6 Ways to Choose Video Games the Whole Family Can Play

Mixed ages and skill levels do not have to mean someone sits out. Run this six-step checklist before you buy and family game night stays fun for everyone.

Family game night falls apart fast when the game itself is wrong for half the room. The fix is not luck; it is a short checklist you can run before spending a dollar. These six steps help you pick titles that mixed ages and mixed skill levels can actually share, so nobody ends up sitting out.

1. Start With the Age Rating, Then Look Closer

The rating symbol on the box or store page is the quickest filter you have. Games rated E for Everyone are generally safe picks for younger kids, and one parent-focused console buying guide advises holding off on titles rated T for Teen or M for Mature until a child is at least 13, because of the language, violence and other mature content behind those labels.

The symbol alone tells you very little, though. The ESRB system has three parts, and a large majority of parents say all three matter when they decide what their kids can play: the rating symbol, the content descriptors that explain what earned the rating, and the interactive elements that flag online features. For physical games you can also look up the full rating summary at esrb.org or in the ESRB mobile app, which adds context on how the content is presented. Our explainer on video game age ratings breaks down each label in detail.

Pro tip

The interactive elements label appears even when an age rating looks harmless. A game rated E can still include in-game purchases and online chat with other players, so read the whole label before you buy.

2. Match Games to Your Players’ Ages and Skills

A rating is a starting point, not a verdict. Kids mature at different speeds, and what scares one seven-year-old can be routine action for another. Reviews from organizations such as Common Sense Media include suggested ages for each game, which helps you judge fit beyond what the box says. A child’s age in years does not always match their maturity level.

Skill matters just as much as age. Kids who are behind in reading often do better with games that use less text, and a brand-new player may need simple controls instead of long button combos. In families with a wide age spread, set expectations kid by kid rather than one blanket policy. A 12-year-old and a 7-year-old rarely need the same rules, and the youngest regular player should set the ceiling for what content appears on the shared screen.

3. Look for Co-op and Party Modes With Real Catch-Up

Competitive games chew up mixed households when one sibling is twice as good as the other. Co-op modes flip the setup so players work toward a shared goal, which lets a skilled player help out without humiliating anyone. Party games work for a different reason: the rounds are short, the controls are simple, and luck and silliness count for as much as reflexes, so a younger player stays competitive instead of discouraged. Look for games where wobbly characters knock each other out of arenas, or free obstacle-course battle royales with bright colors and no violence at all; both styles are built for beginners.

Many modern titles also offer easy modes and assist options, and some use controls simple enough that a parent who has never picked up a controller can join without embarrassment. One console maker also sells a household membership that connects up to eight accounts under a single subscription, which keeps a big family’s online multiplayer access under one payment. If your regular pairing is one adult and one kid, our list of great co-op games for two players narrows the field.

4. Try Demos and Free Versions Together First

Nothing predicts family fit like an hour with the actual game. Check for a free demo or trial before you buy, and note that some of the best party games cost nothing to download, which cuts the risk to zero. The ESRB suggests playing a game yourself or watching gameplay videos on platforms such as YouTube or Twitch before deciding, and either option takes less time than returning a game your kids bounced off in ten minutes.

Playing alongside your kids also teaches you things no review can. Sit down during a session and ask questions, because most kids love explaining their favorite games to a curious parent. Watch for trouble signs while you play: a tutorial that stumps the younger players, or a wall of text that wears them out, tells you more than any store page.

5. Read the Descriptors and Parent Reviews

Content descriptors are the part of the rating most families skip, and they carry the most useful detail. They name the specific content that triggered the rating, such as violence or strong language, and they can separate mild cartoon scuffles from the intense kind. Interactive elements sit alongside them and flag features that do not change the age rating: in-game purchases, including random items, and the ability to text or voice chat with other players. On a shared console, those two labels answer the questions that matter most.

Parent-focused reviews fill in tone and context the ratings cannot. Common Sense Media reviews list a suggested age plus a plain summary of what parents need to know, and many parents say they treat the ESRB rating as an initial guide, then check descriptors and reviews before making the final call.

6. Set House Rules Before You Buy

Decide the ground rules before the game comes home, not after the first argument. Cover screen time, in-game purchases and online communication up front, and keep the multiplayer rules simple for younger kids: never tell a stranger where you live or give out your real name, and never leave the game platform to chat with someone new.

A few rules that pay off in mixed-age homes:

• Give each child their own account with parental controls, so limits and content match the kid. Our walkthrough of parental controls on consoles and PC covers the setup.
• Ask everyone, adults included, to sign out when they finish playing, so younger siblings do not stumble into an older kid’s games.
• Use headphones in shared spaces when a game’s language or online trash talk is not meant for little ears.
• Keep limits flexible rather than rigid. The game journalist Andy Robertson, who writes about family gaming, calls this parenting rather than policing: rules that bend around homework, bedtime and family plans tend to hold up better than fixed timers.

House rules work best when the games themselves invite everyone in. Once you have a shelf of titles that fit, our ideas for family video game night help you turn those games into a habit.

Player questions

Do all E-rated games work for a mixed-age family game night?
Not always. An E rating is a good sign, but the interactive elements label can still flag in-game purchases and online chat, so read the full label before you buy.

What age should kids be before playing T or M rated games?
One parent-focused console buying guide advises waiting until at least age 13 for T and M titles because of language, violence and other mature content. Your judgment, plus the content descriptors, matters most.

How can a parent who has never gamed join in?
Many games use simple controls and offer easy modes, and party games with short, silly rounds are especially forgiving. Watching gameplay videos or sitting in on a session helps too.

What should house rules cover before a new game arrives?
Screen time, in-game purchases and online communication, plus basics like never sharing your real name or address with strangers online.

Games, platforms and settings change with updates, so check the official help pages for your platform if something looks different.