Approved by Britt Lynn
The video game industry has gone through its ups and downs, but its highs have been high indeed, from Atari and Nintendo fever and the buzzing mall arcades of the 1980s to the console wars of the early 2000s. But there’s never been anything quite like the 2010s.
With smartphones, tablets, live streaming, and all kinds of tech the arcade wizards of the early days could hardly imagine, video games are central to the lives of kids. By some estimates, more than 90% of tweens and teens play some video games regularly, whether on a computer, a console, or a smart device.
So for parents in the 2020s, it’s not a question of whether kids should be allowed to play video games – it’s how to steer them toward the best video games for kids.
Online gaming is still a rough world, though, with all kinds of supposedly free online games designed for nothing more than to part kids with their (and their parents’) dollars. Pay to play, hidden fees, games you can’t win without investing, and insidiously addictive mind tricks – it’s a minefield (even Minecraft).
Selecting the 50 Best Free Online Games for Kids
Best Kid Stuff wants parents to feel safe and secure as possible about the games they let their kids play, so for our 50 Best Free Online Games for Kids ranking, we had some specifications. The games have to be legitimately free – no free trials that turn into pay for play. They could have some in-app purchases, but they can’t be essential for playing or winning the game. And they have to be kid-friendly games online – easy to learn, with clear instructions and gameplay.
1. Roblox Platform
With many free game options like Adopt Me!, Royale High, Pet Combat! Quests Zombie Strike, and Jail Break, the Roblox Platform is one of the best online games for kids. It’s designed for kids who are ages 7 and up. The flexibility to customize avatars and effectively change the game space makes it comparable to games like Minecraft.
2. Frisbee Forever 2
Although it does include advertising, and it offers non-essential in-app purchases, Frisbee Forever 2 is one of the best free online games for kids. It offers plenty of action and levels of play, comes with responsive touch control, and engages children with nice sounds and graphics. It designed for iOS/Windows, and it’s a great way to introduce kids to an outdoor game that is now taking on a new life in the digital realm.
3. PJ Masks: Moonlight
It’s free, with no ads, but PJ Masks: Moonlight does include non-essential in-app purchases. It’s among the more recognizable games for kids to play online due to the characters’ high profiles on Disney Junior, too. Kids will know it because PJ Masks is a favorite Action TV show by Disney Junior. The game allows kids to tap into the fun and entertainment of kid-friendly action heroes with all the same concerns as they do.
This is also one of the highly recommended online games for 3 year olds because its gameplay only requires simple fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. But it also encourages fast reaction times while still keeping its playability straightforward for toddlers.
4. Toca Life: World
Designed for ages 6 to 8, Toca Life: World allows kids to create their own world, with every part of an adult-ish life, from office to home, vacation, hospital, and beyond. It’s cute and entertaining, with simple kid-friendly gameplay, which is why it ranks high on the list of free online games for kids.
This is also a storytelling-type children’s games online that children will love, thanks to their hyperactive imagination. The free download already has 39 characters and eight locations with the option to add more characters and locations for a fee. The open-ended gameplay encourages children to imagine worlds and scenarios.
5. Toca Kitchen 2
Toca Kitchen 2 is an upgrade to the previous version, designed for kids ages 6 to 8. It’s an open-ended and gender-neutral way to give kids free-reign in the kitchen. For every kid who has ever wanted to create a new recipe with every gross and unusual ingredient imaginable, this is one of the top online games for kids. Best of all, it’s free, with no ads, and no in-app purchases offered.
6. Lego Creator Islands
The Lego Creator Islands is an extension of the gameplay that kids are already familiar with in the playsets, with a target demographic of ages 6 to 12. It’s free with no ads and no in-app purchases offered, but it does offer the ability to bring the Lego Island experience to life with interactive and immersive play. It’s another of the child-friendly online games.
While the Lego Creator Islands game is often marketed as among the best free online games for boys, it’s just as suitable for girls! Both boys and girls will appreciate the opportunity to build digital worlds and, thus, stimulate their budding engineering skills. We also suggest it as one of the most stimulating games for 12 year olds.
