With the highly anticipated release of Sony’s PlayStation 5, we wanted to look at the many games still available on PS4 for 5-year-olds. At this age, kids are gaining a little independence, becoming more social, and wanting to spend time playing with friends. It’s important to find PS4 games to entertain them and their peers.
When picking a PS4 game for your 5-year-old, consider these key factors:
Age-Appropriate Content: Opt for games rated E (Everyone) or E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) by ESRB.
Simple Gameplay: Choose easy-to-understand games with uncomplicated controls.
Learning Fun: Prioritize games with educational value, like math or problem-solving.
Active Play: Look for interactive games that get your child moving.
No Violence: Avoid scary or violent themes.
Play Together: Opt for games with multiplayer or co-op features.
Parental Controls: Familiarize yourself with PS4’s settings for safety.
Reviews Help: Read parent and gaming site reviews.
Favorite Characters: Consider games featuring beloved characters.
Try Before Buying: Look for demos to test suitability.
Easy Progression: Pick games with gradual difficulty.
Positive Messages: Choose games promoting teamwork and empathy.
1. Yooka-Laylee: The Impossible Lair – PlayStation 4 (Best Budget Option)
Yooka-Laylee: The Impossible Lair is a hybrid platform and adventure game. It is a budget-friendly option that can easily keep young children happily busy. As it is a single-player game, kids can go at it independently or with some guided assistance from parents.
As for the concept of the game, it features characters Yooka and Laylee on their journey to save Queen Phoebe’s Royal Battalion Guard. Both of the characters have different abilities, and players must utilize them both successfully to tackle numerous challenges. These are all shown in stunning levels rendered with 2.5D graphics. Meanwhile, players can also enjoy solving various puzzles inside a gorgeous 3D overworld.
What we love:
- Controls seem well-designed and easy for children
- Features vibrant and colorful artwork that is instantly appealing
We don’t like this as much:
- The difficulty seems to drastically spike on the final level, which some kids may not be prepared for
2. Overcooked! + Overcooked! 2 (PS4) (Best Quality Option)
This bundle of both Overcooked! and Overcooked! 2 are among the 10 best PS4 games for 5-year-olds that provide them with double the fun. As this includes the base games for both of them, kids can complete the entire first game and move immediately onto the second so that the fun may never end.
Both of the games offer the chaotic cooking that made so many players fall in love with it in the first place. Kids can play alone or embark on a fun couch co-op mode where up to four people can play at once. They can participate in team challenges or work together to defeat the levels. Across both games, there are 75 levels to go through and more than 20 chefs to play with.
What we love:
- Thanks to the cooperative mode, young kids can learn about teamwork as they play with the whole family
- It features a multitude of characters and levels to keep the game diverse and interesting
We don’t like this as much:
- The levels can differ in terms of how challenging they are, so kids may need help with a few of them
3. Paw Patrol On A Roll – PlayStation 4
The Paw Patrol On A Roll is one of the best PS4 games for 5-year-olds, featuring the lovable characters from the popular Nickelodeon show. This includes Ryder and all six of his hero pups, and the game also features Tracker and Everest. This way, children will see all their favorites in one video game.
In the game, players embark on 16 thrilling puzzle-platforming adventures, and to do this, they must travel through eight different areas throughout Adventure Bay.
They’ll need to understand each mission as a specific pup’s ability will be needed to succeed. Thankfully, kids can take two pups per mission so they are never without backup.
What we love:
- Has high-quality graphics that perfectly resemble the cartoon show
- Serves as a good introductory game for kids to develop good hand-eye coordination
We don’t like this as much:
- The game may get too repetitive, so there’s a strong chance that children outgrow it fast
4. Garfield Kart: Furious Racing (PS4)
The Garfield Kart: Furious Racing places the classic Garfield characters in a situation they’ve never been to before. It combines traditional race mechanics with colorfully designed characters. There are eight of them in all: Garfield, Odie, Jon, Arlene, Liz, Nermal, Squeak, and Harry.
Kids can go through three different game modes: Single Race, Grand Prix, and Time Trial. Players can go at it alone, select the multiplayer mode where up to four can play together with split-screen, or online mode to play co-op with up to eight total people. 16 circuits include incredible environments inspired by the world of Garfield. While racing, kids can use attack and defense bonuses to win.
