The Series S is the smaller, more affordable Xbox (usually around $299 vs. $499 for the Series X). It's all-digital, which means no discs—everything downloads. This is actually convenient for families since you can't lose or scratch games, but it also means you need decent internet and storage space.

The real win? Game Pass. For about $11-17/month (depending on the tier), you get access to hundreds of games. It's like Netflix for games, and honestly, it's the reason to own an Xbox right now. Most of the games I'm recommending below are included.

Ages 6+

If your kid isn't already playing Minecraft, they will be soon. It's the most popular game in the world for a reason—it's digital LEGOs with infinite possibilities. The Xbox version has split-screen multiplayer, so siblings can play together on one console, and cross-play means they can build with friends on other platforms.

What parents should know: Minecraft has a steep learning curve if you're not gaming-fluent, but kids figure it out fast. The game has no inherent violence (you can turn off monsters in Creative mode), and the community is massive with tons of YouTube tutorials that are actually educational.

Ages 5+

This is a beautiful, meditative puzzle game about building with LEGO bricks. No combat, no timers, no stress—just clever spatial puzzles that teach engineering concepts without feeling like homework. Each level is like a tiny diorama you're solving.

It's short (2-3 hours), but it's on Game Pass and perfect for younger kids who want something calm and creative.

Ages 10+

Actually, scratch that—Dreams is PlayStation exclusive. For Xbox, look at Project Spark if you can find it, or honestly, just stick with Minecraft for creative building on Xbox.

Ages 8+

This won Game of the Year in 2021, and it's genuinely one of the best co-op games ever made. Two players control parents who've been turned into dolls and must work together to navigate their daughter's imaginative world. Every level introduces new mechanics—you're never doing the same thing twice.

The catch: You NEED two players. It's designed for couch co-op (one parent + one kid, or two siblings). There's no single-player option. But if you can swing it, this game teaches cooperation and communication better than any parenting book.

Content note: There's one scene involving a toy elephant that's genuinely upsetting (the characters destroy a beloved stuffed animal to make a child cry). It's meant to be uncomfortable, but it hits hard. You can read more about that scene here before deciding if your kid can handle it.

Ages 6+

You're a bird who wants to climb a mountain to get cell reception. That's it. That's the game. And it's absolutely delightful. The art style is charming, the music is peaceful, and there's no pressure—just exploration, talking to quirky characters, and finding hidden treasures.

This is perfect for kids who get anxious with time limits or fail states. You literally cannot lose. It takes about 2 hours to complete, and it's the gaming equivalent of a Studio Ghibli movie.

Ages 10+

Stunningly beautiful platformer about a guardian spirit on a quest. The art is hand-painted, the music is orchestral, and the gameplay is challenging but fair. This is for kids who want something with more depth and difficulty.

Content note: The story has some genuinely emotional moments about loss and sacrifice. Not graphic, but themes that might need conversation with younger kids.

Ages 7+

Chaotic cooking simulator where up to 4 players work together to prepare and serve meals under ridiculous conditions (kitchens on moving trucks, split between two hot air balloons, etc.). It's frantic, hilarious, and teaches time management and delegation.

Warning: This game WILL cause sibling arguments. It's designed to create controlled chaos. But it's also one of the best party games for families.

Ages 7+

Battle royale, but make it Takeshi's Castle. Up to 60 jelly bean-shaped characters compete in silly obstacle courses and mini-games until one winner remains. It's colorful, goofy, and has zero violence—when you lose, you just bounce away.

It's free-to-play, which is great, but that also means cosmetic items cost real money. Set clear boundaries about purchases upfront.

Ages 8+

Soccer with rocket-powered cars. It's simple to understand, impossible to master, and endlessly replayable. The skill ceiling is high enough that kids can play for years and still improve.

Also free-to-play with cosmetic purchases. The online community can be toxic (like most competitive games), so consider turning off chat or keeping younger kids in private matches with friends.

Ages 8+

You inherit a farm and spend your days planting crops, raising animals, fishing, mining, and building relationships with townspeople. It's the ultimate cozy game—no violence, no time pressure (despite the in-game calendar), just peaceful rural life simulation.

Kids get obsessed with optimizing their farms, and honestly, it teaches resource management and planning better than most math classes. The developer is one person who made this game out of love, and it shows.

Ages 8+

You unpack boxes and arrange items in different homes across someone's life. That's the entire game. And it's weirdly meditative and emotionally resonant. Through the objects and spaces, you piece together a story about growing up, relationships, and finding home.

It's short (3-4 hours) and perfect for kids who like organizing things or need a calm, low-stakes gaming experience.

Ages 10+

You play as Stella, a ferrymaster for the deceased, helping spirits complete their final wishes before moving on to the afterlife. It's about death, but in the gentlest, most comforting way possible. Beautiful art, emotional stories, and cozy gameplay involving farming, cooking, and crafting.

Content note: This game deals directly with death and grief. It's handled beautifully, but some kids might find it sad. It's also an excellent conversation starter about mortality if your family is ready for that.

Fortnite and Roblox are both on Xbox and both wildly popular. They're free-to-play, which means they're designed to encourage spending on cosmetics. Fortnite is a shooter (cartoonish, no blood), while Roblox is a platform with thousands of user-created games of varying quality.

Both are fine with proper supervision and spending limits, but they're not on this list because they require more active parenting around online interactions and purchases. If your kid is playing these, definitely set up parental controls and have regular conversations about online safety.

Call of Duty and other M-rated shooters? Hard pass for kids. The ESRB ratings exist for a reason. If your middle schooler is begging for these because "everyone plays them," that's a conversation about peer pressure and age-appropriate content, not a reason to cave.

Ages 5-7: Stick with Minecraft (Creative mode), LEGO Builder's Journey, and A Short Hike. These have simple controls and no reading required.

Ages 8-10: Add Stardew Valley, Overcooked! 2, Unpacking, and It Takes Two (with the elephant scene caveat).

Ages 11+: Everything on this list is fair game. Add Ori and the Will of the Wisps and Spiritfarer for kids ready for more complex gameplay and emotional themes.

Honestly? Get it. The value is absurd. For the price of one new game, you get access to hundreds, including most of the games on this list. The Xbox Series S is basically a Game Pass machine—that's the whole business model.

The "Core" tier ($11/month) includes online multiplayer and a rotating selection of games. The "Ultimate" tier ($17/month) includes everything plus cloud gaming (play on your phone/tablet) and EA Play.

If you're not sure your kid will stick with Xbox gaming, try a month of Game Pass before buying individual games. You can always cancel.

The Xbox Series S is a solid choice for families, especially with Game Pass. There are plenty of age-appropriate games that encourage creativity, cooperation, and problem-solving without the mature content or predatory monetization of many popular titles.

Start with Minecraft (because you're going to end up there anyway), add It Takes Two for family co-op nights, and let your kid explore Stardew Valley or A Short Hike when they want something chill.

And remember: the best game for your kid is the one they'll actually play. These recommendations are a starting point, but pay attention to what captures their interest. Gaming can be creative, social, and genuinely enriching—when it's the right game at the right age with the right boundaries.

Next steps: Set up Xbox parental controls before handing over the controller, and check out our guide to understanding ESRB ratings so you can make informed decisions about future game purchases.