HomeGames & TechChristmas 2016 Gift Guide: Games for Kids

Christmas 2016 Gift Guide: Games for Kids

There’s just two weeks left now until Christmas. If you have kids or are buying presents for kids this year who enjoy gaming you’ll likely have an endless list of games that they want from Santa.

Buying games for kids can be a tricky business. Sure they might tell you that all their friends are getting the latest Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty but those games really aren’t suitable for the younger gamer. It’s important that you pay attention to the PEGI rating or are at least aware of the content of what you are buying.

Below you’ll find our top 10 picks for kid-friendly titles for Santa to pop under the tree this year. Stay tuned to EF for games gift guides for other consoles.

Dragon Quest Builders (PS4/PS Vita)

Age Rating: 7+
In Dragon Quest Builders, players must use their imagination and creativity to bring hope to the people of Alefgard. Building to save the world against the evil Dragonlord and his minions. A great choice for kids who are looking for something similar to Minecraft.

[brid video=”84149″ player=”531″ title=”Dragon Quest Builders Launch Trailer Build to Save the World!”]

 

Guitar Hero Live Party Pack (Xbox One/PS4)

Age Rating: 12+
Give your kids a chance to experience what it’s like to play guitar in a band, on stage in front of giant crowds that react to their performance. Guitar Hero Live is great fun for music fans and features over 500 songs to perform. The Party Pack edition has two guitar controllers allowing two people to perform together. Add a USB mic or use the free iOS companion app to sing along as well.

Credit: Activision
Credit: Activision

Just Dance 2017 (Multiplatform)

Age Rating: 3+
Just Dance 2017 brings over 40 new tracks, six game modes, updated content all year long and access to 200+ songs through Just Dance Unlimited. Packed with new modes and endless fun. Great fun kids who enjoy dancing the game can be played with up to 6 players simultaneously.

[brid video=”84151″ player=”531″ title=”Just Dance 2017 Song List (Official) Complete”]

 

LEGO Dimensions

Age Rating: 7+
When a mysterious and powerful vortex suddenly appears in various LEGO worlds, different characters from DC Comics, The Lord of the Rings and The LEGO Movie are swept away. To save their friends, Batman, Gandalf and Wyldstyle bravely jump into the vortex and quickly find themselves fighting to save all of LEGO humanity. LEGO Dimensions is a game you can keep adding to in the future from a whole variety of playsets including The Simpsons, Scooby Doo, Doctor Who and Back to the Future.

Credit: Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment
Credit: Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment

LittleBigPlanet 3 (PS4)

Age Rating: 7+
Sackboy is back, this time with playable new friends – Toggle, OddSock, and Swoop – each with their own unique abilities and personalities. A great gift for creative gamers of all ages.

[brid video=”84159″ player=”531″ title=”LittleBigPlanet 3 E3 2014 Announce Trailer (PS4)”]

 

Lumo (PS4/PS Vita)

Age Rating: 3+
One of our favourite games of the year. A modern take on the isometric platform genre. Let the kids see what gaming was like back in the 80’s/90’s with this challenging but rewarding adventure. Check out our Lumo review to see what we thought of the game.

© Triple Eh?
© Triple Eh?

Minecraft (Multiplatform)

Age Rating: 7+
A survival game where players must explore and craft to survive. There’s also creative mode which allows players to build entire worlds. What you can do in Minecraft is only limited by the imagination of the player. The easiest way to think of it is like digital LEGO. An essential game for kids.

[brid video=”84160″ player=”531″ title=”Minecraft Xbox One Edition Trailer”]

 

Minecraft: Story Mode (Multiplatform)

Age Rating: 12+
A new adventure game set in the world of Minecraft. Players take the role of Jesse and embark on a perilous adventure across the Overworld, through the Nether, to the End, and beyond. The decisions that players make of what to say and do drive the story around them. An obvious gift choice for any Minecraft obsessed kids.

Credit: Telltale Games
Credit: Telltale Games

Pokémon Sun / Pokémon Moon (3DS)

Age Rating: 7+
Head to the Alola Region, an archipelago of tropical islands, to discover and catch Pokémon. With new types of Pokémon to discover this is the best entry in the series so far. A perfect Christmas gift for any budding Pokémon Trainer.

[brid video=”84157″ player=”531″ title=”Pokmon Sun & Pokmon Moon Launch Trailer (Nintendo 3DS)”]

 

Ratchet & Clank (PS4)

Age Rating: 7+
A game based on the movie that was based on the original PS2 game from 2002. Featuring more story, new planets, gameplay and boss battles. A perfect choice for fans of the series.

Credit: Sony
Credit: Sony

Skylanders: Imaginators (Multiplatform)

Age Rating: 7+
Now in their 5th year chances are your kids already have a Skylanders collection. Good news this year is still fully backwards compatible with any previous Skylanders. This means you can use your existing collection with Imaginators. This year the two big features are the introduction of powerful Sensei characters and the ability to build your own custom Skylander. Check out our review of Skylanders Imaginators to see what we thought of the game.

[brid video=”84155″ player=”531″ title=”Official Skylanders Imaginators Overview Trailer Skylanders Imaginators Skylanders”]

 

What games are your kids hoping to get for Christmas this year? Let us know your favourite kid-friendly game suggestions in the comments below.

Greg Ellwood
Greg Ellwoodhttps://8ce250469d.nxcli.io
Greg is the Deputy Editor of Entertainment Focus. He writes about Games, Tech and TV. You can find him on Xbox/PSN/Steam as Tahllian.

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