10 Best PS4 Games for Kids Rated in 2024
Selina Marie
Justina Fuller
In a world where almost everything is operated on some levely by computers and technology, it should come as no surprise that your kids will be very happy to open their favorite video games on Christmas Day. We cannot discount the fact that many computer games can provide benefits to children, especially in terms of their cognition and psychomotor coordination. That’s why, with the holiday season upon us, we’re sharing with you the 10 best PS4 games for kids this year 2019.
In a Hurry? The test winner after 11 hrs of research
Explore Imagisphere, meet the creatures Bunkum, and face the evil Newton
Customized with new costumes
Has new characters - OddSock, Swoop, Big Toggle, LittleToggle
Game perfect for very young kids – no violence
Is a pleasant game that kids can relax with
10 Best PS4 Games Reviewed
1. Little Big Planet 3
Explore Imagisphere, meet the creatures Bunkum, and face the evil Newton
Customized with new costumes
Has new characters - OddSock, Swoop, Big Toggle, LittleToggle
Game perfect for very young kids – no violence
Is a pleasant game that kids can relax with
Remarks of long load times
Some parents said the game did not work when they received it
Join Sackboy and his friends for some fun times in Imagisphere. There lies the planet Bunkum where the sock characters live and play. This is a fabulous game for small kids, as they begin their adventures with PlayStation games.
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This version of the game has new customization instruments for the community that lives there. Also, there are new personalities and plenty of fun costumes to use. The new character of Sackboy has new power-ups, like the Pumpinator and surprising climbing talents
Design
As the character OddSock, kids can jump over walls quickly, and as Swoop, they can fly through the air quite magnificently. Players can change between the characters of Big Toggle and Little Toggle.
Creativity
Big is a heavy muscle man and Little is a light speedy character. Whichever personality your child chooses to be in Little Big Planet 3, he or she will certainly enjoy this carefree game.
Educational Value
Little Big Planet 3 is a game without violence for parents that want their kids to enjoy PlayStation games minus the intensity.
2. Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2
Play offensively as the plants for the first time ever
14 different character classes to choose from Co-op and online 24-player attack options
Lots of worlds and settings to choose from
Beautiful graphics and on-point comedy
A little rudimentary in terms of controls
Who would have guessed that one of the leading games today would be about a fantastical battle between zombies...and foliage? You read that right. If you have children right around the tween years, you’ve probably already heard plenty about the Plants vs. Zombies franchise, and now they’ve got a sequel out for PlayStation 4
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If they want a little me-time? Just switch to solo play! With 12 funny, colorful maps, zombified cityscapes, and more, there are hours of adventure waiting for your little one in this quirky game bursting with personality.
Design
Online battles allow gamers to connect and play with other users around the world, and four-player co-op might be the choice for kids with interested family or friends.
Creativity
In this game, players can choose to operate as any of 14 different character classes, with an additional 100 playable plants and zombies that span past, present, and future.
Educational Value
This game allows for lots of co-op and multiplayer options, making it a solid choice for kids who use gaming as a means of bonding and socializing. It’s a funny, zany game that will help promote hand-eye coordination and motor skills as well.
3. Spyro Reignited Trilogy
Rated E for everyone
Includes 3 games
Graphics are amazing
Game is entertaining and educational
Updating the game may take quite awhile
Parents, get ready to be hit with a feeling of nostalgia. Your favorite dragon is back at it again!
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In the first game, Spyro teams up with his Dragonfly friend Sparx to defeat the Gnorcs and free the dragons. Once your child beats the first game, they can move on to the second where they will have to use Spyro to defeat Ripto. With Spyro’s ability to head-bash through enemies, we’re confident your child will come out victorious. In the last game, your child can explore different realms and re-encounter some of their favorite characters from the previous games.
Design
This trilogy includes all three of the original Spyro games but they are fully remastered in HD. Your child can play Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage!, and Spyro: Year of the Dragon.
Creativity
The storyline behind each game will allow your child to fully immerse themselves into Spyro’s world. The brightly colored graphics are breathtaking and will enhance your child’s fun.
Educational Value
This game is rated E for everyone, thus allowing children of all ages to enjoy it. Each game will increase your child’s problem-solving skills as they work to defeat each level. Several levels contain puzzles that are sure to stimulate your child’s cognitive development.
