I'm a Gamer and Parenting Writer—Let Me Help You Choose Your Kid's Next Video Game Console (2024)

In case you haven't heard, video games aren’t all fun and games—when done in moderation gaming has tons of developmental benefits. In fact, studies show that kids who game perform better on cognitive tests. That's because the hobby teaches important problem-solving skills, helps develop memory, and can provide learning opportunities. Many video games are also multiplayer, so the whole family can join in. For example, there are a lot of educational Nintendo Switch games that you and your kids can play together! So given the benefits, how do you choose the best game console for your kids?

When it comes to investing in a gaming system for your kids, there’s a lot to consider. And for a purchase that can cost as much as $1,000, you want to make sure you’re getting something your family will love. When picking out a console, think about how old your kids are, what they’re interested in, what sort of games are available for the device, and how robust the parental controls are. For example, younger kids will need a gaming console with a roster of E-rated games and easy-to-use parental controls like the Nintendo Switch. On the other hand, teens may be ready for something with less parental controls and a more sophisticated game library, like a laptop or a PC.

To help you make this all-important decision, I spoke with experts in gaming, technology, and psychology to find out what parents need to know about video game consoles for families. I also factored in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations for screen time, online safety, and video game usage. And as an avid gamer myself, I included personal insight about which consoles worked best for me and my family throughout the years.

Our Favorite Video Games for Kids

• Best Overall: PlayStation 5
• Best for Families: Nintendo Switch
• Best Budget: Xbox Series S
• Best for Learning: LeapFrog LeapPad Academy
• Best VR Option: Meta Quest 3
• Best Handheld: Steam Deck OLED
• Best for Sport Games: Xbox Series X
• Best for Serious Gamers: The Alienware Aurora R15
• Best Tablet for Video Games: iPad 10th Generation
• Best Gaming Laptop: Acer Swift X 16

Best Video Game Console: PlayStation 5

Why We Like It

There’s a reason the PlayStation 5 was America’s best-selling console in 2023. In terms of graphics, the system boasts 4K resolution with 120 FPS (frames per second) so you can expect crystal-clear and incredibly smooth images. And while in the past, high resolution meant high load times, the PS5 was designed to load games almost instantly.

In terms of safety, the PS5 has pretty robust parental controls. You can set restrictions on internet access, PlayStation Store spending, the age ratings of both the games and DVDs played, and the amount of daily playtime. If you have multiple kids, you can also set up different restrictions based on the kid’s age. For example, you can ensure elementary-aged kids can’t access the internet, but teens can. You can even make exceptions for certain restrictions. So for example, because the culture of each game is different, you can make an exception so that online communication is allowed for Among Us, but not Call of Duty.

That said, the best aspect of the PS5 is its game library. There are so many franchises that are only available on PlayStation, including smash hits like The Last of Us, Spider-Man, Horizon Zero Dawn, and more. Plus, the PS5 is backward compatible with PS4 games, so you don’t have to rebuy any games. Just make sure you get the original PS5 instead of the Digital Edition. The only difference between the two, aside from a $50 price change, is that the original has a disc slot, and the Digital Edition doesn’t. And if you want to play your old PS4 games, you’re gonna need a disc slot.

But Take Note

These suckers sell out fast. If you’re shopping during a particularly high-demand time of year, like the holiday season, it can be hard to get your hands on a console. Because of this, retailers like Amazon and Walmart use a variable pricing model so sometimes the console will be more expensive than at PlayStation.com. But if you want to buy it directly from that site, you’ll often have to join a waitlist.

The Details:

• Recommended age: 9 and up
• Power source: Plug-in
• Key features: Dual-sensor controller with a built-in mic, customizable parental controls for each child
  

Best for Families: Nintendo Switch

Why We Like It

“The Switch is probably the most user-friendly console,” says Margaret Moser, associate professor of game development at the University of Southern California. “Its all-in-one design reduces some of the complexity—for example, you don't have to charge or pair the controllers, and they have fewer buttons than the TV-based systems. And Nintendo works very hard to make its products accessible to a broad audience.”

