VR is an excellent tool when it comes to introducing kids to the world of gaming.
Of course, most kids don’t need any help in this regard; just let them loose on Minecraft or Fortnite and you’ll know exactly what we mean.
However, VR adds another layer of immersion to the gaming experience when it’s done well, and it can be truly magical to watch a kid’s face light up as they explore a virtual world as if they were really there.
Naturally, not every VR game is appropriate for kids, so if you’ve got kids and want to know how to introduce them to VR, read on.
Here are the best VR games for kids right now.
Rec Room
What better place to begin in the world of VR games for kids than Rec Room?
This user-driven game perfectly recreates the feel of a high school gym and comes with plenty of great built-in minigames, including dodgeball, laser tag, and bowling.
There’s also a rich library of user-created games, and some of them are surprisingly ambitious, too. Just be sure that you’re monitoring your kid’s usage of Rec Room, as although it’s generally pretty well-moderated, user-generated content should always come with a parental advisory label.
Beat Saber
Beat Saber feels very much like the game for which VR was designed.
It’s an abstract rhythm-action game in which you must slash at blocks as they hurtle towards you in VR space, all in time to the pulse-pounding music.
The strength of Beat Saber lies in its soundtrack; it comes with a ton of built-in songs, and you can also download plenty of extra DLC packs to expand your music collection. You can also enjoy several difficulty levels, so once you’ve mastered Beat Saber, step up to the next stage for an extra challenge.
The Lab
The strongest argument for Valve’s The Lab is that, well, it was made by Valve.
As game designers, Valve’s devs are utterly peerless in our opinion, and The Lab demonstrates that fact with aplomb; it’s a collection of Valve’s VR experiments, and as such, you’ll find plenty of varied VR fun on offer.
What’s more, The Lab is totally free, although you won’t be able to play it on PlayStation VR devices; it’s strictly for PC VR, so if you’ve got a Meta Quest, a Valve Index, or any number of other PC VR headsets, make sure to check this one out.
Astro Bot Rescue Mission
This one’s strictly for those who have a PlayStation VR headset; unfortunately, it’s not compatible with PS VR2, so you’ll need an original set to play.
Astro Bot Rescue Mission is an excellent and thoroughly charming 3D platforming experience that uses the capabilities of the PlayStation VR to their fullest.
You’ll guide the adorable Astro through a series of stages in order to rescue his robot buddies, and if the main campaign isn’t challenging enough for you, the game also comes with extra challenge levels to test your mettle.
Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes
It’s rare that the thesis of a game is revealed entirely by its title, but that’s certainly the case with Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes.
This asymmetrical VR bomb defusal game is great for kids, as it’s a good way to teach communication skills. One player must defuse a bomb, while the other has the instruction manual that contains information on the bomb’s various systems.
Each bomb could have any number of different systems, so there’s plenty of replay value in this one as well. Just make sure things don’t get too heated.
Cloudlands: VR Minigolf
If you’ve ever wanted to play minigolf while gazing down at the earth below you like some kind of club-wielding god, then Cloudlands: VR Minigolf is for you.
Your kids will love the chance to play across a series of different minigolf holes, each with new hazards or course layouts to master.
Once you’ve played through everything the base game has to offer, you can then either make your own holes or download those created by others, so the fun never has to end if your kids get into this one.
Tentacular
Imagine Octodad, but instead of passing as human, you’re actually playing as a giant tentacled kraken. That’s not a million miles away from the premise of Tentacular.
You are a giant squid-style sea creature, and you must help the inhabitants of a town to accomplish tasks. Of course, your huge tentacles are a touch unwieldy, so you’ll need to grapple with your sheer size and bulk in order to avoid hurting townspeople or destroying property.
This is a game as hilarious as it is heartwarming, and it’s the perfect VR game for kids to immerse themselves in, as its unique gameplay presents some interesting puzzles to think through.
Moss: Book II
If you’re looking for a VR game with a more substantial narrative element to it – one that feels much like classic 3D adventure games, no less – then look no further than Moss: Book II.
The original game is also well worth playing through, but this sequel brings a number of welcome changes, including additional verticality in the form of a climbing system, as well as new items and abilities for Quill.
It’s all wrapped up in an adorable aesthetic that should appeal if your kids are fans of classic animated movies. If you love this, do make sure to revisit the first game too!
