Finding the best Xbox Game Pass games for kids and teens can be a little tricky, given that Microsoft’s library includes nearly 1,000 different titles to choose from. While some of those games were clearly made with younger children in mind, others are aimed at older kids or teens who are ready for harder challenges, deeper stories, or online features.
For the purposes of this list, we focused on games that are fun, approachable, and reasonably family-friendly without limiting ourselves exclusively to the youngest of players. That means you can expect to find cozy adventures, creative sandbox games, puzzle-platformers, racing games, co-op games, and a few slightly challenging titles that make the most sense for teens.
Game Pass availability can change over time and may vary by region, subscription plan, platform, and game edition. All the titles below are available through Xbox Game Pass in the U.S. as of this writing. In some cases, only the Base edition is included, with Deluxe or Premium editions requiring a separate purchase.
For each entry, we’ve included the Game Pass subscriptions each game is part of, such as Essential, Premium, Ultimate, PC, or EA Play. Parents should also check each game’s ESRB rating, content descriptors, player count, and online features before deciding which games are best suited for their kids. All that info can be found beneath every entry as well.
Minecraft Remains One Of The Best Xbox Game Pass Games For Kids And Teens
Minecraft is a pretty obvious first pick for this list, so let’s just get it out of the way. Mojang’s blocky sandbox game gives players a huge world to explore, reshape, and fill with whatever they can imagine. Kids can build houses, castles, farms, roller coasters, secret bases, or entire cities, while older players can dig deeper into survival systems, Redstone contraptions, multiplayer servers, and community-made creations. There’s a little something for everyone here.
Minecraft can be as relaxed or as structured as players want it to be. Creative mode lets kids build freely without worrying about monsters or resources. Meanwhile, Survival mode adds crafting, exploration, danger, and a stronger sense of adventure. Parents should still monitor online activity, especially if kids are joining public servers. But as a flexible, family-friendly sandbox, Minecraft remains one of the easiest Game Pass games to recommend to kids and teens.
Why Kids Will Love Minecraft: Kids who enjoy building, collecting, exploring, and making up their own goals can spend hundreds of hours here without running out of things to do. The simple visual style makes the game easy to grasp at first glance, but the systems underneath leave plenty of room for creativity and problem-solving. Minecraft is also one of those rare games that can grow with the player, starting as a digital toy box and gradually turning into a deeper creative platform.
Three of my four children play Minecraft together, each with their own realm and incredibly detailed worlds they’ve built. It’s truly a game that bridges the age gap and can be enjoyed together by gamers of all experience levels.
ESRB Rating: E10+ for Everyone 10+
Content Descriptors: Fantasy Violence, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases
Included With: Premium, Ultimate
Players: Single-player. Online multiplayer available
Forza Horizon 6 Gives Kids And Teens A Huge Open-World Racing Playground
Forza Horizon 6 is one of the biggest reasons to check out Game Pass right now, especially if your kid loves cars. The series has always been more approachable than hardcore racing sims, and this entry continues that tradition with a massive open world, over 500 vehicles to choose from, and plenty of different ways to race and explore. It also happens to be one of the best-looking racing games out there, on any platform.
Because Forza Horizon 6 is built around an open festival-style structure, players aren’t restricted to enjoying racing in just one specific way. Some kids may spend most of their time testing out new cars and driving around freely, while older players may gravitate toward campaign events, time trials, drag races, tuning, and more competitive challenges. It’s worth noting that only the base version of Forza Horizon 6 is available on Game Pass, with Deluxe and Premium edition content still requiring purchase.
Why Kids Will Love Forza Horizon 6: This is one of the best Game Pass games for kids and teens who want something fast, flashy, and easy to jump into without being too intimidating. The driving can feel exciting even when players are just cruising around, and the huge list of available cars gives them plenty of reasons to keep trying new vehicles. It’s also a strong choice for older kids who want a game that feels modern and expansive.
My son is a huge fan of racing games, and among realistic racing titles, this is his favorite. It’s fast, has excellent gameplay controls, and he loves all of the vehicles he can choose from.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Content Descriptors: Mild Lyrics, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases
Included With: Ultimate, PC
Players: Single-player. Online multiplayer available
Celeste Gives Older Kids And Teens A Tough But Rewarding Climb
Celeste is an incredible game for players who enjoy precision platforming and don’t mind a serious challenge. The game follows a girl called Madeline on her ambitious journey to climb Celeste Mountain. As you might expect, the road to the summit is fraught with all manner of dangers and challenges to overcome. At its core, the game explores mental health, delving into anxiety, self-doubt, persistence, and learning to keep going when something feels impossible.