7. Sago Mini
Sago Mini teaches and encourages socially appropriate behavior in young children, with everything from sharing, taking turns, and silly surprises. While it has no in-app purchases offered, there is advertising on the Sago Mini portal game.
Its strong appeal as the most fun free games for kids lies in its simple gameplay that even toddlers can understand and enjoy. Children are in control of what they choose, whether it’s an animal to care for or a doorbell to ring, while also engaging in full interaction in every activity. Kids can also choose to play on their own – individual – or in teams of two; either way, Sago Mini makes it to our top games for 4 year olds online.
8. KleptoCats 1 & 2
KleptoCats takes stealing to a whole new level with cutesy little cat characters. In the gameplay, it makes sense because it’s important to fill up the empty room. So, send the cat out to find treasure, and fill up the room.
This is among the highly recommended free online games for 4 year olds because of the simple and straightforward gameplay. Toddlers can also learn about caring for pets, a great way to introduce them to responsibility, albeit in a virtual sense only.
9. Fruit Ninja
No matter how you slice or dice them, Fruit Ninja game is one of the most fun and entertaining games for kids online. It’s still available in arcades, so it’s easy to see how it’s one of the favorite kid-friendly games online.
10. Llama Spit Spit
Designed for kids ages 2 to 8, the gameplay is simple and fun. It’s all about defeating those hipster enemies and collecting coins. Add to that an array of colorful costumes and it’s one of the good kid games online.
This isn’t exactly one of the most appropriate free games for 3 year olds because of its shooting aspects, not to mention the purchase of weapons. But if you’re looking for free kid-friendly shooter games for older children, then this may well be the one.
11. Disney Crossy Road
For kids who love Disney, this is the perfect melding of favorite characters with immersive gameplay. It’s familiar because it’s similar to the Crossy Road game that kids may already be familiar with. Disney Crossy Road is one of the most popular online kids’ games.
12. Contre Jour
This physics puzzler is great as an online or mobile game that’s free and entertaining. Petit, the hero, embarks on a journey to save Rose. Kids love the crazy one-eyed monster, which takes immersive gameplay to a whole new level.
13. Little Alchemy 2
Little Alchemy 2 is a match-and-discover puzzler for online gaming as well as Android and iOS mobile. Kids can combine chemicals to see what happens. It’s the perfect way to stave off boredom at home or school. It’s one of the good games online for kids.
As one of our recommended games for 5 year olds online, it introduces children to the ideas of love, sickness and time. But we suggest providing guidance when needed since not all children may be able to get the gameplay immediately.
14. TORNADO TIME
Designed for iOS, Tornado Time is free, with no ads and no in-app purchases offered. It also teaches kids the basics of physics while they create and control the tornadoes through challenges to increase the score and unlock achievements.
This may well be among the great free games for 5 year olds with an uncommon interest in the forces of nature, too.
15. Pet Bingo by Duck Duck Moose
Pet Bingo is the kind of application that parents love. They make this one of the suitable free online games for toddlers age 4, thanks to math-centric educational component. Plus, there are no ads and no in-app purchases offered. It’s also got a certain amount of whimsy to help math come alive for kids.
16. Mekorama
Mekorama is available for tablets and phones. Kids can explore 50 tiny mechanical dioramas or create new dioramas with the building blocks. It’s fun and entertaining while being educational as well, which lands it on the list of free online games for kids.
17. VVVVVV: Make and Play Edition
VVVVVV is a simple and free application that is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. This version includes the player levels and the level editors, so kids can customize the game.
18. Super Stickman Golf 3+
Super Stickman Golf 3 is a free game for kids but the application has ads. The tagline is “a new spin on a classic.” The latest version features new hats, golfers, and power-ups. It’s one of the favorite child-friendly online games.
19. Spaceteam
For the free Spaceteam, the optional in-app purchases unlock new features and themes. It’s a cooperative game of shouting for tablets and phones. It’s one of the fun and social experiences, which makes it one of the child-friendly online games.
