Choosing the best PS5 games for kids means balancing fun, safety, and age-appropriate challenge while still giving parents something they might enjoy watching or playing alongside. The PlayStation 5 library has grown into a treasure trove of colorful, family-friendly adventures. Below we highlight eight standout titles that keep younger players smiling.
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Quick answer: For most people in 2026, the best ps5 games for kids (2026) is the Astro's Playroom — our #1 rated choice. See the full ranked comparison, alternatives and buying advice below.
Comparing the Best PS5 Games for Kids
| Game | Platform | Genre | Why It’s Great | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astro’s Playroom | PS5 | 3D Platformer | Free, joyful, showcases the controller | 10/10 |
| Sackboy: A Big Adventure | PS5 | Platformer | Charming co-op fun for all ages | 9/10 |
| Minecraft | PS5 | Sandbox | Endless creativity and building | 10/10 |
| LEGO Star Wars: Skywalker Saga | PS5 | Action-Adventure | Humor-filled adventure across nine films | 9/10 |
| Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart | PS5 | Action Platformer | Dazzling, kid-friendly sci-fi romp | 9/10 |
| Kena: Bridge of Spirits | PS5 | Action-Adventure | Pixar-style visuals, gentle challenge | 8/10 |
| Stray | PS5 | Adventure | Play as a cat, calm exploration | 8/10 |
| It Takes Two | PS5 | Co-op Platformer | Best-in-class parent-and-child co-op | 10/10 |
Now let’s explore each of these picks and what makes them shine for younger players. If you are setting up a kids’ gaming corner, our gaming TV buying guide helps you pick a bright, low-lag display.
Top Picks Among the Best PS5 Games for Kids
Astro’s Playroom: The Perfect First Game
Pre-installed on every PS5, Astro’s Playroom is a free 3D platformer that doubles as a delightful tour of PlayStation history. Its gentle difficulty, forgiving checkpoints, and imaginative use of the DualSense controller make it ideal for kids taking their first steps into gaming. The bright worlds and cheerful robot hero keep frustration low while teaching core platforming skills. It is genuinely one of the best PS5 games for kids and it costs nothing.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Sackboy brings the beloved LittleBigPlanet mascot into a full 3D platformer packed with cooperative levels. Up to four players can join, making it a fantastic family activity. The controls are simple, the music is catchy, and the difficulty scales gently so younger siblings can keep up. Collectible costumes add a fun layer of personalization. A comfortable seat helps for longer sessions, and our gaming chair recommendations include kid-sized options.
Minecraft: Boundless Creativity
Minecraft remains a cornerstone of kid-friendly gaming thanks to its open-ended creativity. Children can build castles, farm, explore caves, or play the gentler Creative mode with no threats at all. Its blocky world encourages problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and collaboration when playing with friends. Parental controls let you manage online interactions, keeping the experience safe. It is a game that grows with a child for years.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
This sprawling adventure retells all nine mainline Star Wars films with the trademark LEGO humor. Combat is bloodless, deaths are comical rebuilds, and the drop-in co-op makes it perfect for a parent and child to tackle together. There is an enormous amount to collect, giving completionist kids hours of joyful exploration. The gentle learning curve suits younger players. For couch co-op, our best gaming monitor guide also covers big-screen options.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Rift Apart is a stunning showcase of PS5 power wrapped in a family-friendly package. The cartoonish sci-fi action features quippy heroes, dazzling dimension-hopping visuals, and inventive gadgets. While there is combat, it is entirely non-graphic and cartoonish, making it comfortable for most kids. Adjustable difficulty and accessibility options let parents tailor the challenge. It is a spectacle that dazzles players young and old alike.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
With visuals reminiscent of a Pixar film, Kena: Bridge of Spirits follows a young spirit guide and her adorable companions called Rot. The gentle mysticism, beautiful forests, and light puzzle-solving suit older kids ready for a mild challenge. Combat exists but stays cartoonish and non-violent in tone. Its heartfelt story about helping lost spirits find peace resonates with families. A crisp display brings the art to life; see our 4K gaming monitor guide.
Stray: A Cat’s-Eye Adventure
Stray lets players explore a neon city as a stray cat, and few games are as instantly charming to children who love animals. The gentle exploration, meowing, and knocking objects off ledges delight younger players, while the atmospheric world offers light puzzle-solving. There is minimal danger and no graphic content. It is a calming, wholesome experience that kids and adults enjoy together.
It Takes Two: The Ultimate Co-op
It Takes Two is designed exclusively for two players and shines as a parent-and-child bonding experience. Each level introduces fresh, inventive mechanics that require genuine teamwork. The whimsical story about a bickering couple turned into dolls is heartfelt and funny. Because progress requires cooperation, it teaches communication and patience. A reliable second controller is essential, and our controller buying guide covers the best options.
How to Pick the Best PS5 Games for Kids
Match the game to your child’s age and interests: Astro’s Playroom and Sackboy suit the youngest, while It Takes Two and Ratchet & Clank engage slightly older kids. Always check the ESRB rating and enable parental controls for online titles like Minecraft. Building a small library across genres keeps gaming fresh and educational.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free PS5 game for young children?
Astro’s Playroom is the standout free choice because it comes pre-installed on every PS5 and is specifically designed to be gentle and welcoming. Its short levels, forgiving checkpoints, and cheerful presentation make it perfect for kids taking their very first steps into console gaming without any cost.
Are these PS5 games safe for online play?
Games like Minecraft include online features, but PlayStation offers robust parental controls that let you restrict chat, limit playtime, and manage who your child can interact with. Many titles listed here, such as Astro’s Playroom and Kena, are fully single-player, so they carry no online safety concerns at all.
Which PS5 game is best for playing with my child?
It Takes Two is widely considered the best cooperative experience because it is built entirely around two players working together. Every puzzle and level demands genuine teamwork, making it an ideal bonding activity. LEGO Star Wars and Sackboy also offer excellent drop-in co-op for families who want flexible group play.
Do PS5 games for kids require reading skills?
Some games rely on text for menus and story, but many like Astro’s Playroom and Stray are highly visual and intuitive, requiring little reading. For pre-readers, platformers and sandbox games work best because their objectives are shown through gameplay rather than lengthy dialogue, letting younger children play independently and confidently.
Ready to decide? Our #1 pick for 2026 is the Astro's Playroom.
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