21 Co-Op Games Parents Can Play With Their Children

As a parent, nothing can trump quality time spent with kids and the family. There are, of course, numerous ways for parents to deepen their relationship with their children, and one sure way is through gaming.

However, when it comes to selecting the right game, it can feel overwhelming with numerous titles available and advertising themselves as kid-friendly. Some child-appropriate games may feel too advanced for some kids or maybe boring for older ones. So, where does one start? Well, thankfully, there are many fantastic cooperative games for kids that parents can enjoy too.

Updated on June 5, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Co-op gaming is a great way for people to bond as they tackle challenges together. Given how relationship-building exercises between a parent and child have become all the rage, it’s easy to see why some gamer parents would love to share these experiences with their kids. However, the gaming landscape is chock-full of mature titles that parents would want their kids to avoid like the plague. Thankfully, there are several family-friendly games players can check out if they want their child to have a wholesome time with their parents, conquering numerous challenges along the way to strengthen their bonds.

21 PlateUp!

Combines Overcooked’s Chaos With Roguelite Enemies Where Parents And Children Can Make Slow, Steady Progress

Players who love the gameplay loop of Overcooked and don’t mind a roguelike twist on the concept will love what PlateUp! has to offer. As one would expect from reading out the title, players are tasked with decking out their restaurant and catering to as many customers as possible without messing up too many times.

Things can get chaotic in no time, which is why teamwork is imperative to ensure that players succeed at all costs. A single misstep can have dire consequences, and parents who don’t want their children screaming at them for messing up should make it a point to be efficient in every way so that their restaurant makes a ton of progress in no time.

20 Spiritfarer

A Melancholic Game Good For Parents Who Are Seeking Out A Mature Family-Friendly Experience

The idea of exploring themes of loss and death with a child may seem heavy, so parents who want to check out Spiritfarer with their kid might want to wait until they have the mental capacity to register what is happening in this title. While its charming art style makes it easy for players to get into this title, Spiritfarer‘s deeper themes take a while to rear their heads.

Parents and children can have a great time gathering materials to help the spirits on their ferry remain happy and satiated, slowly revealing their stories to the player before eventually passing on. It’s a heartfelt game with charming visuals and engaging gameplay that players will be hopelessly enamored with in no time.

19 Stardew Valley

A Zen Game Perfect For Bonding With Family

Stardew Valley is an indie gaming gem that took the world by storm, using a simple farming gameplay loop and dressing it up with wonderful pixel graphics, fun character interactions, and a myriad of interesting discoveries that players can have a great time with.

The game features a co-op mode where two farmers can combine their efforts to create a detailed farm full of life. The cozy and pleasant nature of this game makes it a perfect pick for a family to spend their time trying to scrounge materials and create the farm of their dreams, which makes for a great bonding time.

18 Minecraft

A Relaxing Way To Hang Out With A Child And Craft Stuff With Them

Pretty much everyone will have heard of Minecraft at this point. Easily the biggest indie game of all time, Minecraft‘s simple crafting loop and blocky aesthetic have bled into pop culture in a way no one could’ve imagined. Massive servers host custom worlds that either feature original creations or replicate worlds from established franchises.

This is a game that stimulates the mind and encourages creativity, which is why it’s a no-brainer for families who want to generate and live in a custom world of their own design. Block by block, parents and children can create something magical that they can look at proudly as a unit, which is a gameplay loop that most video games can only dream of.

17 Splatoon 3

A Competitive Shooting Game That Isn’t Violent At All And Completely Safe For Kids

One of Nintendo’s newer IPs that have been pretty successful, Splatoon‘s core gameplay loop is always engaging and does a great job of letting players enjoy a non-violent third-person shooter where covering the map with their color is more important than taking out opponents.

Multiple players can team up on the Switch to cooperate together and strategically tackle a map. It makes for a great time, and parents and their children can certainly enjoy a few games together in a genre that is normally dominated by more mature experiences.

16 Rayman Legends

An Excellent Platforming Game With Co-op Support For Parents And Children To Play Together

Rayman Legends is one of the most colorful and engaging platformers that players can check out. This Ubisoft title received rave reviews for its great platforming, innovative level design, and excellent eye-catching art style that kids will certainly get a kick out of. If all of this wasn’t a winning combination as is, then players will be elated to know that Rayman Legends supports local co-op too!

