Ages 10+ | Requires 2 players

This won the Game of the Year in 2021 for a reason. It's a game that requires two people working together—you literally cannot play it solo. You're a couple going through a divorce who get turned into dolls, and you have to navigate this wild, imaginative world together.

The genius part? Every single level introduces completely new mechanics. One minute you're piloting a plane, the next you're time-traveling, then you're in a music-themed level with rhythm mechanics. It never gets stale.

Parent heads-up: There's some mild cartoon violence and the divorce storyline might hit close to home for some families, but it's handled thoughtfully. The game actively teaches communication and problem-solving—your kids will literally need to talk to each other to progress.

Ages 7+ | 1-4 players

Chaotic kitchen management that will absolutely test your family's ability to work together. You're running a restaurant kitchen, chopping ingredients, cooking dishes, and serving orders under increasingly ridiculous conditions—kitchens that split apart, moving conveyor belts, literal fires everywhere.

It's frantic, funny, and teaches time management and teamwork. Also, fair warning: this game has caused more sibling arguments than Mario Kart. But in a good way? The kind where everyone's laughing five minutes later.

Ages 8+ | 1-4 players

Think Overcooked, but you're furniture movers. You have to get items from a house into a truck, but physics are silly and everything goes wrong. It's pure slapstick fun, and younger kids especially love the physical comedy of throwing couches through windows.

Less stressful than Overcooked, more forgiving, and honestly just delightful chaos.

Ages 10+

This is the PS4 game that made parents go "wait, video games look like this now?" The web-swinging through New York is genuinely thrilling to watch, the story is compelling (even for non-comic readers), and Peter Parker is just... likeable.

The combat is accessible enough for kids who aren't gaming experts but has enough depth to stay interesting. The side missions can get repetitive, but the main story is fantastic. Bonus: it actually teaches some basic physics concepts through the web-swinging mechanics.

Content note: Comic book violence—punching, some mild blood, nothing graphic. The story deals with loss and responsibility in mature ways that are great conversation starters.

Ages 8+

A remake of the classic platformer that's basically a Pixar movie you can play. Gorgeous visuals, genuinely funny writing, and weapon variety that keeps things interesting. You're a cat-like alien (Ratchet) and his robot buddy (Clank) saving the galaxy.

The difficulty is adjustable, making it perfect for kids who are still building their gaming skills. The weapons are creative and silly (a gun that turns enemies into sheep, another that shoots disco balls), and there's zero objectionable content.

Ages 13+

Robot dinosaurs. That's the hook. But the story—about a young woman uncovering the mystery of what happened to our world—is genuinely thought-provoking science fiction.

This is a longer game (30-50 hours for the main story), so it's better for kids who can commit to something. The combat requires strategy and patience, and the world is stunning. Great for kids interested in science fiction or environmental themes.

Content note: Some intense combat sequences, tribal violence, and mature themes about extinction and technology. Not gory, but definitely for older kids.

Ages 6+

You already know about Minecraft. It's on every platform, including PS4, and it's still the gold standard for creative play. The PS4 version supports split-screen co-op, which is huge for families with multiple kids.

If you're new to Minecraft, check out this guide to getting started, and if you're worried about online safety, here's how to set up parental controls.

Ages 10+

This is wild—it's basically a game creation toolkit where you can make your own games, animations, music, and art. Or you can just play the thousands of things other people have made.

It's got a learning curve, but for creative kids who are interested in game design or digital art, this is an incredible sandbox. Think of it as the PS4's answer to Roblox, but with more sophisticated tools and less microtransaction chaos.

Ages 10+

The ultimate cozy farming game. You inherit a farm, plant crops, raise animals, befriend townspeople, and just... vibe. It's become the comfort food of gaming, and for good reason.

There's no time pressure, no way to fail, and it's genuinely relaxing. Perfect for kids who find most games too stressful or competitive. Learn more about why cozy games like this are having a moment.

Ages 8+

Soccer with rocket-powered cars. That's it. That's the game. And it's brilliant.

The concept is simple enough that anyone can play, but the skill ceiling is incredibly high. Kids develop hand-eye coordination, spatial reasoning, and teamwork. The best part? It's free-to-play, and while there are cosmetic purchases, you don't need to spend a dime to compete.

The online community can be toxic (like most competitive games), so definitely use the parental controls to disable chat if your kid is younger.

