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Playing video games online is a modern marvel that we are all thankful for. Never before could you and your friend in Japan, South Africa, Portugal, or anywhere else connect and play a round of Mario Kart together!

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It gets tricky when kids are playing online, since they might be exposed to things that you aren't comfortable with. This list brings together some of the best, most popular online multiplayer video games for kids - some that can only be played with friends, some that involve strangers - for you to review.

Updated on February 3, 2023, by Gabrielle Huston: Picking games for kids is a tough challenge, but you don't have to do it alone. We've taken another look at this list and added some new suggestions for you to consider.

Video Games For Kids Age 2-4+

Skribbl

One player guesses the word 'pastry' after other play draws it

ESRB Rating

Unrated

Platforms

Browser

Skribbl is a free, really fun, surprisingly addictive guessing game that's played through a browser. Each player takes a turn drawing something with their mouse, and the other players have to guess what it is.

Due to the nature of the game, it isn't officially rated by ESRB, but it's really tame. If there was anything inappropriate present, it would be because you drew it or added it to the word bank. People love to play Skribbl for a group icebreaker, but its potential goes way beyond that!

Stumble Guys

Stumble Guys characters running around

ESRB Rating

E for Everyone

Platforms

Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows

Stumble Guys is a goofy game of, well, stumblers! Up to 32 players can join one session together where you all race to the finish line of a bizarre obstacle course. This one is just irresistible.

The falls are goofy, the colors are bright, the obstacle courses are varied, and the laughs are endless. As an added bonus, you can collect outfits to customize your stumbling guy and emotes to interact in-game.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart 8 CLOWN CAR and TANOOKI split

ESRB Rating

E for Everyone

Platforms

Nintendo Switch

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe can be played with up to eight people online (with a maximum of four people per Switch console)! It's an adorable racing game themed around the Mario franchise that anyone will be able to enjoy.

Settings are customizable for each player, so beginners can get a bit of help while experienced players still have a challenge. As such, it makes a great family game, since members of a family are bound to be of varied ages and skill levels.

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Video Games For Kids Age 5-7+

Rocket League

Cars fighting for the ball in Rocket League.

ESRB Rating

E for Everyone

Platforms

Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS, GeForce Now

Rocket League takes fast race cars and combines them with the sport of soccer to create a chaotic and fun game that's perfect for groups! People have been playing it for years but it still hasn't left our collective radar, so you just know that it's good.

The cars in the game get special abilities and such to add to the excitement, so it's not quite like any other game of soccer. It also has cross-platform play between all its platforms, which is important for your online multiplayer shenanigans.

Minecraft

player sleeping in a bed

ESRB Rating

E10+ for Everyone

Platforms

Nintendo Switch, Wii U, New Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, iOS, Android, Windows Phone, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Java, Fire OS, Apple TV, tvOS

Minecraft has had its grip on us through three generations of Xbox and PlayStation consoles and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. New updates are constantly improving and expanding on the game - so you also know that your investment won't go to waste.

At its core, Minecraft is a creative sandbox game where players can freely build, fight, survive, and explore. All that is best experienced with good friends (as so many things are), so online multiplayer is a must.

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Video Games For Kids Age 8-9+

Catan Universe

Catan Universe - gameplay

Recommended Age

8+

Platforms

iOS, Android, Browser, Microsoft Windows

Settlers of Catan is a European board game that's rocketed into popularity in recent years. But did you know that there's no reason to only play with the people who are in the room? You can easily play it online with the mobile app, computer game, or right though your browser!

This one is a nice way to keep kids in touch with older relatives. Children can quickly become bored when being forced to sit on the phone and talk to someone, but a board game - especially one that's easy to learn and with simple controls like this - is a great icebreaker.

Roblox

Roblox Arch Piece In The Main Town

ESRB Rating

E10+ for Everyone ten and up

Platforms

Microsoft Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Fire OS, Xbox One Xbox Series S|X

Roblox isn't so much a game in and of itself as it is a gaming platform. Users can create games in Roblox by using an engine known as Roblox Studio, then allow other players to join in on the fun! When done right, Roblox can really highlight the users' creativity, passion, and dedication to making a fun experience for the player.

There are tons of really impressive games to join, and it's a lovely way for children to hang out in a virtual environment, but its public nature means it should be treated a little more carefully. For extra security, familiarize yourself with the parental controls for the game.

Project Zomboidhuge horde of dozens of zombies in a neighbourhood

ESRB Rating

Unrated

Platforms

Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS

Project Zomboid is a fun multiplayer game in early access, which means you're getting something that isn't quite finished, but at a cheaper price. Plus, the developers update it regularly and care passionately about their project, and you can't get much better than that.

This is a sandbox survival game where you need to keep yourself and your friends alive against the oncoming zombie hordes. Up to four people can play locally in split-screen, so it's a fun, cheap party game for friends!

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Video Games For Kids Age 10-12+

Pokemon Go

Pokemon Go - Spring loading screen and promo art

ESRB Rating

E for Everyone

Platforms

Android, iOS

In 2016, Pokemon launched an Augmented Reality (AR) game called Pokemon Go, and everyone lost their minds. It basically allows you to experience Pokemon as if they lived in the real world, right in front of you!

While plenty of people over the years have had complaints about one thing or another, there's a reason this live-service game has survived for so long. You spend your time catching a team of Pokemon, training them up, and battling Team Rocket and other trainers - just like in the mainline Pokemon games!

Don't Starve Together

Don't Starve Together Wes Houndius Shootius Thulecite Walls Ice Flingomatic

ESRB Rating

T for Teens

Platforms

Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Linux

Don't Starve Together is a survival game where you endure harsh seasons in a fantasy environment. At night, mysterious creatures attack and you must defend yourself, or be defeated and restart from scratch. It's undeniably hard, but a great challenge for a stubborn player.

Up to four people can join up together on a collective map, which makes survival a whole lot easier. Someone can look for food, another can explore the map, a third can gather resources... Players fall into roles and get better and better!

Sea of Thieves

sea of thieves firing canon at another ship

ESRB Rating

T for Teens

Platforms

Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Cloud Gaming

Sea of Thieves lets you live out the fantasy of being a real pirate! That comes with the good stuff, like looting lost treasure, catching and cooking your own fish, and swordfighting with skeletons, but it also comes with the bad stuff about pirate life, too, like being raided by other pirates, having to patch up your ship to keep water out, and dealing with the Kracken.

Sea of Thieves' type of multiplayer puts a bunch of players in the same map together, so you'll see them and their ships as they go by. Will they attack you? Will they leave you be? Should you attack them? How much are you willing to risk? These are all questions that you'll constantly be asking yourself as you go. It's best experienced with a full crew on your ship, but can be played solo, too.

NEXT: All The Best Kids' Games Available Right Now