Contents
What are the best games for kids on phones and tablets? We’ve got the scoop.
There are conflicting views on what games are suitable for children of different ages, when and how often they should play, which game elements may be detrimental, and other issues when it comes to children’s games. Everyone simply needs to use their best judgment when deciding what to give the child in their lives at the end of the day.
Fortunately, you’re not by yourself. We’re here to support you. The top children’s games on mobile devices such phones and tablets have been compiled in this article, along with their ESRB ratings. We wish you luck in your search for something fantastic.
Updated by Gabrielle Huston on September 12, 2023: There’s no shortage of mobile games to be enjoyed, but it can be hard to sort out the ones that are just money-grubbing from the ones that actually care about entertaining you. We’ve added a few more recommendations to this list for you to consider!
Games For Kids Age 2-4+
1. Mario Kart Tour
- Link download: Android & iOS
- Backup link: APK version
On your phone or tablet, Mario Kart Tour offers a simple and enjoyable way to play some of your favorite Mario Kart tracks! Also, there are songs that were influenced by cities like New York, Paris, Vancouver, Tokyo, and more!
The simple controls of Mario Kart games make the transfer to a mobile device absolutely natural. You can choose to play it in either landscape or portrait mode, depending on your preference. Also, you may play with the JoyCons since Nintendo will soon allow us to utilize them on mobile devices!
Play sessions just need to last the length of the track, which is fantastic for youngsters!
2. Forest Island
- Link download: Android & iOS
- Backup link: APK version
In the idle game Forest Island, the user can restore numerous habitats. Energy is generated by restoring nature and encouraging animals to reside there. This energy is then utilized to restore additional nature.
It’s a fantastic option even though younger children might need some assistance getting started and to stay away from microtransactions. Forest Island doesn’t pressure you to play more often than you want to, but it does entice you to indulge in the beautiful sounds and images that the gameplay delivers.
3. Pokemon: Magikarp Jump
- Link download: Android & iOS
- Backup link: APK version
Monster: Magikarp Jump is a video game where the goal is to gather Magikarp, a fish-type Pokemon. You’ll grow connected to your batch of Magikarp quickly because there are so many unique variations to catch, like as the Shiny golden Magikarp.
But how well you can coach them is the actual test. The Magikarp practice so they can take part in competitions for jumping. The highest jumper will prevail! Fight against other trainers’ Magikarps to improve your craft as a trainer!
4. Neko Atsume
- Link download: Android & iOS
- Backup link: APK version
In the sweet and healthy game Neko Atsume, you can gather cats in your backyard by providing them with the greatest food and playthings. You’ll eventually amass a collection of cats, each with their own unique personalities and tastes! Although they have names already, you are allowed to give them new ones.
There is another advantage to installing Neko Atsume if you’re concerned that your youngster spends too much time playing mobile games: you can only do so much at once. Not to sit there tapping away indefinitely, but rather to return frequently and check on your garden to see if any cats have appeared.
Games For Kids Age 5-7+
1. I Love Hue
- Link download: Android & iOS
- Backup link: APK version
I Love Hue is a popular and relaxing game that depends on your sense of color. But fear not, both artists and non-artists will find it rewarding and delightful.
The idea is fairly straightforward: you are required to arrange a grid of colored blocks into a smooth gradient. You’ll be given more difficult shapes and gradients to fill as you gain more experience. We enjoy that there aren’t many commercials in the game, so downloading it isn’t as intimidating as it is with some other older mobile games.
2. Minecraft
Popular sandbox adventure game Minecraft appears to be playable on every device known to humankind, including mobile. Due to the necessity of placing many buttons and pieces of information on a small screen, it can feel a little crowded, but it nevertheless exudes the same addictive enthusiasm that Minecraft seems to have achieved.
Basically, it has all the same features that you love about standard Minecraft and gets all the same significant upgrades. The fact that it can be saved and switched off at any moment makes it convenient to enter and exit for both long and short play periods, which is a huge benefit for kids.
3. Cats & Soup
- Link download: Android & iOS
- Backup link: APK version
In Cats & Soup, you manage a little community full of customizable cats! You’ll love it for its adorable art style, hidden surprises, and lack of obtrusive ads (unless you choose to get a boost).
These felines are very productive, and they’re always working away to make more soup (among other things). Gameplay is really breezy, simple, and doesn’t beg you to stick around for longer than you’re comfortable with. There’s lots to like here!
4. PAC-MAN
- Link download: Android & iOS
- Backup link: APK version
The company behind Pac-Man has wasted no time finding ways to spice up and revitalize this classic game. The PAC-MAN mobile app does just that, adding a story mode and new powerups to the original formula.
There’s a reason that Pac-Man was so popular; despite its deceptively simple design, it totally absorbs you and feels like an edge-of-your-seat experience while you’re playing. However, each round is still relatively short, making it perfect for the mobile experience.
