7 best games consoles for kids

For good old-fashioned gaming fun, you can’t go wrong with the original Nintendo Switch. It’s officially suitable from 3+ but we think most children would need to be around four years old, depending on the game. It can be used in handheld, desktop, or TV mode, and it comes with two detachable Joy Cons to play with friends or against a parent. There’s also the option to sync the device with up to eight other Switch or Switch Lite consoles. Game cards slot in the top which younger children will need a hand with, or they can be downloaded from Nintendo’s extensive online library. Just be sure to put a parental lock on downloads or your child may start spending money without you knowing.  

A trusted reviewer said: “My five-year old really loves the Pokémon and Mario Kart games that he can easily play alone or with his dad by removing the two side controllers. The 5.5-inch screen can be used as it is, placed on a tabletop with the kickstand, or connected via a dock to the TV which makes it super versatile”.

If you’re looking for a gaming console that’s suitable for older kids, Sony’s new PlayStation 5 Slim is one of the best options available. From ultra-high-speed SSD which makes games lightning fast to load, to 3D audio and 8K output, and DualSense wireless controllers, it’s designed to create a deeply immersive gaming experience. Another major plus is that it can be used with both digital disks and downloaded games, and connected to a headset if your teen likes chatting with friends while they play online.

One mum tester said: “A present for my teenage sons, this is a top-level gaming device. Brilliant graphics and easy to set up. Looks sleek as well”.

More experienced gamers will love the incredible capabilities of the Xbox Series X which is touted as the most impressive yet. It boasts an incredibly fast loading speed, 1000GB drive capacity, and an extensive games profile that includes thousands of Xbox games from four different generations. Your kids can also play and communicate with friends on multiple platforms using the headset. It’s admittedly an expensive bit of kit so it’s probably best reserved for families who like to play together or know that they’ll use it often.

One mum tester said: “I bought this for my son and he absolutely loves it. The quality is great, and he’s one very happy little boy”.

If you don’t have much space for a gaming console and don’t want to completely blow your budget, the Xbox Series S answers all of your problems with its pleasingly compact size and great value price. While it’s been named the smallest and sleekest Xbox console, it still brings the performance and speed that you’d expect. If safety is a concern, the Xbox Family Settings app allows you to ensure all the content your child sees is appropriate for their age. You can also stop them from buying games or add-ons without your permission while setting a screen time of your choosing. The only real downside to this console is that it can’t be used with Blu-Ray discs, only downloaded games. It also has less memory than the Series X. 

What one mum tester said: “Bought for my son's Christmas present, he absolutely loves it! An upgrade from a very old 360. He is very happy”.

 
The Switch OLED is the latest addition to the Nintendo family. While it still has all the popular features of the Switch such as the option to use in hand or in tabletop mode, it’s been upgraded with a more vibrant 7-inch, 4K screen. You can also detach the Joy-Con controllers for multiplayer games and use the wired LAN port in the dock to connect it to your TV. The audio is also clearer than the original and it has double the amount of internal storage if you want to download lots of different games. 

What one parent tester said: **“**I bought this for my 10-year-old grandson for Christmas. He was thrilled with it. Quality is great. Apparently, it's had an upgrade, so it can be charged on its' stand, rather than a plug. (He would review in greater depth, I'm just the grandma)!!”

A lightweight and compact alternative to the original Nintendo Switch, this is a great option for little hands over the age of three who want to try out gaming. Its small size also makes it a top pick for travel, plus it can be played in hand or connected online to play with Switch-owning friends and family. As it is intended for hand-held use only, however, you won’t be able to connect this to a TV so it’s not the best option for family gatherings or more social gamers. 

What one mum tester said: “I bought this for my 6-year-old daughter. She is very happy with it and put a big smile on her face on her birthday. What more could you want!”

While Playdate’s fun retro design may nod to the past, it’s very much rooted in the future when it comes to tech. Portable and lightweight, it features a 2.7-inch screen, and comes with 24 different games to try. There’s even the option to make your own game with the Playdate Pulp feature which you don’t need to be a tech or coding whizz to enjoy. Our only real complaint is that it doesn’t have a backlight so you may have trouble using it in dim or dark rooms.