Animal games can be fun, relaxing, and sometimes even educational for kids and teens alike. Whether you’re eager to embark on a cozy adventure while playing as a stray cat or are trying to learn more about wildlife photography and conservation, there’s a good chance you’ll find what you’re looking for on this list.
From kid-friendly games with easy-to-understand mechanics, to slightly more challenging titles that require a bit of strategy, timing, or coordination, our list of best animal games for kids and teens features a little bit of everything. The entries we handpicked span a wide variety of genres, and while most of them are single-player, you’ll also find a few with co-op or multiplayer modes as well.
The main thing that all the games on this list have in common is that they revolve around animals in some form or another. In certain cases, the player directly takes on the role of a furry friend, while in others, the focus is on managing a farm or zoo, caring for pets, or observing wildlife in natural environments.
Many of the games found below are suitable for children of all ages, however, we did include a few that are geared more towards teenagers. You’ll find the ESRB rating and platform availability under each entry so you can get a better idea of which games are the right fit for your young ones.
Alba: A Wildlife Adventure Turns Wildlife Conservation Into A Cozy Island Quest
Released back in 2020, Alba: A Wildlife Adventure is a wholesome, family-friendly game about exploring the natural world and helping animals in need. Players take on the role of the titular Alba, a young girl who visits her grandparents on a Mediterranean island for the summer before embarking on a heartwarming adventure centered around wildlife conservation.
At its core, Alba is an exploration game where players spend their time spotting animals, taking photos, cleaning up litter, fixing small problems around the island, and learning to pay attention to the natural world around them. Alba: A Wildlife Adventure strikes a good balance between being fun and educational without feeling preachy or turning into homework.
Why Kids Will Love Alba: A Wholesome Adventure: Kids who enjoy animals, nature walks, photography, or low-pressure exploration have a lot to look forward to here. The game gives them a whole beautiful island to explore while encouraging curiosity, patience, and kindness toward wildlife. It’s also a great pick for younger players because the tone is gentle and the gameplay mechanics are very easy to grasp.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Platforms: PC, Apple Arcade, Nintendo Switch, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Players: Single-player only
Little Kitty, Big City Lets Kids Cause Harmless Chaos As A Curious Cat
Little Kitty, Big City is a lighthearted sandbox game where you play as a cat trying to find its way back home. Eventually. Although the game has a seemingly urgent-sounding primary objective, players will spend most of their time climbing ledges, crawling inside boxes, tripping people, stealing fish, chasing birds, and doing all manner of other cat-like activities unrelated to the main quest.
One of the main selling points of Little Kitty, Big City is that it allows kids to channel their mischievous energies in a fun, virtual environment. Instead of knocking things over and causing a mess around the house, they can do all of that and more in-game. In addition to causing harmless chaos around the city, players can also expect to meet friendly animals, pick up simple quests, take pictures of the sights, and customize their kitty with a variety of silly hats.
Why Kids Will Love Little Kitty, Big City: This is a great pick for kids who like cats, exploration, and lighthearted comedy. The game gives them freedom to be mischievous without becoming mean-spirited or stressful, and the smaller scale makes it less intimidating than many larger open-world games. The game also offers a good number of accessories and customization options to collect. This makes it a good choice for players who simply want to wander around and collect things, without necessarily having to worry about completing objectives.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Players: Single-player only
Untitled Goose Game Lets Kids Become The Problem Goose
Untitled Goose Game made a big splash when it launched back in 2019, and it’s easy to see why. This slapstick puzzle stealth game has a simple yet intriguing premise: play as a rambunctious goose and try to cause as much mayhem as possible. As part of that mission, players are tasked with completing objectives such as pulling pranks on villagers, stealing items, honking constantly, and just being a general menace.
What makes Untitled Goose Game work so well for kids is that the humor is easy to understand without being mean-spirited or intense. There are no monsters, no combat, and no serious stakes. It’s just a goose being a nuisance. What’s not to love? The game can be played solo or locally in two-player co-op, which lets players team up as a pair of geese and create twice as much trouble together.
