There’s no getting around the fact that technology plays a larger role in children’s lives today, than ever before. As parents, it’s our responsibility to ensure that we constantly weigh the potential dangers and benefits of modern video games.
There are games available for kids of all ages, on various platforms like the desktop PC, or gaming consoles like the Xbox 360 from Microsoft.
We’ve put together a guide to the top 25 games that you can buy for your kids.
1. Disney Infinity 3
This is the third and final release of the popular Disney Infinity series. While the previous version focused on characters from the Marvel Universe, this game is all about the Star Wars franchise.
One of the coolest Xbox 360 games for kids, the premise of this genre of “toys-to-life” game is that playable characters, playsets and other features can be imported into the game using figurines and discs. The starter set includes the game, Infinity Base, two figurines and a playset based on Star Wars.The unique aspect of this game is the ability to purchase additional figures and playsets to expand the game. Character figures and playsets from previous game series are also compatible with this release.
Some of the available playsets and characters are from popular franchises like Iron Man, Captain America, Tron, Mulan, Frozen (a huge hit with little girls), Zootopia, The Jungle book and the summer blockbuster Finding Dory!
2. LegoJurassicWorld
This blast from the past is a cool Xbox 360 game for children. It’s a game series featuring a number of unique dinosaur species including the ever-popular Tyrannosaurus Rex and the Pteranodon.
Players play as human characters by choosing from Owen, Dr. Wu, Zach, Claire, Gray and Hoskins. They can then build their very own Jurassic park using Lego bricks, chase after escaped dinosaurs and try to fix the mayhem that the animals create.
There are single player and multiplayer co-op modes available, so kids can invite their friends over for fun afternoon of prehistoric gaming.
3. Skylanders: SuperChargers
Skylanders, which has been one of the most popular Xbox 360 games for kids, uniquely combines digital games with physical toys to create a ground-breaking gaming experience. The figurines communicate with a device, (dubbed the Portal of Power) via NFC, that allows them to be imported into the game as playable characters.
The latest release is “SuperChargers” that introduces a new group of Skylanders with vehicles that embark on an epic adventure over land, under sea and through the sky. The quality of the toys is surprisingly good, and the videogame itself is getting better with every release.
All in all, the Skylander franchise is a solid game that has something for kids as well as adults. Help save Skylands!
4. EA Sports FIFA 16
Electronic Arts is a video game studio that has published the popular FIFA series for years. It’s an easy to learn game that focusses on healthy competition and provides children with exposure to the world of international soccer.
They can choose from men’s and women’s national soccer teams and then play against the console, or against another player. They use everything from basic soccer moves to the complicated tackle techniques as they progress through the games.
The absence of violence or bloodshed makes this one of the top Xbox 360 games for kids as well.
5. Puss in Boots
For fans of the movie, this video game is a delight. The main characters are available for players to choose. While there is an element of violence, the depiction is clean and cartoon-style to appeal to older kids.
To get the most of out of this cool Xbox 360 game for kids, pick up the Kinect version that adds a whole new element of physical participation and general hilarity while jumping, stepping and even striking ridiculous dance moves as part of funny, motion-controlled cartoon battles.
6. Spider Solitaire Masters
Spider Solitaire has been a sensational game for years. Today we have created this portal to bring this game to you virtually. As a result, this card game is even better than before. With easy rules that turn tricky as you advance, we promise you the most fun experience of online gaming. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced player, we can guarantee you’ll be thrilled as soon as you start!
7. Lego Harry Potter
Another cool Xbox game that straddles two huge franchises – block-building Lego and the magical world of Harry Potter. The appeal of this game is definitely in the storyline and high-quality graphics. For sheer entertainment, this game is hard to beat.
Whether is jousting with wands, or flying on brooms, the entertainment value of this game is incredible.It’s also interesting to know that this game can be bought in a couple of different versions.
There’s one designed for kids up to the age of four and has a fun, adventurous vibe, and there’s another for audiences from five to seven, that has content that will appeal to older kids (such as wand battles).
8. Stacking
This is one of our favorite games, though it’s been around for a few years. It’s based on a type of Russian doll called Matryoshka, which is a set of traditional wooden dolls of successively smaller size, designed to nest one inside another.
