Ages 4+ | $60 | Offline & Online

This is the gold standard. If you own a Switch and don't own Mario Kart, I genuinely don't understand what you're doing. The game has auto-steer and auto-accelerate options that let even preschoolers participate, while still having enough depth that adults can enjoy it. The tracks are gorgeous, the power-ups are balanced, and the split-screen mode means siblings can play together without needing multiple devices.

The online mode is surprisingly well-moderated—no voice chat, minimal toxicity. Your biggest concern will be your kid getting frustrated when they get blue-shelled on the final lap. Which, fair.

Ages 6+ | $40 | Offline only

This is pure arcade chaos—cars doing backflips, racing through dinosaur-infested jungles, driving on the moon. It's absurd in the best way. The gameplay is simple (hold accelerate, steer, occasionally boost), making it perfect for younger kids who find Mario Kart's item management overwhelming. No online mode, which is actually a feature—just straightforward, goofy racing fun.

Ages 6+ | $50 | PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One

If your kid is into Hot Wheels, this is a no-brainer. The tracks look like actual Hot Wheels sets—loop-de-loops through living rooms, kitchen counters, garages. The car customization is deep enough to keep kids engaged for hours, and the track editor is legitimately impressive.

Fair warning: There's DLC. Lots of DLC. Car packs, track packs, the works. You can ignore it entirely and still have a complete game, but if your kid sees that Batman car... you know how this goes.

Ages 10+ | $60 | Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC

This is for the kid who's genuinely into cars. Forza Horizon 5 is set in a fictionalized Mexico and is absolutely stunning—like, "stop racing to look at the sunset" stunning. The gameplay has difficulty assists that make it accessible for beginners, but it's also realistic enough that teens who care about torque and horsepower will be satisfied.

The online mode exists, but you can easily play the entire game solo. The progression system is rewarding without being grindy, and there's no loot boxes or pay-to-win mechanics. Just good racing.

Content note: There's licensed music with occasional mild language, and some online player usernames/liveries can be inappropriate. The game has reporting systems, but it's not perfect.

Ages 8+ | Free (with paid upgrades) | PC

TrackMania is weird. It's a time-trial racing game where you're essentially competing against ghost versions of other players. No direct contact, no power-ups, just you versus the track and the clock. It's meditative in a way that most racing games aren't, and kids who get frustrated by the chaos of Mario Kart often love it.

The base game is free, which is great. The paid version ($10/year) unlocks more tracks and customization. The community is active and generally positive, though the track-creation scene can get intense—some user-made tracks are legitimately impossible.

Ages 8+ | $25 | PC, Switch, PS5, Xbox

This is the chill racing game. Top-down perspective, beautiful low-poly art style, relaxing soundtrack. It's rally racing (meaning you're racing against the clock on dirt roads), but it's not stressful. No online mode, no competition—just you, the car, and some really pretty scenery.

Perfect for kids who like games but don't love the pressure of competing against others. Also great for parents who want something calming to play after the kids go to bed.

Mobile racing games are a minefield of ads, in-app purchases, and energy systems designed to extract money from you. But there are a few decent options.

Ages 6+ | Free (with in-app purchases) | iOS, Android

It's Mario Kart on your phone. The controls are simplified (swipe to steer, automatic acceleration), and the gacha system for unlocking characters is... not great. But if you're on a long car ride and need to keep a kid occupied, it works.

Set up purchase restrictions before handing over your phone. The game will absolutely try to get your kid to spend money on rubies for the gacha pulls.

Ages 5+ | Free (with in-app purchases) | iOS, Android

This is basically Mario Kart but with slightly worse graphics and more aggressive monetization. That said, the core gameplay is solid—fun tracks, decent power-ups, split-screen mode if you have a tablet. You can unlock everything through gameplay, but it takes forever. Or you can pay. The game really, really wants you to pay.

If you're willing to deal with some ads and occasional "buy this car pack!" prompts, it's fine. Not amazing, but fine.

Ages 12+ | $60 + PSVR2 headset | PS5

If you have a PSVR2 and a teen who's into racing, this is incredible. The sense of speed and immersion is unmatched. You're actually sitting in the car, looking around at the interior, checking your mirrors. It's the closest most of us will get to actually racing.

Motion sickness warning: VR racing games can be intense. Start with short sessions and make sure your kid takes breaks. Also, the PSVR2 headset is expensive ($550), so this is only worth it if you're already invested in VR.

Online play: Most racing games have online modes, and most of those modes are relatively safe—no voice chat by default, limited interaction with other players. That said, check the game's settings before letting your kid go online. Disable voice chat, set up privacy settings, and maybe play a few rounds with them first.

Monetization: Racing games love DLC. Car packs, track packs, cosmetic upgrades—it adds up fast. Before buying a game, look up what the DLC situation is like. Some games (like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe) have reasonably priced DLC that adds real value. Others are basically designed to nickel-and-dime you forever.

Realism vs. arcade: Some kids love realistic racing sims where you have to brake properly and manage tire wear. Others just want to drive a monster truck through a volcano. Neither is better—it's about what your kid enjoys. If they're into Minecraft and Roblox, they'll probably prefer arcade-style games. If they're watching Formula 1 with you on Sundays, maybe try a sim.

Frustration management: Racing games can be frustrating. Getting passed on the last lap, hitting a wall, falling off the track—it happens constantly. If your kid struggles with frustration tolerance, look for games with forgiving mechanics and good difficulty assists. Mario Kart and Hot Wheels Unleashed are both good for this.

Ages 4-6: Stick with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe with auto-steer and auto-accelerate enabled, or Beach Buggy Racing 2 on mobile. Keep them offline.

Ages 7-10: Hot Wheels Unleashed 2, Cruis'n Blast, Art of Rally, or TrackMania. Online play is fine with supervision and proper privacy settings.

Ages 11+: Forza Horizon 5 is the sweet spot here. Teens can also handle more competitive online games, though you'll still want to monitor for toxic behavior.

Racing games are one of the safest, most consistently fun genres for kids. They're skill-based, they teach good hand-eye coordination, and they're genuinely enjoyable for the whole family.

If you can only get one, get Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It's worth the Switch purchase alone. If you're on PlayStation or Xbox, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 is the best kid-friendly option. And if you're on PC, TrackMania is free and excellent.

The only real mistake you can make is downloading a sketchy mobile game full of ads and in-app purchases. Stick with the recommendations above and you'll be fine.

Now go race some cars. Your kid will love it, and honestly? So will you.