Wheels.

The track builder is genuinely impressive and can keep creative kids occupied for hours. The racing itself is arcade-style and accessible, with enough depth that it doesn't feel like a baby game. And if your kid already has a Hot Wheels collection, the crossover appeal is real—they'll recognize cars from their toy box.

Parent tip: The first Hot Wheels Unleashed was good; the sequel is better with more content and better customization. If you're buying new, go with 2. Also, there are DLC packs featuring different car brands and themes, which can add up cost-wise—set expectations early.

Ages 6+ | All platforms

Team Sonic Racing is basically "what if Mario Kart, but Sonic?" and honestly, it's pretty good. The twist is the team mechanic—you race in teams of three, and you can share power-ups and give teammates slipstream boosts. This actually makes it interesting for siblings or parents playing with kids because you're incentivized to help each other, not just focus on your own race.

The game is colorful, fast (it's Sonic, duh), and has that classic Sega arcade feel. It's also usually cheaper than Mario Kart and available on more platforms, which makes it a solid option if you don't have a Switch or want something different.

Real talk: It's not as polished as Mario Kart and the track variety isn't as strong, but for Sonic fans or families who want a team-based racing game, it's a winner.

Ages 3-7 | All platforms

Look, if you have a preschooler or early elementary kid who's into Paw Patrol, this game exists and it's... fine. It's very simple, very forgiving, and features all the pups they already love. The racing is basic, the tracks are short, and there's basically no way to fail.

Is it going to hold the attention of anyone over 7? Absolutely not. But for that narrow age window where kids want to play "real" video games but don't have the skills yet, it works. The characters encourage each other instead of trash-talking, which is a nice touch for the youngest players.

Parent reality check: This is a game you'll tolerate, not enjoy. But seeing your 4-year-old actually finish a race and feel proud? Worth it. Just maybe have your own controller ready for when they're done so you can play something else.

Gran Turismo 7 and F1 23 are both excellent racing games, but they're simulation-focused and honestly pretty boring for most kids under 13. These are for the kid who watches Formula 1 with you on Sunday mornings and asks questions about tire strategy. If your 10-year-old is begging for F1 because they saw it on YouTube, maybe start with Forza Horizon first—it has F1 cars but in a more accessible package.

Crash Team Racing is great if you have a PlayStation and want a Mario Kart alternative, though it's a bit harder and more technical. Good for older elementary and middle school kids who want more challenge.

Ages 3-5: Stick with Paw Patrol: Grand Prix or Mario Kart with all assists turned on. The goal is just learning how to hold a controller and understanding that actions on screen correspond to button presses.

Ages 6-8: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2, and Team Sonic Racing are all perfect. Start removing assists gradually as their skills improve.

Ages 9-12: Everything above plus Forza Horizon 5. This is the age where kids start having preferences—some want realistic cars, others want cartoon chaos. Let them explore both.

Ages 13+: All options are on the table, including sim racers if they're interested. This is also when competitive online racing might become appealing—just be aware of the voice chat considerations.

Online multiplayer: Most modern racing games have online components. Mario Kart's online is generally fine but has no voice chat with strangers. Forza Horizon has text chat that can be disabled. Hot Wheels has online racing but limited social features. If you're worried about online interactions, here's how to think about online gaming for kids.

The cost beyond the game: Racing games love DLC. New cars, new tracks, season passes—it adds up. Set expectations early about whether you're buying just the base game or if additional content is on the table. Mario Kart's DLC (the Booster Course Pass) actually adds a ton of content and is worth it if your family plays regularly.

Screen time considerations: Racing games are easy to time-box because races have natural endpoints. "You can play until you finish this cup" is way easier to enforce than "you can play Minecraft for 30 more minutes" when they're in the middle of building something.

Learning opportunities: Racing games actually teach a lot—spatial awareness, cause and effect, pattern recognition, and accepting failure (you will not win every race, and that's okay). Forza Horizon in particular can spark interest in geography, engineering, and automotive design.

Racing games are a parenting win. They're fun, relatively wholesome, and actually work for family play in a way that most other game genres don't. You're not going to regret having Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in your home—it's basically the board game of video games, something you can pull out for family game night that everyone will genuinely enjoy.

Start with whatever fits your family's gaming setup and your kids' interests. Car-obsessed? Forza Horizon 5. Toy collectors? Hot Wheels Unleashed 2. Just want something that works? Mario Kart. You really can't go wrong.

And when your kid inevitably asks if they can play Fortnite or Roblox because "everyone at school plays it," you can feel good about saying "let's finish this race first" and actually meaning it.

Now go forth and race. And remember: blue shells are just part of life. We don't throw controllers in this house.