Good PS5 picks for kids include ASTRO BOT for solo platforming, LEGO Horizon Adventures for co-op, LEGO 2K Drive for racing, and LEGO Fortnite for creative building. For gentler, open-ended play, consider Once Upon a Katamari or Disney Dreamlight Valley. PlayStation suggests ages 3+ or 7+ for these games in its US family guide; those suggestions are not substitutes for the content rating and descriptors used in your country.
Best PS5 games for kids by play style
PlayStation’s US family-games guide highlights the following titles. Its age suggestions and play-mode details are useful starting points, but a child’s tolerance for challenge, combat, online interaction, and time pressure matters too. PlayStation’s family games guide describes the titles and their suggested ages.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Monster Jam Showdown - PlayStation 5 | $19.93 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Amazon Exclusive Edition - PlayStation 5 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Hot Wheels Monster Trucks: Stunt Mayhem - PlayStation 5 | $21.10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Nickelodeon All Star Brawl 2 - PlayStation 5 | $21.50 | Buy on Amazon |
ASTRO BOT: solo platform adventure
ASTRO BOT is a one-player offline platform adventure. PlayStation suggests it for ages 7 and over and describes exploration across more than 50 planets, platforming, boss encounters, and use of the DualSense controller’s features. It is a strong fit for a child who wants an energetic solo game rather than shared or online play.
LEGO Horizon Adventures: couch or online co-op
LEGO Horizon Adventures can be played alone or with a second player. PlayStation suggests ages 7 and over; its guide lists one to two offline players and two online players. For couch co-op on PS5, you need two controllers. Online co-op requires PlayStation Plus. The game does not support cross-play between PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch. See PlayStation’s LEGO Horizon Adventures page for its co-op details.
#1 Best Overall
- AN IMMEDIATE OFF-ROAD ARCADE GAME - Perfect for Monster Jam fans and a must play for arcade racing gamers: Monster Jam Showdown is ready to bring you a vast and easy-to-access offroad racing challenge!
- SHOW OFF YOUR FREESTYLE SKILLS - Performing amazing tricks in the Freestyle competitions is at the essence of every Monster Jam event around the world.
- MASTER THE MOST ICONIC MONSTER JAM TRUCKS - The excitement of real-life Monster Jam events comes to the video game world, thanks to the franchise's most recognizable icons: the trucks! Grave Digger, Toro Loco, Megalodon, Maximum Destruction and many others...
- RACE BIG ACROSS 3 DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS - Get ready to let all your favorite trucks roar outside the stadiums, driving through the most spectacular untamed environments!
- FIND YOUR FAVOURITE GAME MODE - Start your career in a non-linear journey through a variety of racing and freestyle game modes in all three biomes, beat the competition and become the champion of the Showdown Tour!
It suits families looking for a shared adventure, but the child should be comfortable with action and combat. Local co-op avoids online interaction; online co-op adds a subscription requirement.
LEGO 2K Drive: racing and vehicle building
LEGO 2K Drive combines racing with building vehicles. PlayStation suggests it for ages 7 and over and lists solo, local, and online play. It is worth considering for a child drawn to cars and creative customization; check the game’s current local rating and online features before choosing.
Rank #2
- READY, SET, WARP! Race across 24 tracks and warp to 15 CrossWorlds with Travel Rings, a unique gameplay mechanic that transports the iconic characters from the Sonic and SEGA universes into new dimensions. Use unpredictability to your advantage as you change the landscape of each race!
- RACE WITH THE BEST! Choose from 23 iconic Sonic characters, the largest roster of any Sonic racing game!
- MAKE IT YOURS: Mix and match between 45 unique original vehicles and 70 different gadgets to trick out your ride, level up your kart, and create the ultimate machine to match your racing style.
- GAIN THE ADVANTAGE WITH POWERFUL ITEMS! Dominate your opponents with 23 different items including returning favorites and all-new items like the Monster Truck!
- MULTIPLE WAYS TO PLAY: Gather with friends and play local split-screen in Grand Prix and the new party mode Race Park, compete against a community of players from around the world with up to 12 players online in World Match, or test your driving skills in Time Trials.
