Best Game Pass Games For Kids

Xbox Game Pass is arguably the premier gaming service available on the market today, and while largely catering to adults, there are quite a few titles in its vast library that appeal to a younger audience. In fact, there’s a pretty vast selection of titles that kids of all ages are sure to find hours of enjoyment in.

From brain-teasing puzzle-platformers to creatively stimulating sandbox titles, the best children’s games on Xbox Game Pass cover a wide spectrum of genres and gameplay styles. There should be something for just about everyone. Quite a few of the following titles feature cooperative play in one capacity or another, allowing parents and siblings to dive into the fun too.

Updated January 5, 2025 by Mark Sammut: A new year has arrived, and plenty of titles will be making their way to Game Pass over the coming months. Some of these will be appropriate for children, although most of the major additions tend to target older players. For instance, Sniper Elite: Resistance and Avowed will soon be on Game Pass, but neither of them are kids games.

Fortunately, a very good Game Pass kids game was added toward the end of 2024.

1

Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled

A Timeless Kart Racer Packed To The Brim With Content

So many kids grew up playing Crash Team Racing on the original PlayStation, and Naughty Dog’s project is still considered one of the all-time kart racing greats. In 2019, Activision published Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled, an expansive remaster/remake of the original that even includes characters and tracks from the less-loved sequels. While its post-release business practices garnered quite a bit of criticism, this package is still a pretty easy recommendation for anyone remotely interested in racers, especially since there just aren’t all that many alternatives on Game Pass that can scratch a similar itch.

Nitro-Fueled completely retains CTR‘s Adventure mode, which challenges players to work their way through four areas with races and a boss, all en route to defeating Oxide and saving the world. Silly as the story is, this campaign is a lot of fun to play through, and this version even offers the option to swap racers rather than having to stick to a single character. Gameplay-wise, CTR is an absolute treat that emphasizes sliding and boosting, the latter of which is influenced by Crash Nitro Kart.

Nitro-Fueled has nothing inappropriate for children, at least in terms of gameplay. That said, the game can be quite challenging, even on the lowest difficulty.

2

Spyro: Reignited Trilogy

Stunning Revival Of Three Brilliant Platformers

One of the definitive platforming franchises, Spyro the Dragon is beloved specifically due to Insomniac’s PS1 trilogy. Now, more than two decades later, these titles are readily available to Xbox and PC users with a Game Pass subscription.

Toys for Bob modernized these exploration-based classics to create a frequently gorgeous compilation dripping in child-like wonder, imagination, and Gnorcs. All three games are good at a minimum, and they build naturally upon each other, with both sequels introducing considerable mechanics that expand on the first entry’s solid but simple foundations.

Despite its E10+ rating, Spyro Reignited Trilogy is generally an easy recommendation for children. Each story has a lighthearted tone that is perfectly suitable for all ages, even if they might occasionally include a wink for older players. While not devoid of challenge, none of the games are particularly difficult, although younger kids might need some help with a handful of missions that are more frustrating than anything else.

3

We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie

Roll, Roll, & Roll Everything

Katamari epitomizes silliness in the best possible way. Driven by wacky characters with god-like powers, the games ultimately revolve around the son of the King of All Cosmos, and he is either usually aiding his father or trying to clean up his messes. We Love Katamari is arguably the best entry in the franchise, at least in the sense that it perfected the core formula introduced in its predecessor, Katamari Damacy. We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie remasters the PS2 classic by mostly updating the visuals, which is already enough to warrant playing this absolute gem. In terms of new content, this version has some new levels centering around the King of All Cosmos’ upbringing, but they are fairly brisk and minor experiences overall.

Katamari is just perfect for kids. Putting aside all the ridiculous and hilarious characters, the roll-everything gameplay is immediately accessible and instantly rewarding. More importantly, the campaign delivers a strong sense of progression as the Prince’s collections gradually grow more impressive, ensuring that players always feel like they are moving forward rather than just repeating the same stuff. Regardless of somebody’s familiarity with the franchise, We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie is an all-around delight that can put a smile on the faces of both children and adults.

4

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy

Revamped PlayStation Classics Are Now On Xbox Game Pass

Crash Bandicoot was arguably the first successful PlayStation mascot, with Naughty Dog’s series being a staple of the PS1 era. However, the marsupial lost his way after that generation, and ultimately fell into the hands of Activision. In 2023, Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard, which added PlayStation’s legendary mascot to the Xbox family. Long story short, Crash’s PS1 trilogy can be played through Game Pass in the form of the N. Sane Trilogy. This is the strangest timeline.

