Lets continue our “The best PC games for…” series with the best games to play with the kids.
If you have children, siblings, nephews, nieces or cousins, and want to play games that are a little more age appropriate than Call of Duty: Ghosts, you have more family friendly options that won’t leave you stuck with Peppa Pig. There are tons of affordable video games accessible for all ages, that also happen to look great, have an awesome story line, or are just plain fun to play.
Rayman Legends: Teamwork
The platform genre is one of the oldest in the world of video games. When I was little (just a couple of decades ago), I loved playing them, and they served me fairly well.
Although there are many platformers for PC that I’d highly recommend, Rayman Legends has to top the list. Big kids and little kids alike enjoy this Ubisoft classic, and not just because it’s a great game –it’s also an asymmetric multiplayer.
This means that a character has the lead role (they can jump, attack enemies and go forward) while others act as supporting characters, moving platforms or cutting ropes to move forward. Too easy for your little one? Then switch roles and let them be the main star.
Lego Marvel Super Heroes: Co-op action with zero violence
Who doesn’t like superheroes? Kids certainly do, and they’ll go crazy for the latest LEGO game based on the Marvel franchise.
Lego Marvel Super Heroes has all the mainstays of games from developers TT Games: levels full of secrets, hundreds of characters with different abilities, multiplayer for two, a sense of humor and, in this case, a fun open world based in Spider-Man‘s New York.
You can rest easy that when you play this Lego game with your little ones, there won’t be even a hint of graphic violence. The humor is very clean (but very successful), and the difficulty level is accessible for almost everyone.
Download Lego Marvel Super Heroes
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed: Every race is an adventure
Another theme that gets kids really excited is cars, motorcycles and pretty much any machine that moves. Windows has lots of driving simulators, but most are too complex for smaller kids. That changes, however, if you add Sonic & All -Stars Racing Transformed into the mix, which is especially recommended for children from 7 years and up.
In the game, you control the legendary hedgehog, all of his friends, and even the most colorful of SEGA characters, from a “Football Manager” to a Total War Shogun. The objective is clear: to get the first goal in a circuit filled with colorful and original obstacles in which you’ll drive vehicles that can transform into other objects. Up to 4 players can enjoy racing at the same time on a split screen, so encourage the whole family to join the party.
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is obviously similar to the legendary Mario Kart, but it does have some advantages over it, like its planes and seafaring vehicles and the ability to do stunts. Your kids are sure to love it, and you will too!
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
SimCity: Build your city
It’s true that the last Maxis game didn’t have a multiplayer for playing at home, but with the classic title, your entire family can play together.
With so many management options, your kids could get overwhelmed. I propose another way to play: you take the reins of the game and ask them to lend a hand with advice on where to place the buildings, or ask them what they think is missing in your city. With this approach, they feel useful and, without realizing it, they’re be learning basic organizational concepts, which can help them when it comes to things like keeping their rooms clean!
In addition, SimCity will soon have another benefit: you can install mods. This will infinitely expand the possibilities of the game, just like in these titles.
Bad Piggies: Fun for little geniuses
Angry Birds and company are very popular on mobile phones, but most of their games are also available for Windows. This includes the series spin-off that places the spotlight on the green piggies.
In Bad Piggies, you need to help the piggies retrieve the eggs that the birds are trying to steal. To do this, you must build machines with the pieces provided in each level.
Like SimCity, Bad Piggies may be a bit complex for younger children, but they’ll feel really useful if they can help you make little machines (in fact, the game has a PEGI rating of +3). For slightly older children, especially those with a talent for building logic and mathematics, the game doesn’t involve too much difficulty, and it can be you helping them instead of them helping you.
There’s fun beyond the tablet
It’s very easy to give children a tablet and let them immerse themselves in a world of fun and learning. Sometimes this can give you a much-needed moment of peace and quiet, but there will also be times when you want to play with the kids. Thanks to the PC, you won’t miss the opportunity to share some time with them. Everyone will have fun and they may even learn something.
If you like this article, check out the rest of our ‘The best PC games for…’ series!
