Best Games for Kids Under 10, With ESRB Ratings and Age Notes
These are 10 games a parent can reasonably start with for a child under 10, each checked against its ESRB rating page. Eight are rated E (Everyone) and two are rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and up), and I flag the two so you can decide.
My short answer: Super Mario Bros. Wonder for a first platformer, Animal Crossing: New Horizons for a calm sandbox, and Minecraft in Creative mode for builders. The age ranges below are my rough take, not ESRB ratings.
The Scroll in Brief
- ESRB ratings were read on esrb.org in October 2026: eight games are E, and Kirby and the Forgotten Land and Minecraft are E10+.
- Most picks are Nintendo Switch games, but Bluey: The Videogame and Minecraft also list PC, and Disney Illusion Island is on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
- Easiest on-ramp: Yoshi’s Crafted World and Super Mario Bros. Wonder, where ESRB notes (for Wonder) that Yoshi and Nabbit take no damage.
- Online features are not rated by the ESRB. Minecraft and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe carry that warning, so set parental controls.
- I list no prices. Check the current price and any in-game purchases on the store page.
How to read these ratings
ESRB ratings describe content, not difficulty. An E game can still be hard for a five-year-old, and an E10+ game can be fine for a careful eight-year-old. I used the rating plus the ESRB summary, then added my own opinion on fit.
Many of these carry an interactive element such as Users Interact or In-Game Purchases. Switch has parental controls that can limit online sharing and spending, as the ESRB parents’ guide for Super Mario Bros. Wonder notes. I have not played any of these myself.
Best for the Youngest Players
Bluey: The Videogame
ESRB: E, no content descriptors · Released Nov 17, 2023 · PC, PlayStation 4/5, Switch, Xbox One/Series · Rough age fit: 3-6
ESRB describes an adventure game based on the TV show, with mini-games such as bouncing a balloon and collecting items. Wikipedia lists up to four players, each taking a role in the Heeler family. Critics were not kind (Metacritic lists mixed reviews on Switch and Xbox), so this one is for fans of the show.
Best for: young Bluey fans who want a safe, simple game.
Yoshi’s Crafted World
ESRB: E, Mild Cartoon Violence · Released Mar 29, 2019 · Switch · Rough age fit: 4-8
ESRB describes whimsical stages where Yoshi stomps enemies or throws eggs to knock them off screen. It has a two-player mode where each player controls their own Yoshi. Wikipedia lists a Metacritic score of 79, so reviews are good.
Best for: a first platformer for a child, with a parent as second Yoshi.
Disney Illusion Island
ESRB: E, Mild Fantasy Violence · Released Jul 28, 2023 on Switch · Also PS5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S (May 30, 2025) · Rough age fit: 5-9
ESRB calls it a 2D side-scrolling platformer where you control Mickey Mouse and friends to recover stolen magical tomes. Bosses are beaten by platforming tasks that drop large objects on their heads. Wikipedia notes a local co-op mode, but does not give the player count.
Best for: Disney fans who want a platformer without blood or scares.
Best for Families
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
ESRB: E, Mild Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases · Switch · Switch 2 Edition released Mar 26, 2026 · Rough age fit: 5-9
ESRB’s parents’ guide says you can play solo or with up to four people on one Switch. It also says Yoshi and Nabbit take no damage, which makes levels easier for younger or newer players. Boss fights are more intense, with giant fire-breathing enemies.
Best for: a child’s first Mario game, and a family game on the couch.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
ESRB: E, Comic Mischief, Mild Fantasy Violence, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases · Switch and Switch 2 · Rough age fit: 6-9
ESRB describes a life simulation game where you explore a deserted island, interact with animals, fish and catch bugs. It notes some humor about bodily functions and mild bug stings. Wikipedia says up to four players can share one island locally. The Switch 2 Edition was released January 15, 2026.
Best for: a child who likes collecting and decorating more than winning.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
ESRB: E, Comic Mischief · Switch · Free Switch 2 update on Sept 2, 2026 · Rough age fit: 5-9
ESRB describes a kart racer where cartoon power-ups such as shells and boomerangs knock rivals off the track. ESRB also lists that online interactions are not rated. Nintendo’s page says Smart Steering helps newcomers stay on track and lists up to four players on one screen.
Best for: families who want a race everyone can join.