Having said all that, Celeste is definitely not the easiest game on this list. The controls are simple enough, but the levels demand timing, patience, and a willingness to fail repeatedly before finally getting things right. Thankfully, the game is pretty generous with checkpoints and includes assist options, which makes the experience more approachable for players who want to enjoy the story and atmosphere without getting stuck forever on a difficult section.
Why Older Kids And Teens Will Love Celeste: Few platformers make every success feel as satisfying as Celeste does. Each room is like a small puzzle built around movement, reflexes, and persistence, which makes finally clearing a difficult section feel genuinely exciting. It’s a great title for older kids and teens who like challenging games with heart, especially if they appreciate stories that treat emotional struggles with honesty and care.
My 14-year-old daughter is a huge fan of 2D games, and Celeste might top her recent list of accomplishments in terms of games she has completed.
ESRB Rating: E10+ for Everyone 10+
Content Descriptors: Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language
Included With: Essential, Premium, Ultimate, PC
Players: Single-player only
Ori: The Collection Gives Families Two Beautiful Adventures In One Package
Ori: The Collection is an especially solid Game Pass pick because it includes Ori and the Blind Forest and its sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, both in the same package. Together, they form one of the most visually striking platforming series on Xbox. Both titles follow the adventures of a small guardian spirit as it treks through dangerous forests, ancient ruins, and dreamlike landscapes filled with puzzles, enemies, and emotional story moments.
The Ori games are a bit more challenging than they may appear at first. The glowing art style and soothing music make them feel inviting, but the platforming often demands careful timing, quick reactions, and patience. That makes the collection a better fit for older kids and teens than very young players, though families who enjoy playing together may still find it rewarding to experience the adventure side by side.
Why Kids Will Love Ori: The Collection: The world of Ori feels magical from start to finish, with gorgeous environments, expressive creatures, and movement that becomes more satisfying as players unlock new abilities. For kids and teens who like atmospheric adventures, tricky platforming, and emotional stories, this collection offers two of the best Xbox Game Pass games in one convenient package.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Content Descriptors: Mild Fantasy Violence
Included With: Premium, Ultimate, PC
Players: Single-player only
Unravel Turns Yarn Into A Beautiful Puzzle-Platforming Adventure
Unravel and Unravel Two are surprisingly memorable puzzle-platformers built around tiny characters made of yarn. In the first game, players guide Yarny through natural environments, household spaces, and quiet memories while using his own thread to swing, climb, pull objects, and solve environmental puzzles. The sequel follows a similar idea, but adds a second yarn character and is designed as a co-op experience.
Unravel Two is especially easy to recommend, since its co-op element makes it a fine choice for siblings or parents who wish to play alongside their kids. Two players can work together locally, helping each other cross gaps, solve puzzles, and navigate through dangerous areas. Both games have moments of tension, but the overall tone is warm and visually colorful, making them strong Game Pass games for kids and teens who enjoy slower platforming adventures.
Why Kids Will Love Unravel: The yarn mechanic gives these games a charming identity and makes the puzzles easy to understand visually. Younger players can enjoy the cute characters and simple movement, while older kids may appreciate the more emotional atmosphere and the satisfaction of completing each level. Unravel is a very solid single-player game, while the sequel is the one you’ll want if you’re looking for some co-op action.
I play a lot of couch co-op games with my kids, and my eight-year-old daughter and I just finished Unravel 2, she says it’s the best co-op we’ve played together and she already wants to run through the title again.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Content Descriptors: Mild Fantasy Violence
Included With: EA Play
Players: Single-player for Unravel. 2-player local co-op for Unravel Two
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Turns A Massive Movie Series Into Family-Friendly Co-Op Fun
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is a no-brainer for families that want something funny, familiar, and packed with things to do. The game covers all nine mainline Star Wars movies, but it filters them through the usual LEGO sense of humor, turning dramatic space battles, lightsaber duels, and famous movie moments into something much sillier and more approachable.
