Kids love video games as much as the rest of us, and there are plenty of fun options to try and show them. When we think of games for children, it’s normal to think about some mascot platformers or edutainment titles.
However, sports games are often a lot of fun for kids, and they’re a great way to introduce them to both types of games. Let’s explore a few of the best sports video games for young children that they can have fun with. One of the best things about sports games is that they’re usually multi-player, meaning you and your child can play together!
Nintendo Sports Titles
It’s impossible to think about family-friendly video games without thinking about Nintendo. From some of the oldest NES games to modern Switch titles, there’s no shortage of sports games on any system from this gaming giant.
Kids may enjoy Nintendo Switch Sports, which has motion based controls and allows them to play tennis, basketball, bowling, and more. And of course, there’s a great selection of Mario sports games if you want something a bit more cartoony and wondrous.
On the latest Nintendo console, there’s Mario Tennis Aces, Mario Golf: Super Rush, Mario Strikers: Battle League, and even Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. No matter what type of sport interests your child, you’re likely to find something that they can play from Nintendo.
Backyard Sports Series
The Backyard Sports series started back in 1997 from Humongous Entertainment, so it’s something that a lot of parents may have some nostalgia for. These colorful and cartoony games focused on sports such as baseball, football, soccer, hockey, and even skateboarding.
One of the most fun things about the Backyard Sports series is that the main characters were all fictional child versions of real sports stars such as Tom Brady, Pablo Sanchez, and Paul Pierce. The Backyard Sports series could be a great way to revive your child’s love of sports or spark a brand new interest by letting them have fun while learning about real players and games.
While there have been many Backyard Sports titles, we recently heard that in August 2024, Backyard Sports is coming back with brand new games, cartoons, and other multi-media ideas. There’s never been a better time to introduce your young ones to the series!
Kart Racing Games
While they may not be the most traditional sports titles, kart racers are some of the best sports games for young children. They’re multi-player, allowing you to spend some time together as a family, and they’re easy for kids to pick up and understand.
You can play kart racers with some of the biggest names in video games, such as Mario or Crash Bandicoot. That said, there’s no shortage of licensed kart racers from characters that your kids will recognize—even Garfield and Hello Kitty!
Kids love video games, and we all love to play games together. However, introducing them to sports video games will not only give them an appreciation for the genre but may spark their interest in real sports as well. It’s fun, wholesome, and enjoyable entertainment for audiences of all ages.