20. Road Trip – Endless Driver
Road Trip is a driving game for kids. While it is free, it does contain ads. Road Trip does not include in-application purchases.
21. Cube Slam
Cube Slam has been likened to PONG, which may be part of why it is considered one of the good games online for kids. It’s a Chrome experience, with options for playing a friend or playing a bear. With the feel of the old game and the nice new features of the new immersive experience, it’s one of the best games for kids online.
22. Quick, Draw
Quick, Draw is a fascinating experiment that melds Win, Lose, or Draw with machine learning for quite an unusual – and slightly nervewracking – experience. You have 20 seconds to draw something well enough for an AI to guess what it is. Fair warning – the AI is a little snarky. With its drawing component, it’s also a perennial presence on many lists of the best free online games for 3 year olds who have an artistic inclination.
23. World’s Biggest Pac-Man
Pac-Man has been a classic favorite ever since it first launched in 1980, and it’s likely among the most beloved games you played as a kid online. Since the early versions, there have been a variety of versions to be released. It continues to be a favorite, and it’s included as one of the best games for kids online.
24. Escape Goat
Escape Goat is a free online game that’s fun and entertaining for kids. In this game, the kids take over control of an imprisoned goat. Beyond escaping the witchcraft, the goat must bypass the traps, overcome the obstacles, and escape from the Prison of Agnus with a magic mouse.
25. Spelunky
Spelunky is an indie 2D platform game for Windows and Mac, created by Derek Yu and released for free. The treasure-hunting game features randomized levels, with a mix of monsters, traps, and treasure.
26. Kiloo
Kiloo is an online portal that features lots of games, many of which are variations on familiar games. There is a mix of racing, arcade, funny, skill, and cool games such as 100 Little Monster, Aqua Friends, and Arctic Pong. So there’s something for any kid regardless of their interest or skill level. Here are some of the best online games for kids.
27. Another Eden
Another Eden is an Android game for older kids and teens. It’s a role-playing game with time-traveling. Players are able to explore points of time from the perspective of Aldo and his sister Feinne. The game was released in English in 2019.
28. Alto’s Odyssey
Alto’s Odyssey is an award-winning sports game for Android and iOS. The gameplay is targeted toward older kids and teens, with fun entertainment and the offer of in-application purchases. Escape into the majestic desert with Aldo. It’s a journey of discovery through canyons, temples, and atop hot-air balloons.
29. Brawl Stars
Developed by FreeCell, Brawl Start is a game for older kids and teens. It’s a fun shooting game with the goal of building up a charge and releasing it. Other modes include the goal of collecting the most stars as a team, cracking the other player’s safe, collecting gems, and becoming the last person standing.
30. EA Sports
EA Sports offers free sports fun for older kids and teens. There’s everything from soccer, basketball, UFC, and football. There’s even online racing with vivid graphics and gameplay that’s realistic enough to entertain picky teen gamers. EA Sports features the best online games for kids.
31. BrainPop
Designed for ages 9-12, BrainPop is another educational platform that offers games and learning in science, social studies, math, health, engineering and tech, English, and more. Teachers and parents love these resources.
32. Khan Academy Kids
Khan Academy Kids is an app for young kids. It’s designed to inspire learning and discovery via fun and educational content, characters, and rewards for children ages 2-6. With a personalized learning path, children can find the books that are most interesting to them, along with videos, coloring pages, and activities.
33. Endless Alphabet
Endless Alphabet is a game for kids under 8 years of age. The application features more than 70 words to learn, with fun and colorful animations. It’s a word game to make the process of learning the alphabet memorable.
34. Asphalt 9: Legends
Asphalt 9: Legends is a freemium racing game for kids. It allows players to develop driving skills, race, and have fun. The graphics are stellar, but it also allows multiplayers to race each other. Asphalt 9 is one of the most popular online kids’ games.