The Skywalker Saga can be played solo or in local co-op, making it a strong choice for siblings, friends, or parents who want to jump in. Players can unlock a huge roster of characters, revisit planets, collect studs, solve light puzzles, and replay missions with different abilities. It’s still an action game with plenty of cartoonish fighting, but the tone stays playful throughout the entire runtime.
Why Families Will Love LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga: This is one of the best Xbox Game Pass games for kids and teens who want a big adventure that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Younger players can enjoy smashing objects, collecting studs, and playing as recognizable characters, while older kids may get more out of exploring planets, unlocking extras, and completing side activities. The drop-in co-op also makes it a reliable couch multiplayer game.
LEGO is a huge hit in our household, so much so that I created a list of the best LEGO video games to play with kids. This is among the best titles from that list and it’s something all four of my children, even my 4-year-old daughter love to play.
ESRB Rating: E10+ for Everyone 10+
Content Descriptors: Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief, In-Game Purchases
Included With: Premium, Ultimate, PC
Players: Single-player. 2-player local co-op
Minecraft Dungeons Turns The Minecraft World Into A Kid-Friendly Dungeon Crawler
Minecraft Dungeons takes the familiar blocky world of Minecraft and turns it into a much more focused action-adventure game. Instead of mining, crafting, and building freely, players explore dungeons, fight mobs, collect loot, unlock gear, and work through missions either alone or with friends. It keeps the recognizable Minecraft look, but its structure is closer to that of a simplified dungeon crawler.
Minecraft Dungeons is a good option for kids who like the original but want something with clearer goals and more immediate action. The combat is fairly easy to master, the levels are colorful, and the loot system gives players a steady stream of new weapons, armor, and artifacts to play around with. It can get a little hectic at times, but it avoids the darker or more complicated tone found in many other action RPGs.
Why Minecraft Fans Will Love Minecraft Dungeons: This is a nice step up for players already familiar with Creepers, Skeletons, Endermen, and other Minecraft creatures, but who want to experience that world in a different way. The co-op support is also a big plus, since siblings or friends can team up and clear dungeons together instead of competing against each other. As far as Game Pass games for kids go, it’s one of the better ones for light action and teamwork.
I haven’t personally got into the Minecraft spin-offs, but my 8, 11, and 14-year-olds all love playing Minecraft Dungeons and Minecraft Legends together, along with all associated DLCs.
ESRB Rating: E10+ for Everyone 10+
Content Descriptors: Fantasy Violence, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases
Included With: Premium, Ultimate
Players: Single-player. Local and online co-op available
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge Brings Arcade-Style Action To Game Pass
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is a fast, colorful beat ’em up inspired by classic arcade games and the 1980s TMNT cartoon. Players can take control of Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo, and several other familiar characters as they fight through Foot Clan soldiers, mutants, robots, and boss battles across New York City and beyond.
This one is more action-heavy than many of the cozier games on the list, but the tone is still cartoonish and playful. The simple controls make it easy to jump into, while the iconic characters, special moves, and multiplayer support give older kids more to enjoy. It’s particularly fun as a couch co-op game, since players can team up, clear stages together, and lean into that old-school Saturday-morning cartoon energy.
Why Kids Will Love Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge: This is a great choice for kids and teens who want quick action without a complicated setup. The levels are short, the characters are instantly recognizable, and the co-op makes it easy for siblings or friends to play together. Licensed video games can be a bit hit or miss for the most part, but TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge is definitely one of the better ones we’ve seen over the past few years.
I beat this game with my son last year; it was the first game we ever fully completed together. It’s not a long game, and if you set the difficulty to the lowest gameplay setting, you’ll find yourself completing it way too fast. With that said, as a huge fan of the original arcade-style TMNT games, this was a must-play, and my son and I were not disappointed.
ESRB Rating: E10+ for Everyone 10+
Content Descriptors: Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases
Included With: Essential, Premium, Ultimate, PC
Players: Single-player. Local and online multiplayer available
Rayman Legends Is Still One Of The Best Family-Friendly Platformers On Game Pass
Rayman Legends is a colorful side-scrolling platformer that still holds up incredibly well more than a decade since launch. Players run, jump, punch, glide, swim, and wall-run through a series of imaginative worlds filled with strange creatures, hidden collectibles, and plenty of visual humor. Parents who played the older Rayman games in their youth owe it to themselves to introduce the venerable series to the next generation.