4. MLB The Show 17 - Standard Edition
Advance your company with new gameplay and decision options
Make choices to change your baseball career
Has a retro sim inspired game play to pay tribute to past classic games
Provides the most authentic and private baseball gaming encounter on consoles
Has year-to-year saves from 2016 into 2017 edition
Some detected visual glitches in the game
Game does not work at all for a few people
Improving PlayStation games for a better play experience is the goal of producers to keep you thrilled with the gaming encounter. Several new choices for this version are retro sim play, year-to-year saves, and new options for gameplay and decision-making. In the retro sim, players can revisit the stars of games long ago with the professionals from choice games. This is the MLB way of paying tribute to these marvels of baseball. With year-to-year saves, you can now save your favorite players on your team and have them in the new edition from the 2016 game. This will also be an option for the 2018 game when it is available.
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Players can save their favorite team members from year to year with the year-to-year option. This way you do not have to start over when a new version is on the market. This will work for 2018 as well.
Design
This prevents choosing a whole new team and losing the ones you most prefer. Possibly the best change to this PlayStation version is the option to make changes not only on the field but off of it too.
Creativity
Choices can also be altered for gameplay and call decisions during games as well. Up your game and enjoy the latest of technology magic with this wonderful 2017 MLB PlayStation experience.
Educational Value
Kids can learn about games from the past with all-star greats and watch their fabulous moves in action in a retro-sim game. This is a new option possible with this 2017 edition of the MLB game
5. Madden NFL 17 - Standard Edition
New game-play modes such as Ultimate Team and Draft Champions
Ball-Carrier Feedback helps players learn about defensive strategies
Play the Moments allows players to focus on favorite events
Synced and updated commentary throughout season
Brand new in-game audio
li>Franchise mode can feel convoluted and take some time to get familiar with
The Madden Franchise is one of the most popular game lines out there. The 2017 edition leads as one of the most refined and advanced in the series, with updated gameplay, franchise, and presentation. The game now includes a Ball-Carrier Feedback System, which alerts players to defensive threats and moves they might use to evade the other team’s advances.
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EA Games brought a whole host of bells and whistles out for this update. Madden 2017 has a huge amount of new features that will keep players entertained for hours, and truly help users to get acquainted with all aspects of football. A Play the Moments feature allows gamers to fast forward through the parts of team-building and maintenance they might not find as interesting, and play their favorite highlights and events.
Design
Game Planning allows players some foresight and the ability to study their opponents’ habits and practice drills and plays that will counter them.
Creativity
Brandon Gaudin and Charles Davis join the team to offer their voice and commentary talents. Players can update throughout the season so that the commentary stays fresh and focused.
Educational Value
The 2017 Madden Game has tons of features that set it apart from its predecessors. Specifically, there seems to be a focus on studying other teams’ techniques and understanding how to strategize against that, helping to improve children’s analysis and planning skills.
6. LEGO Worlds
Experience a world built entirely of LEGO bricks
Populate with LEGO models
Great for kids and adults of all ages
Your creations come to life as the characters interact with you
Use ready-built structures to make any landscape possible
Complaints of connection issues
Some had loading problems with the game
Never run out of bricks with this PlayStation version of LEGOs and never be bothered with packing them away. Parents will be glad to not have missing pieces or pieces left all over the house when kids play this version of LEGOs. Children can experience a world made up completely of LEGO bricks and they can even build up whole worlds with them.
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If your kids love LEGOs but hate picking them up or physically building things, then this is the game for them. See your creations in a whole new light with the 3D format.
Design
The game has characters and creatures that come to life in your creations, plus you can fill your landscapes with prefabricated structures to make them perfect.
Creativity
Kids can explore the many sites of the game with any of the generated personalities, such as dragons, gorillas, helicopters, or motorbikes. The possibilities and artistic expressions are endless with the LEGOs in 3D.
Educational Value
Obtain some of the skills of regular LEGO bricks with this PlayStation version. Kids can still use their cognitive and imagination abilities to create almost anything the brain can think up, even though they do not physically touch the bricks
7. Hasbro Family Fun Pack
Four games in one bundle: Scrabble – Monopoly – Trivial Pursuit – Risk
Provides hours of entertainment
Perfect for a night of family fun
No worries about missing pieces or dice with these PlayStation games
Play against the game itself, online, or with others
A few report that they cannot sign up for online play for the Monopoly game
Some say that the questions in Trivial Pursuit repeat often
Players get Scrabble, Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, and Risk all in one game bundle. These board games are all classics that have been around for decades, but now they are in a 3D format to make the gaming challenge new and exciting. With the PlayStation version, there are no missing pieces or dice like the old days.
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Any of these are perfect group games for family night. They each provide hours of entertainment whether alone or not. Play the game of Monopoly that you know and love in 3D format.
Design
The game is much more interesting this way and up to six people can play at a time. Scrabble has new game modes and you can challenge others online or in person. As many as four individuals can play this pastime.
