Easy games to play with grandkids
The best easy games to play with grandkids are Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Stardew Valley and Minecraft. Two or more people can play in the same room.
These games let you play side by side on the sofa. Most are simple enough to learn in a few minutes.
| Game | Level | Plays on | Tried & tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Crossing: New Horizons | 1 · Gentle | Switch / Switch 2 | 95.6 · Hall of Fame |
| Stardew Valley | 2 · Easy | Switch / Switch 2, PS5, Xbox, Computer, Phone / tablet | 95.5 · Hall of Fame |
| Minecraft | 2 · Easy | Switch / Switch 2, PS5, Xbox, Computer, Phone / tablet | 93.8 · Proven favourite |
| Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | 1 · Gentle | Switch / Switch 2 | 93.8 · Proven favourite |
| Super Mario Bros. Wonder | 2 · Easy | Switch / Switch 2 | 90.4 · Proven favourite |
| Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury | 2 · Easy | Switch / Switch 2 | 87.8 · Well liked |
| Mario Kart World | 2 · Easy | Switch 2 only | 86.9 · Well liked |
| Spiritfarer | 2 · Easy | Switch / Switch 2, PS5, Xbox, Computer, Phone / tablet | 86.6 · Well liked |
| Kirby and the Forgotten Land | 2 · Easy | Switch / Switch 2 | 83.6 · Well liked |
| Pikmin 4 | 2 · Easy | Switch / Switch 2 | 83 · Well liked |
| Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga | 2 · Easy | Switch / Switch 2, PS5, Xbox, Computer | 82.7 · Well liked |
| Super Mario Party Jamboree | 1 · Gentle | Switch / Switch 2 | 82.2 · Well liked |
About each game
Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Life on an island at your own pace. Real-time clock encourages a short daily visit.
Stardew Valley. Restore a farm and befriend villagers. Lots to learn but no rush.
Minecraft. Creative or Peaceful mode removes danger. Great for playing with grandkids.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Smart Steering and Auto-Accelerate stop you crashing. A family favourite.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Pick Yoshi or Nabbit and enemies can't hurt you. Best 2D starting point.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury. 3D Mario with a helpful fixed camera; great with others.
Mario Kart World. Switch 2 only. Same assists as Mario Kart 8 plus open-world driving.
Spiritfarer. A cosy boat-management game about saying goodbye; themes of death handled gently.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land. Gentle 3D with an automatic camera. Spring-Breeze mode is extra easy.
Pikmin 4. Command tiny plant creatures. Rewind feature undoes mistakes.
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. You can't really lose; ideal co-op with grandkids.
Super Mario Party Jamboree. Digital board game with short mini-games. Great with grandkids.
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