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What is the kid in your life playing?

Plain-English guides to the games children and teenagers talk about: what each one is, why they love it, what to be aware of, and whether you could join in.

Pick their age. Games and advice change a lot between a four-year-old and a thirteen-year-old.

Three things worth checking before they play

  1. Chat. Many online games let players talk to strangers by text or voice. You can usually switch chat off or limit it to friends. Roblox now requires an age check before chat.
  2. Spending. Free games often have a shop for outfits and extras. You can set a spending limit or require your approval before purchases, on the console or in the family app.
  3. The age rating. It is on the box and the store page. It tells you what kind of content is in the game, not how hard it is.

PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo all have free family settings for play time, spending and chat, using a free phone app. Allow time to go through each setting. Nintendo, PlayStation and Xbox explain how.

How we checked this

Every fact here was checked against the game maker's or platform's own page, the official ESRB (US) and PEGI (Europe) rating databases, or a health body. The sources are linked on each card. Rules and settings change often, so check the date on each page: we last checked on 4 October 2026. Age bands are our own plain-English grouping, not an official standard.

The games they are most likely to ask about

Level 2 · EasyMinecraft
A good one to play togetherCan be played onlineIn-game shop

What it is

A world made of blocks where you build, dig and explore. There is no set goal.

Why they love it

They can make almost anything: a house, a farm, a roller coaster. It is like digital Lego with no instructions.

What to know

  • In creative mode, monsters cannot hurt you and you cannot lose. In survival mode they can.
  • On a Microsoft child account, multiplayer, servers and chat are switched off until a parent allows them.
  • The in-game Marketplace sells extras for real money. A child account has no payment method, so a parent has to do the buying.

Could you join in?

A good one to join. Ask them to show you their world, and try creative mode.

Age ratings: US (ESRB) E10+ · Europe (PEGI) 7.

Plays on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Phone and tablet.

Ask them: “What is the best thing you have built?”

Checked 4 October 2026. Sources: minecraft.net, minecraft.net

See the full game page

Level 2 · EasyRoblox
Can be played onlineIn-game shop

What it is

A free app with millions of games and worlds made by other people, including teams and studios.

Why they love it

There is always something new to try, and they can play together with friends.

What to know

  • Since January 2026, everyone has to pass an age check to use chat. Chat is limited to people of a similar age or trusted friends, and for under-9s it is off unless a parent allows it.
  • Roblox now has accounts by age: Roblox Kids (5 to 8) and Roblox Select (9 to 15), which only show reviewed games.
  • There is a shop that sells in-game currency (Robux) for real money. Parents can set limits.

Could you join in?

Harder to join as a beginner because every game is different. Ask them to show you their favourite.

Age ratings: Europe (PEGI) Parental Guidance Recommended.

Plays on: PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Phone and tablet.

Ask them: “Which game are you playing at the moment, and who do you play it with?”

Checked 4 October 2026. Sources: about.roblox.com, about.roblox.com

See the full game page

Level 4 · ChallengingFortnite
Can be played onlineIn-game shop

What it is

A free online game. Its best-known mode, Battle Royale, drops up to 100 players onto an island and the last one standing wins.

Why they love it

Playing with friends and unlocking outfits and dances.

What to know

  • Battle Royale is online against other players, with cartoon-style shooting. The US age rating is Teen.
  • Under-13s start with a limited account: no voice chat and no real-money purchases until a parent allows them.
  • It has an in-game shop (V-Bucks).
  • There are modes without fighting, such as LEGO Fortnite, Rocket Racing and Fortnite Festival, a music game.

Could you join in?

Not a game to start on yourself. Watch a round first. LEGO Fortnite and Fortnite Festival are ways to join in without fighting. Our "Am I ready?" check can show you a path.

Age ratings: US (ESRB) T · Europe (PEGI) 12 · Common Sense Media 13+.

Plays on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Phone and tablet.

Ask them: “What is your favourite outfit, and how do you win a round?”

Checked 4 October 2026. Sources: esrb.org, safety.epicgames.com

See the full game page

Level 2 · EasyAmong Us
Can be played online

What it is

A group game where some players are secretly impostors and the rest work out who they are.

Why they love it

It is about bluffing and spotting a liar, and it is best played with friends.

What to know

  • Free text chat needs a full account, or a child account with a parent's permission. Otherwise players use preset messages.
  • The phone version is free and offers optional adverts that earn rewards. The PC and console versions are paid.

Could you join in?

Easy to join with a group of friends: you talk it through and try to spot the liar.

Age ratings: US (ESRB) E10+ · Europe (PEGI) 7 · Common Sense Media 10+.

Plays on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Phone and tablet.

Ask them: “Who was the impostor last round, and how did you work it out?”

Checked 4 October 2026. Sources: innersloth.com, innersloth.com

See the full game page

Level 3 · ModerateFall Guys
Can be played onlineIn-game shop

What it is

A free obstacle-course game show where you run, jump and wobble through short rounds against other players online.

Why they love it

Rounds are short and silly.

What to know

  • It is played online against other players.
  • It is free to play on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and the Epic Games Store, with an in-game shop (Show-Bucks).

Could you join in?

Easy controls, but the timing is quick. A good one for a laugh together.

Age ratings: US (ESRB) E · Europe (PEGI) 3 · Common Sense Media 8+.

Plays on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC.

Ask them: “What was the funniest way you lost this week?”

Checked 4 October 2026. Sources: fallguys.com, fallguys.com

See the full game page

See more for 9 to 12