32 Fun Online Games For Kids To Play In Leisure Time
Switch on your gaming mode and indulge in fun challenges with your kids with these online games.
nisha bharatan 
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In This Article
Online games for kids are fun yet challenging. Children can learn plenty of skills such as navigating through hurdles, looking at every corner of the game, and making the right decisions. Some of these games also repeat levels to understand the consequences of choices made. Also, skills such as communication and teamwork can be learned as the children can get into a community of players from various parts of the world, play in teams, and share their strategies and tactics to win.
The players can also connect and have a great time with their buddies. Our post brings you some of the best games available on the internet to keep your children entertained and pick up skills for life.
32 Best Online Games For Kids
We have made lists of different categories of online games for kids. All these games are compliant with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), limiting the collection of personal information collected from children aged 13 and under.
Free Online Games
1. Pictionary
Age group: Four years and above
Number of players: Two to 12 players
How to play:
Online Pictionary allows your child to play with multiple players. They can create a room with up to 12 other children. Each child gets a chance to draw a word using the mouse, and the others guess the word by entering it in the chatbox. You can also customize the time for each play as the game has preset times and word suggestions to help the players.
2. Battleship
Age group: Six years and above
Number of players: Two players
How to play:
You can play against random opponents or add friends to play the classic game called Battleship online. You need to arrange your fleet of ships and rocket launchers on your board and your opponent does the same. Next, you should try to bring down their fleet by marking spots where you think they might have placed their ships. If you bring an enemy ship down, you get another chance.
3. Typetastic
Age group: Four years and above
Number of players: Single-player
How to play:
Typing is an important skill to have. Typetastic consists of different lessons and games to help your child learn and develop fast typing skills. It has well-planned lessons with tests to record your child’s progress. It also has different levels for children of different ages.
4. Free Rice
Age group: Three years and above
Number of players: Single-player
How to play:
If your child is passionate about helping others, this game is perfect for them. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has developed this game to make a difference. The players get a series of questions, and each correct answer sends a payment to the WFP. While playing, they distribute rice among third-world countries with this payment. This game is a perfect place to gain knowledge while making a change in the world. It has different topics to select from.
5. Houseparty
Age group: Four years and above
Number of players: Three or more players
How to play:
Houseparty is a face-to-face social network. While other social media, including Facebook and WhatsApp, have video call and chat features, Houseparty combines it all and adds some fun to the mix. Your children can talk and text during a call, and there are mini-games for them to play too. There is a variant of Pictionary and other simple games included on the app. It runs on mobile phones and tablets.
6. Mancala
Age group: Four years and above
Number of players: Two players
How to play:
Mancala is a strategy-based game that requires a player or their opponent to move the stones on their side of the board to either of the two stores. The player who has more stones at the end of the game wins. While this game is played face-to-face, this website has developed the game to allow you to experience the same pleasure from the comfort of your home by playing with your faraway friends.
7. National Geographic Kids
Age group: Six years and above
Number of players: Single-player
How to play:
Most of us are already familiar with the National Geographic TV channel and magazine for children. They focus on bringing nature close to children. This website takes this forward by bringing wildlife right into your living rooms. It has interesting facts about animals, plants, science, space, and geography. It also includes mini-games and quizzes for your children to enjoy.
8. Dominoes
Age group: Five years and above
Number of players: Two to four players
How to play:
Dominoes is a classic game that is played by matching the number of dots on the tiles to the dots on a tile in your hand. This website recreates the game on an online forum where you can invite your friends or team up with unknown players. Make new patterns as you go by adding new tiles to the existing ones.
9. Connect 4
Age group: Four years and above
Number of players: Two players
How to play:
Connect 4 is a family game that can turn intense quickly. In this online version, you can play with friends or random people. You can even organize a quick tournament for many friends. Each player gets tokens of different colors. They have to drop their tokens in the slot such that there are four tokens in a line.
10. 2048
Age group: 12 years and above
Number of players: Single-player
How to play:
2048 is a classic game that can engage children and adults. The goal of the game is to merge equal tiles on the grid to double. The player has to keep doing it until the tile with the number 2048 comes up. It has to be done before the space on the grid runs out, so you have to put on your thinking cap to play the game.
