The Benefits of Playing Video Games With Your Kids
As single parents, we’re always looking for ways to bond with our children, teach them valuable life skills, and simply have fun together. One activity that checks all those boxes is gaming. The benefits of playing video games with your kids go far beyond entertainment, they can foster teamwork, improve communication, and even spark creativity.
When we step into a virtual world together, we’re not just passing time. We’re problem-solving as a team, celebrating victories, and sometimes even learning how to lose with grace. It’s a shared experience that can strengthen the parent-child relationship in ways few other hobbies can match.
Below are some of my favorite games to play with kids, each offering unique benefits for single-parent families.
It Takes Two — The Ultimate Teamwork Game
Platform: PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Nintendo Switch
Age Range: 10+ (mild language and themes)
What It’s About:
In It Takes Two, players control Cody and May, a couple turned into dolls who must work together to navigate a series of creative, obstacle-filled worlds. Each level requires both players to use unique abilities in sync, one person can’t move forward without the other.
Why It’s Great for Single Parents:
- Teamwork and Communication: Every puzzle demands collaboration. You and your child will learn to talk through challenges and listen to each other’s ideas.
- Problem-Solving Skills: The game encourages thinking outside the box.
- Bonding Through Storytelling: The narrative also touches on family relationships, which can spark meaningful conversations.
Split Fiction — A Story You Shape Together
Platform: PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Nintendo Switch 2
Age Range: 10+
What It’s About:
Split Fiction is an interactive, story-driven game where two players shape a narrative by making decisions that impact the world and characters. Each choice can change the direction of the story, leading to multiple endings.
Why It’s Great for Single Parents:
- Co-Decision Making: You and your child decide together which path to take, teaching compromise and consideration.
- Empathy Building: Seeing the consequences of choices helps children understand perspectives different from their own.
- Creativity Boost: The game feels like co-writing a story, you’re both authors and adventurers.
Minecraft — Building Worlds, Building Skills
Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, Android, iOS
Age Range: 7+
What It’s About:
Minecraft lets players explore and build in a block-based, open world. You can gather resources, craft tools, and create anything from a simple home to a sprawling city. The game offers survival and creative modes, making it flexible for different play styles.
Why It’s Great for Single Parents:
- Creativity and Imagination: The possibilities are endless, you can build your dream home together or recreate real-world places.
- Planning and Resource Management: In survival mode, you both learn to gather resources and plan ahead.
- Safe Online Play: Private servers or offline play make it a safe space for younger kids.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe — Fun, Fast, and Family Friendly
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Age Range: All ages
What It’s About:
Race through colorful tracks as Mario, Luigi, and other Nintendo favorites. The game is easy to pick up but has enough depth to keep things competitive.
Why It’s Great for Single Parents:
- Friendly Competition: It’s a great way to introduce kids to winning and losing gracefully.
- Quick Play Sessions: Perfect for when you only have 20–30 minutes of free time.
- Laughter Guaranteed: The silly power-ups and chaotic races are pure joy.
Overcooked! All You Can Eat – Chaos in the Kitchen
Platform: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC
Age Range: 8+
What It’s About:
You and your child work together to cook and serve dishes in a series of increasingly hectic kitchens. Timing, coordination, and communication are essential.
Why It’s Great for Single Parents:
- Stress Management: It’s a fun way to practice staying calm under pressure.
- Teamwork: You’ll quickly learn how to divide tasks efficiently.
- Problem Solving on the Fly: Unexpected obstacles (like moving floors) keep you thinking fast.
Stardew Valley – Slow-Paced, Heartwarming Fun
Platform: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, Android, iOS
Age Range: 8+
What It’s About:
You inherit a farm and work together to grow crops, raise animals, and build relationships with townsfolk. It’s relaxing and full of charming details.
Why It’s Great for Single Parents:
- Life Skills: Teaches patience, routine, and the rewards of hard work.
- Relaxation: Perfect for winding down after a busy day.
- Shared Goals: Setting and achieving farm goals creates a sense of accomplishment.
The Big Picture – Why Gaming Together Matters
The benefits of playing video games with your kids go beyond the screen. Here’s what shared gaming time can do for your family:
- Strengthen Your Bond: Shared victories and even funny defeats create lasting memories.
- Improve Communication: Games often require clear instructions and listening skills.
- Teach Life Lessons: From resource management to empathy, video games can be powerful teachers.
- Relieve Stress: Laughing together can melt away the day’s tension for both you and your child.
Tips for Making Gaming a Positive Experience
- Choose Age-Appropriate Games: Check ESRB ratings before you buy.
- Set Time Limits: Balance gaming with schoolwork, chores, and offline activities.
- Play Together, Not Just Side by Side: Engage, talk, and strategize, don’t just share the couch.
- Use It as a Conversation Starter: Let in-game scenarios lead to real-life discussions.
Final Thoughts
The benefits of playing video games with your kids are real, and they can be a valuable part of your parenting toolkit. Whether you’re teaming up to save a magical world, building a dream farm, or just racing through Rainbow Road, you’re doing more than playing a game. You’re building trust, teaching skills, and creating memories that will last long after the console is turned off.
With the right games and a little intentionality, gaming can be one of the most rewarding ways to connect with your children, and have a blast while doing it.