As interesting as the IP’s history is, the only thing that ultimately matters is the quality of these games. The N. Sane Trilogy is generally fantastic, with each remake fine-tuning the original versions to create authentic experiences that feel both modern and nostalgic. Putting aside some gloriously over-the-top death scenes, all three titles should be fine for younger players who are taking their first steps into the world of gaming. While the remake sharpens a lot of the classic version’s rough edges, Crash Bandicoot is still far and away the hardest entry in the trilogy, along with just being the most straightforward and (arguably) worst. Kids should start with the first game regardless, but if they find it a bit too difficult, there is no shame in jumping ahead to Cortex Strikes Back and even Warped.

5

Core Keeper

Dig, Dig Some More, And Eventually Build

Core Keeper is great for all ages, but it comes with something of a learning curve. Pugstorm’s survival sandbox game takes a hands-off approach by dropping players into a procedurally generated map and telling them to have fun. At that point, players must dig, collect resources, and find their way through the darkness. They will fight enemies, take on a few bosses, and upgrade items. Most importantly, they will craft and build, setting up a base that will gradually liven up.

Everything here is fine for children, except the somewhat directionless first few hours. Consequently, younger players might lose interest before Core Keeper hits its stride. If that does not happen, they might just find a game capable of consuming months of their lives.

6

Dungeons Of Hinterberg

A Relaxing Action RPG Dungeon Crawler

Most action RPGs are not particularly great picks for kids since they tend to tackle fairly mature subjects or are slightly too hard for younger players. However, exceptions exist, and Dungeons of Hinterberg is a pretty great 2024 example. The premise is simple: Luisa needs a break from work, so she heads to the Alps to take on the 20+ dungeons. When not hack and slashing her way through enemies, Luisa can be found relaxing at her hotel or simply exploring the beautiful biomes.

While hardly shallow, Dungeons of Hinterberg‘s mechanics are straightforward, especially the combat. The same can be said for its structure, as the game allows players to mostly do their own thing and decide how they want to spend their days. With great visuals, fun exploration, enjoyable combat, and an addictive gameplay loop, this release is a great option for slightly older children.

7

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2

Mascot Fighter With Familiar Cartoon Faces

Super Smash Bros. is such a pillar of the casual fighting industry that any similar project is immediately fighting an uphill battle to justify its existence, let alone challenge Nintendo’s behemoth. Despite the crossover franchise being exclusive to another ecosystem, leaving room for companies to cater to Xbox users without having to directly compete against SSB, platform fighter games have generally struggled to take full advantage of that vacancy.

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl was not, frankly, one of the strongest entries in this peculiar subgenre, with the 2021 release lacking polish, replayvalue, or pageantry. It seemed destined to be forgotten. However, the unthinkable happened – Fairy Play released a sequel. And, even more unexpectedly, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 improved considerably on its predecessor. While not fundamentally playing that differently from the first entry, the sequel balanced its character roster while adding flourishes that are not only fun to pull off in the middle of battles but also pay tribute to the source material. Along with multiplayer modes, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 is also a viable single-player option thanks to a campaign with a silly but enjoyable story. While quite short and repetitive, the mode is perfect for something like Game Pass.

Naturally, this kids’ game is mostly for Nickelodeon fans who will get a thrill from just trying out the characters on the roster. However, if a child just wants to play an accessible fighter with a few friends, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 should get the job done.

8

Moving Out 2

Co-Op Silliness For The Whole Family

An exciting local or online co-op option on Game Pass, Moving Out 2 is perfect for parents to play with their kids. On paper, nothing sounds more mundane than moving furniture, but, similar to something like Overcooked!, Moving Out 2 transforms this tiring and frustrating part of life into a silly physics-based party game with an over-the-top presentation and story. This time around, movers will need to transfer houses’ worth of items across parallel realities, a concept that presents plenty of interesting scenarios and visuals.

Although great for all ages, Moving Out 2 can be somewhat difficult. After all, this is effectively a puzzle game that challenges player(s) to decipher the best and most efficient route to carry each piece of furniture, all the while trying to work together rather than against each other.

9

Little Kitty, Big City

Become A Cat For A Day

Little Kitty, Big City has a simple premise that is perfect for this type of game. Used to living the good life in a high-up apartment building, a black cat’s world comes crashing down after they fall out of a window; now, they must eat fish, make a few friends, get petted by humans, and (hopefully) find their way back home. As they travel across the streets around their owner’s apartment, the feline gets to solve a few puzzles while also taking on the occasional side quest to keep things interesting.