The game’s scope increases over time as players slowly come to grips with the controls, and the challenge level can leap up quite a bit in the later stages. Thankfully, by this point, most people will be pretty familiar with how the game works and can engage in some much-needed teamwork to conquer some of the tougher challenges in the game.

15 Super Mario Bros. Wonder

The Entire Family Can Jump Into The Game And Control Memorable Mario Characters

Given the prominence of the 3D Mario games in the Switch era, most people simply couldn’t believe that a 2.5D Mario game would have the allure that most people would expect. So, when Super Mario Bros. Wonder rolled out, fans were genuinely impressed by the sheer character present in this game.

Every level is a celebration of creativity, color, and splendor. The music and platforming challenges augment the experience players have with this game, and the Wonder Flowers make each level feel more alive and dynamic as players eagerly look forward to this effect in each level. It won’t take long for players to realize why this game is perfect for families, given Nintendo’s family-friendly history when it comes to their first-party offerings.

14 Castle Crashers

A 4-Player Beat-em-Up That’s Charming And Jovial As Can Be

Any great game that a child can enjoy should ideally have a cute and endearing art style to keep these kids engaged for the long haul. Such is the case with Castle Crashers, a cute-looking brawler that can be pretty entertaining when everything clicks. The gameplay loop can take a while to click, but a few rounds will make it clear that there’s more to Castle Crashers than what meets the eye.

The simple yet addictive gameplay loop makes it a perfect title for parents and children to mess around with. The violence is pretty cartoonish and downright amusing in certain instances, and parents don’t have to worry about subjecting their son or daughter to something too scandalous for their own liking.

13 Good Job!

A Funny Co-op Puzzle Game Great For Building Communication Skills With A Child

• Platforms: Nintendo Switch
• Released: March 26, 2020
• Developer: Paladin Studios

Being an adult is far from a fun time, with the weight of responsibilities weighing heavy on the shoulders of people who have to go to a 9-to-5 job and try to manage everything else in their lives too. As a result, Good Job! can bring up a rather negative feeling in the minds of most players, but the game is actually a pretty light-hearted and engaging game that will keep players engaged for quite some time.

The office environments are pretty hilarious to mess around in, with players being able to break valuable things and ruin the day of co-workers by disrupting their functions with the sheer silliness of their actions. The puzzles are pretty ingenious, and two players need to be really smart about how they deal with certain tricky levels if they don’t want to be stuck for hours. As long as children don’t get the wrong idea about how corporate life works, parents can have a great time sharing this experience with their kids.

12 It Takes Two

One Of The Best Co-op Video Games, But Parents Should Be Aware Of Some Bad Words And One Disturbing Scene

It Takes Two is a great game that won a ton of awards upon launch, and it’s easy to see why. The game combines several entertaining gameplay loops while pushing the notion of co-op gameplay, which makes for a great time.

The story of a broken relationship being mended through these trials and tribulations is also heartwarming. Both parents and children alike will have a great time fighting both with and against each other in It Takes Two. However, keep in mind that there is some foul language scattered here and there in It Takes Two, along with a rather disturbing scene midway through the game that may not be appropriate for kids who are too young.

11 Portal 2

A Great Puzzle Game Perfect To Enjoy With Friends And Family

Portal 2 is a brilliant puzzle game and one of Valve’s best releases. Not only is the single-player pretty fun as is, but the title also features a separate co-op campaign that is completely unique and perfect for parents and slightly older kids to play together.

The fact that two test robots can somehow have so much personality is a testament to Valve’s amazing work. ATLAS and P-body are both really fun characters, and forming portals between the both of them to solve the game’s many puzzles is fun indeed.

10 Overcooked 2

Chaotic Fun That Promotes Teamwork And Coordination, Something That Kids Can Learn

The idea of being chefs who have to team up together to form and serve dishes sounds fairly simple and easy. However, people familiar with Overcooked 2 know just how chaotic things can get if their teamwork isn’t spot on.

This makes for a great time as players have to coordinate actions and designate responsibilities while trying to get as many orders out as possible. Be warned that this game can get so hectic sometimes that families may actually get mad at each other, but that shouldn’t be too much of a worry! It’s perfect for players who don’t mind when family game night gets a little intense.