One of the game’s biggest strengths in Rayman Legends is how playful it feels from start to finish. Levels are packed with movement, music, secrets, and small surprises, and the game rarely slows down for long. Some stages are straightforward platforming challenges, while others center on rhythm, timing, or rescuing captured Teensies. The four-player local multiplayer support also makes it a strong pick for siblings or even the whole family.
Why Families Will Love Rayman Legends: This is one of those Game Pass games for kids and teens that works well because it’s simple to start but hard to fully master. Younger players can enjoy the bright worlds and silly characters, while older players can chase collectibles, unlock extra levels, and try to perfect trickier stages. It’s a great choice when families want a polished platformer that feels energetic, funny, and easy to replay.
ESRB Rating: E10+ for Everyone 10+
Content Descriptors: Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief
Included With: Ultimate, PC
Players: Single-player. Local multiplayer available
PowerWash Simulator Turns Cleaning Into A Surprisingly Relaxing Game
PowerWashSimulator sounds like a joke at first, but it’s popular for a reason. The entire game is built around using a pressure washer to clean dirty houses, playgrounds, vehicles, statues, parks, and other messy locations. There are no enemies to fight, no complicated story to follow, and no timer pressuring players to rush. The game is simply about picking a job and slowly washing grime away until everything looks squeaky clean again.
One of the most interesting aspects of PowerWash Simulator is the impressive number of collaborations it has been involved in over the years. A few of the more notable ones include Back to the Future, Final Fantasy, and Warhammer 40,000. The game offers a plethora of DLCs that let players clean up levels inspired by those IPs, among others. That said, most of those add-ons aren’t included with Game Pass and need to be purchased separately.
Why Kids Will Love PowerWash Simulator: There’s something instantly satisfying about watching a filthy object become clean with each pass of the washer. The controls are simple, the goals are clear, and players can make steady progress without needing fast reflexes or complicated strategies. For parents looking for low-stress Game Pass games for kids and teens, this is one of the easiest recommendations on the service.
I love these types of games, and they are basically ASMR to me. It turns out my 8 and 11-year-olds agree, and they are regularly going back to PowerWash Simulator.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Content Descriptors: None
Included With: Essential, Premium, Ultimate, PC
Players: Single-player. Online co-op available
Astroneer Lets Kids And Teens Explore Space At Their Own Pace
Astroneer is a space exploration sandbox where players land on strange planets, gather resources, build bases, craft vehicles, and slowly expand their reach across the solar system. The game shares similarities with titles like No Man’s Sky, but is more lighthearted and colorful. However, it’s definitely not a dumbed-down version of bigger games in the genre and easily stands on its own merits.
Astroneer gives players a lot of freedom without becoming too grim or realistic. Oxygen, hazards, and resource management are still important, but the overall tone is bright and curious rather than scary. Younger players may need some help learning the crafting and base-building systems at first, while older kids and teens can dig deeper into automation, exploration, and long-term projects.
Why Kids Will Love Astroneer: Few titles available on Game Pass capture the feeling of being a space explorer quite as well as Astroneer. Players can tunnel into planets, build rovers, uncover strange artifacts, and create their own goals instead of following a strict path. It’s the perfect game for kids who like Minecraft-style creativity but want something more focused on science fiction, exploration, and discovery.
My son and my 8-year-old daughter love everything space, so I wasn’t surprised when they both fell in love with Astroneer not long after completely Astro Bot. It’s fun, a bit quirky, and totally family-friendly.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Content Descriptors: Mild Fantasy Violence
Included With: Essential, Premium, Ultimate, PC
Players: Single-player. Online co-op available
Disney Dreamlight Valley Is A Magical Village With Familiar Characters
Disney Dreamlight Valley is a cozy life sim where players move into a magical valley filled with iconic Disney and Pixar characters. The core gameplay loop revolves around gathering resources, decorating your home, cooking, fishing, gardening, completing quests, and helping characters restore the valley after a mysterious force called the Forgetting has changed the world around them.
Disney Dreamlight Valley is a good fit for players who like relaxing games and character-driven. Kids can spend time with familiar faces like Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Moana, WALL-E, Elsa, Stitch, and many others while gradually unlocking new areas and customizing their homes. Parents should know that the game includes in-game purchases, so it’s worth checking your account settings before letting younger players dive in.
