Though Sony’s beloved console is well-known for its mature titles, there are a handful of great PlayStation 4 games for kids. Sure, you can certainly find kids playing those mature titles; anyone playing Grand Theft Auto V can tell you that much. But there’s a surprisingly small handful of popular titles rated E for Everyone. That’s why this article will take a look at some of the best games on PS4 with an E or E10+ ESRB rating.
Multiplatform games will be included in this list, simply because most PS4 exclusives range from Teen to Mature ratings. But special consideration will be given for games with a long PlayStation history, alongside each title’s genre and pricing.
Table of Contents
- Best Platformer Game
- Best Adventure Game
- Best Action Game
- Best Racing Game
- Best Party Game
- Other PlayStation 4 Games for Kids
The Best PlayStation 4 Games for Kids (Rated E-E10+)
Best Platformer - Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
There can’t be a “best of” list for kid-friendly PlayStation games that doesn’t include Crash Bandicoot. The N. Sane Trilogy remakes the original three titles with updated graphics while still retaining its classic gameplay. Parents that grew up with those games can now let their kids do the same. While it might also be more difficult than the original games, N. Sane Trilogy is rated E10+. Perhaps not the best choice for younger kids, but perfect for children with a budding passion for more challenging titles.
Other fine platformer choices include Spyro’s Reignited Trilogy and games featuring Sackboy, the protagonist of LittleBigPlanet games. These games might not be as popular, but they can also offer more relaxed experiences for a younger audience.
Best Adventure Game - Bugsnax
Also available for the PS5, Bugsnax is a charming game all about - you guessed it - bug snacks. Players journey the Snaktooth Island, capturing Bugsnax and feeding them to friendly Grumpuses on their quest to find the missing explorer Lizbert. Be warned that the game gets surprisingly dark once it reaches its climax, but not to the point where kids should avoid it. Bugsnax is a perfectly fun time for anyone unfamiliar with games, and a great choice for children to try out.
Those looking for other great kid-friendly PS4 adventure games should check out the LEGO games. These are fantastic ways for kids to experience some of the most popular franchises out there, and they provide a pretty fun time for adults as well.
Best Action Game - Kingdom Hearts All-in-One Package
While the story and quality of Kingdom Hearts varies between each title, it would be a lie to say it has no appeal for kids. The games feature Donald, Goofy, and a whole cast of Disney characters as part of the supporting cast - mainly from classic animated films. In addition, this All-in-One Package includes ten whole games from the Kingdom Hearts franchise, letting players pick and choose their favorite to complete first.
Kingdom Hearts is perhaps the best PlayStation 4 game for kids on this entire list. Other great choices are mainly rated higher than E10+, but if that doesn’t matter to you, Marvel’s Spider-Man is a fantastic alternative. It’s also one of the few exclusives this list will mention, making it a must-buy for any PlayStation enthusiast.
Best Racing Game - Burnout Paradise Remastered
There are a lot of racing games on the PS4, but not all of them are kid-friendly - outside of their ESRB rating. Chances are, your kids will mainly be interested in smashing cars together rather than looking for a clean race. Burnout Paradise Remastered remains one of the best options for this, even despite the original game releasing as far back as 2008. Between its bustling music selection, included DLC, and high-speed action, this classic game still feels fresh in this day and age.
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered is a similar game, and one equally as appealing to kids. Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is more akin to Mario Kart, but it’s a great choice as well - especially for fans of the N. Sane Trilogy. If you want something more realistic, don’t worry; as mentioned before, there are plenty of options.
Best Party Game - The Jackbox Party Pack 8
As the only Jackbox PS4 game to feature an E10+ rating, The Jackbox Party Pack 8 is fun for the whole family. The pack features five party games to be played with other people, including Drawful Animate and Job Job. While it might be best played with adult supervision, the Jackbox games are designed around multiplayer in the first place. It’s also one of the only party games you’ll find on PS4 - with a couple of small exceptions, like Carnival Games.
Other PlayStation 4 Games for Kids
While these aforementioned titles will grant kids some of the best experiences they can have on PS4, they aren’t the only ones that deserve honorable mentions. If none of the previous games have enough of a kid-friendly appeal, you can always try these instead.
- Minecraft - An adventure game found on every console, and one of the most popular games of all time.
- Knack and Knack 2 - Platforming beat-em-up games featuring simplistic gameplay and battles against evil goblins.
- Ratchet & Clank - An action-adventure game that reboots the original series, toning down a lot of the raunchy humor found in older titles.
- Spongebob Squarepants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated - A classic platforming game featuring the beloved cartoon character.
- Sonic Mania - A platformer comprising classic Sonic levels with improved gameplay and retro visuals.
There are hundreds of other PS4 games rated E and E10+, but be sure to do some research on each one. Avoid games with predatory microtransactions, as those will be a deadly trap for both kids and parents alike. There’s a reason why Madden or NBA games are no-shows to this list.
The PlayStation 4 might not have much in the way of exclusive kid-appeal, but it has its fair share of great games for everyone. What makes these games so great isn’t just the fact that they’re kid-friendly, but also the fact that they’re just great games. The best PlayStation 4 games for kids are the games that adults can enjoy, as well - universal appeal goes a long way in making fantastic titles.