Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

The best Xbox Series X games for kids

chicory's main character paints the world.
Finji
Best Product Promotional Image
Get straight to the top tech—no junk, just the best.

The Xbox Series X has a bit of a reputation for its FPS games. Yes, the best Xbox Series X games come in all genres, but it was built on shooters and multiplayer games and hasn’t shaken that association for most. Despite that, the newest console has made a lot of strides towards being a kid-friendly console. They may not be advertised as heavily, but you can find a ton of amazing games perfect for younger players on the Series X. If you’re looking for an age-appropriate game for a family member or friend, these are the best kids’ games on the Xbox Series X.

If you need to find the best PS5 games for kids or the best Switch games for kids, we have those all lined up for you as well.

Recommended Videos

Minecraft

Minecraft
84%
E10
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac
Genre
Adventure, Arcade
Developer
Mojang Studios
Publisher
Mojang Studios
Release
November 18, 2011
If your kid isn’t already addicted to Minecraft, then they just haven’t played it yet. This game probably needs no introduction at this point. It’s been a cultural phenomenon for over a decade now, with fans spanning from toddlers to grandparents. To use the dusty old comparison one more time: Minecraft is basically just Lego but with even more options for creativity. The number of ways to play can cater to any skill level, age, or desire. Want to just build with no constraints? Hop into the creative mode where you can fly, have an infinite number of any block in the game, and can’t die. Want to explore, survive, and work your way toward taming the land? The classic or survival modes are there. You can even go after tough bosses if you want. There is some light violence in Minecraft, but the blocky art style has no blood or gore of any kind. For example, swinging a pixelated sword at a green zombie makes him fall over and disappear into a puff of smoke. And the number of ways Minecraft can, and has, been used is almost limitless. Aside from just being a fun game on a base level, it is used in schools to teach all sorts of lessons. Minecraft is a game you can feel good about your kid sinking their free time into.

Minecraft Dungeons

Minecraft Dungeons
68%
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
Both Minecraft and Minecraft Dungeons are excellent for kids who like to explore and upgrade, excellent beginner entries in crafting, survival, and many other important game mechanics. However, we are giving Minecraft Dungeons a slight kid-friendly edge for a few reasons. First, it’s a bit easier to jump into than an open-world crafting adventure, especially for those first learning the systems. Second, the RPG elements add a real sense of progression no matter what you are doing, and make party play with friends very rewarding. Third, Dungeons is the title that has been optimized for the Series X/S, so the advantages of the new system will be most obvious here.
Minecraft Dungeons - E3 2019 - Gameplay Reveal Trailer

Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time

Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time
82%
E10
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Platform
Developer
Toys for Bob
Publisher
Activision
Release
October 02, 2020
More than a few parents can remember playing the first Crash Bandicoot titles when they were kids. Now, at least a fourth game in the series is here for the next generation, and it’s no surprise that it’s optimized for the Series X and ready to play. The villain Neo Cortex has gone from time-travel shenanigans to attacking the whole multiverse, and Crash is just the marsupial to stop him. The wide variety of platforming activities are great for both kids proving their reflexes and gamers looking for a challenge — but don’t worry, there’s also plenty of fun to be had!
Crash Bandicoot™ 4: It’s About Time Announcement Trailer

Rocket League

Rocket League
83%
E
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Racing, Sport, Indie
Developer
Psyonix
Publisher
Psyonix
Release
July 07, 2015
Rocket League has earned its well-deserved fame for the addictive combination of smashing vehicles around a giant arena while also playing a barely-controlled game of giant soccer. It’s a refreshing change from the year-to-year sport franchise titles, while also giving kids plenty of opportunities to play matches with their friends. Not only is the game optimized for the Series X, but it’s also totally free to download the base game, so no need to worry about the cost of entry if it doesn’t work out!
Rocket League® - OMG It Has Everything!