Nintendo games are often multiplayer and appeal to so many different age groups that the whole family can play together. Seriously, everyone likes Mario Kart, from elementary school-age kids to teens to parents. My brother is 8 years older than me, and when I was growing up, there weren’t a ton of games that appealed to both of us. But I cherish my childhood memories of playing Mario Kart with him on the Wii.

The Switch builds on that legacy of family-friendly fun, but with a few added bonuses. Since the Joy-Cons are detachable, you won’t really need to purchase a ton of additional controllers. For games like Mario Kart and Smash Bros, each kid can use one of the two Joy-Cons and play together that way. If you have a larger family, you’ll only need to purchase one set of Joy-Cons per every two members. And because it’s portable, your kids can play together while traveling, making car and plane rides that much easier. Plus, even though Nintendo is known for their wide selection of rated-E games, there are also parental controls that you can manage with the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls mobile app. You can restrict internet access, Nintendo Shop spending, which games they play, how long and how late they play, and more.

But Take Note

There’s a phenomenon called “Joy-Con drift”—a glitch in which the joystick on the controllers suddenly starts to send faulty movement input to the console, so characters will walk in to walls or drift off course. It’s annoying, but you can send the Joy-Con to Nintendo and they’ll fix it for free, even if your warranty expired. Another complaint from some is that the memory capacity is a bit small. It’s only 64 GB, so you can’t download a ton of games. But you can just add an SD card to store games or buy physical copies of the games instead of digital copies. I also like to delete saved data for games I know I’m not going to replay.

The Details:

• Recommended age: 3 and up
• Power source: Plug-in dock and battery, which lasts 4.5-9 hours in handheld mode
• Key features: Parental controls via an app, two Joy-Con controllers, three gameplay modes (TV, handheld, and tabletop)

Best Budget: Xbox Series S (512 GB) With Game Pass

Why We Like It

When it comes to big-name consoles, only the Nintendo Switch and the Xbox Series S retail for less than $300. But what makes the Xbox Series S a better deal is that it comes with a free three-month subscription to Game Pass Ultimate, so you get unlimited access to select games at no additional cost. Since a AAA game (a game made by the biggest studios with the biggest budgets) typically costs about $70, Game Pass is a huge money saver. And since the Xbox Series S doesn’t have a disc slot, you won’t really need to buy physical discs anyway.

The selection of games available on Game Pass varies, but you can expect a good mix of AAA games and indie gems. Currently, you can play Minecraft Legends, Disney Dreamlight Valley, Halo Infinite, MLB The Show 24, Starfield, and more.

Despite the lower price tag, the Xbox Series S still delivers 4K resolution, up to 120 FPS, and gaming in Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision. Plus, parents can monitor all of their children’s activity on the console via the Xbox Family Settings app. You can create custom restrictions for each child, including limitations on screen time, spending, and online access. You can even see incoming friend requests and approve or deny them via the app.

But Take Note

While 512 GB seems like a ton of space, it’s really not a lot when you consider how much of the console’s storage is going to be used for downloading digital games. Usually, the game’s coding is stored on the disc, so your console mostly holds your save files. That said, you might run into some issues with storage if you’ve got a lot of games downloaded. Just like with the Switch, I suggest deleting games once you’re done playing them. Since your purchases are attached to your Microsoft account, you can always just re-download the game later if you decide to replay it.

The Details:

• Recommended age: 9 and up
• Battery life: Plug-in
• Key features: Parental controls via an app, one controller, three months free of Xbox Game Pass

Best for Learning: LeapFrog LeapPad Academy

Why We Like It

LeapFrog has been a leader in the educational gaming space for decades, and this console lives up to that legacy. The tablet comes with 20 apps already downloaded, with the option for you to get more using the LeapFrog App Center. The pre-downloaded games are designed to teach STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) and literacy skills in a fun way. Kids can use the included stylus to work on their fine motor skills, or they can use the touch screen. Unlike other tablets, you don’t need Wi-fi either.

