Co-op Games to Play with Kids: Picks for Every Skill Level
The best co-op games for parents and kids are the ones both players can enjoy without one player carrying the other. Here are picks that work across different ages and skill levels.
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Good co-op games to play with kids are the ones where you both work toward the same goal instead of one of you watching. Co-op games let a parent and child share that goal, so each of you has a real job in every level. A session stays fun when neither player is just along for the ride. Related reading: Are Online Games Safe for Kids?
If you play on PC, Lenovo Gaming's list is a good place to begin. It names It Takes Two and Split Fiction as the standard co-op games for a parent and child. [1]
This article covers both easy starter games and titles that suit mixed skill levels, so you can match a game to your child's age and experience. Each pick comes with a note on who it suits best.
Why is It Takes Two a common pick for parents and kids?
It Takes Two is a common pick because Lenovo Gaming lists it among the standard co-op games for a parent and child on PC. [1] That makes it an easy place to start if you want a game you can share with your child.
The game works best when you want to play side by side toward one shared goal, rather than having your child watch you play. Because you are both working on the same objective, a tough moment becomes a team problem instead of a reason to hand over the controller. A younger player can take on the simpler moments while you handle the harder ones, and you can talk through a tricky puzzle together.
Here is what makes it a strong first choice:
- Shared goal: You both work toward the same outcome, so neither of you is just a spectator.
- Story-led pacing: The plot gives you a natural reason to come back to the next chapter.
- Cooperative focus: It suits you when you want teamwork instead of a race or a fight.
Before you buy, check the game's current platforms and price on its official store page. Those details can change, so the store page is the most reliable place to confirm them.
Is Split Fiction a good co-op game for a parent and child?
Yes, Split Fiction is a good pick if you want a shared-play game with a parent and child on PC. Lenovo Gaming lists it alongside It Takes Two as one of the standard co-op games for this pairing [1].
Split Fiction is worth considering when you want another co-op game with a similar shared-play structure. If your child has enjoyed one co-op game, the other gives you a related experience without starting from scratch.
How to decide between the two
Put the two games side by side before you choose. Here is what to compare:
- Pacing: Does your child like steady exploration, or do they get restless when a game moves slowly?
- Controls: Think about how comfortable your child is with a controller, since both of you will need to move and act at the same time.
- Story: Consider whether your child wants a narrative to follow or prefers a game built around teamwork and puzzles.
For example, if your child is new to controllers, pick the game where the controls feel easiest for them to learn during the first session. Choose the one that keeps both of you interested for the whole evening, not just the first few minutes.
Can Overcooked work for a young player and an adult?
Overcooked suits a young player and an adult when you want a short, shared game. You both work toward the same goal, so neither of you ends up watching the other play.
CNET includes Overcooked in its list of video games you can play with your kids. [2] That puts it among family-friendly picks rather than a niche choice. Related reading: Best Video Games for Kids by Age.
A parent of an 11-year-old posted on a Steam forum that the family had already tried Stardew Valley and Overcooked, and it was fun. [3] That shows the game can keep an older kid engaged, not just a younger one.
It works best as a short session where you both cook and talk. Keep it social with a few simple habits:
- Set a time limit, and stop while you are both still enjoying it.
- Talk through each order out loud, since the teamwork happens in the chatter.
- Swap roles now and then so your child is not always waiting on you.
Start with Overcooked for a quick evening session, and save longer games for a weekend when you have more time.
Are the Rayman games a good pick for younger kids?
Yes, the Rayman games are a good pick for younger kids, and two of them stand out for a parent and child playing together.
- Forum members on Quarter to Three recommend Rayman Origins and Rayman Legends for a 7-8-year-old and a parent. [4]
- CNET lists Rayman Legends among its picks for playing with kids. [2]
- Both games suit a child who is still building button skills.
One forum poster summed it up: "Rayman Origins and Rayman Legends are pretty excellent." [4]
The button-skills point is the main reason to start here. A child new to a controller can keep up with you in these platformers instead of getting stuck on the same level. Take turns on the tricky sections, or let your child lead while you help with the harder jumps.
Sit beside your child for the first few levels so you can show the basics together. Once they have the rhythm, you can step back and let them take the lead more often.
Short sessions work well for a child this age. Stop while everyone still wants another round, and pick up where you left off next time.
What racing and party games can you play with a child?
Racing and party games work well when your child likes speed, short rounds, and friendly competition. You can play a few races and stop, so the session fits easily into an evening.
- Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed: a racing game that forum users suggest as a substitute for Mario Kart [4].
- Boomerang Fu: a 1-2 player co-op roguelike mode, listed on a Steam curator page for games to play together [5].
- Best fit: a child who enjoys speed and short rounds.
Racing picks
If your child already knows Mario Kart, a racing game is the easiest step into shared play. Forum users on Quarter to Three suggest Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed as a good substitute for Mario Kart [4]. You can race side by side, and short rounds mean a young player rarely loses interest between them.
A party-style pick
Boomerang Fu suits you when you want something beyond racing. The Steam curator page With the Kids lists it at $14.99 and describes its mode as a 1-2 player co-op roguelike [5]. At that price, you and your child can share one purchase and take turns or team up in the two-player mode.
Which Nintendo and family classics are fun for kids and adults?
If you want a light, playful game with clear goals to share with your child, these Nintendo and family picks are a good place to start. CNET includes Super Mario 3D World, Splatoon 2, Nintendo Labo, and Untitled Goose Game in its list of video games you can play with your kids. [2]
Clear goals matter most when your child is still learning the controller. When the next step is obvious, your child can succeed early, and you can pass the controller back and forth without stopping to explain every rule.
Here is how the four picks fit different situations:
- Super Mario 3D World: a good choice if you both enjoy jumping and exploring together.
- Splatoon 2: a fast, colorful shooter that works for older kids who want to team up.
- Nintendo Labo: a hands-on option for a child who likes building and making things.
- Untitled Goose Game: a simple, funny pick that suits a short session with a younger player.
Platforms and availability can change after a list is published, so check where each game currently runs before you buy.
How do you choose the right co-op game for your child?
Pick a slower, puzzle-led game if your child is young or new to controllers. Speed is the first thing to check, because a game that feels fine to you can overwhelm a beginner.
Avoid fast competitive games. One parent found Apex Legends too fast for an 11-year-old daughter [3].
Game | Pace | Result with an 11-year-old |
|---|---|---|
Apex Legends | Fast | Too fast for her |
Overcooked | Not described | Fun to play together |
Stardew Valley | Not described | Fun to play together |
The same parent found Stardew Valley and Overcooked fun to play together [3]. The difference comes down to pace, so use that as your test when you browse.
Pick a game you both enjoy, so the session stays fun for both of you. If your child is excited about a game but you find it dull, the sessions will likely end early. Start with a short session to see how your child handles the pace before committing to a longer one.
Where should you start with co-op games for kids?
If you want one place to start, pick It Takes Two or Split Fiction for a story-led game you play side by side on PC. Lenovo Gaming lists both as standard co-op games for a parent and child. [1]
For shorter sessions, Overcooked and the Rayman games are lighter choices. CNET includes Overcooked and Rayman Legends in its list of games to play with kids. [2] Play one session together, then let your child's reaction decide what comes next. Before you buy anything, read the parent's guide to video games, which explains how to judge a game first.