5. 2048
- Link download: Android & iOS
- Backup link: APK version
2048 is a classic game that you’re probably already familiar with. It just requires simple math (and, really, with the color-coded blocks, you don’t necessarily need even that)!
The idea is to combine blocks of the same number to create one new block which is double the original value. The player “wins” if they can create a block worth 2048! Of course, for casual players, it’s more about breaking your own previous high score, since 2048 is pretty hard to reach.
With simple graphics and an uncomplicated premise, 2048 is a great choice for younger players.
Games For Kids Age 8-9+
1. Pokemon Cafe Remix
You are required to manage a small cafe where you prepare unique foods with a Pokemon theme for your clients in Pokemon Café Remix. It might remind you of Diner Dash, although this isn’t quite as intense as that. In essence, there are tiny puzzle games that “cook” each recipe.
You can hire Pokemon to assist you in addition to cooking! To help them develop, you can dress them in unique chef’s attire and give them mini-challenges. As you increase the cafe’s size, more Pokemon will start to come.
2. NYT Games
A little older child will find the several minigames in the New York Times (NYT) Games app to be entertaining and difficult. Naturally, it contains a crossword, but it also features a tiny crossword, the Spelling Bee, Sudoku, Vertex, and, most recently, Wordle.
It’s important to note that the NYT Games app’s usefulness is somewhat constrained if you don’t pay for it. But, we discover that there is still plenty to keep you occupied for at least a half-hour without spending any money.
3. Slitherlink
Consider Slitherlink to be a game similar to Sudoku, crossword puzzles, word searches, etc. Similar to them, you can play them virtually indefinitely if you master the rules.
Slitherlink is a puzzle game that tests your ability to create loops on a board while limiting the number of segment borders you can cross. It will take some time to completely comprehend the rules, but based on our experience, you can pick it up after playing a few of the simpler boards. The board type and level of difficulty can then be adjusted based on your personal tastes.
4. Stardew Valley
- Link download: Android & iOS
- Backup link: APK version
Many people adore the homey independent agricultural simulator game Stardew Valley. Both mobile devices and the majority of game consoles support it! Your in-game time will be spent renovating the old farm that your deceased grandfather left you.
You can get to know each of the residents of Stardew Valley and the surrounding Pelican Town, and you can even fall in love! As exciting as farming, mining, and killing monsters can be, so too can the relationships you develop with the characters.
5. 4=10
It can be challenging to suggest educational games to your children, but if you read the reviews, you’ll discover that many grownups also enjoy this game! That’s partly because of a crucial perk: there are no upfront costs and no advertisements. Of course, expecting many game developers to publish their games in this manner is unrealistic, but we can still be appreciative when they do.
The idea behind the game is very straightforward: given four integers between 0 and 9, you have to add them all up to 10. You’ll need the following four symbols to complete it: +, -, x, and. Every number combination and arrangement of the numerals is acceptable.
Games For Kids Age 10-12+
1. Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp
- Link download: Android & iOS
- Backup link: APK version
Animal Crossing games are undeniably incredible and have developed a massive following over the years, but it’s hard to deny that they take an awful big time commitment. Most Animal Crossing games require a lot of waiting for things to happen.
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp takes that regular experience and condenses it! While there is still some waiting required, it’s proportionally a lot less, and there’s plenty to do while you’re waiting. This game includes all our favourite things about Animal Crossing, including decorating various personalized areas, shopping with the local animals, getting to know animals who live with you, and more!
In fact, this game is so good that, when Animal Crossing: New Horizons got its big 2.0 update, some of the features were recognizable from Pocket Camp!
2. SimCity BuildIt
- Link download: Android & iOS
- Backup link: APK version
As you may have guessed from the title, SimCity BuildIt is a city management game. You’ll build up your own city from scratch, keeping in mind things like your road patterns and local jobs!
It’s really rewarding to watch your development come into a life of its own, and your city feels very personal to you. There’s even multiplayer aspects to the game, like the fact that you can send disasters (for example, UFOs) to other people’s cities.
3. Pokemon Go
- Link download: Android & iOS
Pokemon Go is the last Pokemon smartphone game we suggest. When more individuals than ever before took to the streets to play an alternate reality (AR) game, this game soon caught the attention of the media and took the world by storm in 2016. By this point, the news coverage has subsided, but the game is still going strong. Younger children without their own phone or data plan will need to play it while they are with you because the entire experience requires some data.
The fundamental notion is that when you go about your daily life outside, the beloved Pokemon from video games will show up! You capture them in Pokeballs and amass a group of powerful fighters. With that powerful squad, you may complete your Pokedex, challenge Gyms (the game’s hub for the various teams), engage in Raids (multiplayer battles with extremely powerful Pokemon that occasionally emerge in Gyms), go up against other players or your friends online, and take down Team Go Rocket!
“Thegamer”