Since the tablet is specifically designed for kids as young as 3 years old, it’s incredibly sturdy. It’s got bumpers on the side and a shatter-safe LCD screen, so you won’t need to purchase an additional case. In terms of parental controls, it doesn’t get much more straightforward than this. You can set screen time limitations and restrictions on internet access directly on the tablet. You don’t need to download additional apps or use your phone.

But Take Note

The device has a lithium-ion battery, which isn’t allowed in checked bags per the TSA. There are also some limitations on bringing these batteries in your carry-on. Check that your airline will allow the tablet beforehand and research other ways to keep kids entertained during air travel just in case. Additionally, it only has 16 GB of storage. While that’s not an issue if your kid is just going to use the pre-downloaded apps, you won’t be able to download a ton of additional apps, music, or videos.

The Details:

• Recommended age: 3-8
• Power source: Lithium ion battery that lasts up to 9 hours
• Key features: Stylus, bumpers, shatter-proof screen

Best VR Option: Meta Quest 3

Why We Like It

If you’re interested in virtual reality gaming, the Meta Quest 3 is the best VR headset for kids because of its 110 degree horizontal field of vision, 120 Hz refresh rate, and low latency. In plain English, latency is another word for delay. In the case of VR, high latency is largely responsible for motion sickness because your brain gets confused by the lag on the device between your physical motions and what you see in the device. According to Qualcomm, the makers of the Quest 3’s GPU, the latency is as low as 12 milliseconds. That’s the lowest latency currently available on the market, aside from the Apple Vision Pro which has the same latency but is about $3,000 more expensive. Daniel Joseph, a sales advisor at Best Buy, told me that “for the price of the headset, it’s a cut above the rest of the market. It is easy to see why it is so popular.”

Additionally, the parental controls for the Meta Quest 3 allow you to manage your kid’s user profile, see their followers and who they follow, approve or deny purchases, set limits on screen time, and restrict certain app ratings. These features are much more robust than Apple’s parental controls.

But Take Note

While VR gaming has made leaps and bounds since it first became commercially available, it’s still pretty new compared to other established gaming methods, so there aren’t a ton of games available just yet. It’s also worth noting that there’s a potential for physical injury. Low latency doesn’t mean you won’t ever get motion sickness. Leonardo Cabrera, an aerospace engineer and avid gamer, says of the Quest 3, “I do enjoy playing, but depending on the game and how long I play, motion sickness starts to take effect, and I sometimes get headaches.” And, of course, since you’re essentially blindfolded when playing some games, you can run into or punch things by accident. To reduce the risk of injury and motion sickness, make sure your kids are sitting down when they play.

The Details:

• Recommended age: 10 and up
• Power source: Battery that lasts approximately 2.2 hours
• Key features: Includes two battery-powered controllers, one year warranty, and a six-month trial of Meta Quest+

Best Handheld: Steam Deck OLED

Why We Like It

The Steam Deck is essentially a tiny PC, without the PC price tag. While the Steam Deck’s biggest competition, the Nintendo Switch, is a great console, it doesn’t have the same graphics and processing as a Steam Deck. (Seriously, I tried running The Witcher 3 on my Switch and it was like playing on a graphing calculator. I’m joking, but it didn’t do the game justice at all.) Joshua Sotello, an educator and tech fanatic from Austin, Texas, says that in his experience the Steam Deck “is great for emulating or playing games that are graphically intense.”

The Steam Deck OLED offers up to a 90 Hz refresh rate, HD graphics, and less than a millisecond latency. How is it so fast? Despite its handheld size, the console has a whopping 16 GB of RAM. (The bigger the RAM, the more processes it can run at the same time and the faster it can complete them.) By comparison, the Switch has 4 GB RAM.

