Children's video games are not generally considered to be a genre, as children's games might include any or all of the other genres.
Nevertheless, parents often look for games that are likely to be appropriate and fun for their children, some game developers specialize in creating video games for children, and there are game sites that are focused on games for children.
Unsurprisingly, when it comes to determining just what is a children's video game, opinions will vary. Children and parents may disagree as to the definition, for example. There is also the fact that six-year-olds will have different interests than twelve-year-olds.
Although some of the children's video game sites will include games for teenagers, gamers who are in their teens are likely to have expanded interests that might not be served by the children's game genre. Generally, games that are considered to be children's games are those targeting children who are twelve and under.
For the most part, children's games are geared to the interests and capabilities of this younger age group, but yet are cognitively challenging. Children's games often encourage physical activity and collaboration and, while children's games include a lot of action games, graphic violence is generally limited or entirely absent, depending on the target age group.
Children may enjoy playing games that are graphically violent, but this is not what parents expect from a children's game. Most parents want to be aware of the content of the games that their children are playing, and to take responsibility for helping their children select the games that they play.
Children's video games should be fun, engaging, and encouraging of creativity. Generally speaking, a children's game should be not be overly frustrating or include images that are overly scary, or information that leads to questions that the child is not emotionally or intellectually prepared to handle.
Although some parents may object, a children's video game may well include those in the shooter or combat sub-genres, but without the graphic violence that has become a standard part of many video games today. Before computers or video games, children have grown up playing war games, or cops and robbers, using sticks or toy guns, and many of the classic children's stories and comic books have included violence. But these games and stories were accomplished without an abundance of graphic violence. Such is the case with action games developed for children.
While it is common for children's video games to teach something, as well as to entertain when the primary focus of the game is on education, then the site should be listed in the Education category.
The focus of this category is on websites representing video games targeted for the use of children, twelve and under.
Recommended Resources
CBC Kids is a Canadian children's television show aired on CBC Television. Its website includes several kid's games, quizzes, videos, and other activities. Its games include easy and harder games, adventure games, animal games, festival games, Halloween games, math and word games, music games, puzzle games, retro arcade games, racing games, science games, and sports games, all of which can be played online. New games are added often.
https://www.cbc.ca/kidscbc2/
Common Sense Media: Best Games
CSM is a non-profit organization that advocates for safe technology and media for children, particularly speaking out against the sale of violent video games to minors. Chosen by the editors of Common Sense Media, the site offers a list of what it considers to be the best PC games, as well as those designed for the Wii, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, and other platforms. Its recommended games are sorted by grade and age groups, from preschoolers (2-4) to Tweens (13+).
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-lists/
Online since 1998, the site began developing and producing its own games in 2006, usually releasing a few new dress-up games each month, featuring various characters in a number of different jobs or positions, with a choice of wardrobe items for each, as well a room design, and other features. Characters include anime, fantasy, seasonal, and celebrity comic characters. Games are sorted by new games, the best of, the most popular, random, or those created by Dress Up Games.
https://www.dressupgames.com/
An original collection of online games and applications for children of all ages includes the Fungooms, which parents can enjoy playing with their babies and toddlers, while preschool children might enjoy the games featured in its Fungooms Classic section, and slightly older kids can explore its Litterbugs series, a racing adventure that teaches recycling and the environment. Other games include Funbloks, Looe's Adventure, and Snowgooms. Each of its games are highlighted.
https://www.fungooms.com/
Children, preschoolers, toddlers, and even babies can have fun playing original games for toddlers and baby games, including coloring pages, maze games, memory games for preschoolers, point-and-click games, and others. There are interactive online games that parents can play with their babies and toddlers, while preschool kids will enjoy a collection of games that they can play on their own. Videos and other activities are also available.
https://www.happyclicks.net/
Not associated with Mojang, the creators of Minecraft, the games featured here are independently created games created in the theme of Minecraft, but intended for children. Included are 2D games, online games, and free games. Popular games are highlighted in one category, while new games are highlighted in another. Some games need to be downloaded in order to be played on a PC, while others are intended to be played online.
https://minecraftgamesforkids.com/
Originally known as Noggin, Nick Jr. is a pay television channel operated by Nickelodeon, a division of Viacom, targeting preschoolers, ages two through seven. Its game section features characters from its television shows, and they include age-appropriate racing games, puzzle games, dress-up games, dance games, and several other types of games, as well as those that teach math, reading, and social skills, all playable online.
http://www.nickjr.com/games/
Specializing in video games based on cartoons, the site features games that can be played without charge, some of which can be played online, while others can be downloaded for free. Included games are sorted by character or cartoon, including Aladdin, Bakugan, Cinderella, Gumball, Mickey, Paw Patrol, Simpsons, Spongebob, Tom and Jerry, Supperman, Scooby Doo, Ninja Turtles, and Mario. Its policies and terms of use are posted.
http://www.toongamesforkids.com/
Online since 1999, Up to Ten offers more than a thousand age-appropriate children's games and activities for ages zero to ten, with a focus on early learning, although it does include games for children up to the eighth grade. Its games include coloring games, puzzles, coordination games, mazes, racing games, card games, and various creative games, as well as drawings, photos, and video. Its goals, awards, and recommendations are also highlighted.
http://www.uptoten.com/
