Sony's Playstation 4 has awesome games for people of all ages, but the huge selection of the best ps4 games for kids is what really makes it stand out. From multiplayer to online to racing and VR games, there's a wide world of kid-friendly games for any Playstation owner.
Finding the best games out of this wide array can be quite challenging, though. If you're having trouble finding and deciding on which ps4 games might be great for your kids, you're in luck: Read on to discover dozens of top recommendations from long-time gamers and Playstation aficionados, helpfully arranged by genre and category.
Contents
10 Best ps4 games for kids
Leading off the list, the best ps4 games for kids are destined to give anyone from the ages of 5 to 15 endless hours of video gaming fun. Each game in this section has been hand-selected from all available games to combine the best qualities of multiple genres.
1. Games Cars 3: Driven to Win
Disney Pixar's "Cars" series has been a childhood favorite for nearly a decade now, thanks to its combination of super cool characters and interactive gaming opportunities. Driven to Win is a story-based racing game that's friendly for kids of all ages.
2. Carnival Games
Combining half a dozen classic carnival games into one affordable video games, "Carnival Games" is a super fun and low-commitment game that kids can pick up and put down whenever they want.
3. Paw Patrol On A Roll
Featuring all the canine pals from television hit Paw Patrol, "On A Roll" takes these lovable pooches on a wide-ranging adventure platform that's great for curious youngsters.
4. LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Following the events of the movies, but in kid-friendly LEGO brick form, "LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens" offers surprisingly challenging game play with multiple modes to choose from.
5. Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 + Arcade Game Series
Upping the game on the classic real-time puzzle game, Pac-Man's Championship Edition 2 features both an updated version as well as the traditional arcade version, alongside Galaga and Dig Dug.
6. Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King
Two old-school Disney games, updated for the PS4 and sold for one affordable price? This one is a must for any fans of 90s Disney movies.
7. LEGO Harry Potter Collection
Following the entire story of the Harry Potter books and movies through two games, the LEGO Harry Potter Collection is a great way to get double your money's worth out of one game.
8. Hasbro Family Fun Pack
Featuring four classic Hasbro board games in one convenient package, the Family Fun Pack is a great way to reinstate the tradition of family game night on a modern gaming system.
9. Nickelodeon Kart Racers
With racers from Spongebob, Ninja Turtles, Hey Arnold, Rugrats, and more, Nickelodeon's Kart Racers is a fun and interactive racing game that's good for children young and old.
10. Stardew Valley: Collector's Edition
Take on the role of a fantasy land farmer in Stardew Valley, and watch the hours fly by in blissful, easy-going game play.
4 cheap ps4 games for kids
There are plenty of cheap ps4 games out there that are perfect for kids, in almost any genre. They're a great way to reward good behavior or give your little ones something to do during summers that never seem to end.
11. LEGO DC Super-Villains
The DC comic universe's biggest bad guys have been turned into LEGO bricks, all to duke it out with heroes across multiple worlds!
12. Walmart Exclusive: Kingdom Hearts 3
Available for the PS4 only from Walmart, Kingdom Hearts 3 combines sought-after characters from multiple Disney and Sony franchises into one wide-ranging adventure combat game with kid-friendly graphics.
13. Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare
Strategy and tactics in a never-ending garden game, Plants Vs Zombies can teach quick thinking and planning skills to kids of all ages.
14. Scribblenauts Mega Pack
The basis of Scribblenauts requires on-the-spot thinking, where you conjure items out of thin air just by spelling them out. It's a great way for kids to learn spelling and problem solving.
4 multiplayer ps4 games for kids
Looking for something that your kids can play with their friends? Multiplayer ps4 games are a perfect alternative for days when it's raining or too hot to play outside.
15. Little Big Planet 3
Control a knitted hero across yarn-filled worlds of adventure and problem solving in the latest edition of Little Big Planet, a cult classic game with over 10 years of history.
16. FIFA 20
The latest officially-licensed soccer game for the PS4, FIFA 2020 allows for local or online multiplayer in tournament settings.
17. Telltale Games Minecraft: Story Mode Season 2
Ask almost any kid today what their game of choice is, and there's a good chance you'll hear "Minecraft" as their answer. This story mode version lets your kid play with their friends to build and defend their own worlds.
18. 88 Heroes
Play with up to 8 people cooperatively in this long-running 2D platform and puzzle solving game, with 88 unique character choices that will never get old.
4 best racing games for ps4
Whether go-karts or flat track, some of the best racing games for ps4 are also entirely kid-friendly. They'll teach hand-eye coordination and planning through multiple game modes.
19. Need for Speed: Rivals
One of the most awarded racing game franchises in history, Need for Speed's new "Rivals" edition features intense head-to-head racing and mind-blowing graphics.
20. Garfield Kart
Surprisingly responsive game play and multiplayer modes make Garfield Kart a stand-out in the racing category, and perfect for younger children thanks to its cute and friendly graphics.
21. Monster Jam Steel Titans
Drive classic Monster Jam legends like the Gravedigger as you race and squash your opponents in Monster Jam Steel Titans. It's fairly intense, and better for older children.
22. Crash Team Racing - Nitro Fueled
Join Crash Bandicoot and friends across story, tournament, and multiplayer modes in an amazingly entertaining racing/adventure combo game.
4 best ps4 VR games for kids
Virtual reality is the latest advancement in gaming technology, and many of the best ps4 VR games are also kid-friendly. You'll need a matching headset to play all of these games, too.
23. ASTRO BOT: Rescue Mission VR
360 degree game play lets you control ASTRO, a robot captain who needs to rescue all of his shipmates from the far reaches of space.