What we love:
- Multiple ways to play with a good variety of characters to pick and race with
- The karts and the attacks feature fun and amusing sound effects
We don’t like this as much:
- The driving controls could be more user-friendly to make it easier for kids to correct themselves
5. Sonic Mania Plus (PS4)
Kids can live into the fun and exciting world of Sonic with Sonic Mania Plus. It is a true classic that resembles the vintage Sega series with colorful pixel graphics that boast HD visuals. This combines favorite zones from multiple old-school games like the first three Sonic video games, Sonic the Hedgehog CD, and Sonic & Knuckles.
In the game, kids play with Sonic and his friends along with a couple of brand new characters that have their own unique abilities to enjoy. In all, players get five characters to choose from. There are several other new features as well as updates to the nostalgia-inducing classic features. This includes Encore mode and Competition mode. Kids can fire up the game in co-op or play with up to four total people.
What we love:
- Features a way for kids to play with the whole family
- Works as a good retro game that has enough updated features to keep young children engaged
We don’t like this as much:
- There is some repetitiveness to the game that kids may outgrow after a while
6. Gigantosaurus The Game for PlayStation 4
Gigantosaurus The Game is one of the 10 best PS4 games for 5-year-olds with a longtime love of dinosaurs. Not only that, but they can share their love with friends and family thanks to the cooperative play that allows for up to three people to play at once.
As for the dino friends, the game unites Tiny, Rocky, Bill, and Mazu on an epic adventure to preserve Giganto and prevent their extinction. Besides adventure, players can race to each zone using super cool race karts. This makes the travel fun while also proving once and for all who the fastest dinosaur is.
What we love:
- The storyline is easy to navigate so young kids can play without much oversight
- Great amount of gameplay offered as players can switch characters and embark on different game modes
We don’t like this as much:
- The camera angle may be challenging to control if multiple people are playing at the same time
7. Little Big Planet 3 – PlayStation 4
The Little Big Planet 3 video game for PS4 reawakens a beloved franchise and marks the return of Sackboy. But he’s not alone as he’s come with several new friends, and he and all these plush characters are playable. These new heroes can move in such unique ways that the game can readily thrill a child to embark on this journey.
They can glide through the skies, or transform from big to small with distinctive powers for each size, or quickly scale over walls. All the characters are customizable, and thanks to the costumes, kids can better express themselves through the game. Nothing is static in this game either as levels are changing every day so players may discover something new each time they turn it on.
What we love:
- With the multiplayer mode, kids can have fun with team-play with family and friends
- Plenty of customizable options to keep children learning and engaging their creativity skills
We don’t like this as much:
- Kids may need occasional guidance as some of the campaign levels are hard
8. Team Sonic Racing (PS4)
The Team Sonic Racing video game is an exciting kart racing experience. There are both online multiplayer modes and local co-op modes, and thanks to the online function, this game may grow along with young children so they can play it for years to come. For split-screen playing, up to four players may jump into the game.
There is a fun adventure mode that helps introduce players to game mechanics. Once learning the ropes, kids can choose from 15 different characters that exist throughout the Sonic universe. Additionally, three specific character types are Technique, Power, and Speed. Up to 12 people can race at any time, and kids can customize the look and performance of the kart. With team racing, players work together to defeat the other opponent and seize the victory.
What we love:
- Game to run smoothly both offline and online
- Features vibrant graphics and an energetic soundtrack to keep kids interested and entertained
We don’t like this as much:
- The AI can make it difficult for kids to get quality items or win
9. Mega Man Legacy Collection
The Mega Man Legacy Collection is a retro video game, but it may easily introduce newcomers to enjoy it all. This includes all six of the original Mega Man games in addition to including various modes: Museum Mode and Challenge Mode.
Museum Mode has plenty of artwork to teach kids the history behind the game. Meanwhile, Challenge Mode is a good starting place considering it is a remix of gameplay connected to all six classic games. This blends 8-bit style with HD looks to create a more timeless piece. The trials increase in difficulty too as you play the game so that when you reach the more difficult areas, you already have a good idea of what to do.
What we love:
- Blends various concepts from multiple games to make it more versatile to play
- Good save function so kids can stop and pick it up back up again with ease
We don’t like this as much:
- The game can benefit from being more responsive.