Creativity
For assorted questions and exclusive question formats that up to four can play, try Trivial Pursuit. With Risk, as many as four players can compete for global domination. Bring these classic games back into your life with the new twist of 3D
Educational Value
Four games in one is a real bargain. Players can test their knowledge and playing skills alone, against others, or with the computer.
8. Kingdom Hearts 3
The worlds are gorgeous and the characters are very detailed
Gameplay is highly entertaining
Rated E for everyone
Stimulates the imagination
Does not include a wide variety of final fantasy characters
Kingdom Hearts is an action-packed combination of Disney and Final Fantasy.
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Unlike in the first two Kingdom Heart games, the keyblades now have the ability to transform. With their transformation comes new abilities, animations, and moves. Throughout the levels, your child can cast spells to battle the heartless and even summon new attractions that are inspired by the Disney theme parks. The action-packed battled will keep your child entertained and determined to defeat each level.
Design
In this Ps4 game, your child can now join forces with their favorite Disney and Pixar characters. In fact, they will be venturing into their world to help save them from invasions. Your little one will easily be able to recognize each character as they are designed with all of the little details to make them resemble the original character. If your child needs to take a break from saving the world, this game is also equipped with twenty different mini-games that are inspired by Disney’s short films.
Creativity
Allowing children to team up with their favorite Disney characters and even wander around in their world is such a creative concept. Your little one will see characters from Toy Story, Big Hero 6, Hercules, Monsters Inc., Tangled and so much more. Each level and character will further stimulate your child’s imagination.
Educational Value
Children of all ages can enjoy navigating through the levels as this game is rated E for everyone. As your child ventures through each map their fine motor and problem-solving skills will improve. With every level, they defeat their confidence will increase as well as their determination to defeat the entire game. The brightly colored graphics will appeal to their sensory skills.
9. Dragon Quest Builders
Perfect for kids of all ages
Build unique tools from material you find
Reconstruct towns to restore life to Alefgard
Fight monsters from the series of Dragon Quest
Promotes imaginative play
Players must fight in battle before having the freedom to play freestyle
Building is dictated to players with blueprints
Construction has never been as fun as with this Dragon Quest game for your PlayStation. Using materials and items found, build unique tools. With those instruments, make buildings and structures to restore the life of the people in Alegard. Their town needs to be rebuilt as you fight monsters and interact with wonderful 3D characters.
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Enjoy the fantastic story as you battle big and small monsters. Those with creative minds and vivid imaginations will do well with this building game and its several modes of play.
Design
Here it is possible to design the castles and towers of your dreams when you construct to save the globe or simply build for the quest
Creativity
Explore a wide-open world in which to make the creations, as you build hundreds of structures and items in this game.
Educational Value
This game uses imagination, ingenuity, motor skills, and cognitive talents to build the necessary items and structures in the unlimited forms imaginable.
10. LEGO Marvel Super Heroes
Action packed Marvel video game for all ages
Features over 100 different superheroes and villains
Players perform super moves
Discover multiple cities just like in the iconic movies
Improves problem-solving skills
Issues with a game-saving at every single checkpoint
Cities appear to be repetitive
New moves and better performances from the characters, like Hulk and Abomination make this game super exciting. They swing, smash, and fly through the air in this story of all the classic characters from the Marvel families.
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Players can take control of their characters and work to stop the evil villain Loki from taking total control over Earth.
Design
The Marvel characters are iconic to kids. They love when they get to become those characters and work their way through the game. It is fun for everyone in the family so it makes a great family fun night of video game playing.
Creativity
They can also work to find other villains to lead them to the key cities where they are taking more and more control. It is action packed and ready to deliver a Marvel thrill that your kids will love playing.
Educational Value
Video games that feature the player becoming a character allow children to improve their problem-solving skills. Each time they play the game trying to reach the goal they are thinking about the steps they are taking and ensuring the next move is the best. These split-second decisions are great to improve and practice thinking on their feet.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Entertainment Value
Common knowledge states that once a child receives a toy for Christmas, the child will lose the interest of that toy within three months. The same can possibly be said for video games as well. Since video games can be finished with quicker than your average toy, it’s imperative to choose video games that can hold a child’s interest. You wouldn’t want a child to play the video game one time only because of boredom. So choosing a video game that speaks to a child’s personal interest (sports, arts, or puzzles for example) can help supplement playtime and possibly extend that interest into a real-life hobby. Variety is important as well! Choosing a combination of video games from educational to pure enjoyment can give a child a well-rounded range of fun and playtime. Video games just for fun can give your child a chance to play with their imagination and use their creativity while in a relaxed state and video games for education can help enhance their current learning. Balance is key!
