Sackboy: A Big Adventure This is honestly one of the best first platformers for little kids. It's colorful, forgiving, and has co-op mode so you can play alongside them (which, let's be real, you'll need to do anyway). The levels are creative without being overwhelming, and the cute factor is off the charts.

Astro's Playroom If you have a PS5, this game comes pre-installed and it's perfect for teaching kids how the controller works. It's basically a playable tutorial disguised as a fun adventure. Plus it's free, which is always a win.

LEGO games (any of them) Whether it's LEGO Star Wars, LEGO Harry Potter, or LEGO Marvel—these games are the gold standard for young kids. They're impossible to truly "fail" at, they encourage exploration, and the humor works for both kids and parents who get roped into co-op mode.

Minecraft Yes, it's everywhere. Yes, your kid probably already knows about it. But there's a reason—it's genuinely creative, can be played at their own pace, and teaches problem-solving. Just be thoughtful about multiplayer servers and who they're playing with online.

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart This is a beautiful, funny action-adventure game that feels like playing a Pixar movie. There's combat, but it's cartoonish—you're fighting robots, not people. The story is engaging, the gameplay is varied, and it's genuinely impressive to watch.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits This one flies under the radar but it's gorgeous and has a Studio Ghibli vibe. There are some combat sequences and emotional themes about death and loss (handled thoughtfully), so it's better for older kids in this range. But it's absolutely stunning and encourages exploration.

Spyro Reignited Trilogy A remaster of the classic platformer series. It's colorful, fun, and has that nostalgic charm if you played it as a kid. The difficulty curve is gentle and it's just... pleasant. Sometimes that's exactly what you need.

Spider-Man games Both Spider-Man and Spider-Man: Miles Morales are fantastic for this age group. Yes, there's combat, but it's superhero action—you're stopping bad guys, not committing crimes. The web-swinging alone will keep them entertained for hours, and the stories are genuinely good.

Horizon Zero Dawn / Forbidden West These games feature a strong female protagonist in a post-apocalyptic world fighting robot dinosaurs. There's combat and some intense moments, but it's more about strategy and exploration. The story is complex and thought-provoking—great for kids ready for more mature themes without graphic violence.

Stardew Valley The cozy farming sim that everyone loves. It's on PlayStation and it's perfect for kids who want something less action-oriented. They can farm, fish, make friends, and build a little virtual life. It's genuinely relaxing and teaches time management.

It Takes Two This ONLY works in co-op mode (you need two players), but if you're willing to play with your kid, it's an absolutely brilliant experience. Creative puzzles, varied gameplay, and a story about a couple going through a divorce—handled in a way that's appropriate but real. Great for sparking conversations.

Ghost of Tsushima A beautiful samurai game set in feudal Japan. There's combat and violence (it's about war), but it's stylized rather than gory. The game emphasizes honor, sacrifice, and difficult moral choices. It's essentially a playable Kurosawa film.

God of War (2018) This is the one where Kratos is a dad trying to do better, not just a rage monster. There's definitely violence (it's rated M), but the core story is about fatherhood, legacy, and breaking cycles of abuse. For mature teens, it's actually a surprisingly thoughtful experience. Just know what you're getting into—this isn't for younger kids.

The Last of Us Part I Another M-rated game that older teens might be ready for. It's intense, emotional, and deals with heavy themes (pandemic, survival, loss, moral ambiguity). The TV show brought it mainstream attention, so your teen has probably heard about it. Whether they're ready for it depends on their maturity level and your family's comfort with violence in media.

Rocket League Soccer with cars. That's it. It's competitive, it's fun, and it's one of the few online multiplayer games that doesn't involve shooting people. The skill ceiling is high, so kids can keep improving for years.

PlayStation's parental controls are actually pretty good. You can set spending limits (crucial for games with microtransactions), restrict games by rating, limit playtime, and control who they can communicate with online. Here's how to set them up.

About those game ratings: The ESRB ratings (E for Everyone, E10+, T for Teen, M for Mature) are helpful guidelines, but they're not perfect. A game rated T might be fine for your mature 11-year-old, while another T-rated game might feel too intense. Read the specific content descriptors—they'll tell you why it got that rating (fantasy violence vs. realistic violence, crude humor vs. sexual themes, etc.).

The microtransaction trap is real. Many "free" games like Fortnite or Rocket League make money through in-game purchases. Set spending limits on the PlayStation account and have clear conversations about what can and can't be purchased. Learn more about how in-game currency works.

Online multiplayer needs supervision. Voice chat with strangers can expose kids to language and behavior you definitely don't want in your house. For younger kids, disable voice chat entirely or only allow them to play with known friends. For older kids, have ongoing conversations about online behavior and what to do if someone makes them uncomfortable.

PlayStation has genuinely excellent games for every age group—you just need to know where to look. The key is matching the game to your kid's maturity level, not just their age. A sensitive 10-year-old might not be ready for combat-heavy games, while a mature 12-year-old might handle them fine.

Start with games that match where your kid is now, pay attention to how they handle content, and adjust accordingly. And honestly? Some of these games are fun enough that you might actually enjoy playing them yourself. Sackboy co-op on a Saturday morning? Not the worst way to spend your time.

Set up those parental controls if you haven't already—it takes 10 minutes and saves you so many headaches later.

Ask your kid what their friends are playing. You'll get better engagement if you understand what's popular in their social circle, even if you ultimately decide some games aren't appropriate yet.

Consider playing together. Co-op games like It Takes Two or Sackboy can be genuine bonding experiences (and you'll actually understand what they're talking about at dinner).

Need help figuring out if a specific game is right for your kid? Ask the Screenwise chatbot about any title and get personalized guidance based on your family's values.