Best FPS Games For Kids

When thinking about the types of games for kids to play, first-person shooters are usually low on the list of possible options. This is because the genre tends to be filled with overly violent, extremely gory installments that very much cater to a mature audience. Still, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some options out there that would work well.

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There are very few FPS games that are solely for kids, but some are less violent than others and serve as a nice starter for older kids who may be interested in them. Other games give a new take on what an FPS really is, moving away from guns entirely. Either way, it is possible to find first-person shooter games for kids.

A few games with a T ESRB rating have been included. While meriting parental guidance, these titles are fine for older players.

Updated on December 25, 2024 by Mark Sammut: FPS games for kids are just not that common, and most of the options have been exhausted. However, the gaming industry never sleeps, and the future should hold some titles suitable for younger players. Jump to the below section to see these projects.

12

Lovely Planet

A Mixed Bag With A Few High Points

It may be tough to sell a difficult game to a kid, but if they are up for a bit of a challenge, they can try Lovely Planet. With graphics reminiscent of Katamari Damacy, the innocent look of the game may compel people looking for a brighter environment in their FPS to play this.

However, the game can be very difficult as each level tasks the player with killing every enemy on the stage without getting hit once. The goal is also to finish the level in the quickest time possible. These two elements may turn kids away from playing it, but it could be worth trying a few levels.

11

Boomerang X

Pretty Difficult Game, But Fun Core Mechanics

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Boomerang X

Systems

Released

July 8, 2021

Developer(s)

Dang!

ESRB

E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence

Games with creepy monsters in them may be too much for super young children, but older kids may enjoy taking enemies down with a boomerang. In Boomerang X, players are tasked with fighting back against nightmares that have brought civilization into ruins.

The crux of the gameplay is players being able to hit these creatures with a boomerang, and there are a lot of really fun elements to this mechanic, including being able to zip through the air mid-flight. Boomerang X is also another difficult game, but it can be entertaining to play or watch for almost all ages.

10

Metroid Prime Trilogy

Primarily For Older Kids Who Are Looking For Something A Touch More Mature

Metroid Prime borders on being a bit disturbing at points as there are plenty of violent montages in this game (and its sequels). But parents of older kids shouldn’t feel too bad letting them play as much of the violence isn’t terribly graphic, though it’s recommended that parents play with them.

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The Metroid Prime Trilogy is rich with character and has plenty of fun puzzles to solve. The story itself also focuses on various interesting topics that could be thought-provoking and rewarding enough for a parent and kid to experience together. The gunplay is pretty great in each game, offering a fun mix of accessibility and tactics. That said, Metroid Prime Remastered‘s combat is a slight improvement over the original trilogy.

9

Roboquest

Mecha Roguelite With Fast-Paced Combat

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Roboquest

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Released

November 7, 2023

Developer

RyseUp Studios

ESRB

E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence

A fantastic roguelite FPS game, Roboquest enjoys a fruitful early access period, culminating in a full release that is both polished and accessible (while still providing a considerable challenge). While not completely devoid of a story, the project does not have a traditional campaign, instead focusing on repeat runs as players gradually level up and unlock upgrades for their robot or base.

Now, Roboquest is quite difficult, at least when it comes to FPS games for kids. Along with fairly aggressive enemies, the title punishes a lack of movement from players, making it play very much like a run-and-gun shooter. As such, the game might overwhelm very young kids; however, Roboquest also supports co-op, so parents can provide a helping hand.

8

Tag: The Power of Paint

A Short But Sweet Puzzle FPS (That Is Free!)

Systems

Released

May 1, 2008

Developer(s)

Tag Team

ESRB

nr

Tag: The Power of Paint is simplicity perfected. Surrounded by monochrome environments, players have access to a paint gun that shoots out an array of colors, each of which offers different interactions. As such, the goal is to pick the right color to traverse the stage, creating a fun and easy-going puzzle game that offers effective visuals along with accessible and satisfying gameplay.

Lasting roughly an hour, Tag: The Power of Paint is not going to keep somebody engaged for too long, but the project is worth a download considering it is free. While not a huge name in and of itself, the game was impressive enough to attract Valve’s attention, with the latter opting to implement ideas into Portal 2.

7

Supraland

More Of A Great 3D Metroidvania Than An FPS

Another game that might be a bit challenging for kids but could also be an exhilarating experience is Supraland. Described as a first-person Metroidvania game, the world of Supraland takes place in a literal sandbox. Players are tasked with exploring the world and solving puzzles while also having to deal with many different enemies.

The game will reward players for overcoming obstacles and consistently keeps players guessing. While focusing a lot on melee attacks, Supraland has also plenty of opportunities for shooting action, so it is a decent option for kids craving FPS fun.

6

PowerWash Simulator

A Business Sim About Washing Up…It Is More Fun Than It Sounds

When finding a first-person shooting game that kids can play, it’s important to look across several different genres as a game that isn’t a typical FPS has FPS-like elements. This is where a game like PowerWash Simulator comes in.

