May 18, 2012 - Games for children need to meet two important criteria. The content must be suitable and the game must not be too difficult. Anyone who's. The best iPad games for kids include family-safe games that will entertain your child while igniting their imagination and putting skills to good use.
Gamers come in all shapes, sizes, and ages now. You no longer have to wait until you are old enough to hold a controller before mom and dad sink money into a console. Kids can game as soon as they can swipe their fingers on a screen. Mac games may be slightly more complex, but there is still lots of kid-friendly content that even the youngest gamers can enjoy. Here's our list of favorites.
Frozen Free Fall
Anything with a Frozen theme is bound to excite most kids these days. Frozen Free Fall is a match-three style game that lets you clear away frosty gems. It provides enough complexity that grown-ups can get carried away with it, but can also be played very simply. If your little one just wants to match colors without keeping score, they will still have fun. Plus, with the likes of Elsa and Olaf hanging around, it's almost like they are right there playing along with you. In addition to the icy Winter mode, you can unlock Summer mode by completing enough levels.
For a bit of match-three fun that the whole family can enjoy, play this Frozen themed version for hours of warm hugs.
This game does offer in-app purchases, so be sure your parental controls are set up.
- Free - Download now
Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
Castle of Illusion is a great platform game that originally came out on Sega Genesis and has since been updated and released on new devices, including Mac. It's a perfect entry-level game for kids that have mastered simple games and are ready for something a bit more complex.
It is a typical platform style game. Players must time jumps so they don't fall into the abyss. There are puzzles that need solving. But none of it is so complicated or complex that a young gamer couldn't get the hang of it eventually.
It uses the arrow and space keys on your keyboard, with a couple of additional keys for special moves. It was originally built for console gaming, so using a compatible game pad is recommended. I've played it with the keyboard and it is somewhat awkward.
If your little one is ready to graduate to some more skill-based gaming, Castle of Illusion is a great gateway game into the platformer genre.
- $14.99 Download now
Cars 2: The Video Game
What could be more fun than combining one of Disney's most popular animated films with a good old-fashioned racing game? Adding weapons, that's what. You can take control of Lightning McQueen or one of the other iconic Cars 2 characters and race to catch the bad guys as a secret agent for C.H.R.O.M.E. You'll learn all of the tricks to racing, drifting, and pulling off sweet tricks in the air. It's not all fun and games, though. You'll have to take down enemy Lemons with machine guns, lasers, missiles, and more.
You can choose from about a half dozen iconic characters right from the start. Plus, you will unlock new racers as you play missions. Missions also unlock new courses and types of races that you can have fun with.
Cars 2: The Video Game is definitely designed for older kids between ages eight to 13. Players use the arrow keys to drive, but they must also use many different key combinations to activate stunts and weapons.
It has somewhat high system requirements. Don't download the game until you've made sure your Mac meets the minimum.
If your preteen loves racing games and has fond memories of Cars 2, The Video Game will satisfy their need for speed.
- $9.99 - Download now
Amelia and the Terror of the Night - Story Book for Kids
Even grown-ups can be scared of the dark sometimes. It always helps when you have friends to help guide you through the night. That's what Amelia and her adventurous friends find out as they head out on a dangerous journey to stop an evil creature from stealing souls.
This is mostly an interactive storybook with some mini games peppered throughout. On each page, you can look out for three hidden stars. When you click on a circle, you'll reveal a surprise character, and possible a star. There are also a couple of mini games to keep young minds engaged, like Hide & Seek, or a Simon Says style pattern copy game.
Amelia and the Terror of the Night is best suited for smaller children, between the ages of four and six. Though I should point out that it deals with some dark themes and may trigger some questions from your little one.
It is beautifully illustrated and has clear, understandable narration. If you want to take the game for a spin to make sure your tyke enjoys it, you can play the first seven pages for free.
If your tiny tot is looking for something exciting to read for story time, Amelia and the Terror of the Night has an adventure on every page.
- $2.99 - Download now
Fantastic 4 In A Row Free
Kids just can't get enough of the classic game of Connect Four. It's simple. It's fun. It doesn't require any instructions, really. Fantastic 4 In A Row is a digital version that makes it possible for your youngling to play it alone or with a friend.
You can play solo against a computer-generated opponent, or pass-and-play style with another person in the room. You can also connect to Game Center and play online. If you're tired of losing against your kindergartener, let them play solo for a bit while you calm your internal rage.
Depending on the skill level of your opponent, you can play simple and fast, or compete in mind-crushing matches. Kids of all ages will have fun playing because they can change the level of difficulty of the computer opponent. Basically, if your child likes Connect Four, they will like this game, too.
For bite-sized bits of fun that even the youngest of gamers can enjoy, Play Fantastic 4 In A Row Free.
- Free - Download now
Micro Monster Truck
You can have plenty of RC race car fun and not scare the cat with Micro Monster Truck. Players take control of a mini four-wheeler to drive through an obstacle course built from objects right out of the toy chest. The goal is to collect three stars on each level, but you can take the mini monster truck off roading across the entire course.
You play with the WASD keys, so it is important to be clear on your child's skill level with computer games. Micro Monster Truck also uses 'rag doll' graphics, or realistic physics. So, it might be a little frustrating for younger gamers. The developer suggests that this game is good for children five to eight years old.
If your tiny gamer likes to perform stunts and is reasonably skilled with WASD keyboard controls, they will be able to zoom across the room playing Micro Monster Truck.