LEGO Fortnite: creative building or survival
LEGO Fortnite is free-to-play and offers creative building as well as survival play. PlayStation describes its creative mode as having no threats and lists online multiplayer. That makes the mode and the child’s online setup important parts of the decision: review account and communication settings, and choose the play mode that fits your family.
Once Upon a Katamari: rolling and collecting
PlayStation lists Once Upon a Katamari as suitable for ages 3 and over, with solo offline play and online competition. Its rolling-and-collecting premise may appeal to children who prefer playful, less combat-focused action. Check the local rating and consider whether the online competition is relevant to how your child will play.
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Rank #3
- AUTHENTIC MONSTER TRUCK EXPERIENCE: Drive and perform stunts with 20 of your favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks from Bone Shaker and Tiger Shark to Race Ace, Big Foot, and beyond, with each authentically modeled after the iconic trucks. Experience the thrill of controlling these real-world behemoths in a game that’s built for fans and newcomers alike.
- EXHILARATING STUNT ACTION: Pull off spectacular tricks and discover each truck’s unique signature stunt move based on its personality, such as Rhinomite, who will bash through anything with his mighty front horn, so don’t get on his bad side! Plus, master jaw-dropping flips, spins, and jumps to wow the crowd and rack up the highest scores in the arena.
- INTENSE BATTLE ARENAS: Battle it out in electrifying arenas that include fan-favorites such as Stunt Zone By Night and the fearsome Skelesaurus's Lair. Each arena offers a unique challenge and atmosphere, from neon-lit madness to apocalyptic showdowns where vibrant graphics and explosive effects ensure an unforgettable monster truck experience.
- BOSS FIGHTS AND ARCADE CHALLENGES: Face off against formidable bosses like the towering Crushzilla. Test your skills in a variety of modes including Career, Stunt, Destruction, and Boss Mode, each offering a uniquely fresh and intense gameplay experience.
- HEAD-TO-HEAD MULTIPLAYER: Challenge your friends in competitive local multiplayer matches. See who can perform the best stunts, smash the most obstacles, and score the highest points in competitive head-to-head battles.
Disney Dreamlight Valley: open-ended life simulation
PlayStation lists Disney Dreamlight Valley as suitable for ages 3 and over. It describes activities including gardening, fishing, foraging, cooking, and character quests. This is the shortlist’s open-ended option for children who like tending to a world and completing activities at their own pace.
How to choose a game that fits your child
- Check your country’s rating and content descriptors. Look up the game in the rating system used where you live, then consider the descriptors alongside your child’s sensitivities. PlayStation’s suggested ages are editorial guidance, not formal regional classifications.
- Match the pace and challenge. Think about whether your child enjoys platforming, racing, action, or relaxed activities—and how they respond to bosses, competition, time pressure, or combat.
- Choose the play setting. Decide whether the child will play alone, with someone beside them, or online. Do not assume that a listing for multiplayer means couch co-op: check the specific mode and player count.
- Review online and account requirements. Check communication and account settings for online play, and whether a subscription is needed. For LEGO Horizon Adventures, local PS5 co-op requires two controllers but not PlayStation Plus; online co-op requires PlayStation Plus.
What the age suggestions do—and don’t—tell you
The ages above come from PlayStation’s US family guide. They help narrow a shortlist but do not establish an ESRB, PEGI, or other formal rating for every game. Ratings and descriptors can vary by region, so check the label for your local edition rather than inferring one from an age suggestion. Availability, catalog access, editions, and prices can change; verify current details with the retailer or service before buying.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Rebuilt and reimagined from the ground up, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 redefines what a Nickelodeon fighting game can be with new and revamped visuals, audio, animations, modes, stages, mechanics, taunts and move sets, competitively tuned for all levels of play.
- Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2’s roster is bigger and better than ever, with even more variety in how each unique character plays. Battle with brand new Nickelodeon fighters as well as returning fan favorites!
- Power up your fighters with incredible new Supers, which can deal devastating blows to opponents.
- Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 will launch with a unique campaign featuring roguelike elements. Put your skills to the test as you fight to stop Danny Phantom archvillain Vlad Plasmius from taking over the Nickelodeon universe!
- Feel the energy and excitement of every attack with a fully voiced cast of fighters, including the talents of Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants) and Bill Fagerbakke (SpongeBob SquarePants).
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