Why Kids Will Love Untitled Goose Game: Similar to Little Kitty, Big City, Untitled Goose Game allows players to be mischievous in a safe, cartoonish way. If your little ones love pulling pranks, it might not be such a bad idea to let them run wild in a game designed exactly for that. In addition, the local co-op mode makes it a strong pick for siblings or parents who want to play along and cause a bit of mayhem of their own.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One
Players: Single-player. 2-player local co-op
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Lets Kids Build A Life Among Animal Neighbors
No list of animal games would be complete without this one. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a social simulation game that sends players to a deserted island where they can build a home, decorate their surroundings, catch fish and bugs, collect fossils, gather materials, and slowly shape the island into their own cozy community. While players take on the role of a human character, their neighbors are cute anthropomorphic animals of various shapes and sizes.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a very relaxing game that offers kids plenty of interesting activities to engage in. Among other things, players can decorate their homes, design outfits, visit their friendly animal neighbors, or even invite other players to their island. The game also has a strong social component where up to four players can play together on a single Switch system. Meanwhile, up to eight players are supported via local wireless and online play. Of course, New Horizons is perfectly fun as a single-player game, too.
Why Kids Will Love Animal Crossing: New Horizons: Kids who love decorating, collecting items, and making their own routines can easily spend months with this one. The island setting gives them a cozy space to personalize, while the animal villagers make the world feel friendly and alive. New Horizon is also a very solid pick for siblings or even the whole family thanks to its online component, though multiplayer play does require a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Content Descriptors: Comic Mischief, Mild Fantasy Violence
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
Players: Single-player. Up to 4 players on one system. Up to 8 players via local wireless or online multiplayer
Bluey: The Videogame Turns Family Playtime Into A Kid-Friendly Adventure
Bluey: The Videogame is a licensed adventure game based on the wildly popular animated series streaming on Disney+. The game features all the beloved anthropomorphic dog characters you would expect, including Bingo, Bandit, Aunt Trixie, and, of course, Bluey himself. The story is not directly inspired by the series, but does feature familiar locations in addition to all the familiar characters.
Bluey: The Videogame is a pretty obvious pick for this list since the game was specifically designed for young children. Some of the biggest selling points are its simple controls and mechanics, light exploration elements, and fun mini-games. Many of these mini-games, such as Keepy Uppy, Chattermax Chase, and Ground is Lava, are taken straight from the show, although some of the rules are a bit different in the video game.
Why Kids Will Love Bluey: The Videogame: Kids who already love the show will definitely enjoy immersing themselves in Bluey’s world. But there’s a lot to love here even for those who haven’t watched it. The world is colorful, easy to understand, and built around the same kind of pretend play that makes the series so appealing. The co-op support also makes it a nice choice for younger siblings or parents who want to jump in and help.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Players: Single-player. 2-4 player local co-op
PAW Patrol World Lets Younger Kids Save The Day As Their Favorite Pups
Since we’re already talking about animal games based on cartoons, we would be remiss if we didn’t include PAW Patrol World on this list. PAW Patrol is another show that revolves around dogs, but instead of a quirky family, the cartoon follows six heroic puppies taking on various rescue missions to protect their community. The main character is technically a 10-year-old boy, but let’s face it, kids watch this show mainly for the puppies.
In the game, kids can explore familiar locations from the show, including Adventure Bay and Jake’s Mountain, while playing as members of the PAW Patrol team. Compared to other adventure games, PAW Patrol World is much simpler and more approachable. The missions are designed for younger players, the world is bright and easy to understand, and the focus is on light rescues, collectibles, costumes, pup tags, emotes, and vehicle stickers rather than anything too intense.
Why Kids Will Love PAW Patrol World: Kids who already love the show will enjoy getting to play as Chase, Skye, Marshall, Everest, and the rest of the pups in a world they recognize. The game is colorful, straightforward, and built around helping others, which makes it especially useful for younger children who may not be ready for more complex animal games yet. The split-screen co-op mode is also a nice bonus for families.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Content Descriptors: In-Game Purchases
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Players: Single-player. 2-player split-screen co-op
Cat Rescue Story Lets Kids Care For Cats And Find Them New Homes
Cat Rescue Story is a cozy simulation game about running an animal rescue shelter for cats. Players move into an old house left behind by their great-aunt, where they find a cardboard box with a stray cat inside. From there, the goal is to turn the house into a welcoming rescue center by taking in cats, feeding them, playing with them, treating injuries, and eventually finding each one a suitable new home.