You could consider this an educational Xbox 360 game, since there is a focus on logic and problem-solving skills.
Players assume the role of the dolls, and the primary mission is to end child labor.
The graphics are great, and the intuitive controls mean that kids can play this game with the help of pop-ups that provide hints as they progress through the game.
9. Quantum Conundrum
This is a slightly older game, but ranks high on our list of the most awesome Xbox 360 games. It’s a physics-based puzzler that allows players to shift between dimensions using the laws of physics.
The unique aspect of this game is that it’s played in the first person and encourages children to use logic and common sense.
The complete absence of violence makes this an ideal game for toddlers.
10. Braid
This brilliant game just refuses to go away. It has been hugely popular, and won a number of awards when it was released. And with good reason. Even today, the graphics are visually appealing, and gameplay requires strong logical ability.
This may not be an easy game, but that is part of its magic.
Players are transported back in time to find a long lost love in the interactive experience of a traditional platformer game, aided by text overlays and integrated time manipulation. This critically acclaimed release is one of our top Xbox 360 games for kids.
11. The Splatters
Before there was Angry Birds, there was The Splatters, a fun, educational Xbox 360 game for kids. It takes physics based elements and turns them into a fun experience for the whole family. Complete with in-game instructions, this game is easy to learn and play.
Players take turns solving puzzles by tossing colorful globs of ‘goo’ at the screen, figuring out how to clear levels by destroying bombs of the same color. They can also choose from three modes – Become a Talent, which includes tutorials and 12 levels.
Once completed, it unlocks Combo Nation with 21 levels, and Master Shots with 32 more fun-filled levels.
12. Minecraft Story Mode
Building on the success of Minecraft, the epic video game by Markus Persson, this is an episodic comedy-drama with a focus on interaction. Kids can play as the hero, Jesse who is a newbie Minecraft player who sets off on a quest in Minecraft to find the The Order of the Stone.
These are legendary adventurers who saved the Minecraft world, namely Gabriel, Ellegaard, Magnus, Soren, and Ivor.
The simple point-and-click gameplay, combined with decision-making ability that affects the outcome of the game itself make it highly engrossing. Definitely one of the top Xbox 360 games out there.
13. Kinect Disneyland Adventures
This awesome Xbox game for children uses Microsoft’s Kinect motion controller for immersive gameplay. It’s an open-world video game that faithfully recreates a large part of the Disneyland theme park – except that there are themed games instead of rides.
Kids play as customizable characters with co-op support for two players. They can play minigames and complete tasks for Disney currency. It’s a great virtual way to experience the magic of Disney!
14. Guitar Hero Live
This is as a reboot of the smash hit Guitar Hero series of games, and they’ve really knocked it out of the park this time! There’s a brand new Guitar Controller that provides more challenging and realistic gameplay than before. The goal is to match fret patterns displayed atop full-motion video in time with the music. The perspective is that of a lead guitarist during a concert, with the crowd and band reacting dynamically to the performance. This immersive gameplay, along with a ton of available content puts this on our list of top Xbox 360 games for kids.
15. Dance Central 3
This is the third installment of a music video game in which players follow dance moves that are tracked by the Xbox Kinect. Points are earned by accurately dancing to the moves. Higher levels present more difficult moves to follow.
There’s a new team vs. team mode for having fun when there are a lot of dancers, as well as a few interesting mini-games to explore.
As far as dance games go, this is one of the best Xbox 360 games we’ve played in a while.
16. Bejeweled 3
One of the most popular puzzles on mobile platforms, Bejeweled is now available as an awesome Xbox 360 game.
This marks the third official title in the franchise, featuring a variety of four new gameplay modes, HD graphics and sounds as well as all-new 65 badges to achieve in-game.
The premise as before is ridiculously simple – match 3 or more colored gems to make them disappear and fill a bar to complete the level. Random gems appear in the empty spaces. It’s still as addictive as ever!
17. Need For Speed: Most Wanted
For racing enthusiasts, the Need For Speed franchise from Electronic Arts is a lifetime favorite. This edition focuses on gameplay in an open-world environment and follows the style of previous releases.
Players start by selecting one car and advance by participating and winning three different types of events Sprints, Circuits and Speed Runs.