Why Disney Fans Will Love Disney Dreamlight Valley: This is one of the best Game Pass games for kids who enjoy decorating, collecting, and completing simple tasks at their own pace. The familiar characters give the world an immediate sense of comfort while the quests and customization systems provide plenty to do over time. It’s especially appealing for players who like Animal Crossing-style games but want a more Disney-focused world.
Admittedly, we are not a Disney-loving family, but this game has kept all four of my children amused for many hours.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Content Descriptors: Users Interact, In-Game Purchases
Included With: Essential, Premium, Ultimate, PC
Players: Single-player. Online multiplayer available
Little Kitty, Big City Is A Low-Stress Sandbox For Young Cat Lovers
Little Kitty, Big City is a playful sandbox adventure about a curious cat trying to make its way back home after getting lost in the big city. The main objective sounds urgent on paper, but in reality, the game is mostly about wandering through the city, climbing across rooftops, crawling into boxes, stealing fish, chasing birds, and generally acting like a mischievous little cat.
Kitty, Big City is a short and lighthearted adventure that doesn’t take itself too seriously. There are quests to complete and collectibles to find, but players are also free to poke around at their own pace and see what kind of silly trouble they can get into. It’s a particularly nice game for younger players because it offers freedom without overwhelming them with complex systems or intense action.
Why Kids Will Love Little Kitty, Big City: Kids get to be a cat in a city full of things to knock over, climb on, hide inside, and investigate. Need we say more? The game is funny without being mean-spirited, and the optional hats give players a fun reason to explore every corner. It’s a great choice for parents looking for a light, low-pressure adventure that kids can enjoy in short bursts.
We first played this game on our Nintendo Switch, and then a few of my kids picked it back up via Xbox Game Pass. It’s just an all-around fun and quirky game that I highly recommend for any kid or teen who loves cats, adventure, and a bit of oddball gameplay.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Content Descriptors: None
Included With: Premium, Ultimate, PC
Players: Single-player only
Bluey: The Videogame Turns The Animated Show Into An Interactive Experience
Bluey: The Videogame is a family-friendly adventure game based on the popular animated series about Bluey and the Heelers. The story is separate from the show, but it uses familiar locations, characters, and activities to create a playable version of Bluey’s world. Kids can explore, collect items, complete objectives, and play mini-games inspired by the series.
This is definitely one of the younger-skewing games on the list. The controls are simple, the tone is cheerful, and the stakes are low enough for younger children who may not be ready for more complicated platformers or adventure games. It also supports local co-op, so siblings or parents can join in without making the experience stressful.
Why Younger Kids Will Love Bluey: The Videogame: The main appeal here is getting to step inside a show that many children already love. The world is colorful and familiar, the mini-games are easy to understand, and the co-op support makes it a nice choice for family play sessions. It may be too simple for older kids and teens, but your young ones will absolutely adore it.
Critics didn’t love this game; they also reviewed it from an adult perspective. Yes, it’s simple. It’s also geared towards little kids. I play this game regularly with my two youngest, and they love it.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Content Descriptors: None
Included With: Premium, Ultimate, PC
Players: Single-player. Local co-op available
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game Offers Silly Open-Ended Fun In Bikini Bottom
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game is a lighthearted sandbox adventure game where players take control of Patrick and wander around Bikini Bottom, causing goofy chaos. The game is primarily built around messing with physics, completing basic challenges, interacting with familiar characters, and finding funny ways to turn everyday objects into toys.
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Patrick Star Game is a good fit for younger SpongeBob fans who want something looser and sillier than a traditional platformer. Players can roll, bounce, launch themselves around, pick up objects, and experiment with the world at their own pace. It’s not the most in-depth title on this list, but it’s a fun, recognizable, and easygoing Game Pass game for kids who mainly want to laugh and explore.
Why SpongeBob Fans Will Love The Patrick Star Game: Running around Bikini Bottom as one of the show’s funniest characters is sure to get your kids all excited. The game keeps things simple, colorful, and silly, so younger players can enjoy it without needing advanced platforming skills or much patience. For parents looking for a familiar licensed game that’s more about harmless fun than challenge, this one fits the bill nicely.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Content Descriptors: Comic Mischief, Mild Fantasy Violence
Included With: Premium, Ultimate, PC
Players: Single-player only
Rush: A DisneyPixar Adventure Brings Several Pixar Worlds Together For Younger Players
Rush: A DisneyPixar Adventure is a family-friendly action-adventure game built around familiar Pixar movies. Thanks to the collaboration between the two companies, players can step into worlds inspired by Toy Story, The Incredibles, Finding Dory, Cars, Ratatouille, and Up like never before. This one is a bit older and less ambitious than some of the bigger games on this list, but it still works well for younger kids who love Pixar movies.