Featuring more than 50 different breeds and tons of customization options and furnishings, Cat Rescue Story offers plenty of content for kids who enjoy collecting and decorating. This gives kids something to work toward while keeping the focus on animal care and completing small tasks at their own pace.
Why Kids Will Love Cat Rescue Story: Kids who love cats will enjoy having a whole rescue center full of them to care for. The game lets them feed, groom, and play with cats while also decorating the house and meeting new characters. It’s especially good for players who like cozy games with clear goals, simple routines, and a nurturing theme.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, iOS, Android
Players: Single-player only
Horse Club Adventures 2: Hazelwood Stories Lets Kids Explore A Cozy World On Horseback
Horse Club Adventures 2: Hazelwood Stories is an open-world adventure game centered around horseback riding, friendship, and light outdoor activities. Just as its name suggests, this is a sequel, so you may want to give the original a try first. However, you’re not missing out on much by starting with this installment. Both games are very similar, and we’re primarily recommending Hazelwood Stories over its predecessor because of the improved graphics and visuals.
The gameplay of Horse Club Adventures 2: Hazelwood Stories is built around riding through open environments, completing missions, taking photos, and participating in horse-related activities. Kids can try dressage, jumping, obstacle-course races, herding livestock, and other challenges while exploring beaches, forests, swamps, and snowy mountain areas.
Why Kids Will Love Horse Club Adventures 2: Hazelwood Stories: Kids who love horses will definitely enjoy having a whole game built around riding, exploring, and taking part in equestrian activities. Hazelwood Stories is colorful and relaxed while still offering enough quests and challenges to keep players busy. Since it is single-player only, it works best as a calm solo adventure for kids who want to spend time in a horse-centered world.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Players: Single-player only
Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection Lets Kids Build Their Dream Zoo
Parents who grew up playing Zoo Tycoon back in the 2000s will have a difficult time finding the original games on any official storefront these days. And unless you’re ready to start delving into the world of abandonware, the closest you can get to sharing some of your own childhood nostalgia with your kids is Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection. This more recent installment in the series isn’t exactly like the classic game you might be familiar with, but it comes pretty close.
Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection is a zoo management game where players can build, decorate, and run their own animal park. Instead of controlling one specific animal, kids are responsible for adopting animals, creating exhibits, placing attractions, and keeping both guests and animals happy. The Ultimate Animal Collection version includes nearly 200 animals and can be played alone or online with up to four players, making it a good option for kids who want to build a zoo with friends or family members.
Why Kids Will Love Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection: Kids who love zoos will enjoy being able to create one of their own, fill it with different animals, and watch visitors react to what they build. It has enough management elements to make kids think about planning and responsibility, but it stays accessible enough for younger players who may not be ready for more demanding simulation games.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Players: Single-player. Online multiplayer/co-op up to 4 players
Paleo Pines Lets Kids Befriend Dinosaurs On A Cozy Ranch
Real dinosaurs were scary, but a lot of animal games feature versions of the scaly creatures that are completely harmless, and even friendly at times. Paleo Pines is one such title. This is a farming and life simulation game set on a colorful island where humans and dinosaurs live side by side. Players create their own dino ranch, explore the island, grow crops, meet townspeople, and gradually turn their patch of land into a cozy dinosaur sanctuary.
Paleo Pines first pairs you up with Lucky, a friendly Parasaurolophus companion, before gradually introducing more dinosaurs that players can befriend, study, and care for. Over the course of the game, kids can discover different species, learn what each dinosaur likes, and use their new friends to help around the ranch. It also has the cozy farming-game loop of planting, decorating, exploring, and building relationships with neighbors, making it a good pick for kids who prefer slower-paced sims.