35. Final Fantasy Brave Exvius
For kids who love Final Fantasy, this game is perfect, with its unique battle system. This is a Final Fantasy spin-off, but it is also a collaborative effort. It’s one of the most popular online kids’ games.
36. Moose Math
Moose Math is an educational game for kids in Early Learning Curriculum. It’s one of the good kid games online. The fun commences with a mix of everything math-related: addition, subtraction, geometry, sorting, and more. Kids can also earn rewards. This application is unique in that it also allows teachers and parents to monitor the progress of the child who is playing the math games to determine developing skills.
37. 3 Pandas
3 Pandas is another math game that’s designed to entertain kids while offering an educational spin on the fun online experience. It’s fun and easy to move the panda, make them jump, or interact in other ways. This free online game includes ads.
38. Simon Says Online
Kids still remember Simon Says as an in-real-life game for the playground, but it’s now available as a fun and entertaining online game. It’s one of the top online games for kids.
39. Uno Online
Uno has long been a favorite card game for kids of all ages. The new online version just allows kids to take the card game they already love to the next level.
40. Super Mario Land
Super Mario is another famous game that still has not grown old. Kids still love it. In true Super Mario style, Princess Daisy of Sarasaland was kidnaped. Travel to a new land and rescue the Princess. It’s available online free of charge. It’s one of the top online games for kids. It’s one of the best online games for kids 10 and up because it provides the right balance between challenge in collecting every coin and the ease of beating the high score – and then doing it all over again.
41. PBS Kids
PBS Kids offers a range of free online games for kids, with tie-ins with favorite TV shows. The games range from applications that focus on teamwork, adventure, and feelings. The focus is on offering an educational experience for kids, with engineering games, math games, and more.
42. Artie’s World
This iOS educational adventure game is, in our books, the crème de la crème of free online games for toddlers age 3! The app features maps for kids to navigate and a whole world to explore, while dot-to-dot puzzles bring animations to life.
43. Prodigy
Prodigy is designed for kids who are in 1st through 8th grade. It’s based on grade level instead of age because the app gamifies math for specific grades. Teachers and parents love Prodigy as one of the best games for kids online.
44. Minion Rush
Minion Rush is a spin-off of the Despicable Me franchise. Gameplay involves running through 17 iconic locations as a Minion character, with options for unlocking Minion disguises.
45. Barnyard Games For Kids
Barnyard Games For Kids is an iOS game for kids who are ages 18 months and older. The application features 14 games with a range of entertaining scenarios that are fun for even the youngest kids.
46. Racing Penguin: Slide and Fly!
This iOS game involves racing penguins. It’s an all-new way to experience the racing interface. It’s one of the kid-friendly games online that’s free with the offer of in-application purchases.
47. Hot Wheels: Race Off
This iOS game takes Hot Wheels play to a new level of immersive interactivity. Everything kids love about the cars is now coming to life in this spectacular racing game, with more than 60 racing tracks, boosters, loops, jumps and much more. Race Off is one of the best free online games for games for 10 year olds due to its fast-paced action that, in turn, demands fast reactions and fast fingers on the controls.
48. Peek-a-Zoo
Peek-a-Zoo makes learning and socially interacting a fun activity for kids who are ages 2-5 years old. Kids learn how to yawn, wink, and even wave. This is a great way for young kids to learn the names of animals, while identifying their differences, and listening to fun and popular kids’ songs.
49. My Boo
This free iOS game is designed for kids, with the offer of in-app purchase options. There are more than 20 super-fun mini-games, and the opportunity to feed, play with and take care of an adorable character.
50. Code Karts
This iOS brings simple coding to life for kids, with a series of puzzles that work through a racetrack. It’s an easy and seamless way to introduce kids to the concepts and simple logic situations that will help them develop further skills in the future. With two modes and an intuitive and fun interface, this is among the more challenging games for 9 year olds. Code Karts includes more than 70 levels, with bountiful educational content and concepts that lead kids toward the elements of code-based thinking, which makes this game one of the most popular online kids’ games. The game is free with offers of in-application purchases.
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