Beat the Board Best Games for 5-Year-Olds to Win Big
Forget the notion that gaming is only for adults or older kids; the best games for 5 year olds can be both entertaining and educational. At five years old, children are beginning to develop their f...
November 11, 2025 · 5 min read
Ex-competitive player turned writer. If a game has a ranked mode, I've probably grinded it. I write about what's worth your sweat.
Forget the notion that gaming is only for adults or older kids; the best games for 5 year olds can be both entertaining and educational. At five years old, children are beginning to develop their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities, making it an ideal time to introduce them to the world of gaming.
10. Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue!
Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue!
Traveller's Tales · Activision
Nov 16, 1999
Woody has been stolen from the bedroom, ready to be sold to the highest bidder by an evil toy collector. It's up to good friend Buzz Lightyear to f…
Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue! is a platformer that follows the adventures of Buzz Lightyear as he navigates through various levels to rescue Woody. The gameplay is straightforward, with an emphasis on exploration and combat.
The game's colorful graphics and familiar characters make it appealing to young children. The levels are designed to be challenging but not frustratingly difficult, making it suitable for 5-year-olds.
9. LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
Traveller's Tales · Feral Interactive
Nov 11, 2011
The game will whisk you away to familiar locations from books 5-7 Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince and The Deathly Hallows, including Grimma…
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 is an action-adventure game that follows Harry Potter's journey through his later years at Hogwarts. The game features open-world exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat.
The LEGO series is known for its family-friendly content, and LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 is no exception. The game's humor, colorful graphics, and iconic characters make it an excellent choice for young children.
8. LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
Traveller's Tales · Feral Interactive
Jun 25, 2010
Experience the magic of Harry Potter's first 4 years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in an exciting new way. LEGO Harry Potter: Years…
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 is another installment in the LEGO Harry Potter series, focusing on Harry's early years at Hogwarts. The gameplay is similar to Years 5-7, with an emphasis on exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat.
The game's charm and humor make it an excellent introduction to the Harry Potter series for young children. The gameplay is easy to understand, and the levels are designed to be fun and challenging.
7. Game of Thrones: A Telltale Games Series
Game of Thrones: A Telltale Games Series
Telltale Games · HBO
Dec 2, 2014
Game of Thrones: A TellTale Games Series is an episodic adventure game developed by TellTale Games and based on the famous HBO TV-show Game of Thro…
Game of Thrones: A Telltale Games Series is an episodic adventure game set in the Game of Thrones universe. While the game's themes and content may not be suitable for 5-year-olds, it's worth mentioning that some of the later episodes feature more mature themes.
However, if you're looking for a game that's more story-driven and features character development, this might be worth considering for older children. The gameplay is primarily point-and-click, with an emphasis on exploration and decision-making.
6. Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden
The Bearded Ladies · Funcom
Dec 4, 2018
From a team including former designers of HITMAN and PAYDAY comes Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden, a tactical adventure game that combines the turn-…
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden is a tactical adventure game set in a post-apocalyptic world. The gameplay involves turn-based combat, exploration, and character development.
While the game's themes and content may be too mature for 5-year-olds, it's worth considering for older children who enjoy strategy games. The gameplay is challenging and requires critical thinking.
5. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Intelligent Systems · Nintendo
Jul 22, 2004
What sleeps behind the door? Time passes, the pages turn… and a new chapter unfolds in an unfamiliar land! Get ready for a two-dimensional role-pl…
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is a role-playing game featuring Mario and his friends on a quest to save the world. The gameplay involves turn-based combat, exploration, and character development.
The game's charming characters, humor, and engaging storyline make it an excellent choice for children. The gameplay is easy to understand, and the levels are designed to be fun and challenging.
Comparison of Top Games
| Game | Price | Player Count | Difficulty | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue! | $10-$20 | 1 player | Easy | 5-10 hours |
| LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 | $20-$30 | 1-2 players | Easy | 10-20 hours |
| LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 | $20-$30 | 1-2 players | Easy | 10-20 hours |
| Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door | $20-$30 | 1 player | Medium | 20-30 hours |
| Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden | $30-$40 | 1 player | Hard | 20-40 hours |
Honorable Mentions
- Super Mario Odyssey - a 3D platformer with innovative gameplay mechanics.
- LittleBigPlanet - a platformer that encourages creativity and exploration.
- Ratchet & Clank - a platformer with a focus on action and humor.
When choosing the best games for 5 year olds, it's essential to consider factors such as gameplay, difficulty, and content. The games listed above offer a mix of entertainment, education, and fun, making them suitable for young children.