Why Kids Will Love Paleo Pines: Anyone who loves dinosaurs (and what kid doesn’t?) will enjoy getting to befriend them instead of fighting or running away from them. The game turns dinosaurs into lovable companions with different personalities, favorite foods, and useful skills, which makes the ranch feel increasingly more alive as it grows.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Players: Single-player only
Spirit Of The North Sends Kids On A Quiet Journey As A Red Fox
Spirit of the North is a third-person adventure and exploration game inspired by the landscapes of Iceland and elements of Nordic folklore. Players take control of an ordinary red fox whose journey becomes tied to the Guardian of the Northern Lights, a mysterious spirit fox. Unlike many other adventure games, Spirit of the North has no dialogue or traditional narration, so players are encouraged to pay attention to the environment, solve puzzles, and interpret the story through what they see around them.
Spirit of the North is one of the slower and quieter animal games on the list, which makes it a better fit for patient kids looking for a little bit of a challenge. The playable fox can run, jump, explore ruins, and interact with the spirit fox companion while traveling through snowy mountains, caves, and other striking environments. It’s not as playful as Little Kitty, Big City or Untitled Goose Game, but it has a calm, almost meditative feel that can make the adventure feel special.
Why Kids Will Love Spirit of the North: Kids who like foxes, beautiful landscapes, puzzles, and atmospheric exploration will greatly enjoy Spirit of the North. The lack of dialogue makes it feel different from most games on this list since players have to observe the world and figure things out for themselves. And that’s a good thing. It’s certainly a more serious and immersive game compared to the others we’ve discussed so far, but it’s a beautiful game that leaves a lasting impression and sticks with you for years after you’ve played it, even as an adult.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Content Descriptors: No Descriptors
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Players: Single-player only
Blanc Sends A Wolf Cub And A Fawn On A Snowy Journey Home
Blanc is a cooperative adventure game about the unlikely friendship between a wolf cub and a fawn who become separated from their families during a snowstorm. Despite being very different animals, the two have to rely on each other as they travel through snowy landscapes, follow tracks, solve simple environmental puzzles, and try to find their way back home. The whole game is presented in a striking black-and-white art style that makes it stand out visually from most other animal games on the list.
Although Blanc can be played alone, it was clearly designed with two-player co-op in mind. One player controls the wolf cub while the other controls the fawn, and both animals have to work together to move forward. The gameplay is somewhat reminiscent of hit co-op games like It Takes Two and Split Fiction, but the mechanics are a lot simpler to grasp as Blanc is more about the emotional journey than about overcoming complex challenges.
Why Kids Will Love Blanc: Kids who enjoy emotional stories may connect with the protagonists’ simple but heartfelt journey. The controls and puzzles are approachable, while the co-op design encourages players to communicate and help each other instead of competing. It’s also a nice pick for parents looking for a short game they can finish together with their son or daughter in just a couple of sittings.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
Players: Single-player. 2-player local or online co-op
Bee Simulator Shows Kids The World From A Tiny Insect’s Point of View
Bee Simulator is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. In this arcadey adventure game released back in 2020, players get to experience the world from the perspective of a little honeybee. The game takes place in a fictional version of New York City’s Central Park and sends players flying through open environments, collecting pollen from flowers, taking part in bee races, performing bee dances, and completing missions for the hive.
Although Bee Simulator has an educational angle, it is still more of an adventure game than a classroom-style learning tool. The game offers players three modes to choose from, including a narrative-driven one where players work together with other bees to save their hive, and a free-roaming exploration mode. There’s also a split-screen multiplayer mode that players can use for co-op or to compete in time-based events against each other. This mode can get a little intense at times, but Bee Simulator does a good job of keeping everything family-friendly even here.
Why Kids Will Love Bee Simulator: Kids who are fascinated by insects will enjoy seeing parks, flowers, humans, and other animals from a bee’s tiny point of view. The game mixes exploration, racing, pollen collection, and light action, making it a bit more varied than a simple nature game. The split-screen multiplayer modes also make it a good choice for siblings who want to fly around together.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Content Descriptors: Mild Fantasy Violence
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, Android
Players: Single-player. Split-screen co-op and PvP modes
Calico Lets Kids Fill A Magical Cat Café With Adorable Animals
Calico is a laid-back community simulation game about rebuilding a run-down cat café and filling it with cute animals, furniture, decorations, and pastries. In spite of what its name might suggest, Calico is not entirely cat-centric and allows players to populate the café with a variety of other animals, including dogs, bunnies, raccoons, and more. Cats do tend to be the stars of the show, though.
