Xbox One has built up a sizable roster of family-friendly games over the course of its life. Best of all, many of these titles earned rave reviews — meaning you don’t have to sacrifice quality to play something appropriate for all ages. Some are even available on Xbox Game Pass, giving you a chance to play great games without breaking out your wallet.
Whether you’re searching for a fun multiplayer game, single-player adventure, or a unique creative outlet, here are the ten best Xbox One games for kids.
Further reading
- The best PS4 games for kids
- The best Xbox One games to play right now
- The best free games on Xbox One
New Super Lucky's Tale
E
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Adventure, Indie, Arcade
Developer
Playful
Publisher
Playful
Release
November 08, 2019
Nintendo might dominate the 3D platformer market, but New Super Lucky’s Tale is among the best on Xbox One. It’s also just as family-friendly as Mario or Kirby, with Lucky Swiftail serving as an amiable protagonist for your adventure. The game is a complete redesign of the original, with bold new graphics, improved movement mechanics, and sweeping reworks of old animations and cinematics. To keep things interesting, you’ll find a variety of mini-games and 2D sequences in between the usual 3D shenanigans.
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2
E10
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Puzzle, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Developer
Traveller's Tales
Publisher
WB Games
Release
November 14, 2017
Every Lego game is an easy recommendation (including the long-awaited Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga), but the freedom of Marvel Super Heroes 2 makes it stand out from the pack. You’ll be thrown into a large hub world that you’re free to explore as you see fit, running, flying, and swinging around as one of over 100 iconic Marvel characters. Once you’ve had your fill of exploration, the game boasts an impressive campaign filled with the usual Lego tropes — including 3D platforming, simple combat, and hundreds of secrets to discover.
Minecraft
E10
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows Phone, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Fire TV
Genre
Simulator, Adventure, Arcade
Developer
Mojang Studios
Publisher
Mojang Studios
Release
September 20, 2017
Minecraft is a perfect fit for both the adventurous and the creative. Its world sprawls out in every direction and encompasses a variety of biomes, letting you get lost in snowy mountaintops, swampy marshes, and barren deserts. Once you’re ready to hunker down, you can use resources found in the environment to craft any variety of tools or builds. You can even take the action online for some multiplayer action and share your creations with friends and family around the world.
Minecraft Dungeons
E10
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Developer
Mojang Studios
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios, Mojang Studios
Release
May 26, 2020
It might share the blocky aesthetic of its sibling, but that’s where the similarities end — Minecraft Dungeons is a full-fledged dungeon crawler. There’s no building and its world is much more linear, but fans of both the original Minecraft or action-adventure games will probably enjoy their time with Minecraft Dungeons. It’s also a rather streamlined experience. Instead of overwhelming players with stat tracking and “min-maxing,” most builds are viable for the base experience (although an optional Apocalypse difficult is available for folks seeking a challenge).
Rayman Legends
E10
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Google Stadia
Genre
Platform, Adventure
Developer
Ubisoft Montpellier
Publisher
Ubisoft Entertainment
Release
August 30, 2013
Rayman Legends might be one of the most visually stunning games on Xbox One. The action plays out like a living oil painting, with splashes of color and flashy effects littering every 2D stage. When you’re not mesmerized by its graphics, you’ll be running and jumping through handcrafted stages that are challenging but fair. It’s also playable in co-op, making it easy to help out younger players who are struggling with some of its more challenging levels.
Sonic Colors: Ultimate
E
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Adventure
Developer
Blind Squirrel Entertainment
Publisher
Sega
Release
September 07, 2021
The series is often hit-or-miss, but Sonic Colors: Ultimate managed to exceed expectations and give fans a fun, 3D Sonic adventure. Offering a remastered version of the 2010 title, the game sees Sonic and pals chasing down Dr. Eggman and freeing imprisoned creatures (called Wisps) along the way. You’ll speed through six different worlds, with each one introducing new hazards and challenges to overcome. The fast-paced action looks better than ever, too, thanks to reworked graphics that make full use of the Xbox One’s hardware.
Just Dance 2022
E10
Platforms
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Music
Developer
Ubisoft Paris
Publisher
Ubisoft
Release
November 03, 2021
If you’re looking for a fun video game that’s also an exhausting workout, look no further than Just Dance 2022. Using a smartphone app, the game tracks your movements and matches them to on-screen prompts — helping you break a sweat while busting a move. The latest installment in the series features 40 hit tracks, including songs from Taylor Swift, Camila Cabello, Billie Eilish, and more. There’s even a Kids Mode to help players of all ages get moving without any fuss.
Forza Horizon 5
E
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Racing, Sport
Developer
Playground Games
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Release
November 09, 2021
Instead of trying to be a perfect racing simulator, Forza Horizon 5 has you racing around volcanoes, dive-bombing off mountains, and speeding through other gorgeous landscapes throughout Mexico. You’ll be rewarded with experience points for just about everything, which makes it easy for younger players to feel a sense of progression even if they’re having trouble with some of its more challenging races. Forza Horizon 5 is included with Xbox Game Pass, so be sure to check it out if you’re looking for some affordable, family-friendly fun.
Read our full Forza Horizon 5 review
Dragon Quest Builders 2
E10
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Omega Force, Square Enix
Publisher
Nintendo, Square Enix
Release
December 20, 2018
Dragon Quest Builders 2 is a bit like Minecraft — although it’s much heavier on its RPG elements. You’ll roam around a gigantic, blocky world as you try to save the land from the Children of Hargon — a group that’s looking to destroy all things creative. You’ll fight a variety of monsters as you try to save the world, although you’ll also have a chance to build farms, houses, and plenty of other structures to help you on your quest. If you need some help, you can take the block-based action online and play with up to three friends.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom - Rehydrated
E10
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Platform, Adventure
Developer
Purple Lamp Studios, HandyGames
Publisher
THQ Nordic
Release
June 23, 2020
Don’t let its horribly long name put you off — this SpongeBob adventure is one of the best around. Fans of the cartoon will run into plenty of familiar faces (including Patrick, Sandy Cheeks, Mr. Krabs, and more) as they run, jump, and bounce their way across Bikini Bottom and try to stop Plankton’s latest evil plot. The 3D platformer is perfect for folks who are familiar with the popular Nickelodeon show, but even if you’ve never seen the cartoon there’s still plenty of fun to be had with this quirky title.
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