Best Non-Violent Video Games for Kids Ages 6 to 10: A Thoughtful Guide for Parents

Rethinking Screen Time: Video Games Can Be Gentle Too

When your child has had a tough day at school, wrestling with spelling words or dreading tomorrow’s math test, sometimes all they want — and need — is a little escape. As a parent, you might feel torn. You know screen time isn’t the healthiest go-to, yet you also realize not every video game is the villain in their story.

This is where non-violent video games come into the picture. These games can offer not only entertainment but also cognitive stimulation, creative play, and even relaxation — if chosen wisely. The challenge is navigating the crowded digital shelves to find screen time options that don’t add stress or hyperactivity to your child’s already full plate.

What Makes a Game “Non-Violent” — And Why It Matters

Non-violent games go beyond the absence of weapons or fighting. They avoid competitive stress, mature themes, or overstimulating effects. They prioritize exploration, creativity, puzzles, gentle teamwork, or narratives that unfold at a slower, intentional pace.

It matters because overstimulating or hyper-competitive games can disrupt sleep, shorten attention spans, and feed anxiety in already school-stressed kids. It’s not just about the hours spent in front of the screen — it’s about the quality of those moments.

Thoughtfully Chosen, These Games Can Inspire — Not Overwhelm

If your 6- to 10-year-old is curious, sensitive, or overwhelmed by school challenges, introducing gentle, age-appropriate games could be a healthy way to let them reset. Here are a few types of games — and popular examples — that may work well for your family:

• Puzzle games – Titles like Snipperclips or Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker blend problem-solving with fun animations and logical steps that don’t punish mistakes. They can feel like joyous brain teasers after a long day at school.
• Creative sandbox games – While some versions need supervision, games like Minecraft (in Creative Mode) allow children to build, explore, and express imagination freely — without time pressure or enemies.
• Story-driven exploration games – Gentle games like A Short Hike or Animal Crossing offer relaxing goals and meaningful characters, promoting narrative thinking and emotional regulation.
• Cooperative party games – Think Overcooked 2 or Unravel Two. These titles invite family bonding with lighthearted tasks and funny, chaotic teamwork — great to play together on weekends.

Even simple apps and mobile games can be meaningful, if you avoid those driven by ads or artificial urgency. And if you’re worried about how much time your child spends on screens, you’re far from alone — see our guide on how video games can impact kids’ attention spans.

Setting the Right Tone: Keep the Conversation Open

One of the healthiest strategies in navigating children’s digital habits is cultivating curiosity instead of control. Ask your child what they enjoy most in games — is it the art? The music? Solving puzzles with friends? Once you’re talking, you can guide them together toward games that lift them up instead of draining them.

Use this opportunity to also encourage other forms of downtime that don’t involve screens at all. For example, some children who unwind with video games might equally enjoy audio adventures or quiet creative play — they just haven’t found the right option yet.

The iOS and Android versions of the LISN Kids app offer original audio series and audiobooks crafted especially for children. These stories can be a calming companion during quiet time, car rides, or bedtime — helping kids decompress without overstimulating visuals.

Balance Is Built in the Smallest Choices

Sleep, focus, emotional regulation — they’re all closely tied to how our children spend their downtime. Some kids who feel drained by school benefit from screen-free relaxation. Others might crave 30 minutes of imaginative video gaming to reset their nervous systems. What matters is knowing your child and choosing their tools intentionally.

Non-violent video games aren’t a parenting shortcut — they can be part of a thoughtful toolbox, especially when paired with open conversations and healthy boundaries. Try blending screen time with moments of quiet listening or storytime to anchor your family’s routines.

And if you’re still wondering about the deeper impact of screens, or looking to integrate more creativity into your child’s life without always turning to devices, check out this guide on fostering creativity away from video games or our tips on encouraging active listening.

Video Games, When Chosen Thoughtfully, Can Be a Support — Not a Struggle

As a parent, you’re already balancing so much. When you feel torn between meeting your child’s needs and setting limits, know that the answer doesn’t always lie in saying “yes” or “no” — it often lives in the “how.” How is this screen time serving their wellbeing? How are they feeling after?

Swapping aggressive, draining games for calmer ones won’t fix every problem, but it might create a space of relief and joy — which both you and your child deserve more of.