Rush: A DisneyPixar Adventure focuses on light exploration, basic platforming, teamwork, and short objective-based challenges. The game can be played in local co-op, which makes it a useful choice for siblings or parents who want to join in. Older kids and teens will probably outgrow it quickly, so this is another one we’re recommending exclusively for the little ones.
Why Younger Pixar Fans Will Love Rush: The biggest draw is getting to visit several recognizable movie worlds in one game. Kids can race, swim, and solve simple challenges without needing much gaming experience, while the co-op support makes it easier for a parent or sibling to jump in and help out when needed.
ESRB Rating: E10+ for Everyone 10+
Content Descriptors: Cartoon Violence
Included With: Premium, Ultimate, PC
Players: Single-player. 2-player local co-op available
Human Fall Flat Turns Wobbly Physics Into Family-Friendly Puzzle Solving
Human Fall Flat is a goofy physics-based puzzle game where players guide a wobbly character through dreamlike levels full of platforms, levers, doors, vehicles, and strange contraptions. The goal is usually pretty straightforward, but getting there often requires pushing, climbing, carrying objects, and experimenting with the environment until something finally works.
The intentionally clumsy movement is Human Fall Flat’s main source of comedy. Characters stumble, fall off ledges, and accidentally create solutions that feel more ridiculous than planned. That can make the game funny for solo players, but it works especially well in multiplayer, where friends or family members can try to solve puzzles together while constantly getting in each other’s way.
Why Families Will Love Human Fall Flat: This is a great pick for players who enjoy puzzles and slapstick comedy. The game encourages experimentation, teamwork, and laughing at mistakes, which makes failure feel more like part of the fun than a real setback. Despite launching nearly a decade ago, Human Fall Flat continues to boast a healthy player base and is perfect for anyone looking for a multiplayer game that will stick around for the long haul.
For the first 20 minutes we played this game, my two middle children thought it was a waste of time, but then after that, they fell in love with it. The game physics are quirky, in fact the entire game is, but it’s also a lot of fun and offers a good amount of challenging puzzles to work through.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Content Descriptors: Users Interact
Included With: Essential, Premium, Ultimate, PC
Players: Single-player. Local and online multiplayer available
Donut County Is A Short, Funny Puzzle Game About Making Everything Disappear
Donut County is a quirky little puzzle game where players control a hole in the ground that gets longer every time something falls into it. Each level starts with small objects like grass, bricks, toys, or trash, but the hole gradually grows large enough to swallow furniture, animals, cars, buildings, and eventually much bigger surprises.
The game has a silly story about a raccoon-run delivery app gone wrong, but the real appeal is how simple and satisfying it feels to play. There are no complex controls to learn, and most puzzles revolve around figuring out the right order to drop things into the hole. It’s also fairly short, which makes it an ideal game for parents who want something kids can finish without committing to a massive, time-consuming adventure.
Why Kids Will Love Donut County: Moving a hole around and watching an entire scene vanish piece by piece is just as fun and absurd as it sounds. Meanwhile, the humor is goofy, the puzzles are approachable, and the short length keeps the experience from overstaying its welcome. It’s a great choice for younger players who like funny puzzle games, but older kids and teens may enjoy its weird sense of humor, too.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Content Descriptors: Mild Fantasy Violence, Comic Mischief
Included With: Premium, Ultimate, PC
Players: Single-player only
Unpacking Turns Moving Boxes Into A Storytelling Puzzle
Unpacking is a zen puzzle game about taking items out of boxes and finding the right place for them in each room. The gameplay revolves around unpacking bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, and other spaces across different stages of an unseen character’s life. There is no dialogue, combat, or traditional storytelling, but the objects themselves gradually reveal details about the character, their relationships, and how their lives change over time.
