The Best Safe Kids Games

This roundup offers a hand-picked list of the most safe kids games, looking at 5 different games.

To say this is an incredible list of the safest mobile games for kids is an understatement. And since this is a curated roundup, you won't have to worry about too many unexpected surprises.

For children, playing online games can be beneficial as well as harmful. For this reason, parents are looking for genuinely child-safe games.

So if you're tired of crawling through piles of unsafe kids games on the current app stores, come and step into the sunshine with us here!

5 Best Safe Games for Kids

While it is difficult enough to find really fun, instructive, and engaging apps, finding safe online games for kids can make things even more difficult.

Since we know this very well, we have compiled 5 of the most child-safe games for you.

MentalUP Pros & Cons
What we like	What we don’t like
No ads	Limited features for the free plan
From pre-K to high school
Detailed progress report
Pedagogically approved
Family plan (Up to 3 members)

Pokémon Playhouse Pros & Cons
What we like	What we don’t like
No ads	No subtitles
Multiple game modes to play and explore
Over 50+ Pokemon that are well animated
Audio is a key part of the game

Get Creative from CBeebies Pros & Cons
What we like	What we don’t like
Loads of fun	Occasionally freezes
Creative toys to play with

Toca Life: Pets Pros & Cons
What we like	What we don’t like
Warm and fuzzy	Small pet store
Engaging

Things to Consider If Your Child Games Online

Kids really love to play online games -- and it has some great benefits. However, there are some points to consider when choosing these baby games, Educational Toys for 6-7 Year Olds or apps for 7 year olds that are suitable for different age groups.

To meet your child's need for playing games in a healthy way, offer them the games that provide the following specifications:

1. App Ratings of Games on Stores

What do other consumers think of this app? When choosing an app, be sure to look at the rating. But pay attention not only to the rating but also to how many people rate it!

2. Age Appropriateness

Unfortunately, so many apps are not sorted by age. Because they are attempting to target a broader audience and don’t want to limit themselves.

Yet there are enormous differences in what a kindergarten-aged child is capable of learning in comparison to children a few years ahead. Try to opt for apps that specifically target your child's age level to make sure it's not too boring or challenging for them.

3. Messaging Availability

In some online games, there is the possibility of correspondence with other players.

Besides the possibility that the person your kid is talking to is a child who could harm them... What if that person isn’t really a child?

The real danger we can overlook is the possibility that there might be a malicious adult on the other side.

Children's emotions and thoughts can be easily manipulated. Applications with online correspondence have many threats, from the seizure of your personal information to, much worse, child abuse!

4. Which Information Does the Site Collect?

Of course apps may ask a child’s name or age to personalize it or ensure the user is old enough, but parents should be wary of apps asking for too much information.

Apps designed for children under the age of 13 should be compliant with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule, known as COPPA. Be sure that the site or the app is compliant with COPPA.

5. Does the Game Have a “Pay to Win” Structure?

The pay-to-win structure negatively impacts your child's conception of success and power: it equates money with success. That's why you should avoid apps based on a pay-to-win structure.

6. How to Report Problems?

Is the site really reliable and are there enough channels to report problems? You should definitely consider this before downloading an app.

What are the Online Gaming Dangers?

• Being Bullied: Cyberbullies target players directly with hurtful and harmful messages, or by spamming global chat channels with derogatory comments about their victims.
• Trolling, Griefing, or Scams: Griefers are gamers who deliberately try to ruin the game for other players. This can also be called trolling. Players may also try to trick or scam young people into giving up 'skins' or other in-game items by offering them money or hacking their accounts.
• In-Game Purchases: Many free games are designed to make the player want to continue but need payments to make this possible, which can be very frustrating. We suggest not storing payment card details on devices or in apps to prevent charges from building up.
• Talking to Strangers: Young people can easily play with people they don’t know and haven’t met, communicating using voice, video, or text chat. Young people can also use other platforms, like Discord and Reddit, to learn tips about the games they play and speak to other players with similar interests. Many popular games have official channels with thousands of members. This puts young people at risk of grooming or other online forms of abuse.

How to Keep Your Kids Safe in Online Games?

Banning your child's every request so that they don’t face danger is of course not the solution. So, as in any field, there are some topics that you should consider as a parent when choosing online games.

1. Check the Content of Games

It may seem easier to read a few ratings online and make a quick decision based on this, but it is always beneficial to try the app out for yourself to make sure it's appropriate for your child's age level and needs.

2. Consider If Games are Ad-Free

The revenue source of free services (games, apps, etc.) is usually ads. With an ad click from an innocent car racing game, kids can switch to zombie games. They may encounter advertising videos with violent or scary content.

They can switch to betting sites or obscene sites with a single click. Also, there can often be considerable pressure on children to be unique within their games (having new skins) or to be better than others (purchasing power-ups).

3. Turn Off Chat Features

Communication in a game can increase the risk of bullying (sometimes referred to as being ‘griefed’ within gaming), being contacted by people they don’t know, and being potentially groomed or exploited.

Many games have a means of communication, which includes private messaging and private chat.

4. Explain Your Kids About the Risks of Online Games

Trust your child and explain the risks of online games. Do not frighten them: let your words lead them to be cautious.

5. Listen to Your Children and Guide Them

Always communicate with your child. If you are not an authoritarian parent who shakes a finger all the time and if you do not suppress the child, they will share more with you. If your child is comfortable enough to consult you in case of suspicion, you will be aware of the potential dangers.