This relaxing game gives players a power washer that they can use to walk around and clean up every place with grime that they can find. The calming sounds of the washer and the pure satisfaction of cleaning up a mess make doing chores quite fun.

5

Totally Accurate Battlegrounds

Silly But Fun Battle Royale Nonsense

Systems

Released

June 5, 2018

Developer

Landfall

ESRB

e

Another free multiplayer offering, Totally Accurate Battlegrounds is a battle royale that caters to kids who are looking to goof off in a silly world. It is heavily inspired by many other games of the genre that are much more tailored for adults.

While the game features 60 players hunting each other at once, there are many ways that Totally Accurate Battlegrounds tries to be more inviting. This includes no voice chat, simply three catchphrases that can be uttered. There is also a range of ridiculous weapons and some parkour challenges for those kids who like jumping in games.

4

Slime Rancher

Easy-Going Farming FPS

Going back to simulators, a cute game that involves shooting (and collecting) slimes could be an easy bridge for kids to cross into first-person shooting games. In Slime Rancher, players take on the role of Beatrix LaBeau, a rancher who has started a new life on a planet far away.

The game revolves around spending each day growing the farm and exploring the region for various resources and creatures. The goal of the game is to not only get in a good enough position in the “Plort Market,” but to also discover the hidden mysteries that lie in the “Far, Far Range.”

3

Gunfire Reborn

Fast-Paced Roguelike With Pretty Deep Progression & Cute Playable Characters

Gunfire Reborn is a great FPS game for any age, and that includes oldish kids looking to take their first steps into the genre. Due to following a roguelite structure with a few randomly generated elements (the maps are fairly static, but their start and end points are tweaked), the game revolves around experimenting with new builds.

There is not really a story to follow, which might be a negative for some people; however, the core gunplay is rock-solid and offers a decent range of variety through the weapons and characters. Similar to other roguelites, Gunfire Reborn can be a considerable time sink, keeping players entertained for potentially months on end. The game is viable both solo and in co-op, although the latter is only online.

2

Chex Quest HD

A Free To Play Remake Of A 1996 Classic

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Chex Quest HD

Shooter

Free-to-Play

Indie Games

Systems

Released

May 18, 2020

ESRB

rp

In the 1990s, General Mills created a video game that was meant to serve as a marketing campaign for Chex cereal. Years later, the game was re-released on Steam as a free game called Chex Quest HD, a non-violent FPS for kids.

Attempting to stop the invasion of Flemoids, the Chex Warrior sets off to save many of the individuals that were captured by the evil aliens. The player is armed with a “zorcher,” which does not kill Flemoids. Instead, it simply sends them back to their original dimension. The game was initially a modification of the original Doom.

1

Portal 2

A Puzzle Masterpiece With Great Humor

The Portal series was an innovative take on puzzle games, but it also was a unique take on first-person shooting as well. While the original game was what started it all, the most talked-about game is Portal 2 for its amazing campaign mode that features great puzzle rooms and a hilariously deep narrative.

The game revolves around the premise of a portal gun where players can shoot portals that are connected in order to overcome a level’s challenge. While the story mode is a lot of fun by itself, there is a cooperative mode that is both fun for all ages and a solid challenge that can keep kids busy with a friend or family member. There is endless fun with Portal 2.

Upcoming FPS Games That Might Be Good For Kids

• 	MOUSE: P.I. For Hire	Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
  Platform(s)	PC	Switch
  Developer(s)	Fumi Games	Retro Studios
  Publisher(s)	PlaySide	Nintendo
  Genre(s)	FPS, Action	Action

First-person shooter games for kids are just not that common. Sure, there are enough options so that children can at least introduce themselves to the genre, but these types of releases are exceptions to the rule. Similar to how platforms are primarily associated with family-friendly adventurers, FPS games nearly always target older audiences, with most titles garnering either T (for Teen) or M (for Mature 17+) ratings on ESRB. It is just the way things are.

Looking ahead at shooter games tentatively targeting 2025 or 2025 debuts, kid-friendly titles are nearly non-existent. However, there are two games that parents might want to keep an eye on. Now, to be clear, these upcoming projects have not announced their ESRBs, so they might end up being darker than expected. Still, they seem the most likely to be suitable for children.

• Mouse: P.I. for Hire – Inspired by cartoons of old, Mouse: P.I. for Hire looks like an absolute treat. Similar to something like Cuphead, this upcoming FPS shooter uses a visual style based on early animation shorts, specifically Steamboat Willy. The story follows Jack Pepper, a Mouse PI who is dragged into Mouseburg’s crime culture, leading him down a path defined by murder. While the narrative does not seem to be directed at children, the gameplay should be relatively accessible, with the available footage not showing any blood.
• Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – A long-awaited sequel, Metroid Prime 4 has seemingly been in production for close to a decade by this point; fortunately, the end finally seems to be in sight, and there is nothing to suggest that Beyond will fail to maintain the incredibly high standards of the original trilogy or the first game’s Switch remaster. So far, not much is known about the sequel, but Nintendo and Retro Studios rarely disappoint.

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