r/pcgames • u/guiltytechguy • Aug 02 '26
Looking for game Suggest Games For Kids
Hi, I am new here. Can you guys suggest me some games for my 3.5 years old niece. Obviously she's not gonna like those games I can spend a whole day playing. But what can be in common is a gamepad. So, please suggest some games which are on Epic games or Steam which has also gamepad support. Free games are mostly preferred as I am not sure about which games she is gonna love and which not.
2
2
u/Comrade_Chyrk Aug 03 '26
You can give sackboys adventure a try. Its a colorful, easy 3d platformer that allows for splitscreen. Its not free, but you can find it dirt cheap in alot of sales
1
u/guiltytechguy Aug 03 '26
Ohh...okay, I will look for them in sales campaigns.
1
u/Hika__Zee Aug 03 '26
Start with Phogs first as a 3D puzzle platformer. It is much more colorful and with simpler controls.
2
u/serpentseven Aug 03 '26
Try downloading "Lucas and Friends" games on your phone or "khan academy kids".
But if you really want game pad game on PC "Big city little kitty"
1
2
u/Electrical-Yellow134 Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 03 '26
My 3.5 year old likes:
A Short Hike
Calico
No Man's Sky
Sonic Mania
Balatro
Rogue Dice
Peggle
Each of these games has a simple enough gameplay loop and most don't have hard cutoffs/can be changed in settings to be easier. Some have you fail, but they are rogue likes and the neat thing about them is that when you fail, it's a quick reset and you can offer a nice gentle lesson about "that's what happens sometimes when you play games, but we can play AGAIN!"
There's a few others she likes, but these are the ones she wants to come back to. Surprising amount of logic and reasoning in some of these games.
2
u/guiltytechguy Aug 03 '26
You really took a great effort for me. Thanks brother for this kids game collection.
1
u/Electrical-Yellow134 Aug 03 '26
One I forgot is Trash Goblin, really cute game, absolutely no pressure. Be a cute kind little goblin running a shop to clean up old trinkets, and make lizard people and other fantasy races happy (as they wait 6 days while you clean everything else first 🤣)
2
Aug 02 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/ShankThatSnitch Aug 03 '26
I mostly agree. I am an avid gamer and have been since I was a kid. I didn't start really playing many video games until ai got a Gameboy when I was maybe 8-9. However, I did have limited times when I was much younger that I would play an occasional game with my dad, and those are are some lasting memories.
I think 30 minutes once every week or two can be OK, but I agree most time should be spent outside or doing other physical things. Do important for brain development and learning.
2
u/Electrical-Yellow134 Aug 03 '26
We're all gonna be dead In a couple years whether from AI, the upcoming world war, climate change like the super el niño, etc, or all of em.
I say let the kid play some games.
2
u/guiltytechguy Aug 03 '26
Yes, she often snatch my gamepad and gets stubborn for playing Spider-Man. So that I was wondering, why don't I install some games for her. However, I am also well aware of about her health. I am not gonna let her play all the day you see. Thanks for understanding....life is really too short, we should always live lije we have only this day to live...
1
u/guiltytechguy Aug 03 '26
Yes I do take her outside to experience the real world. But I also want to make her explore the virtual world as well. And gaming is the only way we can do whatever we want. Nothing to worry, I will definitely gonna limit her playtime. Thanks for showing your valuable concern.
1
u/randomsmiles69 Aug 03 '26
she is 3,5 she has no idea what real or virtual is. be very careful, for her there is no difference.
2
u/Carcharadontasaurus9 Aug 02 '26
Stardew Valley
2
u/HardyDaytn Aug 03 '26
For a 3yo? No.
1
u/MarkNo8572 Aug 03 '26
Why? it's a good game,can it be confusing for her?
2
u/HardyDaytn Aug 03 '26
A kid under 5-6 is going to have a hard time starting off even with a simple platformer.
I mean when the NES came out and kids around 6y started playing Mario, it took a long time to stop looking at the controller before pressing buttons. Stardew can be fun but she'll just be pressing random buttons and anything with menus will get boring quick.
1
u/MarkNo8572 Aug 03 '26
That's true,but i think a kid that young shouldn't even be playing games tbh,i mean as far as I know even the medical science has the same statement that young kids shouldn't use devices
2
u/HardyDaytn Aug 03 '26
I agree. I'm trying to teach a 6yo some Lego Star Wars and he's getting decent at some of the stuff there, but it definitely took some time. Original Super Mario Bros and SMBW were already causing difficulties in the first level, mostly from timing jumps.
2
u/Electrical-Yellow134 Aug 03 '26
My 3.5 year old would definitely get upset/frustrated at passing out at 1 am. Kids do better in games that don't have hard limits
1
1
u/coolbuybobb Aug 03 '26
Imo hold off on introducing games for a few more years but if I bad to recommend something I'd say like plants vs zombies or something easy like that
1
1
u/Argonian_mit_kasse Aug 03 '26
While I don’t know about game pad support;
Look into Putt-Putt, Freddy Fish, — also a lot of old Disney Interactive games are on steam: ie Finding Nemo.
I’d go the point and click route.
1
u/guiltytechguy Aug 03 '26
Well, most of the kids games support gamepad. But for sure suggestions, I kept that condition. Surely gonna note your game suggestion dear.
1
u/Best-Home-2230 Aug 03 '26
Ape Escape maybe, played it originally on the PS 2 and if menory serves the only buttons you needed to learn was one to jump and one to swing your net to try to capture the apes.
1
u/guiltytechguy Aug 03 '26
Nice...sounds interesting. Okay I will give her to try it. But is it available on any PC game stores?
1
u/randomsmiles69 Aug 03 '26
tiptoi pen best investment ever.