Design
Choosing video games for children is no different from choosing other toys and gifts for children. Interests, personal tastes, age ranges, and developmental needs play as much a role in video game selection as it does in toy and gift selection. There are, however, a few particular caveats for video games that are not applicable to toy and gift choosing. In the following paragraphs, you’ll learn the criteria you can use to judge with when choosing video games for kids.
Creativity
Likewise, video games that have action in them and are first-person-focused can help develop a child’s fine-motor skills. The right video games can teach intangible skills such as patience, perseverance, and even empathy. Tangible skills such as programming, dancing, and even engineering can be taught by video games as well. Of course, video games should never become the sole focus of skill and personal development and should only be used as a supplement.
Educational Value
A video game that teaches painting by numbers might be fun for a bit, but it could possibly turn boring for a child. Video games that provide skill development for a child cannot only be fun but also help supplement a child’s development. Puzzles, strategies, and tactics that are in video games are perfect for a child’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Entertainment Value Design Creativity Educational Value 
When we embarked on our mission to bring you the world’s top 10 PlayStation 4 games, we were not really sure how to make the shortlist. Perhaps because we have already outgrown our fondness and passion for such games. As such, we knew we had to modify our approach and look at our list from the viewpoint of children. Well, they’re the ones who’re going to play with it, right? So we had to make sure that the games are fun and with just the right levels of difficulty or challenges to help motivate our kids to really think and strategize. Too easy and they get bored; too difficult and they might give up entirely. To assist us with this, we had to consider the recommended age of the PS4 game and compare that to the developmental abilities of children of that particular age. Is it appropriate for the child’s age? Will it be enough to stimulate the establishment, if not the enhancement, of the child’s developmental needs? We had to look at the gameplay features and try to determine the specific developmental benefit it can provide to children of a particular age group.
Obviously, we also had to consider the feedback as well as reviews of fellow parents and other consumers. We didn’t particularly give weight to the reviews of serious gamers as not all parents have the technical proficiency of a serious gamer. We, nevertheless, took into account the different themes contained in this feedback, comments, and reviews to gain an understanding of how the kids' PS4 game is accepted by ordinary parents, not avid gamers.
With this three-point system we devised, we were able to define our top 10 PlayStation 4 games we’re sure every kid will love.
Other Factors to Consider
Age Range
Video games are no longer the domain of children. Plenty of video games are being played by adults, even parents themselves! Due to the wide range of ages playing video games, there are myriad video games that appeal to those age groups. It is imperative, therefore, to choose video games that are age-appropriate for your kid. When choosing an age-appropriate video game, you first should check the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) age rating. This rating is just a guideline, however, so it’s still up to the parent to make the best judgment. From there, another way to determine age appropriateness is the content in the video game itself. What kind of content is in the game? Could the fantasy be too indulgent? Is the realism too intense? Is the action too rough and harsh? What’s good for a 10 year old in video games might not be good for a 6 year old in video games.
Brand
Word of mouth is still a great option to discover the next best thing and video games are no different! Reviews of video games can help you make an informed and educated decision when choosing PS4 games for children. The best reviews come from parents who will give a no-nonsense and honest review. You can discover information such as the quality of the video game, the ease or difficulty playing, what kind of content the game has, if the game is boring or entertaining, and so on. The possibilities are endless! Of course, there are reviews from legitimate websites and blogs that focus on video game reviews and such reviews can give a very detailed, thorough response. There is an issue, however, of such reviews being paid for which could result in a not-so-honest assessment. Your best bet is to stick with parental reviews and a great starting point are the PS4 video game reviews at Amazon that are offered by parents who are verified purchasers.
Effectiveness
While computer games can definitely benefit children especially in terms of their motor reflexes, cognitive abilities, social relationship skills, and even logical, strategic, and critical thinking abilities, there is a great divide regarding the use of these kinds of games among children. On one end of the spectrum are those blaming computer games for the sedentary lifestyle seen among many children today. On the other end are those claiming cognitive, social, and emotional benefits.
Sitting in front of the computer for many hours with very few chances of physical activity has been often cited as one of the culprits for the growing number of children who are obese. While faulty eating habits also can be blamed, being glued to the screen can definitely contribute to a sedentary lifestyle. Here’s how we can minimize the impact of such games in the development of our kids
Support
Provide a limit to your kid’s use of computer games. Unfortunately, there are no clear-cut rules on how much time in front of computer games can be considered safe. Like any playtime activity, playing video games should also have its time limit. Two hours is usually a safe bet.