The best part of the console is definitely its expansive game library. The Steam Deck can play many of the same PC games you may already own, including Fallout 4, Elden Ring, Baldur's Gate 3, and more. These games can be managed through a Steam Families account that allows families to share a library and provides parental controls that are unique to each child. You can set up limitations on screen time, which games they can access, chat functions, and purchases. You can also monitor their activity and even receive usage reports.

But Take Note

The console doesn’t come with a dock or external controllers, which you can purchase separately.

The Details:

• Recommended age: 13 and up
• Power source: Battery lasts 3-12 hours
• Key features: Compatible with many PC games, robust parental controls

Best for Sport Games: Xbox Series X

Why We Like It

Most sports franchises like NBA 2K, MLB: The Show, FIFA, and Madden NFL produce games for all major consoles. These franchises also typically allow crossplay between consoles of the same generation. Meaning if your kid has an Xbox Series X and their friend has a PS5, they can still play together. But for me, what tips the scales in favor of Xbox as the best for sports games is its exclusive access to the Forza motorsport franchise. Each game features a different racing location and a different lineup of luxury vehicles.

Unlike the Series S, the Series X has a disc slot and is backward compatible, so if you have a favorite game from the Xbox One, you can still play it on the Series X. This is significant because sports franchises tend to release a new game annually featuring that year’s professional roster. New players are added and removed to match their real-world teams. If your kid’s favorite athlete retired, they may want to play older games that still feature that player.

But Take Note

The Xbox Series X can be hard to get your hands on. The consoles tend to sell out, especially during the holiday season. If you want to secure a console for your family, purchase it whenever it’s in stock at your preferred retailer. Waiting for a better deal during the holidays can backfire if the console sells out.

The Details:

• Recommended age: 9 and up
• Power source: Plug-in
• Key features: Includes one wireless controller, compatible with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos

Best for Serious Gamers: The Alienware Aurora R15

Why We Like It

If your kid wants to get into PC gaming, this pre-built desktop device is a relatively inexpensive option that doesn’t sacrifice quality. It has enough power to run several tasks at once, like streaming on Twitch, running graphically intense games, and chatting with friends on Discord. I find this option also makes it convenient to customize the hardware to suit your gaming needs. When ordering online you can choose your graphics card, processor, and storage drive. There are also little popups that demystify the available options. If your kid wants to upgrade the hardware later on, the case is pretty easy to open up, and things are organized in a straightforward way. While I haven’t had to switch out or replace any parts so far, I have cleaned my Alienware Aurora a few times and can confirm it looks good inside and out.

For parental controls, I recommend creating a Steam Families account. While Steam doesn’t sell every single PC game, it’s still the largest store. And, of course, make sure you have internet parental controls and parental monitoring apps set up too.

But Take Note

The console isn’t ready to play immediately out of the box. You’ll need to purchase additional peripherals like a mouse, keyboard, monitor, speakers or a headset, and a microphone. When I got my Alienware, it took me a few hours to get the software updated and configured.

And while it’s much easier to restrict Internet access on something like a Switch or Xbox, a PC needs the internet to play most games. And oftentimes the multiplayer cooperative nature of major PC games requires a degree of communication to work successfully with teammates and (hopefully) win games. With that in mind, I wouldn’t recommend PC gaming for younger kids who might not be ready to safely have conversations with randoms online.

The Details:

• Recommended age: 12 and up
• Battery life: Plug-in
• Key features: Customizable specs, easy to upgrade the hardware later on

Best Tablet for Video Games: iPad 10th Generation

Why We Like It

Gaming on an iPad 10th Gen. is really user friendly because you can either use the touch screen, an Apple Pencil, or a keyboard as a controller. While sometimes gaming on a tablet can feel clunky since it’s not quite a phone and not quite a laptop, the flexibility in choosing which tools you use is actually a huge plus. I don’t usually love tablet gaming, but I found playing Genshin Impact on an iPad to be really smooth, since I could use an Apple Pencil instead of my finger and get more control that way.