Ages 7+

Imagine a game show obstacle course with jellybean-shaped characters. It's chaotic, colorful, and genuinely funny. Up to 60 players compete in mini-games until one winner remains.

The violence is completely cartoonish—characters bonk into each other and get eliminated in silly ways. There's no blood, no weapons, just pure slapstick fun. Also free-to-play, with optional cosmetics.

Ages 6+ | 1-4 players

This is the most polished, joyful platformer on PS4. Sackboy (from the LittleBigPlanet series) goes on an adventure through incredibly creative levels with fantastic music and tight controls.

The co-op is excellent, with levels that scale in difficulty based on player count. Younger kids can play on easier difficulties, and there are optional harder challenges for skilled players. It's basically Nintendo-quality platforming on PlayStation.

Ages 7+ | Requires PS VR

If you have PlayStation VR (the headset), this is the absolute must-play for kids. It's a platformer where you're controlling a little robot through 3D levels, and the VR makes it feel like you're looking into a living diorama.

It's adorable, creative, and one of the best showcases for what VR can do. The motion is gentle enough that most kids don't get motion sick, but start with shorter play sessions just in case.

Ages 14+

This reinvention of the God of War series is essentially a Norse mythology-themed road trip between a father and son. The combat is intense, but the heart of the game is the relationship between Kratos and his son Atreus.

It's mature—there's violence, some gore, and heavy themes about grief and parenting—but for older teens, it's an incredible piece of storytelling. The kind of game that sparks conversations about responsibility, legacy, and what it means to be a parent.

Ages 16+

This is one of the most critically acclaimed games ever made, but let's be clear: it's intense. Post-apocalyptic survival, fungal zombies, and a story about a surrogate father-daughter relationship that will absolutely wreck you emotionally.

The violence is graphic, the themes are heavy (loss, survival, moral ambiguity), and it's genuinely scary in parts. This is not for younger kids. But for mature teens who can handle it, it's an unforgettable experience that rivals the best prestige TV.

6-8 years old: Stick with Sackboy, Ratchet & Clank, and Fall Guys. These have simple controls, forgiving difficulty, and zero concerning content.

9-12 years old: Add Spider-Man, Minecraft, Rocket League, and the co-op games like It Takes Two. These require more skill and have mild cartoon violence, but nothing graphic.

13-15 years old: Horizon Zero Dawn and God of War become appropriate. These have more intense combat and mature themes, but can spark great conversations.

16+ years old: The Last of Us is fair game if your teen can handle intense violence and emotional content. Watch them play for a bit to gauge their reaction.

Several of these games (Rocket League, Fall Guys, Minecraft) have online multiplayer. Here's what you need to know:

Voice chat: Most games have it. You can disable it in PS4 parental controls. Do this for younger kids—the online gaming community can be toxic, and kids don't need to hear random strangers being jerks.

Text chat: Rocket League has quick-chat options (pre-set phrases like "Nice shot!") which are generally fine. Full text chat should be monitored or disabled for kids under 13.

Friend requests: Set your kid's account to only accept friend requests from known friends, not strangers they meet online.

Spending: Many free-to-play games have in-game stores. Set up parental controls to require a password for purchases. Here's how to manage PlayStation spending.

The PS4 library is massive, and these are just the highlights. The best game for your kid depends on their age, interests, and skill level—but you can't really go wrong with any of these picks.

A few final thoughts:

Co-op games are worth prioritizing. Games like It Takes Two and Overcooked 2 turn screen time into genuine family time. You're not just watching your kid play—you're playing together.

Don't sleep on "kids" games. Sackboy and Ratchet & Clank are legitimately great games that adults will enjoy too. You don't need blood and explosions for a game to be engaging.

Use ratings as a starting point, not gospel. You know your kid better than the ESRB does. A mature 12-year-old might be fine with Spider-Man, while a sensitive 14-year-old might find Horizon Zero Dawn too intense. Trust your judgment.

Watch them play for a bit. The best way to know if a game is appropriate? Sit down and watch for 20 minutes. You'll get a sense of the content, the difficulty, and whether your kid is actually enjoying it or just grinding through because they think they should.

And if you're still overwhelmed by choices, ask our chatbot for personalized recommendations based on your kid's specific interests and age. Happy gaming!