9 Snipperclips

A Charming Puzzle-Solving Game That’s Extremely Kid-Friendly

Snipperclips is a great family-friendly co-op game that has a pretty unique way for players to solve puzzles. Players need to snip and snap their own characters to form structures that can be used to solve the many mind twisters present in the game.

The title has several game modes that accommodate two to four players. Its creative puzzle design, coupled with its soothing aesthetic, is a big reason why this title is such a hit with families.

8 Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury

The Co-op Functionality Lets Parents And Children Have A Great Time Together

The release of Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury on the Switch was a source of great joy for Mario fans, who got to see the next evolution of the series firsthand. Bowser’s Fury is a great add-on where Mario can explore a vast and seamless world interspersed with platforming challenges.

It helps that both the original game and 3D World have full co-op functionality, even if it might be a little better in the latter. Regardless, parents and their children can have a great time going through the many stages and cooperating together to solve the game’s many puzzles.

7 LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

A Great Way To Relive A LEGO-fied Version Of The New Star Wars Trilogy With A Kid

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is a great game for any parent looking to game with their child, regardless of age. A must-have for any Star Wars fan or enthusiast, this game allows players to experience all three film trilogies through a hilarious and epic lens. The game is also perfect for introducing younglings to the Star Wars franchise as a whole, as it contains harmless violence and remains light-hearted throughout the entire playthrough

Whether it’s playing through the iconic Star Wars narrative or exploring offbeat paths to nab those collectibles, the game provides hours of pure fun and awesomeness for parents and their children.

6 Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince

A Fun Platforming Game That’s Great For Family

Set in a beautiful and mesmerizing medieval fantasy world, Trine 4 is a platformer that can be perfect for the whole family. Despite being the 4th installment of the Trine series, players won’t need to have played the previous titles. The game is light on story and has more emphasis on wow-ing players with its visuals and puzzles.

Trine 4 also allows up to 3 players, which means more can join in on the fun. The 3 heroes within the game have very different playstyles, so the whole family can fight over who they want to play as.

5 Rocket League

A Competitive Soccer Game With Cars Where Parent And Child Can Team Up

What does one get when combining football and team sports with Hot Wheels? That’s right, it exists. Rocket League pits 2 teams of revving cars ready to rumble against each other. Although simple as a concept, the game utilizes skill in being able to maneuver the vehicle and ball control.

Moreover, the game arena is littered with power-ups such as speed boosts or a grappling hook that can pull players toward the ball, which can dynamically affect the game. Fun, competitive, and whacky, parents can train all their kids and assemble them into a team as this game is also a professional e-sport.

4 Untitled Goose Game

Lets Children Channel Their Naughty Side In A Safe, Non-Intrusive Manner

The concept of Untitled Goose Game is simple: It’s a lovely day in the village, and players play as a goose, a nasty, naughty little goose. Players take on the role of a goose who disrupts or destroys everything in its path, as their primary goal is to annoy people. Seems like a counterintuitive thing to have children experience, but the game is innocent mischief and reminds people not to take life too seriously.

A rather short experience, the game is laid back and casual, allowing kids to take their time exploring the game and the surroundings. What’s better is that the game offers local co-op so parents and their kids can go break stuff together.

3 Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime

Teamwork Is Imperative To Get Through In This Family-Friendly Co-op Experience

As pilots of a mega spaceship, players are tasked with defending the ship from a wide variety of enemies seeking to blow it all up. Supporting up to 4 players, each person is tasked with operating a specific station within the ship, be it the engine, shield, big canon, or map. However, each player only controls 1 avatar, meaning that players will have to move from station to station to balance out and look after other areas of the ship.

Sound chaotic? Of course, it does! As players progress, they can pick up additional friends and upgrades along the way after defeating bosses. Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is a perfect choice for parents looking to encourage teamwork amongst their kids in a fun, silly, and lighthearted way.

2 Unravel 2

A Charming Platformer Where Two Players Must Combine Their Efforts To Succeed

Unravel 2 has players work together as creatures made of yarn who are tethered to one another. Being tied together, players will have to solve multiple puzzles and use their skills to manipulate the world. It’s a simple game that is also very nice to look at.

Featuring a light storyline and folk music soundtrack, the game is for parents and kids who enjoy solving puzzles together that increasingly become more complex. The game also offers customization of players’ little yarns in different colors and shapes.