"The iPad and Android tablets are a good option for kid-friendly gaming, particularly if you use a sturdy case and screen protectors,” says Moser.

The 10.9-inch display has 4K resolution and a feature called True Tone which adjusts colors to suit different lighting. This resolution combined with the A14 Bionic chip makes for a really beautiful gaming experience. Even games as large as Genshin Impact or Minecraft load relatively quickly and look stunning on the display. This makes it one of the best tablets for kids overall.

In terms of game library, there’s no shortage of games on the Apple App Store. Since there’s also no shortage of potentially unsavory content on the app store too, be sure to make use of Apple's parental controls. These allow you to restrict access to explicit content, Internet browsing, purchases, and more.

But Take Note

Accessories like the Apple Pencil or an iPad-compatible keyboard, are not included with the iPad. While not strictly necessary for an enjoyable gaming experience, be prepared to shell out a little more for things like a kid-proof iPad case, headphones, and more.

The Details:

• Recommended age: 7 and up
• Power source: Battery lasts up to 10 hours
• Key features: Touch ID, True Tone color correction, available in four colors

Best Gaming Laptop: Acer Swift X 16

Why We Like It

This laptop has many of the same specs as the Alienware Aurora R15, but in a portable and less expensive package. Seriously, the Swift X 16 has an AMD Ryzen 7000 Series processor, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics card, and 16 GB of RAM. Those are literally the same specs as the cheapest version of the Alienware I recommended above. In terms of power, this laptop can easily run multiple tasks without a ton of lag, so your kid can stream, game, and listen to music all at the same time.

One of the more common issues with gaming laptops is that they tend to overheat, but this laptop features two cooling fans, and you can actually control their speed. Overheating shouldn’t be an issue, but if you’re in a particularly hot climate you can also order a cooling pad on Amazon.

Since it’s basically a PC, you’ll need to set up Wi-Fi parental controls and a Steam Families account.

But Take Note

Laptops aren’t the most ergonomic for gaming, so you’ll still need to purchase peripherals to improve the experience and prevent injuries like carpal tunnel. I tried just using the trackpad for all of three minutes before rage quitting and ordering some gear, so I recommend getting a mouse, keyboard, and a laptop riser at the very least.

The Details:

• Recommended age: 12 and up
• Power source: Plug-in and battery that lasts about eight hours
• Key features: OLED screen, dual cooling fans, 16 GB RAM

Our Review Process

I took into consideration a several different factors when researching and selecting these gaming systems for kids, including:

• Tech specs: What hardware does each console have and how does that contribute to overall performance?
• Price: How affordable is each option, and are they good bang for your buck?
• Parental controls: Does the device have parental controls, and if so how robust are they?
• Game library: What sort of titles are available for the console, and is there a good selection of kid-friendly games?
• Durability: If the device is intended for younger kids, how sturdy is it?

Our Experts

We interviewed the following experts and gamers to help give parents nuanced insight into what to look for in a gaming system and how to keep video games a safe and fun experience for little ones:

• Margaret Moser, a game designer and assistant professor of the practice of cinematic arts (associated with the Interactive Media & Games Division) at the University of Southern California
• Anthony Bean, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist with video game expertise
• Leonardo Cabrera, an aerospace engineer and avid gamer
• Daniel Joseph, a sales advisor at Best Buy

