A Parent’s Guide to Choosing the Right Video Games
With so many video games available, choosing the best games for kids is not always as simple as picking the most popular title.
The right game depends on a child’s age, interests, gaming experience and whether they are playing alone or with friends. Some kids love racing and sports, others prefer adventures, creative games or friendly competition.
For a video game party, there is another important factor: the best games are often the ones that are fun to play together.
Here are some things parents can consider when choosing video games for kids.
Games for Younger Kids
For younger players, games with simple controls, clear goals and colourful gameplay are usually a good place to start.
Nintendo games are especially popular with younger children. Games featuring familiar characters such as Mario, Sonic and other family favourites can be easier for beginners to understand and enjoy.
Mario Kart, for example, is easy to start playing even if a child has little gaming experience. Players can race against friends, change characters and start a new race within minutes.
The goal does not have to be mastering the game – it is simply having fun playing together.
Multiplayer Games for Kids
When several kids are playing together, multiplayer games can turn gaming into a much more social experience.
Instead of one child playing while everyone else watches, several players can compete or cooperate at the same time.
Games such as Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., Super Mario Party and many sports and racing games work especially well with groups because friends can share the experience.
At a Game Trucks GT party, multiple gaming systems and 8 gaming screens also mean that the entire group does not have to agree on one game.
Cooperative Games
Not every video game has to be about beating another player.
Cooperative games ask players to work together toward a common goal. This can be particularly fun for siblings, friends and groups with different levels of gaming experience.
Overcooked, for example, turns teamwork into part of the challenge. Players have to communicate and coordinate what they are doing – usually with plenty of laughter along the way.
Cooperative games can be a good choice for kids who enjoy playing together more than competing against each other.
Racing Games
Racing games are among the easiest types of video games for a mixed group to enjoy.
The basic idea is immediately familiar: choose a vehicle and get to the finish line.
Games such as Mario Kart, Forza, Gran Turismo, Team Sonic Racing and Crash Team Racing offer different styles of racing for different ages and gaming abilities.
Racing games can also work well when some guests are experienced gamers and others rarely play video games.
Sports Games
For kids who love sports, video games can bring their favourite sports into the party.
Popular sports series include:
- NHL
- NBA 2K
- FIFA / EA Sports FC
- Madden NFL
Friends can compete against each other, choose favourite teams and start new matches throughout the party.
Sports games are especially popular with older kids and teens, although the best choice depends on the individual player.
Party Games
Some games are designed almost perfectly for groups.
Super Mario Party, Just Dance, Overcooked and similar games focus on short challenges, competition, cooperation or simply having fun together.
These games can be particularly useful at birthday parties because players can switch in and out without everyone having to learn a complicated game.
They are also a good way to include guests who may not normally consider themselves gamers.
Minecraft
Minecraft is popular with a wide range of ages because there is no single way to play it.
Kids can explore, build, create and experience the familiar Minecraft world in different ways.
Many children already know Minecraft before they arrive at a party, making it an easy game for them to recognize and request.
What About Fortnite and Roblox?
Fortnite and Roblox are frequently requested by kids and teens.
At Game Trucks GT, both are available as free optional add-ons.
To play Fortnite or Roblox in the gaming trailer, the customer must provide access to a strong and stable Wi-Fi connection at the party location. Players also need to use their own game accounts.
If the Wi-Fi connection is unavailable or unstable, kids can simply choose from our large selection of other games.
What About Games for Older Kids?
Not every video game is intended for every age group.
Some older kids and teens may want to play action games or titles such as Call of Duty that contain content intended for older audiences.
Parents should consider the game’s rating and content when deciding what is appropriate for their children.
At Game Trucks GT, parents can tell the Game Coach if there are particular games or types of content they do not want their children to play. The Game Coach will follow those instructions during the party.
How Do You Choose the Best Games for a Birthday Party?
One of the biggest mistakes is assuming that every guest will want to play the same game.
A birthday group can include experienced gamers, beginners, younger siblings and kids with completely different interests.
That is why variety matters.
With 8 gaming screens and multiple gaming systems, different groups can play different games at the same time. One group might race in Mario Kart, another might play Minecraft, while others choose sports, party or action games.
Players can also change games during the party.
The goal is not to find one perfect game for every child – it is to give everyone enough choices to find something they enjoy.
So, What Are the Best Video Games for Kids?
There is no single list that works for every child.
The best games are the ones that are appropriate for the child, match their interests and make playing enjoyable. For a group or birthday party, games that allow kids to play, compete, cooperate and laugh together can be especially good choices.
Game Trucks GT brings 150+ video games for PS5, PS4, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and Wii, giving players plenty of choices during their party.
See Our Complete Video Game Collection
Want to know what your kids can play in our gaming trailer?
Browse our current Video Game List to see the games available for your Game Trucks GT party.
