Best PS5 Games for Kids in 2026: 12 Family Friendly Picks Ranked

Updated July 2026. Written by Jordan Ellis, Games Editor.

The short answer

The best PS5 games for kids in 2026 are Astro Bot, LEGO Horizon Adventures, and Sackboy: A Big Adventure. All three carry an ESRB rating of E (Everyone) or E10+, play well for children as young as 6, and use simple pick up and play controls. Below we rank 12 family friendly PS5 games by recommended age, player count, and genre, and every pick is verified against its official ESRB rating so you can buy with confidence.

What are the best PS5 games for kids in 2026?

The 12 games below are the strongest family friendly options on PS5 right now. They span platformers, racers, co-op adventures, and sandbox builders, and none of them are rated Teen or Mature. Use the table to match a game to your child's age and to how many players will share the couch.

A few standouts deserve extra context. Astro Bot won multiple 2024 Game of the Year awards and remains the reference point for a PS5 game that adults and kids enjoy side by side. LEGO Horizon Adventures reworks a mature franchise into a bright, drop in co-op story that is safe for grade schoolers. Sackboy and Bluey are the easiest landing spots for the youngest players thanks to forgiving platforming and short levels.

For more picks that skew a little older, see our roundup of the best PS5 games in 2026, and if your household is cross platform, our list of the best Switch 2 games covers Nintendo's family lineup.

What is the best PS5 game for young kids ages 4 to 6?

For ages 4 to 6, start with Bluey: The Videogame and Sackboy: A Big Adventure. Both are rated E, use large clear controls, and forgive mistakes instead of punishing them. Bluey mirrors the TV show families already know, which lowers the learning curve for very young players, while Sackboy adds gentle co-op so a parent can carry the tricky sections. Overcooked! All You Can Eat also works well here because a younger child can handle one simple job while an older sibling manages the rest of the kitchen.

What are the best co-op PS5 games for kids?

The best co-op PS5 games for kids are It Takes Two, LEGO Horizon Adventures, and Overcooked! All You Can Eat. It Takes Two is built entirely around two players solving puzzles together and is ideal for a parent and an older child. LEGO Horizon Adventures lets a second player drop in and out at any time, so a younger sibling can join without holding up the story. Overcooked scales from one to four players and turns a busy kitchen into a fast, funny team challenge. Couch co-op also cuts down on online chat exposure, which many parents prefer for younger kids.

How do ESRB age ratings work on PS5?

Every PS5 game sold in North America carries an ESRB rating on the box and store page. The two ratings you want for kids are E for Everyone and E10+ for Everyone 10 and older. E10+ titles may include mild cartoon violence or slightly more challenge, while E titles are suitable for all ages. Ratings that read T for Teen or M for Mature fall outside a young child's range. The rating summary on the store page also lists content descriptors such as "mild fantasy violence," which helps you judge a specific title at a glance. You can look up any game on the official ESRB ratings database.

"Video games are a powerful cultural force due to their widespread appeal across every demographic as a fun and beneficial way to spend time," said Stanley Pierre-Louis, President and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, in its 2025 industry study.

How do you set up parental controls on PS5?

Set up PS5 parental controls before you hand over a controller. Create a child account under Family Management in Settings, then set an age level that automatically blocks games above the rating you choose. From there you can cap daily play time, restrict online chat and messaging, and require a passcode for any purchase. According to the ESA, 86% of parents use at least one parental control setting, and pairing those controls with an E or E10+ game library is the simplest way to keep the console age appropriate. A new controller or a second charging stand also helps, and our guide to the best gaming accessories covers add ons worth owning for family play.

Which PS5 games should kids avoid?

Skip games rated T for Teen and M for Mature for younger children. That includes popular PlayStation titles such as the mainline God of War and The Last of Us games, which are rated M, and superhero games like Marvel's Spider-Man 2, which is rated T. These are excellent games for older players, but their themes and violence sit above the E and E10+ range. If an older sibling owns a Teen or Mature game, use a separate child account so younger kids only see titles within their rating.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best PS5 game for kids overall?

Astro Bot is the best PS5 game for kids overall. It is rated E10+, suits players from about age 6, and is widely regarded as one of the finest platformers on the console, which makes it fun for parents too.

Are there free PS5 games for kids?

Yes. Fortnite and Rocket League are free to download and both carry an E10+ rating, though Fortnite includes online chat you should disable for younger players. Fall Guys is another free, family friendly party option.

What age is the PS5 suitable for?

The PS5 hardware has no age limit, but the right experience depends on the games. With a child account, E and E10+ titles, and parental controls in place, the PS5 works well for children from around age 5.

Can two kids play PS5 games together on one console?

Yes. Sackboy, Overcooked, Minecraft, and LEGO Horizon Adventures all support local couch co-op, so two or more kids can play on a single PS5 with a second controller.

The bottom line

The best PS5 games for kids in 2026 pair a safe ESRB rating with genuinely great design, and Astro Bot, LEGO Horizon Adventures, and Sackboy lead the list. Match the game to your child's age using the table above, set up a child account with parental controls, and lean on couch co-op titles when the whole family wants to play. Bookmark DailyGameScore and check back as we score new family releases through 2026.