From puzzles to platforming, these are the best kids games on Xbox Game Pass.
Xbox Game Pass is the premier gaming service available on the market today, and though it largely caters to an adult audience, there are quite a few titles available in its vast library that are appealing 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.
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Also, in case somebody prefers physical copies, links have been provided for games with Amazon listing pages. Merge & Blade
There have been quite a few « merge » games released on mobile and console lately, and Merge & Blade is definitely one of the most entertaining for players that enjoy puzzles and resource management. The game is pretty straightforward and only features mild fantasy violence, so it’s great for kids of all ages. The gameplay revolves around dropping characters onto a grid in a Tetris-style layout, with a certain number of characters merging together to create stronger units and heroes. There are multiple recipes for players to unlock and many heroes to choose from. Once players merge and set all of their given units, they will then automatically battle against a horde of enemies.
The process is rinsed and repeated until players make it through the level. The gameplay can be easy to start but gets pretty challenging and is a great option for kids who love puzzles. Forager
Those looking for a fun, open-ended single-player adventure should check out Forager. This adorable 2D pixelated top-down title has players interacting with an expansive world as they see fit. There are many dungeons to explore, enemies to defeat, items to unlock, puzzles to solve, and things to build. Players can move at their own pace and decide what is most important to them. With so much to see and do, it can keep kids engaged for hours upon hours.
They can even build their own base, decorating and designing it as they see fit. It will allow them to upgrade their items, construct even better things, and progress further through this engaging release. Chicory: A Colorful Tale
A dog acquires a magical paintbrush and goes on a quest to bring color to the world. Chicory: A Colorful Tale is a tale for all ages, and that goes beyond just an adherence to a family-friendly presentation designed for accessibility. Kids will find a joyful and beautiful experience that rewards their creative impulses. They will meet captivating characters who tell endearing and funny stories. They will take on spectacular bosses capable of testing everything they have learned throughout their journey, all the while avoiding a grueling difficulty spike.
Meanwhile, older players and parents will notice themes of self-doubt and self-expression. They might recognize that Chicory’s fantastic universe shares many similarities with the real world, highlighting societal norms and values that might not be all that positive. Story Of Seasons: Friends Of Mineral Town
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. Hot Wheels Unleashed
Arcade racers are generally a fantastic pick for younger players, provided they are interested in these sorts of projects. Hot Wheels Unleashed takes things a step further by literally revolving around toys. While licensed games have a less-than-stellar reputation, Milestone’s release raises above that infamy by offering beautiful visuals, fun controls, an expansive roster of cars, and impressive customization.
Milestone’s background in simulation racers shines through Hot Wheels Unleashed’s gameplay and physics, both of which are fairly precise for an arcade-style release. That said, the game is still a good entry point into the genre for new players. Dordogne
Rather than a kids’ game, Dordogne is a game about childhood. As an adult, Mimi visits her grandmother’s countryside home following her relative’s passing, a journey that sends her on a nostalgia-fueled trip through once-forgotten memories. Split into chapters, each flashback follows a young version of Mimi as she spends time with her grandma and explores the gorgeous town.
Dordogne might be a touch too slow-moving for very young children, and it also touches upon a couple of mature themes that could go over the heads of some kids. Even then, the game’s beautiful presentation, calm tone, and light puzzles should hit the mark. Sea Of Stars
Although overshadowed by another RPG released just a few days after it, Sea of Stars is nevertheless one of the genre’s strongest efforts of 2023. Sabotage’s title takes obvious inspiration from classic JRPGs of the SNES era, all the while implementing enough fresh ideas to ensure a modernized experience rather than just a retro throwback that regurgitates past masterpieces. The result is a timeless game capable of standing alongside the all-time greats, and it is a must-play for anyone remotely interested in 16-bit JRPGs (or role-playing projects in general).
Now, Sea of Stars is not particularly easy nor is it designed with children in mind. The story is relatively conventional at first but gradually introduces a few neat twists, and it is elevated by a strong roster of playable characters. While it won’t hold too many surprises for long-time fans of the genre, the turn-based combat has a fair amount of complexity that should keep people engaged throughout the lengthy campaign. Therefore, Sea of Stars is not necessarily a kids’ Xbox Game Pass game; however, it is the type of title that can introduce younger folks to the magical world of RPGs. Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan
Those looking for a fun and engaging RPG adventure that is suitable for the whole family need to look no further than Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan. This colorful release features a large world filled with locations to explore and collectible creatures to discover. In a variation of turn-based combat, players will find themselves attempting to communicate with their enemies to de-escalate conflicts. It also features platforming and puzzle-solving mechanics.
Rainbow Billy’s world is a sight to behold, and the story is imaginative. The eponymous boy must face off against the Leviathan, a process that requires bringing color back to the world. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Players who have fond memories of the LEGO Star Wars games will have an absolute blast with LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, while young children can create some new memories with the license. This blockular, cartoony take on the modern trilogy features a wide cast of LEGO-fied characters in a fun and funny adventure across the galaxy. The combat is fun and the cooperative play means that kids and adults can play together through each mission.
There are tons of things to unlock, and the humorous storyline is perfect for the whole family. The game is rated E10+ for its cartoon mischief and violence, but this Game Pass kids game is a rather wholesome adventure, especially for those who love the Star Wars series. Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator
Potion Craft can be a great puzzle and management game for kids and adults thanks to its E10+ rating and colorful yet subdued gameplay. The premise has players opening up an Alchemy shop and brewing all sorts of useful potions to sell to customers. They will need to explore areas to collect certain ingredients and can even try their hand at experimenting and creating their own potions.
On top of it all, they’ll need to take custom orders and will even need to haggle with customers to get the best price for their goods. It features a few references to violence and alcohol but is done so in a very thematic medieval-style way. Disney Dreamlight Valley
This one snuck up on many players and has quickly become one of the most enjoyable experiences of 2022. It’s the perfect game for kids and families alike, thanks to its cavalcade of Disney characters and its colorful visuals. Rated E for Everyone, Disney Dreamlight Valley can be described as a mixture between Animal Crossing, Harvest Moon, and The Sims. Players will be able to build their own Disney-esque areas, filling them with decorations, furniture, and more.
This is the perfect title to play together, and even grown-ups should get a kick out of the release, which features a wide array of classic and iconic Disney names. Viva Pinata Games
The Viva Pinata games are quite aged at this point, having dropped in 2006 and 2008, but they were also part of the Rare Replay bundle back in 2015. Although Disney Dreamlight Valley boasts upgraded graphics and mechanics that are in line with other AAA titles in the modern era, Viva Pinata and its sequel exude some serious magic that helps differentiate them from the rest of the pack.
The games may be a little rough around the edges compared to other « farming simulators » but they are a fantastic family game that will have kids laughing as they care for a large stable of curious and colorful Pinata creatures. Soccer Story
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers have access to EA Play, which includes FIFA 23. If they stick to the Career Mode, this is an OK pick for kids; however, the online stuff is a different matter entirely.
