Player Two Co

Gaming Gifts for Kids That Parents Approve Of

Family-safe gaming gifts a kid will actually be thrilled with — every game shows its age rating, so you can match it to the child with confidence.

By Stephen V.Last updated How we pick

Buying a gaming gift for a kid comes with one extra worry: is it age-appropriate? We take that off your plate. Every game below shows its official ESRB rating — E for Everyone, E10+ for Everyone 10 and up — so you can match it to the child at a glance. And we’ve leaned toward the bright, joyful, can’t-lose games kids love and parents are happy to hand over.

The one thing to check first is which console they play on (or, for younger kids, whether they play on a tablet). Most games only run on one system. If you’re not sure, a Roblox or Nintendo gift card is a guaranteed hit that avoids the whole problem.

How this is funded: Player Two Co earns a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes which gift we recommend, and we’ll tell you when we’d skip one. Full disclosure.

The picks at a glance

Ranked for who they suit and how safe a gift they are. Tap a row to jump to the full write-up. We haven’t hands-on-tested these — here’s exactly what we do instead.

#GiftBest forPrice
1
Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

The single safest game gift there is. Everyone from a 6-year-old to a grandparent can pick up a controller and have fun in ten seconds — and as a download code it can't arrive late or go out of stock.

Best for any kid
$59.99 · See it on Amazon

Price as of October 23, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

2
Mojang Minecraft

Mojang Minecraft

The most-owned game on earth for a reason: it's a creative sandbox with no rules, endlessly playable, and beloved across every age. A safe, affordable win for a kid who talks about it constantly.

For the Minecraft kid
$29.83 · See it on Amazon

Price as of October 23, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

3
Roblox Gift Card

Roblox Gift Card

If there's a kid in your life who plays Roblox, this is the gift they actually want: Robux to spend in their favorite games. It even includes an exclusive in-game item, which kids love.

What they're asking for
$50.00 · See it on Amazon

Price as of October 23, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

4
Nintendo Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Nintendo Kirby and the Forgotten Land

An adorable, forgiving 3D adventure that's perfect for a younger kid or a nervous newcomer — gentle enough to never frustrate, with a two-player mode a parent can jump into.

Best for younger kids
$56.96 · See it on Amazon

Price as of October 23, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

5
Nintendo Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Nintendo Super Mario Bros. Wonder

One of the most joyful games on the Switch, and instantly familiar to anyone who's ever touched a Mario game. A delight solo or with the family — and as a download code it can't arrive late or go out of stock.

Best new game
$59.88 · See it on Amazon

Price as of October 23, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

6
LEGO Minecraft Building Set

LEGO Minecraft Building Set

LEGO plus Minecraft is a double win for a kid who loves both. It's a proper build with recognizable characters — a screen-free gift that still connects to the game they adore.

Best screen-free win
$23.99 · See it on Amazon

$29.9920% off

Price as of October 23, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

7
Pokémon Pikachu Plush

Pokémon Pikachu Plush

An officially licensed Pikachu plush is a can't-miss for any Pokémon-loving kid. Recognizable to everyone, soft, and inexpensive — a reliable little gift or add-on.

Best small gift
$15.99 · See it on Amazon

Price as of October 23, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

Every pick, explained

#1Best for any kid

Nintendo Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

The single safest game gift there is. Everyone from a 6-year-old to a grandparent can pick up a controller and have fun in ten seconds — and as a download code it can't arrive late or go out of stock.

Great because

  • Zero learning curve — pick up and play in seconds
  • Up to four people on one Switch, so it's an instant party
  • The best-selling Switch game ever; it's beloved for a reason

Keep in mind

  • A very online player may already own it
  • It's a code, not a box — there's nothing physical to wrap unless you print it
Platform
Nintendo Switch
Type
Digital game (download code)
Works with
Switch, Switch Lite and Switch OLED (the code redeems on their Nintendo Account)
Good for
All ages
Age rating
E (Everyone)

Skip it if: Skip if you know for certain they already have it (most Switch owners do eventually).

Details read from the product listing on July 22, 2026. Price is live from Amazon.

#2For the Minecraft kid

Mojang Minecraft

The most-owned game on earth for a reason: it's a creative sandbox with no rules, endlessly playable, and beloved across every age. A safe, affordable win for a kid who talks about it constantly.

Great because

  • Bottomless creativity — build anything
  • Affordable and universally loved
  • Play alone or together with friends

Keep in mind

  • Check which platform they play on — many kids already have it on a tablet
Platform
Nintendo Switch
Type
Game
Works with
Also on Xbox, PlayStation, PC & mobile (buy for their device)
Good for
Ages 7 & up
Age rating
E10+ (Everyone 10+)

Skip it if: Skip if they already play Minecraft on another device (progress doesn't always carry over).

Details read from the product listing on July 22, 2026. Price is live from Amazon.

#3What they're asking for

Roblox Gift Card

If there's a kid in your life who plays Roblox, this is the gift they actually want: Robux to spend in their favorite games. It even includes an exclusive in-game item, which kids love.

Great because

  • Exactly what a Roblox kid asks for
  • Includes a free exclusive virtual item
  • Works on any device they play on

Keep in mind

  • Only useful if they actually play Roblox
Platform
Any platform
Type
Gift card
Works with
Any device that runs Roblox
Good for
Kids & up

Skip it if: Skip if the child doesn't play Roblox specifically.

Details read from the product listing on July 22, 2026. Price is live from Amazon.

#4Best for younger kids

Nintendo Kirby and the Forgotten Land

An adorable, forgiving 3D adventure that's perfect for a younger kid or a nervous newcomer — gentle enough to never frustrate, with a two-player mode a parent can jump into.

