Scrap Mechanic is one of those rare games that's genuinely educational without feeling like homework. Kids are learning real physics and engineering principles—gears, torque, suspension, mechanical advantage—while building ridiculous vehicles and defending against cartoon robots.

The creativity here is exceptional. There's no 'right' way to solve problems, so kids experiment, fail, iterate, and eventually build something that works (or spectacularly doesn't, which is half the fun). The survival mode gives context without being stressful, and the multiplayer is clean since there's no built-in chat.

The IGDB rating is middling (61/100), likely because it's been in development for years and some players want more content. But for kids? This is a goldmine. No predatory monetization, no toxic social features, just pure creative building with friends.

The main parenting task is managing time—sandbox games are absorbing, and kids will want 'just five more minutes' to finish their creation. Set boundaries early. Otherwise, this is a strong yes for any kid who likes making things.