Factors to Consider When Buying a Game Console for Kids

• Parental controls: Parental controls are a must for keeping your kids safe online. You’ll want different features depending on how old your child is, but in general look for settings that allow you to limit screen time, content ratings, internet access, in-game communications, and spending. In fact, a parental control option that both our experts listed as being very important is the ability to limit your child’s access to real-money purchases.
• Age and interests: Different consoles cater to different gaming styles and interests. Younger kids will enjoy the easier-to-understand, rated-E (for everyone) games Nintendo is known for. Whereas teens may be drawn to the social aspect of gaming with friends on their PC. Tweens may be more inclined to play sports games on an Xbox or a PS5. By contrast, toddlers should focus on educational games with robust parental controls.
• Game library: Some franchises can only be played on a specific console. For example, Spider-Man games are only available on the PlayStation, whereas Mario games are only on Nintendo consoles. Dr. Bean recommends investigating which types of games a system has to offer and suggests looking into whether the system has games you can play with your child.
• Features: If you’ve got a 4K TV, you may want to make sure the devices you’re looking into are also 4K compatible. Does the console support apps like Netflix or Hulu? Is the console backward compatible and does it have a disc slot? If you already have a PS4 with a bunch of physical discs, you’ll want to make sure you upgrade to a PS5 with a disc slot, instead of an Xbox or a PS5 Digital Edition.
• Durability: Moser notes that “most consoles and controllers are engineered to be pretty bulletproof out of the box, but after-market controllers are either cheap and likely to break, or expensive.” (I can confirm since my brother dropped our first Xbox down a flight of stairs and that sucker still worked for another few years.) Smaller devices tend to be more fragile, so definitely invest in cases for your little one’s controllers, tablets, laptops, and/or handheld consoles. We also recommend using screen protectors and carrying cases for any portable devices.

Tips for Safe and Healthy Gaming

1. Make sure to set age-appropriate screen time limits.

Screen time is a hot topic since research suggests that screen time can cause language delays in toddlers under age 2. There’s even evidence showing the harm associated with educational tech toys. The AAP guidelines don’t recommend screen time for kids younger than 2 years old, so children shouldn’t be gaming at that age. Once kids are old enough to use screens, the AAP guidelines recommend no more than one hour a day for children ages 2 to 5. A general rule of thumb is that once screen time starts to displace other activities like homework, exercise, spending time with family, and sleep, then it’s time to set some limits.

2. Monitor the content your children are consuming.

There are a few ways you can keep an eye on what sort of games your kids are playing. The AAP recommends setting up game consoles in common areas so you can keep an eye on your kids’ gaming. They also suggest checking out each game’s ESRB rating and selecting titles based on the age-rating specified. Most parental controls allow you to select which ESRB ratings are allowed to be played on the console. Each console or gaming platform will have different parental controls, but in general, you can usually limit things like screen time, in-game communication with strangers, purchases, and access to the Internet.

3. Ensure video games don’t take the place of outdoor activity.

Research shows that independent outdoor play is critical for kids. Often video games and other screen usage can encourage children to spend more and more time indoors. An easy compromise would be to combine the two activities with a game like Pokemon Go or Pikmin Bloom. That way your kids can still spend time outside and get exercise while enjoying gaming. Just make sure you’re walking alongside them and keeping an eye out for potential hazards. (I knew a girl who walked into a patch of poison ivy while trying to catch a Pokemon. It wasn’t pretty.)

4. Talk to your kids about online risks.

Parental controls are a useful tool, but they’re no substitute for educating your kids on Internet safety. Have conversations about online privacy and what information shouldn’t be shared online. Emphasize that online friends do not need to know your kid’s real name, location, age, or school name. Make sure their gamer tag or screen name doesn’t have any identifying information either.

It’s also important to prepare your kids for the very real risk of cyberbullying. When participating in online gaming, communication is often an important part of strategy. Some games have audio chat features so you can tell your teammates where you spotted enemies and ask for backup. That chat can go from helpful strategizing to verbal abuse very quickly. Make sure your kids know they can mute and block teammates and leave games when necessary. The AAP recommends reporting cyberbullying to the social media platform, your child’s school if a classmate is harassing them, or to the police if there are threats of bodily harm. Encourage kids to report toxic players in real time to create a healthier environment for everyone.

Who We Are

Anja Webb is a freelance writer whose work has been featured in New York Family, School Library Journal, and more. Her educational background in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies and passion for video games allow her to provide a nuanced analysis of healthy gaming practices for kids and families. Fun fact: she married her husband first in the video game Stardew Valley before taking it to the altar IRL.