Relaxing and charming, Little Kitty, Big City offers the ideal escape from reality for people of all ages. While not particularly deep mechanically or thematically, the game is relentlessly cute and warm.

10

Rolling Hills: Make Sushi, Make Friends

Charming Restaurant Sim

Even though they tend to have content suitable for all ages, restaurant sims focus so much on micromanagement that they can be overwhelming for young players. While not a complete exception, Rolling Hills is a bit more streamlined than most of the genre’s entries, making it a better option for kids taking their first steps into this universe.

Furthermore, the cute visuals and wholesome setting combine to create a pretty relaxing and welcoming experience, one that offers some depth and challenge but does not go out of its way to punish players. If nothing else, children will likely enjoy the protagonist, a Sushi Bot with an adorable design and an affable personality.

11

Lil Gator Game

Child-Like Imagination

Many games try to represent childlike wonder, but few titles capture the feeling as perfectly as Lil Gator Game. The story is simple: a brother wants his older sister to play with him like they used to when they were younger. Consequently, he sets out to plan a game so amazing that she will have no choice but to hang out. The protagonist’s drive might be relatable to a lot of kids who have watched their siblings mature before their eyes or who simply just enjoy creating make-believe scenarios. Lil Gator Game has a certain nostalgic air that might hit the mark with older players; however, it is perfect for children.

Moving past the premise, this game plays out like a fairly typical adventure, with light platforming, puzzles, and exploration. Lil Gator Game is not particularly long, and it can easily be completed in one afternoon. That said, the world is quite open, making it a fun sandbox to mess around in.

12

Minecraft

The Ultimate Creative Sandbox

Minecraft straddles a fine line between child-friendliness and complexity that makes it a practical must when it comes to kids’ game libraries. Its Creative Mode might seem like the obvious draw as it allows players to explore the breadth of their imagination and build without limitation.

However, Survival Mode shouldn’t be overlooked either. Beyond the obvious thrill, it encourages creative problem-solving, and the mode’s difficulty level can be customized to whatever degree of challenge is right and comfortable for the player.

Minecraft Dungeons and Legends are spin-offs designed to be entry-level options for the action RPG and real-time strategy genres respectively. Although not as good as Minecraft, they are still among the best kids games on Game Pass.

13

Plants Vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2

Charming Third-Person Shooter Spin-Off

Plants vs. Zombies had a fairly active 2010s, but the franchise has yet to make an appearance in the current decade. While waiting for Plants vs. Zombies 3 to become a reality, players (and children) can jump into the previous titles, most of which are on Xbox Game Pass. While Battle for Neighborville is the most recent project, Garden Warfare 2 is generally regarded as the license’s high point. Unlike the strategy-driven main titles, the Garden Warfare games are third-person shooters; that said, they still center around defending locations.

Released in 2016, Garden Warfare 2 was a visual treat at the time thanks to its animated character designs and colorful backdrops. Even all these years later, the game is still pleasing to the eyes. While not overly deep or complicated, the combat system is also pretty good and satisfying. Garden Warfare 2 is built upon classes, with both Plants and Zombies having a small but versatile selection at their disposal. While prioritizing multiplayer, the title does allow most modes to be played solo, replacing other players with AI. There is even something resembling a story mode, although it is not especially great.

14

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

Awesome Co-Op Beat ‘Em Up For Children And Veterans

TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge is a throwback to classic beat ’em up arcade games from the ’90s, and it does an impeccable job of modernizing this genre. Offering seven playable characters, each of which is uniquely defined, Shredder’s Revenge guides players through hard-hitting levels filled with references to old TMNT stories and games.

While certainly one of the better Game Pass games for kids, this title is quite difficult, and some of the campaign’s later stages might be too much for younger players. That said, children are likely to have a blast controlling the Turtles as they take on the Foot Clan and other iconic villains from the franchise.

15

New Super Lucky’s Tale

Classic-Style 3D Platformer

Super Lucky’s Tale is a middling platformer that garnered extra scrutiny since it launched alongside the Xbox One X. New Super Lucky’s Tale takes 2017’s release and greatly enhances it, crafting an experience that is superior in nearly every way. Along with packaging the levels from the DLC into the campaign, New Super Lucky’s Tale adds camera control, fixing one of the biggest issues in the original version.

The Xbox is not associated with platformers, and while there are a couple of genre classics on Game Pass, New Super Lucky’s Tale is a fresh option that should not be overlooked. The game will likely impress both young children and older players who are fans of platformers.