Calico is all about atmosphere, customization, and comfort, making it a good fit for kids who like cozy games where they can move at their own pace. The game is also worth checking out for the art style alone, which looks very reminiscent of a child’s drawings. While the visuals admittedly appear a bit rough around the edges by adult standards, a lot of kids will find the style charming and relatable.
Why Kids Will Love Calico: This is a solid game for kids who enjoy decorating, baking, and cozy worlds filled with all manner of cute animals, especially cats. Calico offers players a colorful little town to explore and a café they can gradually turn into their own animal-filled hangout. It’s also a very low-pressure game, so it works well for players who prefer relaxing experiences over competition or action.
ESRB Rating: E for Everyone
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Players: Single-player only
Stray Shows A Post-Human World Through The Eyes Of A Cat
Stray is a third-person adventure game where players take on the role of a stray cat separated from its family and trapped inside a mysterious underground city. Although the premise shares some surface-level similarities to Little Kitty, Big City, the setting is much darker here. Both literally and metaphorically, as the game takes place in a rundown cybercity inhabited by robots and devoid of human life.
Stray is hands-down one of the most memorable animal games in recent years, in large part because it makes the cat feel like more than a gimmick. The movement, animations, and small details all help sell the fantasy of seeing a big, mysterious world from a small animal’s point of view. Compared to most of the other entries on the list, this game is much better suited to older kids and teens than very young players.
Why Everyone Will Love Stray: Stray is a universally acclaimed game that’s easy to recommend to anyone, regardless of their age, at least for the most part. The game is rated E10+ because of the occasional fantasy violence. Although it serves the story and is not gratuitous, that’s still something worth keeping in mind. We recommend testing this one for yourself and then deciding whether or not it’s suitable for your kid. But fair warning: you might find it hard to put the game down once you start playing because it’s honestly that good.
ESRB Rating: E10+ for Everyone 10+
Content Descriptors: Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Players: Single-player only
Spirit Of The North 2 Sends Kids On A Bigger Fox Adventure
Spirit of the North 2 expands on the quiet fox-led adventure of the first game while giving players a larger world to explore. This time, players once again control a fox, but the journey is broader in scope, with an ancient ruined world, new abilities, a raven companion, and a greater emphasis on exploration. The game keeps the mystical, nature-focused tone of the original while adding more structure and challenge.
The sequel gets a separate entry on this list because it’s a bit more difficult and deals with some heavier themes. It’s still a good fit for animal-loving kids, but it is rated higher than the first game for fantasy violence and mild blood. That makes it better suited to older children who enjoyed the first game and want something a bit bigger and more adventurous.
Why Kids Will Love Spirit of the North 2: Kids who enjoyed the first installment in the series will have a lot to look forward to in the sequel. The raven companion, expanded world, and new abilities give the sequel more variety, while the animal-focused perspective still makes it feel connected to the first game. That said, parents should keep in mind that this follow-up is a little more intense and rated E10+ instead of E.
ESRB Rating: E10+ for Everyone 10+
Content Descriptors: Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Players: Single-player only
Planet Zoo Lets Older Kids Build And Manage Realistic Animal Habitats
Planet Zoo is a detailed zoo management sim where players build habitats, adopt animals, manage staff, design guest areas, and try to keep both visitors and wildlife happy. Compared to Zoo Tycoon, this one is more complex and realistic, with a stronger focus on animal welfare, habitat design, conservation, and long-term zoo management.
Planet Zoo is a great option for older kids and teens who enjoy animals but also like strategy, planning, and creative building. It’s overall a more difficult game compared to something like Zoo Tycoon, but it’s also a significantly more rewarding experience for players who are patient enough to make it past the initial learning curve. One downside is that Planet Zoo can get very expensive due to its myriad of DLC packs. We recommend trying just the base version first before dropping hundreds of dollars right off the bat on the Ultimate Edition.
Why Kids Will Love Planet Zoo: Kids who love visiting zoos will definitely enjoy being put in charge of one. The game lets them build habitats, care for animals, decorate their park, and watch their zoo gradually come to life. It’s also a good pick for kids who want something more involved than a simple animal adventure, though parents should know that it requires more patience and planning than many of the other animal games on this list.