This is no doubt one of the coolest Xbox 360 games ever, with a number of awards after its release.
18. Grid Autosport
This is the third installment of the Grid series and moves to take the series back towards a more authentic racing experience. The developers have developed a race-first handling model for this title and hope to appeal to their core fan base.
Kids can play as a racing driver and compete on closed courses in a number of modes – Career, Online, Custom Cup or Splitscreen.
This game is one of the top Xbox 360 games for children because it emphasizes the concept of racing disciplines.
That, along with killer graphics and downloadable content, makes this a favorite for older kids that like racing sims.
19. Kinectimals
By far one of the most awesome Xbox 360 games for toddlers. Kids can interact with virtual animals by feeding them, playing with them, teaching them tricks, guiding them around obstacles and even unique free form play.
This game is designed for young children, and features a dozen virtual animals, based on cats. A must-buy if you have kids that love animals!
20. Body and Brain Connection
This fun puzzle game challenges players by asking mental questions that have to be solved by a physical action (that’s how they got the title). One of the most interesting educational Xbox 360 games, the object is to reinforce mental answers by using motion control.
There are short exercises that last a couple of minutes, for example – kicking a ball towards the right answer, or making the shape of a symbol in a mathematical equation.
It’s a great way to challenge your kids and their friends and make fun a part of the learning process.
21. National Geographic Challenge
If you’re looking for a high-quality educational Xbox 360 game for your kids, this is the one to buy. Kids can play in single or multiplayer modes and choose from puzzles or explorer options.
There are over 5000 questions (1000 as part of a DLC pack), along with 60 minutes of beautiful HD video, and a large database of images.
There are also mini games that fire the competitive streak in your little one.
22. Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster
We love this awesome Xbox 360 game for kids. It takes familiar, lovable characters from our favorite TV shows and presents them as a storybook, with each chapter featuring a monster with a problem to be solved.
These are split into mini games that use the Kinect controller, thus focusing the entire interaction to a motion controlled experience. The physical activity, coupled with the creative math and language learning is a big reason we recommend this game.
23. Kinect Rush: A Disney-Pixar Adventure
This is a motion controlled game that involves a large amount of physical activity.
The players are taken through the world of Pixar movies to discover hidden secrets and solve puzzles using their arms, legs and wits! They may have released this cool Xbox 360 game for kids, but we adults love it too!
24. Portal 2
This follow up to Valve’s 2007 smash hit is an awesome Xbox 360 game. While most kids play for the entertainment, there’s no denying the educational value of the unique gameplay.
The game allows players to create portals that they can enter and exit from. Players have control over portal placement, their velocity and angle of entry – thus encouraging spatial cognition skills as well as creative thinking.
The game retains much of the original gameplay elements, and adds new features, including tractor beams, laser redirection, ‘light bridges’and paint-like gelsthat allow increased abilities.
25. Kinect Sports: Season 2
This sequel adds six new sports as well as voice control, and as before requires the Kinect sensor. This cool Xbox 360 game allows kids to choose from golf, darts, baseball, skiing, tennis and American football. The players control the sports by physically mimicking the action in real life, without having to use the cumbersome equipment associated.
We all know how much space we need to swing a golf club! The voice recognition feature now supports over 300 commands, thus allowing kids to play without using a controller at all.
Apart from the fun and peer bonding that sports-oriented games promote, there is no denying the benefits of increased physical activity. Tennis anyone?
26. Zoo Tycoon
If your kids love animals, this is one of the best Xbox 360 games you can get, especially for older children. The object is to build and operate a zoo by creating exhibits and aquariums. They will need to keep the guests and animals happy, as well as manage employees, money and the zoo scenery.
This game offers a single player option, along with campaign and freeform modes. A new challenge mode is also available, made up of short minigames.
Conclusion: What do you think?
Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is a versatile platform that provides access to a range of games and media. As a parent, you can choose age appropriate Xbox 360 games for your kids as they grow.
There is also a range of educational games guides that can expand your child’s horizons and if you want free Xbox live codes and generator will help you in that and Kinect enabled titles add a much needed physical element to gameplay.
Did this list help you make a decision about what game to buy?
If you know of other titles for the Xbox 360 that should be on this list, please feel free to comment below!