Online Multiplayer Games
11. Home Base
Age group: Four years and above
Number of players: Two or more players
How to play:
If your child likes role-playing, you can keep them entertained for hours. Home base is developed by Scholastic to cater to children’s developing imagination. They can play mini-games and go on missions with their friends while earning trophies and medals.
12. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Age group: Four years and above
Number of players: Two or more players
How to play:
Animal Crossing: New Horizons by Nintendo is one of the most popular online games for kids. Children and adults love playing it as it allows you to invite your friends to make their areas on the Animal Crossing island. You can go to visit your friends or play mini-games together as well. Before you know it, you will be engrossed in the game.
13. Poptropica
Age group: Six years and above
Number of players: Two or more players
How to play:
Players have to role play and complete quests, play games, visit different islands, and read comics while communicating with other players. They can earn medallions and credits to proceed to the next level.
14. Pokemon sun and moon
Age group: Six and above
Number of players: One to four players
How to play:
It is another popular RPG (role-playing game) from Nintendo. Take a tour of different islands as you discover new Pokemon characters with some power tokens on the way. There are old Pokemons like Pikachu to guide you through your travels. You can train your new Pokemon characters to battle and go to war against opponents. The game can be played on Nintendo game consoles only.
15. Just Dance 2020
Age group: Four years and up
Number of players: Two or more players
How to play:
If there is one online game that can get your child moving, it is this game. You can add players from all over the world to compete. You cannot chat with them or see them, but you can see their points as you all dance to a song. The score will encourage the players to dance more and better. The game requires little to no parental supervision and is preferred by parents and children worldwide.
16. Minecraft
Age group: Seven to 13 years and above
Number of players: Single or multiplayer
How to play:
If you want your child to develop their creative side, Minecraft is the game for them. It combines creativity with problem-solving and decision-making, making it one of the best strategy games. Minecraft can be played on numerous platforms, including mobiles, PC, Xbox, and Nintendo Go. Players can choose to play as a single-player or connect with players worldwide using different options to get tasks done quickly.
17. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Age group: 15 years and above (high violence)
Number of players: Two or more players
How to play:
Counter-Strike is one of the well-known names among the gaming community. Even if you have not played it directly, you might have heard someone talking about it. While most Counter-Strike games are popular, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a crowd favorite. Gamers keep visiting it often to hone their strategic thinking and teamwork skills.
18. Roblox
Age group: Five years and up
Number of players: Two or more players
How to play:
Roblox is designed for young children to explore new environments in 3D. People from all over the world participate in the game and create new mini-games and experiences. The code for this game is simple—allowing players to create any kind of scene they might want.
19. ABCya
Age group: Four years and above
Number of players: One or more players
How to play:
ABCya contains games and puzzles from different subjects, including English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science. Your children can choose any game of their choice and learn as they play. The website includes games that focus on teaching life skills such as typing and writing, along with games on art and music.
20. Splatoon 2
Age group: Ten years and above
Number of players: Two or more players
How to play:
If you are looking for a third-person shooter game without much gore for younger children, you can opt for Splatoon 2. It is colorful and fun for children. The child-like colorful characters can convert into squids and spray paint. The game resembles Paintball, where you have to blast your opponents with paint. Here you have to spray the opposite team’s field and cover it as much as possible. It can be played on mobile devices and gaming consoles.
21. Fortnite
Age group: Eight years and above
Number of players: Two or more players
How to play:
Fortnite is another extremely well-known and popular video game for children and adults. In this game, you have to make teams and coordinate with them to bring down the opponent’s team. While the concept sounds violent, there is no gore in Fortnite. The players can also dress up in costumes of their choice, making for some interesting gameplay. The best part of Fortnite is that it allows cross-platform play, so your children can connect with their friends even if they are playing on different platforms.
22. Terraria
Age group: Seven years and above
Number of players: Two to seven players
How to play:
When you combine Mario Bros with Minecraft, you get Terraria. It is a strategy-cum-action game that keeps players engaged for long periods. Players have to navigate levels and monsters to achieve their goals and complete tasks. They can connect with other players worldwide to create great friendships, teamwork, and strategies.