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged
65%
Platforms
Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Racing, Simulator, Sport, Arcade
Developer
Milestone
Publisher
Milestone
Release
October 15, 2023
Most kids go through a stage in their childhoods where they love cars. The idea of getting behind the wheel, drifting around turns, making crazy jumps, and even doing full loops fuels their imaginations. Toys can help them play out these fantasies, but Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged takes that level of play to heights only possible in games. Unlike a lot of other racing games, such as the Gran Tourismo or Dirt series, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 isn’t aiming to be an accurate representation of racing in the slightest. This is pure, imaginative, arcade fun. This is about as close as you can get to your child’s favorite toy being fully translated into a game. Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 features tons of cars to race at blistering speeds on the iconic orange tracks — and also on bits of furniture and household objects, just like they could in a real home. You can even create your own tracks and share them online or check out other people’s creations. But what might be the best part is that you won’t accidentally step on a toy car with your bare feet when they’re done playing.
HOT WHEELS UNLEASHED™ 2 - TURBOCHARGED - ANNOUNCEMENT TRAILER

Overcooked! All You Can Eat

Overcooked! All You Can Eat
91%
E
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Simulator, Strategy, Indie
Developer
Team17, Ghost Town Games
Publisher
Team17
Release
November 12, 2020
Overcooked! is one of the best examples we’ve seen of the cooking genre, where players (including cooperative play) dash around to assemble ingredients and make dishes to satisfy demanding customers in a timely way. There are over 200 kitchen levels in this game to work through, and online multiplayer to help find a friend when the kitchen gets crazy. Optimized for Series X, the game offers 4k resolution at 60fps, all the better to keep up with the action.
Overcooked! All You Can Eat - Announcement Trailer

Immortals Fenyx Rising

Immortals Fenyx Rising
75%
4/5
T
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre
Puzzle, Adventure
Developer
Ubisoft Québec
Publisher
Ubisoft
Release
December 02, 2020
If your kids are getting a bit older and are ready for more serious action, Immortals Fenyx Rising is an excellent place to start. While a bit more violent and mature than a Zelda game, the title takes a lot of cues in how it promotes gathering skills and weapons, exploring distant lands, and ultimately fighting big bosses — all based on ancient Greek mythology and related mythic locations. There’s a whole to do, especially when it comes to exploration, and the stylish world is a beautiful visit.
Gods & Monsters: E3 2019 Official World Premiere Cinematic Trailer | Ubisoft [NA]

LEGO Marvel Collection

LEGO Marvel Collection
E10
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Genre
Puzzle, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Developer
Traveller's Tales
Publisher
WB Games
Release
March 12, 2019
We could just say “any Lego game” and wrap this section up, but if you’re looking for a specific title, the bundled Lego Marvel Collection is a great trilogy to start with. Feel free to substitute any Star Wars bundle or other preferred Lego universes depending on what your kids are into! The family-friendly gameplay includes a long roster of characters to choose from, and many different worlds to conquer based on the stories your kids love (with a hefty amount of Lego humor thrown in).

Planet Coaster: Console Edition

Planet Coaster: Console Edition
E
Platforms
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre
Simulator
Developer
Frontier Developments
Publisher
Frontier Developments
Release
November 10, 2020
The console version of Planet Coaster is Series X optimized and ready to go for any kids who like world-building and sim games — and are big fans of amusement parks. The goal is to build an amusement park from the ground up, gather happy visitors, and add the high-value features that people want, from giant castles and fireworks to princesses and haunted roller coaster rides. If players really enjoy the experience, there are a ton of add-ons for new theme parks and other additions to experiment with. It’s a little too complicated for the youngest players, but growing gamers may love exploring such a fun sim.
Planet Coaster: Console Edition | Announcement Trailer

Chicory: A Colorful Tale

Chicory: A Colorful Tale
E
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5
Genre
Puzzle, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie
Developer
Greg Lobanov
Publisher
Finji
Release
June 10, 2021
For all those artistic kids out there who want to let their creativity shine, Chicory: A Colorful Tale is the perfect game to explore. This little indie game got a lot of attention when it came out, and for all the best reasons. It’s a very chilled-out experience, with a soothing soundtrack, creative puzzles, and an art style that is both adorable and interactive. The player takes on the role of a puppy who wields a magical paintbrush that they will use to decorate the land, solve puzzles, and do some light combat. Your goal is to bring color back to Picnic Province while helping the other animal inhabitants along the way. Giving players the freedom to express themselves is at the heart of Chicory: A Colorful Tale. Aside from being able to paint just about anywhere, you can also unlock new clothing options and brushes to make your character your own. You can even design your own shirts with custom designs and wear them throughout the game. Painting is the solution to everything in this game, from the puzzles to the bits of combat, encouraging creativity at every turn. Even if you don’t want to engage with the story or puzzles, hours could be spent on each screen just bringing the world to life with your brush. They all start out as essentially blank coloring books just begging to be filled in.

