Many adult gamers want to share their passion for gaming with their children. It’s natural – many of us have fond memories of gaming in our youth and want our children to have similar experiences, ideally with us.
I remember the days when my mother, cousin, and I would play games together. Sometimes we’d pass the controller while playing through a single-player game, but more often than not, we’d play multiplayer games for all of us to enjoy without being spectators. When it comes to playing games with your children, I’d recommend multiplayer games over single-player titles, especially in the beginning. It gives you the opportunity to teach your children that it is okay to lose sometimes and that there is fun in just playing, win, lose or draw.
I’ve put together a list of 10 great video games to play with your children. They span a range of genres and gaming generations, and while many are multiplayer, there are a handful of single-player classics thrown in for good measure, too.
10 Best Games to Play With Your Children
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is an action and puzzle game on the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS. It is one of the most beautiful and charming games on the platform. Players work together to solve puzzles. The goal is to reach the gold star at the end of each level. Captain Toad and Toadette travel through a variety of obstacles with classic enemies from Super Mario to reach the gold star.
This is a great opportunity to teach your children to take it slow, think through the solutions to the puzzles and to manage the frustration when things don’t work out because the joy of completing the puzzles is more than worth it.
Just Dance 2019
Just Dance 2019 is a great game to enjoy with your kids. It is the best of both worlds – your kids are being physically active and playing a video game at the same time. It’s up to you whether you join in (the “Macarena” works with Drake, right?).
As another bonus, Just Dance 2019 has age-appropriate songs, so you do not need to worry about inappropriate lyrics. You and your children can dance to the music and show off your dancing skills.
Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2
Lego and superheroes – the perfect combination.
Kids love superheroes because they are strong, have awesome designs, and have amazing powers. They are the ultimate childhood fantasy. But, some adult gamers like myself enjoy superheroes too! The Marvel Cinematic Universe has many fun movies, and the series translates well into the Lego universe.
I’m suggesting Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 here because it introduces the Superhero Battle mode that allows four players to battle in an arena, but in truth, any of the Lego games are great games to play with your children.
Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 has a huge roster of characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Marvel comics. The roster includes Black Panther, Captain America, Miss Marvel, Spider-Man, and many more superheroes. You and your kids can pick your favourite superheroes and battle – just remember to let them win sometimes!
Mario Kart
Mario Kart is one of the best sports video games to play with your children, and certainly one of the best racing games to play with the next generation of gamers. It features their favourite cast of characters from Nintendo and has many fun modes to play. You can race head to head on colourful and beautiful racetracks in the Mushroom Kingdom, and can also have special balloon battles.
Mario Kart is one of my favourite games to play with my family. Everyone selects their favourite character and race to the finish line. Your children will enjoy those moments of beating you in a race. It is fun and friendly competition – whether you win or lose, you’re sure to have a good time.
Mario Party
Nintendo took your grandpa’s game of Monopoly and combined it with Super Mario. It’s a match made in heaven.
Regardless of how you feel about Monopoly, you and your kids will love Mario Party. It is a video game of a board game with Mario as the star! You play a variety of mini-games to earn coins and win stars. Forget all of the half-baked party games you may have played in the past – this is the real deal.
Overcooked 1 & 2
Overcooked 1 and 2 are some of the most riotously fun games released in recent years. Players become master(less) chefs and attempt to cook a variety of dishes, either alone or in teams, before the timer runs out. It sounds easier than you expect.
Things start simple – maybe chopping some lettuce and tomatoes and selling them together as a salad – but quickly escalates into preparing food from a varied menu.
The levels each have their own aesthetic and have their own challenges, whether that is selling from a food truck in a colourful market, or trying to prepare soup on a pirate ship which keeps sliding the counters around with the waves.
These are two of the best multi-player games for parties and your family. They shine when you are playing with three to four people. You will have a lot of fun and many laughs in every round!
Minecraft
Minecraft provides a unique experience for parents and their children to be creative together without digging out the box of crafts.
Parents can customise the multi-player mode, setting rules and custom options to ensure that children only experience what you want them to.
Once you’re in your shared space, you and your children can create cool structures and protect them from creepers! There is also the option for player versus player if you want to battle against each other. There is also the option to form teams for a fun experience – teamwork makes the dream work!
Pokémon
We caught ’em all when we were kids (or at least tried to) and now our kids can catch ’em all too!
Pokémon is a popular series for youngsters and many adult gamers continue to enjoy the series, too. Share your experience and love of Pokémon with your children by either reliving the 90s titles and having Poke-Battle on the Game Boy with link cables, or playing the more modern titles on the Switch. Alternatively, you could go out and about with Pokemon Go.
Team Sonic Racing
I know we’ve already included Mario Kart on this list, but Team Sonic Racing also deserves a mention.
If you got to go fast, then play Team Sonic Racing! Sega created their own twist on racing with their mascot Sonic, with an emphasis on teamwork. The game’s core mechanic focuses on teams of three players. Teamwork is very rewarding when playing with your children, nieces, or nephews.
Super Smash Bros.
This list of video games to play with your children would not be complete without Super Smash Bros. This is the ultimate fighting game for players of all ages. Your entire family can play crazy and wild battles in the Mushroom Kingdom or Hyrule Castle.
Super Smash Bros. has an impressive roster with the best characters in the video game industry. The game features Kirby, Link, Mario, Mega Man, Sonic, and many more amazing characters.
What Video Games Do You Play With Your Children?
I know I did not cover every possible game for this list. There is a library of great games to play with your children. If you have not played any of games on this list, then give them a try!
Please share games that you play with your children, nieces, and nephews in the comments so that your fellow adult gamers can play them with their families.