23. Prodigy
Age group: Six to 14 years
Number of players: Single-player
How to play:
If you want to convert your child’s screen time into something useful, you can make them play this engaging math game. Besides upping your child’s mathematical skills, it also allows them to enjoy their screen time by helping them visit new fantasy worlds and complete tasks. Children can compete with their friends or simply play alone. Children unconsciously pick up amazing math skills while playing such games.
Online Sports Games
24. Ultimate Boxing
Age group: 12 years and above
Number of players: Single-player
How to play:
It is a tricky boxing simulation game for children. They have to take on a computer rival and knock them out. They also have to look for their opponent’s tricks and hits and keep an eye on their health. The game is good for improving your children’s hand-eye coordination and reflex.
25. Run Race 3D
Age group: Five years and above
Number of players: Single-player
How to play:
Run race 3D is similar to the Temple Run game where the player has to run endlessly. In this game, you are in a race to finish while avoiding all the obstacles in your path. When you reach the finishing line, you are taken to the next level, which is tougher than the last. Play across different landscapes and races, and your reaction and reflex times improve vastly by playing this game.
26. Soccer Legends 2021
Age group: Five years and above
Number of players: Two players
How to play:
Soccer is one of the most followed games, both online and offline. Soccer Legends 2021 is a two-player game that allows you to choose from your favorite teams, and you get to play from your home. You can play solo against the computer or challenge a friend to the game. All you have to do is get your ball into the opponent’s net before they get theirs in yours. Although it sounds simple, you will need perfect reflexes to dodge your opponent’s moves and score when they least expect.
27. Basketball Stars
Age group: Five years and above
Number of players: Two players
How to play:
Like soccer, basketball is quite a popular sport followed by many people. Basketball Stars is a two-player game that allows the player to play as a part of their favorite team and play alongside them. You can score a three-pointer or even attempt a slam dunk. You can play this game with different teams to improve your defensive and offensive skills.
28. Power Badminton
Age group: Five years and above
Number of players: Single-player
How to play:
If you want to improve your badminton skills in real life but cannot step out of the house for practice, you can practice the online game instead. You can arrange and use different shots to win against your computer rival. The more powerful your shots, the better chances you have at winning. The game includes two modes: training and match. Each mode allows you to improve specific skills.
29. Madalin Cars
Age group: Five years and above
Number of players: Two or more players
How to play:
Madalin Cars is a multiplayer game where you can drive your car across the desert and practice driving. Add your friends or challenge random players to race against them and show off your driving skills. The landscape is unlimited, and there are various options for what you can do.
30. Baseball Pro
Age group: Five years and above
Number of players: Single-player
How to play:
Practice your baseball swings and learn your moves with this game. Hit the maximum number of incoming balls to score and try to beat your high score every time. The opponent is a computer-controlled rival, so you need to be at the top of your game to outwit them and score well.
31. Mini Golf World
Age group: Six years and above
Number of players: Single-player
How to play:
Playing golf in real life needs a lot of investment in money and time. However, you can play this mini golf for free in the comfort of your home. Go from hole to hole on different courses, each different from the other. You need to get the ball through the hole in the minimum number of swings, and hence you need to plan your shots well.
32. Cricket World Cup
Age group: Five years and above
Number of players: Single-player
How to play:
If you are a cricket fan, you can select the team of your choice in this game and start playing. Hit the maximum number of balls and try to score many runs before you get out. The game helps children improve their planning skills as they assess the bowler’s position and plan the type of shot they will play.
Online games for kids help them develop problem-solving skills, eye-hand coordination, and communication skills. It can also help them learn logical and strategic thinking. These games can also help them have fun and stay connected to their friends during school vacations or weekends. You can pick some interesting games for your kids which can also be helpful for them to learn language and mathematics. However, parental observation is strongly recommended to prevent your children from indulging in risky or inappropriate games.
Key Pointers
- Online games such as Pictionary allow children to have fun while learning. Being a multiplayer game, it also helps enhance their social skills.
- Typetastic is a fun game that challenges children to improve their typing skills, while Mancala helps them develop strategic thinking.
- Dominoes, Connect 4, and many more interesting online games as you scroll down.
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