Spyro Reignited Trilogy

Spyro Reignited Trilogy
85%
E10
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Platform, Adventure
Developer
Toys for Bob
Publisher
Activision
Release
November 13, 2018
Spyro‘s trilogy was some of the best 3D platformers conceived back when they were first released, and quickly gained fame for their colorful, inventive worlds, and gameplay that was incredibly friendly for children of any age while still posing challenges (and heaps of fun). Unfortunately, the graphics, audio, and controls didn’t age very well over time. The Reignited version fixes that, updates voices and sound, and upgrades to HD graphics for a new age of kid gamers. They’re an excellent introduction to classic video game mechanics, whether kids just want to headbutt some sheep or finally start mastering the glide controls.
All Scaled Up Reveal Trailer | Spyro™ Reignited Trilogy | Spyro the Dragon

Cat Quest III

Cat Quest III
77%
Platforms
Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Indie
Developer
The Gentlebros
Publisher
Kepler Interactive
Release
August 08, 2024

With a name like Cat Quest 3, you know this is going to be an adorable and friendly adventure. Set in the Purribean, Cat Quest 3 is a pirate-themed action RPG where you play as a young cat exploring the world by boat and land to take on quests. Every character and every adventure is lighthearted and filled with cat puns. The combat is also very tame and no worse than a cartoon as your little cat smacks other pirate-themed animals with a few weapons and spells before poofing into a cloud of dust. This game does have some RPG elements, so reading and navigating menus is a big component. Whether played alone or together, though, Cat Quest 3 is a blast.

Cat Quest: Pirates of the Purribean - Reveal Trailer | PS5 & PS4 Games
Jesse Lennox

Jesse Lennox has been a writer at Digital Trends for over five years and has no plans of stopping. He covers all things gaming but has a specific interest in all things PlayStation, JRPGs, and experimental indies. Jesse has been writing about games for over 10 years, starting off as a volunteer and eventually finding his way into doing it full-time. He is constantly striving to push his boundaries in what he covers and finds thought-provoking and important angles to highlight within the games industry.

Originally double-majoring in English and Education, Jesse came into games media as a profession by accident. After an unfortunate layoff, he took his passion for writing about games seriously and was lucky enough to find Digital Trends and other outlets such as Pocket-Lint, Classic Nerd, and Gamepur to write for. He has held numerous writing positions, as well as several editing roles, and is always on the hunt for new opportunities to grow his skillset.

Based in Colorado, Jesse spends at least two hours every morning training in the gym to set his mind straight before a full day of writing and gaming.

Connect with Jesse on LinkdIn.

The Alienware x16 R2 gaming laptop with RTX 4090 is $900 off
The Alienware x16 R2 gaming laptop with Evil Dead The Game on the screen.

You have to be prepared to spend a significant amount of cash if you want a powerful gaming laptop, but you should also be on the lookout for any opportunities at savings. Take a look at Alienware deals at Dell, which has tempting offers like this one: the Alienware x16 R2 with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 graphics card with a $900 discount. From its original price of $3,600, it's down to $2,700, which is still pretty expensive, but an excellent price for a device of its caliber. You need to hurry though, as it may be back to its regular price as soon as tomorrow!

BUY AT DELL

Read more
This budget-friendly Allied gaming PC is on sale for just $600
The inside of the Allied Stinger gaming PC.

Gamers who want a budget-friendly upgrade should check out the Allied Stinger gaming desktop while it's on sale at Best Buy. Its configuration with the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics card is already relatively affordable at its original price of $880, but it's currently down to just $600 following a $280 discount. That's one of the lowest prices you'll see for a solid machine from gaming PC deals, and you're going to have to hurry with your purchase if you're interested because the stocks up for sale may run out at any moment.

BUY AT BEST BUY

Read more
Looking for a $1,000 gaming laptop? Check out this Gigabyte G6 deal
The Gigabyte G6 gaming laptop on a white background.

Looking for the best gaming laptop deals that you can buy for $1,000? You may want to set your sights on the Gigabyte G6. Its configuration with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, which is originally sold for $1,200, is currently available from Best Buy with a $200 discount. We're not sure how much time is remaining on this offer though, so if you're interested, you're going to have to be quick with your purchase and proceed with the transaction right now.

BUY NOW

Read more