Introducing the next generation to video games is not a task to be taken lightly. We're here to help you choose the very best games for young people!

Sports games are a great choice since they're fun, easygoing, and generally don't force you to play for very long. On the flip side, you can find others that really dedicate themselves to the sport, allowing you to build up your proficiency and/or your team. These are the ones we think the child in your life would most enjoy.

Updated by Gabrielle Huston on November 3, 2023: Sports games are some of the first to come to mind when you think about kids' games! We've added some of the best sports games for you to peruse here.

Video Games For Kids Age 2-4+

Nintendo Switch Sports

Nintendo Switch Sports is a classic choice and includes six sports for the price of just one game:

• Tennis
• Bowling
• Chambara
• Soccer
• Volleyball
• Badminton

Everyone is sure to find something to enjoy here and it's a great investment since it's certain to make for good fun for years.

The Ramp

The developer of The Ramp calls it "a very small game. Maybe not even a game, but rather a digital toy." The premise is very simple: enjoy shredding the halfpipe! (Among a few others).

It prides itself on its minimalism. There's nothing to unlock, no special missions to complete, and nothing to use except your own talent and the skateboard. The Ramp won't keep anyone occupied forever, but it does make for a wonderful diversion.

What The Golf?

What the Golf isn't just some golf simulator game; it's a goofy physics game where every level puts a different twist on golfing! Kids and adults alike are sure to enjoy it.

Sometimes, instead of a ball, you'll be golfing with a house. Sometimes the golf will be first-person, and sometimes it will be third-person. Sometimes you'll be golfing as a horse. There's really no way to know what's coming next.

Video Games For Kids Age 5-7+

Soccer Story

Soccer Story is a great 2D indie sports game, made by developer Panic Barn. The story takes place in a world where soccer stadiums have closed down and soccer teams no longer play in tournaments, all thanks to an event known as the Calamity.

Thankfully, a magic soccer ball has chosen you as its Savior of Soccer! Yes, really. You travel around, solving problems by kicking your ball in just the right way or at just the right thing.

Gran Turismo 7

Gran Turismo 7 is a recent installment in a classic racing game franchise. In his review of it for TheGamer, Andy Kelly praised the incredible graphics and intense gameplay that totally sucked him in.

The game has a Career Mode, in which you work your way up from an entry-level car to the best of the best, but also features tons of other content. You'll never run out of tracks, modes, cars, and more to enjoy.

Shiny Ski Resort

Shiny Ski Resort is part sports game and part simulation game! You'll run your very own ski resort on an empty snowy mountain. As you collect materials, you'll be able to upgrade the resort facilities and the ski tails to attract even more business.

It's hard to go wrong with a little game like this. There are plenty of eye-catchers on this list, but when you just want something to fill your brain for half an hour, or something more laid-back, you'll be picking up this one.

Descenders

Descenders is an extreme downhill cycling game that takes everything to the next level! Reviews praise its great graphics, intuitive controls, and action-packed, adrenaline-pumping gameplay.

The game takes place in procedurally generated maps, meaning a computer randomly builds it from scratch each time; hence, no two experiences will be the same.

SpeedRunners

SpeedRunners is a side-scrolling platformer racing game! You race against opponents in multiplayer - whether local or online - while navigating a long, sprawling environment and using items to make mischief.

Multiplayer games like this are awesome for kids to play with friends, and it changes enough to keep them interested for a while! As an added bonus, there's a level editor where you can make your own races and play others'.

Video Games For Kids Age 8-9+

Golfie

Golfie combines three things we never expected to see rolled into one package: mini golf, roguelike games, and deck building. Tempted? Well, it's a mini golf game that asks you to complete procedurally generated levels and collect cards that give you special abilities!

This is an excellent blend of chaos and strategy. The multiplayer mode only adds to the excitement! You'll also never have the same experience twice, so you never get the chance to learn the game too well that it gets boring.

Mario Strikers: Battle League

Mario Strikers: Battle League is an adorable soccer game featuring all your favorite Mario characters! It's a five versus five game, and as many as eight people can play together.

This isn't any ol' game of soccer, though! Mario Strikers puts a spin on the sport by including items, a tackle mechanic, and super-powered Hyper Strikes! You'll need to take advantage of all of these things to win.

Tape to Tape

If the kid in your life is a hockey fan, a game released recently that they might enjoy! Tape to Tape is a roguelite hockey game, where you build your team from the ground up! You can do lots to improve your chances of winning, including bribing your ref.

Tape to Tape is in early access, which means that it's not quite finished yet. It's available early so that players can try it out at a lesser price than if it were finished, and so that the developers can get feedback from the community about bugs and other possible adjustments or improvements.

Punch A Bunch

It might look like a cartoonish boxing game - and, to be fair, it is - but Punch A Bunch is surprisingly challenging. As the player, you can progress through three championships to prove your strength.

Punch A Bunch prides itself on being a game that doesn't show your increased skill through points and levels. Instead, players start with only a rough understanding of the controls and earn their satisfaction by becoming progressively more talented.

Cursed To Golf

Here are two genres we never expected would be combined: golfing games and roguelikes! But, here we are, talking about Cursed To Golf.

If you're unfamiliar with roguelikes, that's a special genre of video game. At the most basic level, roguelike games involve procedurally generated levels. That means a computer takes all the developer's assets and builds up a level randomly, so every time you get a different experience.

In Cursed To Golf, you're trapped in Golf Purgatory and must beat special courses in order to return to the land of the living (so that you can finish the golf tournament you were about to win).

OlliOlli World

OlliOlli World is a whimsical game centered around a very cool sport: skateboarding! It's primarily a platformer, with you traversing the wild land of Radlandia as you enjoy the unique art style, practically overflowing with personality.

The various levels have multiple paths to follow, so no two players will have quite the same experience. Along the way, you can get to know the locals and collect customization items that will breathe life into your look!

Golf Story

Golf Story is a sweet and lighthearted indie golfing simulator. It's too bad that it's exclusive to the Nintendo Switch, because as many people as possible should be able to experience this one!

The story of this game follows a man relearning to golf; he loved the sport as a child, but hasn't played it in years. You honor your father (who taught you to play) and try to impress your unhappy wife at the same time.

Super Mega Baseball 3

Super Mega Baseball 3 is the third in this series for a reason! People love the goofy style of this baseball simulator.

You can play in 14 different ballparks, adjust your game with situational player traits, play against other people online, and customize your team's uniform, logo and name!

Video Games For Kids Age 10-12+

Ultimate Fishing Simulator

For all the realism you could ever need, look no further than the Ultimate Fishing Simulator. This game allows you to catch tons of different fish across various biomes and with various methods.

Reviews of the game highlight its excellent graphics, attention to detail, and dedication to giving you an authentic fishing experience.

Football Manager 2023

For older kids who may be interested in other aspects of the sports they love, why not try Football Manager 2023? It's exactly what it sounds like: the opportunity to micromanage your own team of professional football (soccer) players!

You get to choose everything you could think of. To start, you'll pick the players, which includes details about their aggression level, their special talents, their preferred foot, their reputation among fans, and much more. Then you pick the kits they wear, the tactics they use, their schedule, and so on. Take your team to victory (hopefully)!

Rocket League

Rocket League is a fantastic, action-packed game that combines two sports: car racing and soccer! Basically, you play soccer while driving super-speedy cars.

The chaos never ends, with lots of different cars and arenas to choose from and play with! It's multiplayer, too, so there's fun to be had alone and with friends.

NEXT: Fictional Sports In Video Games, Ranked By How Well The Average Person Could Do