The gameplay is simple enough for younger players, but the emotional storytelling may connect more strongly with older kids and teens. In many ways, Unpacking is an exploration of mental health and can help anxious kids and teens take a step back, breathe, and sort through their thoughts one at a time as they sort objects in the game. Each level is about organizing a space, but it also encourages players to notice details such as which items to keep, which to leave behind, and how personal belongings can make a new place feel like home.
Why Kids And Teens Will Love Unpacking: There is a satisfying rhythm to opening boxes, sorting objects, and slowly turning empty rooms into cozy, lived-in spaces. Players who enjoy decorating, organizing, or noticing environmental details will get the most out of it. This is a strong overall Game Pass choice for players looking for something quiet and easy to play at a relaxed pace.
My 14-year-old daughter thought this game would be simple and boring, but then she fell in love with it. She loves cozy games and 20 minutes in she realized it was the ultimately cozy game in terms of simplicity.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Content Descriptors: None
Included With: Essential, Premium, Ultimate, PC
Players: Single-player only
Planet Of Lana II Brings Cinematic Puzzle Adventure To Game Pass
Planet of Lana II continues the series’ focus on cinematic puzzle-platforming, beautiful scenery, and a close bond between Lana and her small companion creature, Mui. Players are tasked with guiding the pair through strange landscapes, solving environmental puzzles, avoiding danger, and using both characters’ abilities to move through the world.
Planet of Lana II is all about atmosphere, timing, and observation. The world can feel tense at times, especially when Lana and Mui have to sneak past threats or escape dangerous situations, but the overall experience remains thoughtful and approachable. Ideally, Planet of Lana II should be played after the original, but we’re not including that one on the list because it’s not available on Game Pass as of this writing. That may change by the time you’re reading this, so be sure to check the store.
Why Kids And Teens Will Love Planet Of Lana II: The main draw here is the sense of going on a mysterious animated adventure. The puzzles encourage players to think carefully about how Lana and Mui can help each other, while the striking environments make the journey feel bigger than a simple puzzle game. It works especially well for older kids and teens who like emotional adventures with a slower, more cinematic pace.
ESRB Rating: E10+ for Everyone 10+
Content Descriptors: Fantasy Violence
Included With: Ultimate, PC
Players: Single-player only
Keeper Stands Out As One Of Game Pass’s Most Unusual Games
Keeper is a strange and beautiful adventure game from Double Fine about a living lighthouse that sets off on a journey with a seabird companion. The game is all about exploration, atmosphere, puzzle solving, and the surreal idea of guiding a walking lighthouse through a mysterious world. It’s certainly a bit of a strange game, but its unusual premise is exactly what makes Keeper such an interesting fit for this list.
Keeper offers kids and teens something imaginative and distinct from the plethora of platformers, racers, and licensed games on Game Pass. The world of Keeper feels dreamlike, colorful, and a little odd in that classic Double Fine way, while the lighthouse-and-bird pairing gives the adventure a strong visual identity even before players know where the journey is going.
Why Kids And Teens Will Love Keeper: Keeper is a great choice for players who enjoy weird, creative worlds and adventures that invite curiosity. The walking lighthouse instantly makes the game feel memorable while the companion dynamic adds a ton of charm. For families browsing the best Game Pass games and looking for something that does not feel like everything else, Keeper is one of the more distinctive choices right now.
ESRB Rating: E10+ for Everyone 10+
Content Descriptors: Fantasy Violence, Animated Blood
Included With: Ultimate, PC
Players: Single-player only
Winter Burrow Is The Epitome Of Woodland Charm
Winter Burrow is a survival game about a mouse returning home to restore their childhood burrow. The game focuses on gathering resources, crafting tools, baking, staying warm, exploring the surrounding wilderness, and slowly restoring a broken-down home to a safe and comfortable place. The world is harsh but not unforgiving. That makes it a good middle ground between a cozy game and a survival adventure.
Although Winter Burrow is a bit simpler than other survival games, players still have to think about basic needs, materials, and preparation. Fortunately, the small woodland setting keeps the experience from feeling too overwhelming, while the mouse protagonist gives the game an immediate storybook quality. In addition to being very solid in gameplay, Winter Burrow is visually striking and very easy to recommend to kids and teens alike.
Why Kids And Teens Will Love Winter Burrow: Players can explore, collect supplies, fix up their burrow, and enjoy the satisfaction of warming a cold world. It works especially well for players who want a game with a little more structure than what your typical cozy sim offers. The only drawback is that Keeper doesn’t have multiplayer, which would have greatly benefited a game like this.