ESRB Rating: E10+ for Everyone 10+
Content Descriptors: Crude Humor, Mild Blood, Mild Violence
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Players: Single-player. Online/community sharing features, but no traditional co-op mode.
Let’s Build A Zoo Gives Older Kids A Quirky Animal Park To Manage
Let’s Build a Zoo is another zoo management sim, but this one doesn’t take itself too seriously and isn’t quite as complex as Planet Zoo. The game allows players to build habitats, hire staff, keep guests happy, and care for a growing collection of animals. Like other zoo sims, the main gameplay loop is all about designing the park, bringing in new animals, managing resources, and keeping everything running smoothly. But there are a few quirks that let it stand out from the crowd.
Let’s Build a Zoo has a much stranger sense of humor, to put it lightly. Kids can import and breed animals, run the park in creative ways, and even experiment with DNA splicing to create unusual hybrid animals like “Giraffephant” and “PandOwl.” While taking on the role of a zoo manager, players can also act a bit like a mad scientist and come up with all sorts of weird and wonderful creations.
Why Kids Will Love Let’s Build a Zoo: Let’s Build a Zoo is a lot of fun for anyone who enjoys building games and management sims. It’s more offbeat than some of the other animal games on this list, so it’s probably best for older kids who enjoy quirky humor and don’t mind a little weirdness mixed into their zoo sim. Parents should also know that the game has a few stronger content descriptors than most of the E-rated entries above.
ESRB Rating: E10+ for Everyone 10+
Content Descriptors: Alcohol Reference, Comic Mischief, Mild Blood, Mild Violence
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Players: Single-player only
Endling: Extinction Is Forever Shows Teens A Harsh World Through A Mother Fox’s Eyes
Endling: Extinction Is Forever is a side-scrolling survival adventure where players control the last mother fox on Earth as she tries to protect her cubs in a world devastated by human activity. After escaping a forest fire, the fox has to search for food, avoid danger, guide her cubs through hostile environments, and slowly uncover what happened to one of them after it was taken away. It’s a powerful animal-focused game, but it is also one of the darkest entries on this list.
Unlike many of the more relaxing animal games above, Endling is built around survival, scarcity, and environmental destruction. Players have to make careful choices about where to explore, when to hide, and how to keep the cubs alive. The game’s message about extinction and humanity’s impact on nature is obvious, but it is presented through the fox family’s struggle rather than long lectures or heavy exposition.
Why Teens Will Love Endling: Extinction Is Forever: Teens who enjoy emotional stories, survival games, and environmental themes may find this one especially memorable. Playing as a mother fox doing her best to keep her cubs safe is quite an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. Parents should know that Endling is much heavier than most of the games on this list, so it’s best saved for older kids and teens who can handle a sadder, more intense animal story.
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Content Descriptors: Blood, Fantasy Violence
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Players: Single-player only
SkateBIRD Lets Teens Pull Off Tricks As Tiny Birds On Tiny Skateboards
We’re capping off the list on a fun note after getting a bit emotional while talking about Endling. SkateBIRD is a quirky skateboarding game where players control small birds riding through miniature skate parks built out of everyday household objects. Instead of grinding handrails and jumping stair sets in a city, players carve through courses made from things like staplers, straws, cardboard, and tape.
The premise of SkateBIRD is intentionally silly, but that’s a big part of its appeal. The game takes the familiar skateboarding formula and gives it a cute animal twist by putting birds on boards. While the gameplay itself is fairly harmless, SkateBIRD is rated T for Teen because of some of the song lyrics featured on the soundtrack, which contain references to drugs, rather than anything happening on screen.
Why Teens Will Love SkateBIRD: If your teen is into skateboarding and offbeat indie games, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better title than this. The tiny skate parks give the game a fun sense of scale, and the bird characters make it stand out from more traditional sports titles. It’s also a nice pick for older kids who want something playful and unusual, even if it’s not quite as polished or straightforward as some of the other games on this list.
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Content Descriptors: Lyrics
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Players: Single-player only