Make sure to provide other toys for your child to play with. Video games can help develop certain aspects of children’s development. These can also be provided by other toys.
Establish an agreement with your child to play only video games at certain days of the week and for a certain length of time. You can offer other forms of rewards if he or she can keep your agreement.
Choose video games that involve whole body movements. This is where sports- and dance-themed games are highly beneficial. The movement will help your kid get the physical activity he or she needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
q: How much do PS4 video games cost?
The average price of a PS4 video game can cost up to $60. The games on our list, however, are quite affordable and if there is a game that isn’t on our list but is close to the $60 range, check for a downloadable option which is usually cheaper than the physical option. What determines the price of a PS4 video game varies. PS4 video games that are in higher demand, have cutting-edge graphics and technology, and are geared toward an older crowd can be costlier. PS4 video games that are lower competition, have more basic graphics and technology, and are geared toward a younger crowd can be cheaper. Of course, these are all guidelines and some children’s PS4 video games could be more costly depending on various factors such as demand and technology. What you can afford is determined by what you are willing to pay for.
q: What are the Electronic Systems Rating Board (ESRB) ratings?
Early Childhood (EC)
Ages 3 and older with no inappropriate material
Everyone (E)
Ages 6and older with minor violence and suggestive content
Teen (T)
Ages 13 and older with mild violence and suggestive content
Mature (M)
Ages 17 and older with mature and intense violence and suggestive content
Adults Only (AO)
Ages 18 and older with very graphic and extreme violence and suggestive content
Ratings Pending (RP)
Awaiting rating from ESRB and to proceed with caution
q: Why do video game age ratings matter?
It’s imperative to make sure your child is playing PS4 video games that are appropriate for them. While there is a growing body of evidence that violence and suggestive themes in video games do not cause real-life violence or other moral issues, exposing your child to a video game with violence or inappropriate material can still have negative effects such as psychological trauma, emotional disturbance, or even nightmares. Children are usually not emotionally or psychologically ready to handle themes with extreme violence or highly suggestive material. So, it’s best for their development to stick with PS4 video games that are age-appropriate with little to no violence and suggestive themes.
q: How can I prevent my child from becoming addicted to video games?
Playing PS4 video games are like any other hobby that your child might partake in. Just like other hobbies, video games can create a deep passion for your child which can have positive results or negative results. If you want to prevent video game addiction in your child, here are some guidelines to follow:
Use parental controls.
Can help restrict time played and limit access to the Internet
Incorporate breaks
5 to 15 minutes break from continuous gaming can help your child’s body
Play with your child.
Adult supervision can help curb excessive usage and one way is by playing PS4 family games with them
Keep games in the family room
If video games are kept in the child’s room, it might give them more incentive to play.
q: Where can I discover even more PS4 video games?
If you desire more than what the top 10 list had to offer, there are a few options you can take. You can start with the top 10 list itself: Click on the link of the PS4 video game that interests you and when you arrive at the Amazon page for the PS4 video game, scroll down to the “Customers Who Viewed This Item Also Viewed” or “Customers Who Bought This Brand Also Shopped For” lists. Those two lists can give you a great starting point in more PS4 video game discovery! Also, the “Frequently Bought Together” section on an Amazon product page can help too. There are a variety of blogs, content sites, and even stores that can help you in discovering PS4 video games and making an educated and informed decision when buying one for a child. While there are too many to list here, one great start can be a simple Google search such as “Where can I buy video games?” or “How to choose video games?” Thanks to Google’s elite search algorithm, you’ll be given results that will lead you in the right direction.
q: Which games are recommended for very young kids such as under 6 years old?
Some of the best games for young kids are LEGO Worlds, Hasbro Family Fun Pack and Little Big Planet. They are all easy to understand and will hold the interest of a young child.
q: I want to get a PlayStation game for a girl. Which ones would interest a girl in general?
The age of the child and her interests would greatly influence this decision. Find out if she is interested in sports or just general games. All PlayStation games are for girls and boys unless specified, as they can be interested in all sorts of things. Girls like football, soccer, and basketball among other sports, so do not rule these sports games out just because your intended user is a girl.
q: Is the Internet required to play these games?
No, for most of the games, if not all of them, the Internet is not required to play the games.
q: You May Also Like:
Sources
- , Eight Ways to Choose Video Games for Children, Guide
- , Choosing Video Games for Your Kids, Guide
- , Choose the Right Video Game for your Children, Guide
- , Video Games: Establish Your Own Family’s Rating System, Informative Article
- , 10 Surprising Ways to Spot a Great Video Game, Guide