16

Story Of Seasons: Friends Of Mineral Town

Cozy Farming & Life Sim

Farming sims are generally safe bets for young players, at least in terms of tone and content. However, the genre has gradually grown more complex over the last few decades, and projects like Stardew Valley dive so deeply into the “farming” part that they can be overwhelming. A remake of a GBA Harvest Moon classic, Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town’s handheld origins shine through its bare bones and straightforward mechanics. For sim veterans, the game’s streamlined nature could be regarded as a con; for kids taking their first steps onto a farm, Friends of Mineral Town is just about perfect.

Naturally, the game devotes most of its days to farm management, which is simplistic but enjoyable. However, as suggested by its title, Friends of Mineral Town’s NPCs are its strongest feature. Along with just mingling, players can even romance the locals and start a family, a mechanic the game handles in as wholesome a way as possible.

17

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged

A Gorgeous Adaptation Of A Staple Toy Franchise

Game Pass has a lot of racing titles, and most of them are fine for younger players. Forza Horizon is probably the best overall option, but Need for Speed has plenty of representation as well, including Hot Pursuit Remastered for those who would rather focus on straight-up events rather than roaming an open-world. While the overall genre is easy to come by, Game Pass does not have all that many kart racers. If mascots or weapons are a must-have, the service has no games that fit the descriptor.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged is the closest alternative, and the fact it is based on toys should enhance its appeal to youngsters. Even if someone has never owned a Hot Wheels in their life, this game is more than good enough to still be worth a try.

Do not be discouraged by the fact this is a licensed project, as Turbocharged is polished, graphically impressive, and fine-tuned. The controls are nearly perfect, and it should only take a couple of races for a player to feel comfortable executing drifts, jumps, and boosts. While multiplayer might not be great for young players, the game has a single-player campaign built around a Saturday Morning Cartoon-style story. While not extremely long, it is fairly entertaining and showcases a variety of event types. Players will even start unlocking a few new cars, and Turbocharged has a lot of them.

18

Super Mega Baseball 4

Accessible Baseball Game With Depth

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate has a pretty robust selection of sports games thanks to the membership including EA Play. While the latest entries are usually not available as they are added toward the end of their lifespans, players can get their fix of soccer, basketball, hockey, or football by indulging in the older releases that are on the subscription service. Technically, these games are all appropriate for children since their core gameplay is generally family friendly, even if they tend to lean into sim rather than arcade territory. However, these games all prioritize their online modes, which are better left for older players.

Fortunately, Super Mega Baseball 4 is the perfect alternative, not just for kids but also players who want something a touch more streamlined. Metalhead Studio has crafted an accessible sports game that harbors back to classic releases of the late ‘90s and early 2000s, all the while still offering quite a bit of depth. The latter largely comes in the form of customization, a mode that is so robust that it puts to shame many similar offerings contained within bigger AAA projects. On the field, matches play out as a hodgepodge of mini-games and arcade action, which is more fun than it sounds.

19

Steamworld Build

Closest Thing To A Strategy Kids Game

SteamWorld loves nothing more than to try new genres, and nearly always to great success. While it might not go down as the franchise’s masterpiece as it does not quite reach the same heights as Dig or Heist, SteamWorld Build is nevertheless an impressive package. As the title suggests, the 2023 release is a city-builder, one that puts players in charge of a frontier town stuck on a planet that has seen better days.

Mechanically, Build primarily focuses on streamlining the genre’s traditional tropes, crafting an experience that caters to new (or young) players who might not be accustomed to city-builders. That’s not to say the game brings nothing fresh to the plate, as its setting and mining section are both unique, but it plays as expected.

20

Frog Detective: The Entire Mystery

Cute & Fun Mystery

Originally released as three short games, Frog Detective: The Entire Mystery is a cute and clever adventure game that has enough positives in its favor to keep both children and adults entertained. That said, the storytelling leans more toward the former demographic, particularly when it comes to its characters. As the title suggests, players are cast as a detective who just happens to be a frog, and they investigate three cases throughout the campaign. While the mysteries themselves are endearing but nothing too special, they are littered with funny and lively personalities who would not look out of place in a storybook or a children’s TV show.

Gameplay-wise, Frog Detective does not have too much to offer since it is very stripped-down. At times, the game has elements of a visual novel, although there is a decent amount of interactivity. Older players might wish they could explore this world more thoroughly, but younger children might appreciate the more streamlined experience.