- $1.99 - Download now
Rail Maze 2
This is a fantastic puzzle game for kids, since it teaches some reasoning and logic skills through trying to simply get trains to their destinations. You must rotate, drag, and change the direction of train tracks so that every train gets to where it needs to go without trouble, but each level will have a different obstacle. For example, in one level you must get a train to go when a light turns red so that it stops and lets another train by without smashing into it.
As the game goes on, each level gets increasingly difficult, as track types and obstacles are combined, making for some pretty vexing puzzles. There's even a level of the day that you can play, which has a theme based on the time of year. You can also set the difficulty at easy, medium, or hard, and progress is saved every time you play, so your kids can come back and continue from where they left off. The visuals are fun and change for each level (some even have lava!), and the game's addicting enough to keep your young'ns entertained for quite a while.
- Free - Download now
Your favorites?
Does your little one sit behind the computer, playing games better than you ever could at that age? What is their favorite go-to Mac game? Let us know in the comments.
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Rene Ritchie's gadget of the decade: Apple Watch
In my Apple Watch Series 5 review, I said that the addition of always-on took it from being the best smartwatch in the world to being the best damn watch period. And, three months later, I stand by that. Absolutely. 100 percent. But, it's also something more: Not just the best watch of the year, but the best gadget of the decade.
Games for children need to meet two important criteria. The content must be suitable and the game must not be too difficult. Anyone who’s played a game on Xbox Live knows that teenagers require no handicap, but young kids often have trouble with complex titles.
What’s a parent and Mac owner to do? Direct your child towards one of these seven titles.
Bastion
This colorful action-RPG is probably the most mature title on this list. It’s based around combat, so there’s technically a lot of violence, but the cartoonish style and typically non-human enemies blunt this title’s edge. There are also some very mild references to drinking (you can make certain drinks that buff up the main character). Think of it as a family-friendly version of Diablo.
Most parents will find that skill, not content, is this game’s accessibility roadblock. It starts out easy but gradually becomes more difficult. Each level introduces new gameplay concepts that must be quickly adopted to beat the game. I recommend only giving it to older children for this reason.
Bastion is $14.99 on the Mac App Store.
Bookworm
I consider this game to be a Popcap classic. It’s almost ten years old yet remains one of the best games for family members of old ages and, unlike many titles, this one has some serious education value.
Bookworm is essentially a word-based puzzle game. Players must form words to beat levels, and longer words provide a higher score. This goes a long ways towards helping kids play at their own pace, though certain game modes are quite difficult for anyone, regardless of age.
Bookworm is $9.99 on the Mac App Store [No Longer Available].
Cut The Rope
This popular mobile game is now available on Mac. Players attempt to feed a little monster candy by – you guessed it! – cutting the rope.
It sounds easy and it is, at least at first. As levels progress new obstacles and gameplay mechanics are introduced, providing additional challenge. Like all good puzzle games, this one tasks the player’s critical thinking skills. Combine that with cartoonish graphics and you have an excellent title for children.
Cut The Rope is $4.99 on the Mac App Store [No Longer Available].
The LEGO Series
The LEGO series of games has been promptly ported to OS X for years. There are now seven games from the franchise available on the Mac App Store. They include two LEGO Star Wars titles, two LEGO Harry Potter games and LEGO Batman.
All of the games, though they take place in different settings, have the same adventure-RPG feel. Players have to defeat enemies, solve puzzles and occasionally do some old-fashioned platforming. Most levels have secrets and bonuses that can be unlocked by particularly skilled play.
Most of the games are $29.99 on the Mac App Store. LEGO Batman is $24.99 [No Longer Available].
Pinball HD
When I was a kid, I loved pinball, and so did many of my friends. This makes sense when I think about it. Pinball is fast-paced and challenging, yet it is also easy to understand.
Pinball HD is arguably the best modern pinball title available on any platform. It has beautiful graphics, quick gameplay and three unique tables. The developer also offers a similar game called War Pinball HD, which isn’t as violent as it sounds. It’s just like this game but features tables that pay tribute to old action films. There’s even one that features Chuck Norris.
Pinball HD is $2.99 on the Mac App Store.
The Sims 3
The Sims franchise has always been kid-friendly. Although the title technically deals with adult topics like relationships and work, it’s all very hands off. Even language is entirely implied – players can tell when characters are happy, sad or angry by tone of voice, but nothing intelligible is said.
And that’s assuming a child plays the game like it is intended. The Sims 3 is open-ended. While adults may play it as a time-management strategy game, kids can spend time designing for hours, playing songs for money or dressing up new characters. There’s a lot to do, and the game rarely punishes players for doing something “wrong.”
The Sims 3 is $19.99 on Amazon. I also highly recommend the Sims 3: Pets expansion. At $35 it’s rather expensive, but it’s a fun game for a kid who isn’t ready for the real thing.
Where’s Waldo? The Fantastic Journey
If you want a game for a very young child, look no further. Where’s Waldo is perfect. There’s no surprises here, really – the game focuses on finding Waldo and other characters (and objects). As in the books, characters are hidden in colorful scenes that include thousands of people and objects.
Unlike the books, objectives are pre-determined and must be completed within a time limit. Players also must find the devious Odlaw, who can temporarily block parts of drawing using various techniques, like splashing paint across it.
Where’s Waldo is just $.99 on the Mac App Store [No Longer Available].
Conclusion
I would have liked to include more games but I had difficulty thinking of titles that were fun to play, suitable for kids and available on the Mac. What do you think? Do you know of an excellent game the whole family can enjoy? Tell us in the comments.