24. Roller Coaster Tycoon
Taking the old series to new heights, Roller Coaster Tycoon's VR edition finally lets you experience the thrill of riding roller coasters after you build them! Highly recommended.
25. Moss
An amazing puzzle/platform game combo with deviously challenging puzzles, Moss is great for kids thanks to a helpful mouse named Quill that will keep you from getting stuck too long on any puzzle.
26. Robinson: The Journey VR
Dive into a modern-day Robinson Crusoe story set in a far-off space land in Robinson: The Journey. It's a deeply involved exploration game that will keep your kids coming back for more.
4 2 player ps4 games for kids
If you have one extra controller, your kid and their best friend can take advantage of any of the wide range of 2 player ps4 games available today.
27. LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2
Combining the best of Marvel Comics heroes and LEGO playtime antics, this game is an absolute delight to play from start to finish, and perfectly suitable for kids of all ages.
28. Surviving Mars
You and a friend will be in charge of building the first human colony on Mars in this surprisingly fun and challenging puzzle and planning game.
29. Velocity 2X: Critical Mass Edition
A platform shooting game that looks straight out of an 80s arcade, Velocity 2X offers amazingly complex 2-player cooperative action that's perfect for building teamwork skills.
30. Rayman Legends
Rayman, the limbless wonder, can pair up with a friend in this classic platform gaming adventure. Two players will always have more fun teaming up to beat challenges.
4 best split-screen ps4 games for kids
The best split-screen ps4 games come in a wide variety of genres, from racing to shooters to puzzle and strategy. Check out the curated list of the best ones for kids below.
31. Micro Machines World Series
Split-screen battle and competitive racing modes make Micro Machines a racing game with plenty of replay value for kids.
32. Knack 2
With vibrant colors and amazingly detailed graphics, Knack is one of the funnest split-screen co-op games we've ever played on the PS4.
33. Plants Vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville
Join the Plants Vs. Zombies cast in this 3D first-person shooter split screen game that's made better for kids thanks to its colorful and tame graphics.
34. LEGO Worlds
Offering split-screen cooperative gameplay across giant LEGO worlds in all varieties, this game has one of the longest playtimes of any 2-player game on this list.
4 best coop games ps4 for kids
Teaching teamwork and understanding are the main benefits of the best coop games ps4 has to offer. The following options are perfectly suited for kids, and each features multiple difficulty levels to accommodate any age and skill level.
35. Astroneer
Play with up to 4 friends to dig and reshape dozens of planets in this building and mining adventure game. It's available for local or online multiplayer, too.
36. Super Bomberman R Shiny Edition
Join up to 4 of your friends in local or online multiplayer bomb-laying action in Super Bomberman R, a classic game of real-time strategy.
37. Assetto Corsa
A high-speed racing simulator with impressive physics and controls, Assetto Corsa makes exciting driving experiences accessible to a wide range of ages.
38. Roman Rumble in Las Vegum: Asterix & Obelix
Offering a winning combination of brawling and comedy, Roman Rumble follows comic characters Asterix and Obelix through many levels of co-op craziness.
3 best ps4 exclusive games for kids
Every game company fights hard to get their hands on exclusive titles, and many of the best ps4 exclusive games are specifically made for kids! These routinely rank as some of kids' favorite games overall.
39. Ratchet & Clank
Reviving the cult classic PS2 game, the new Ratchet & Clank for PS4 features even more of everything kids love: Cool animal characters, inventive robots and weapons, and open-world exploration in story mode.
40. Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX
There's no doubt that Kingdom Hearts is the best Playstation exclusive series in history. Here, two remakes are included in one affordable gaming package.
41. Marvel's Spider-Man: Game of The Year Edition
Web-slinging action at its finest is available in the Game of the Year Edition of Spider-man, exclusive to the PS4. It has a surprisingly involved story mode, and excellent multiplayer capabilities as well.
3 horror games ps4 for kids
Get scary without getting gruesome in the horror games PS4 has made available for kids. They're all pretty mild, offering a few jump scares without being nightmare-inducing.
42. Hello Neighbor
A tense game of stealth that never veers into supernatural territory, Hello Neighbor is an awesome suspense game that your kids will be glued to for hours on end.
43. Bendy and the Ink Machine
In a beautiful cartoon world filled with first-person combat, your kid can control Bendy to defeat evil cartoon villains hiding around dark corners.
44. Don't Starve Mega Pack
Play together with a friend in split-screen local co-op, and you'll be tasked with surviving in an alien world. There are no instructions or hints given, making this game as challenging as it is suspenseful.
How to Pick the Best ps4 games for kids
Are you confused as to how to choose a PS4 game that your kids will love? Follow these three simple steps to make an excellent decision on your next game purchase.
1. Choose a Genre
Does the kid you're buying a game for prefer racing games? Or maybe adventure, puzzle, or platform games? This will help you narrow down options.
2. Single Player or Multiplayer?
Will your kid want to play with their friends, or is this game just for them?
3. Animated or Realistic?
Younger kids generally do better with heavily animated and cartoon games, while older kids enjoy the transition to more realistic graphics.
More Awesome Game Guide
Want to explore more awesome games from Playstation's competitor systems? Check out the following guides to get the scoop on Xbox and Nintendo Switch games, too:
- Microsoft has a surprisingly deep library of xbox games for kids of all ages.
- Featuring console-exclusive titles and series, this list of the best original xbox games is a real treasure trove.
- As kid-friendly as it comes, many nintendo switch games are perfectly suited for children and adults alike.
In Conclusion
There you have it: A comprehensive list of the best PS4 games for kids, covering every genre and play option you could ever need. The next time you're looking for awesome PS4 games to play with the whole family, check this list before going anywhere else!