Super Mario Party Jamboree
ESRB: E, Mild Fantasy Violence, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases · Switch · Switch 2 Edition released Jul 24, 2025 · Rough age fit: 5-9
ESRB calls it a party game with mini-games across a board game, rhythm and puzzle games and more. Nintendo lists up to four players locally. Damage is cartoonish, shown as blinking or dizzy stars.
Best for: birthday parties and sibling rivalry.
Ready for a Little More
Luigi’s Mansion 3
ESRB: E, Comic Mischief, Mild Cartoon Violence · Released Oct 31, 2019 · Switch · Rough age fit: 6-9
ESRB describes Luigi exploring a haunted hotel, using a vacuum to capture ghosts that struggle, with brief explosion and electrocution effects in boss battles. Wikipedia says a second player can control Gooigi in single-player, and multiplayer modes go up to eight players. It is rated E, but a spooky setting may be a lot for a sensitive child.
Best for: kids who like ghosts and do not scare easily.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
ESRB: E10+, Cartoon Violence · Switch · Switch 2 Edition released Aug 28, 2025 · Rough age fit: 7-9
ESRB describes a 3D platforming game where Kirby rescues kidnapped creatures and uses abilities to fight cartoonish foes. It notes boss fights are intense, with laser fire, explosions and projectiles. Nintendo lists one to two players on a single system.
Best for: an older child who wants a more involved platformer, with a parent at the second controller.
Minecraft
ESRB: E10+, Fantasy Violence · PC (Java), Windows, consoles, Switch and mobile (Bedrock) · Rough age fit: 7-9
ESRB’s parents’ guide says the base game “does not have violent or gory content,” but Survival mode involves fighting hostile mobs. Creative mode has no hunger, health or enemies. Community servers are not moderated by Mojang, so a private Realm is the safer way to play with others.
Best for: builders and explorers, preferably starting in Creative mode.
Quick Comparison
| Game | ESRB | Where to play | Players | My rough age fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluey: The Videogame | E | PC, PS4/5, Switch, Xbox | Up to 4 | 3-6 |
| Yoshi’s Crafted World | E | Switch | 2 | 4-8 |
| Disney Illusion Island | E | Switch, PS5, PC, Xbox Series | Local co-op | 5-9 |
| Super Mario Bros. Wonder | E | Switch, Switch 2 Edition | Up to 4 | 5-9 |
| Animal Crossing: New Horizons | E | Switch, Switch 2 | Up to 4 local | 6-9 |
| Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | E | Switch (Switch 2 update) | Up to 4 split-screen | 5-9 |
| Super Mario Party Jamboree | E | Switch, Switch 2 Edition | Up to 4 | 5-9 |
| Luigi’s Mansion 3 | E | Switch | 1-2 (up to 8 in party modes) | 6-9 |
| Kirby and the Forgotten Land | E10+ | Switch, Switch 2 Edition | 1-2 | 7-9 |
| Minecraft | E10+ | PC, consoles, Switch, mobile | Online, Realms | 7-9 |
Gary’s Take
If I had one pick for a child who has never played, I would start with Super Mario Bros. Wonder. If a parent wants to avoid combat altogether, Animal Crossing and Minecraft in Creative mode come closest.
The two E10+ games are not forbidden for a mature nine-year-old, but I would play the first hour with them. Remember that ESRB does not rate online chat, so set limits before your child plays with strangers.
Keep digging: read the ESRB page for any game before you buy it, and check the store for the current price.
Cast Your Vote
Tell us if this was useful. Your vote helps us decide what to cover next.
Sources
- ESRB: Bluey: The Videogame
- ESRB: Yoshi’s Crafted World
- ESRB: Disney Illusion Island
- ESRB: Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- ESRB: What Parents Need to Know About Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- ESRB: Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- ESRB: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- ESRB: Super Mario Party Jamboree
- ESRB: Luigi’s Mansion 3
- ESRB: Kirby and the Forgotten Land
- ESRB: Minecraft
- ESRB: What Parents Need to Know About Minecraft
- Nintendo UK: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Nintendo UK: Super Mario Party Jamboree Switch 2 Edition
- Nintendo UK: Super Mario Bros. Wonder Switch 2 Edition
- Nintendo UK: Kirby and the Forgotten Land Switch 2 Edition
- Nintendo UK: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe free update (Sept 2026)
- Wikipedia: Bluey: The Videogame
- Wikipedia: Yoshi’s Crafted World
- Wikipedia: Disney Illusion Island
- Wikipedia: Luigi’s Mansion 3
- Wikipedia: Animal Crossing: New Horizons
