Best PS5 Games for Kids in 2026 — 12 Parent-Approved Picks
Hess P
Parent tester & co-founder of CoPlayConnect
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The PS5 is known for cinematic adventures, but its best family games are often the ones that make the controller feel friendly: clear goals, generous assists, local co-op, and sessions that end before bedtime becomes a negotiation.
This list separates true child-friendly picks from games that are merely popular with families. Teen-rated co-op games can be excellent, but they do not belong beside Everyone-rated options without a clear warning.
Make the PS5 Family-Ready First
PlayStation family management lets a parent control content, communication, time, and spending from a child account.
- Add each child through Family Management instead of sharing an unrestricted adult account.
- Match the age-level preset to your family, then review exceptions one game at a time.
- Set monthly spending to zero or a deliberate limit and require the family manager for purchases.
- Restrict messages, user-generated content, and online communication for younger children.
- Check local-player counts before buying: many excellent PS5 adventures are single-player even when they look family-friendly.
How We Picked These Games
We used PlayStation, ESRB, and publisher sources to verify ratings and play modes. We prioritized excellent games that are available on PS5, not only exclusives, because parents need the best fit for the console they own.
We checked official ratings and platform information, then looked beyond popularity at connection, learning, emotional growth, and real-life transfer—the four parts of the Connection Grade™. An E or E10+ label describes content; it does not guarantee that open chat, purchases, or controls fit every child.
The Best PS5 Games for Kids at a Glance
| Game | Official rating | Play style | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astro's Playroom | Everyone 10+ | Single-player | A first PS5 experience |
| Sackboy: A Big Adventure | Everyone 10+ | Up to 4 local or online | Flexible platforming co-op |
| Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart | Everyone 10+ | Single-player | Spectacle and accessibility |
| Disney Illusion Island | Everyone | Up to 4 local players | Low-pressure family co-op |
| Overcooked! All You Can Eat | Everyone | Up to 4 local or online | Fast family teamwork |
| Minecraft | Everyone 10+ | Local and online multiplayer | Creative projects |
| LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga | Everyone 10+ | 2-player local co-op | Comedy and collecting |
| Rocket League | Everyone | Local and online | Short competitive rounds |
| Bluey: The Videogame | Everyone | Up to 4 local players | Young families |
| PAW Patrol World | Everyone | 2-player local co-op | First open-world game |
| Untitled Goose Game | Everyone | 2-player local co-op | Comic problem-solving |
| Stardew Valley | Everyone 10+ | Local split-screen and online co-op | Long-term family projects |
12 Parent-Approved Picks
1. Astro's Playroom
Everyone 10+ · Single-player. It is included with the console and teaches the controller through short, playful levels. Family members can trade the controller after each area. See PlayStation’s official overview.
2. Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Everyone 10+ · Up to 4 local or online. Levels support shared play, and its accessibility options help families adjust challenge and presentation. Check the official ESRB rating.
3. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart
Everyone 10+ · Single-player. Animated combat drives the rating, but extensive options can reduce speed, simplify aiming, and improve visibility for different players. Read ESRB’s parent guide.
4. Disney Illusion Island
Everyone · Up to 4 local players. No online mode means no stranger communication, and adjustable assists let mixed-skill players stay together. See ESRB’s parent guide.
5. Overcooked! All You Can Eat
Everyone · Up to 4 local or online. Assist mode can slow timers and reduce pressure, making the collection friendlier than playing the original stages at full intensity. Review the ESRB listing.
6. Minecraft
Everyone 10+ · Local and online multiplayer. Use a private world and play together before exploring public servers. Chat, purchases, and user content sit outside the basic content rating. Read the ESRB details.
7. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Everyone 10+ · 2-player local co-op. A parent and child can explore at their own pace, with toy-like action and a huge set of replayable levels. Check the rating descriptors.
8. Rocket League
Everyone · Local and online. Local matches keep the focus on car soccer. Online communication should be restricted for younger players. Review the ESRB listing.
9. Bluey: The Videogame
Everyone · Up to 4 local players. Short activities and local multiplayer fit younger children, especially with an adult nearby for navigation and reading. See the ESRB rating.
10. PAW Patrol World
Everyone · 2-player local co-op. The familiar rescue format and same-screen helper make it an approachable bridge into 3D movement. Check the PlayStation store page.
11. Untitled Goose Game
Everyone · 2-player local co-op. Two geese can coordinate harmless mischief without online communication, timers, or complicated combat. Review the ESRB summary.
12. Stardew Valley
Everyone 10+ · Local split-screen and online co-op. Farming rewards planning and patience. Parents should know it also includes mild combat, a saloon, relationship stories, and some mature themes. Check the ESRB rating and descriptors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources and Further Reading
- PlayStation family account setup — official family manager and child-account setup
- PS5 parental controls and spending — content, communication, play time, and purchase limits
- ESRB PS5 parental-controls guide — step-by-step console guidance
The Bottom Line
The best choice is not simply the biggest release. It is the game whose rating, communication settings, play style, and challenge level fit the child in front of you. Pick one, check its settings, and play the opening session together.
For more options, compare this guide with our best PC games for kids, or let GameMatch Arcade™ narrow the library around your family.