Great because

  • Very approachable and low-stress
  • A second player can help out, ideal for a parent + child
  • Charming and genuinely fun for adults too

Keep in mind

  • Not much challenge for a seasoned player
Platform
Nintendo Switch
Type
Game
Works with
Switch, Switch Lite, Switch OLED
Good for
Ages 6 & up
Age rating
E10+ (Everyone 10+)

Skip it if: Skip for a hardcore gamer looking for a tough challenge.

Details read from the product listing on July 22, 2026. Price is live from Amazon.

#5Best new game

Nintendo Super Mario Bros. Wonder

One of the most joyful games on the Switch, and instantly familiar to anyone who's ever touched a Mario game. A delight solo or with the family — and as a download code it can't arrive late or go out of stock.

Great because

  • Bright, joyful and genuinely funny
  • Up to four players together on one screen
  • A download code, so there's nothing to ship and nothing to lose

Keep in mind

  • It's a code, not a box — there's nothing physical to wrap unless you print it
  • Redeems on their Nintendo Account, so it can't be lent or resold afterwards
Platform
Nintendo Switch
Type
Digital game (download code)
Works with
Switch, Switch Lite and Switch OLED (the code redeems on their Nintendo Account)
Good for
All ages
Age rating
E (Everyone)

Skip it if: Skip if they only play on PlayStation, Xbox or PC — this is Switch-only.

Details read from the product listing on September 15, 2026. Price is live from Amazon.

#6Best screen-free win

LEGO Minecraft Building Set

LEGO plus Minecraft is a double win for a kid who loves both. It's a proper build with recognizable characters — a screen-free gift that still connects to the game they adore.

Great because

  • Combines two things kids love
  • Screen-free play that still ties to the game
  • Great quality and gift-ready

Keep in mind

  • Check the recommended age on the specific set
Platform
Any platform
Type
Collectible
Works with
Any Minecraft fan
Good for
Ages 8+

Skip it if: Skip if the child has outgrown building sets.

Details read from the product listing on July 22, 2026. Price is live from Amazon.

#7Best small gift

Pokémon Pikachu Plush

An officially licensed Pikachu plush is a can't-miss for any Pokémon-loving kid. Recognizable to everyone, soft, and inexpensive — a reliable little gift or add-on.

Great because

  • Universally recognized and loved
  • Officially licensed, good quality
  • Cheap enough to pair with a game

Keep in mind

  • A plush, not something to play
Platform
Any platform
Type
Collectible
Works with
Any Pokémon fan
Good for
Kids & up

Skip it if: Skip if they're not into Pokémon.

Details read from the product listing on July 22, 2026. Price is live from Amazon.

How to buy safely for a child

Two quick checks keep this easy. One: the age rating. Stick to games rated E or E10+ for most children; T (Teen) is aimed at 13 and up. We print the rating on every game. Two: the console. A game bought for a Switch won’t work on a PlayStation, so confirm what they own. Many kids play Roblox or Minecraft on a tablet or phone — in that case a Roblox gift card or a Minecraft-themed toy is a safer bet than a console game. Buying for a specific young age rather than “a child”? Our games for 6-year-olds list is the narrower version of this page, filtered on reading level and whether losing ends the afternoon.

For a younger child, forgiving, gentle games (like Kirby) and screen-free tie-ins (like LEGO Minecraft) are lovely. For a slightly older kid, the big Mario and Pokémon adventures are the crowd-pleasers.

If the present is going to be a headset, our best gaming headset for kids guide ranks four of them — and explains why none of the wireless ones works on an Xbox.

Two follow-ups worth reading before you buy

If the household has the newest Nintendo console, the shelf is narrower than it looks — the best Switch 2 games for kids sorts it by age with the rating on every pick, because most of the Switch 2’s headline games are rated above E. And if a Roblox gift is on the list, our guide to what age Roblox is for sets out Roblox’s own account bands, content labels and chat rules, which matter more at this age than the platform’s overall 5+ figure.

If the console in the house is a PlayStation rather than a Switch, the age filter matters more than it does here: the best PS5 games for kids keeps only the titles the ESRB rates E or E10+, because most of the PS5’s best-known games are rated T or M.

Frequently asked questions

What are good gaming gifts for a 10 or 12 year old?

Family-friendly Switch games like Mario Kart, a Mario platformer or Pokémon; a Roblox or Nintendo gift card; or fun tie-in toys like LEGO Minecraft. Stick to games rated E or E10+, which we show on every pick.

How do I know if a game is appropriate for my child?

Check the ESRB rating, which we display on every game: E (Everyone), E10+ (Everyone 10+), T (Teen, 13+), M (Mature, 17+). Match the rating to your child's age and you're safe. You can also look up any game on the ESRB's site.

My kid plays Roblox or Minecraft on a tablet — what do I buy?

A Roblox gift card is exactly what a Roblox kid wants (it even includes an exclusive item), and Minecraft-themed toys like LEGO sets or plushes are safe wins. Just don't buy a console version of a game they play on a tablet — the two don't transfer.

What's a good gaming gift under $25 for a kid?

A LEGO Minecraft set, a character plush, RGB lights for their room, or a cheaper game all land under $25. Our gifts under $25 list is full of kid-friendly options.

Sources

  • ESRB — Ratings Guide — The Entertainment Software Rating Board's official age-rating definitions: E (Everyone), E10+ (Everyone 10+), T (Teen), M (Mature 17+) and the content descriptors printed on every game box (accessed July 22, 2026)
  • ESRB — Ratings Search — ESRB's official database for looking up any game's age rating and content descriptors before you buy (accessed July 22, 2026)

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