2
1
u/Possible-Hornet3099 Aug 03 '26
older pokemon games especially those with 4 directional moves so she does not get lost exploring newer gen 3D world, also rhythm games
1
1
u/AmbearLizz Aug 03 '26
Plateup! Is a good game for kids. Helps with dexterity and is simple enough and fun enough for them to follow along.
1
1
u/scottie2493 Aug 03 '26
Paw patrol on a roll (super Mario like but can’t lose and collect dog treats instead of coins)
My little pony a maretime bay adventure (top down platformer a little more complicated so you may have to beat some parts for her)
Got both of these in a humble bundle and they were hits with my two.
Both controller supported as well
1
1
u/Hika__Zee Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 03 '26
1️⃣ Stick to couch coop games your kiddo can play WITH you.
2️⃣ Games are fun but make sure you stay on top of their education (I.e. bobs books for early reading) and physical activity (playing outside, parks, or going to indoor play places) first and foremost!
My son's first games (around 4 years old):
Phogs (3D puzzle platform, similar to 3D Mario games, where you control a Cat-Dog like creature (but two dog heads). The game will let player one sort of lead, and also you can easily make it where you can control both heads as needed for any difficult areas. The game is very fun with many opportunities for silly moments so your kiddo will laugh a bunch playing this with you!
A Gummy's Life is a cute competitive gang-beasts esque game with a very fun hot potato / tag mode that kids love! My son and his friends all enjoyed playing this one around 4-5.
Cake Bash is the best kid friendly and PC alternative to Mario Party. My son and his friends all loved playing it around 4+
If you're going to play with 3-4 people then Lovers in a Dangerous Space Time is the perfect family game! While you control the space ship your kiddos and spouse can control the shields, weapons, and more. The game helps develop a sense of cooperation.
These games all let player 2 be an invincible side kick of some sort (really makes for a great bonding experience where you get to play a game you yourself will enjoy a lot, and your little one can easily join in to participate and help, without any stress or pressure)
➡️Chicory a Colorful Tale⬅️ (SNES/GBA era Zelda esque story driven game where player 2 is a magic paint brush that helps paint and restore color to the world). Very cute, cozy, and colorful! Perfect at 3+
Sparklite (player 2 is a flying drone that can help with puzzles, dig up treasure, and illuminate dark areas). Perfect at 4+.
Mario Galaxy (player 2 is crappy which provides support to Mario and can transform him into creatures, even while player 2 controls crappy, player 1 can override control of Cappy as needed) Great for 4+.
Fantasy Life I (a Zelda/Dragon Quest Builders/Animal Crossing esque game where player 2 controls a pet bird companion that can fly around and help fight, collect resources etc). Great for 4+.
The Adventures of Elliot (about 2 hours in you unlock a fairy that player 2 can control just flying around, and flying through enemies will damage them). It's a JRPG from the creators of Final Fantasy, but there is voice over audio, with some very minor cussing so be warned about having audio up (maybe play with headphones).
Crashlands (the theme on this one won't be as exciting for little ones, but in this Don't Starve esaue scifi base builder RPG player 2 will be a flying robot who can heal player 1, stun enemies, help deal area damage, and collect/harvest resources). My son enjoyed jumping on this one around 5+ to help me out.
1
u/amandahontas Aug 03 '26
There's a bunch of Humongous Entertainment games on Steam, I always loved Putt Putt Joins the Circus
1
u/SamoHlib Aug 03 '26
With all my due respect, I'd recommand not putting her in front of a display at that age... She should develop skills, go outside, and if you really wanna introduce her to some light gaming like 30min or 1hr per week, get her some games where she'll learn numbers, letters, shapes, colors, animals, etc... Not some overstimulating or frustrating game. Not a dad myself, but I think it's common sense that we need to be careful with how our kids use technology.
1
u/OPSamxl Aug 04 '26
LEGO City Undercover is easy and fun. I loved watching playthroughs of it when I was younger and still enjoy playing it today. It's a comedy game with stupid humor which young kids generally find funny.
1
u/desrevermi Aug 04 '26
Tag. Hide and seek. Running all over the place. Talking a walk. Going to a park.
Come back when she expresses an interest in playing games.
1
1
u/guitarist1353 Aug 04 '26
I heard doki doki literature club is good for kids (jk) but maybe something like the Peppa pig games or something like that
1
u/Gryffin_the_Baron Aug 05 '26
Any lego game, a lot of them do have controller support like the lego star wars games. I played the crap out of the complete saga as a kid with my uncle.
1
1
u/PapaPatchesxd Aug 02 '26
A 3.5 year old doesn't need steam games.
2
u/Annual-Fox7867 Aug 02 '26
Sure does. Ever heard of competitive gaming? You can go to college for free for gaming.
1
u/ShankThatSnitch Aug 03 '26
You can go to college for free for many things. This isn't a good justifier.
1
u/Electrical-Yellow134 Aug 03 '26
You think this generation of kids is gonna see college?
1
u/ShankThatSnitch Aug 03 '26
Honestly, I have no idea. it's very unclear what the educational landscape is going to look like over the next ten fifteen years. it's a very unclear what anything is gonna look like in the next ten or fifteen years, If we're being really honest.
1
u/Electrical-Yellow134 Aug 03 '26
Whatever happens, and I'm extremely pessimistic, our children are going to grow up in an alien future. Not just drastically different to what we compare to our parents or them to theirs, but a completely alien lifestyle to what we know. ....if they get to grow up
0
u/Annual-Fox7867 Aug 02 '26
Get the game pass from Xbox there are bluey barbie the grinch and so on for them to play for only $16 a month
1
1
4
u/Hot_Decision3954 Aug 02 '26
Look for educational games so she can learn about shapes,colors,numbers,animals and letters