This is another cozy game that seems to hit with my two oldest children, who both like survival adventure games, but also enjoy games that let them sit back and relax at times. If you have a kid who isn’t into the high impact type of games often found on consoles, this is a great option.
ESRB Rating: E10+ for Everyone 10+
Content Descriptors: Fantasy Violence
Included With: Premium, Ultimate, PC
Players: Single-player only
Another Crab’s Treasure Is The Cutest-Looking Soulslike Out There
Another Crab’s Treasure may look bright and silly at first, but it’s one of the more challenging games on this list. Players take control of Kril, a hermit crab who sets off across an underwater world after his shell is taken away. Along the way, he uses pieces of trash as makeshift shells, fights sea creatures, collects upgrades, and slowly uncovers a story about pollution, greed, and a damaged ocean.
Another Crab’s Treasure is often described as a more approachable Soulslike, a genre where timing, dodging, boss fights, and learning from failure are a big part of the experience. It’s definitely much goofier and more colorful than most other games in that genre, but it can still be demanding. Because of that, Another Crab’s Treasure is best suited to teens or older kids who enjoy action games and don’t mind retrying difficult battles.
Why Teens Will Love Another Crab’s Treasure: The mix of sharp humor, tricky combat, and creative shell-swapping gives this one a very distinct personality. Players who like a challenge will enjoy learning enemy patterns, experimenting with different shells, and slowly getting better at fights that seemed impossible at first. It’s a strong Game Pass pick for teens who want something playful on the surface but more demanding beneath the surface.
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Content Descriptors: Fantasy Violence, Language, Alcohol and Tobacco Reference
Included With: Premium, Ultimate, PC
Players: Single-player only
Spiritfarer: Farewell Edition Is One Of The Most Emotional Titles on Game Pass
Spiritfarer: Farewell Edition is a management adventure game about Stella, a young ferrymaster who helps spirits before they move on. Players sail across a beautiful hand-drawn world, gather resources, build and upgrade rooms on their boat, fish, craft items, and spend time with the characters they meet along the way. There’s a lot to do in this game, but it rarely feels overwhelming.
Even though Spiritfarer looks warm and comforting, parents should know that its central theme is death and saying goodbye. The game handles those ideas gently, but the emotional weight makes it a better fit for teens or older kids than very young players. For the right player, though, Spiritfarer can be a meaningful and memorable experience that turns a difficult subject into something thoughtful, compassionate, and surprisingly peaceful.
Why Teens Will Love Spiritfarer: Farewell Edition: This is one of the most heartfelt games on the list, combining cozy routines with a story that encourages empathy and reflection. Players who enjoy crafting, decorating, exploring, and getting attached to characters will find a lot to appreciate here. It is not the lightest game on the list, but for teens who can handle its themes, Spiritfarer is a beautiful adventure with a lasting emotional impact.
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Content Descriptors: Language, Use of Tobacco, Violent References
Included With: Essential, Premium, Ultimate, PC
Players: Single-player. Local co-op available
inKONBINI: One Store. Many Stories Offers A Slice-Of-Life Story In 1990s Japan
inKONBINI: One Store. Many Stories is a narrative game about working at a small-town convenience store in 1990s Japan. Players take on the role of Makoto Hayakawa, a college student helping her aunt by managing the shop for a week. The game primarily revolves around stocking shelves, talking to customers, learning about their lives, and making choices during everyday conversations.
The simplicity and realism of inKONBINI is pretty unusual in a day and age when everything is becoming increasingly flashier and noisier. But it’s precisely that grounded approach that makes the game stand out from many of the other Game Pass titles on this list. inKONBINI is more about mood, character, and routine, so it’s generally a better fit for teens or older kids who enjoy slower story-driven games.
Why Teens Will Love inKONBINI: One Store. Many Stories: This is a fantastic game for players seeking a grounded, realistic experience. The convenience store setting gives the game a relaxed rhythm while the customer interactions add a personal, human touch. It works especially well for teens who like slice-of-life stories, quiet atmospheres, and games that make ordinary moments feel meaningful.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Content Descriptors: Alcohol Reference
Included With: Ultimate, PC
Players: Single-player only
