Best Free Games for Kids That Parents Can Actually Trust

Finding free games for kids is easy. Finding free games that don’t bombard them with ads, trick them into purchases, or include chat with strangers is much harder. We looked for games with genuinely kid-friendly designs: little or no advertising, no manipulative purchase prompts, and content that’s right for the age group.

Always check the age rating and Data safety section on the Google Play listing, and play a few minutes yourself before handing over the tablet.

For preschoolers (ages 2–5)

Khan Academy Kids

A free learning app from the nonprofit Khan Academy, with no ads and no subscriptions. Kids explore reading, early math, drawing, and social-emotional lessons with friendly animal characters. The content adapts to your child’s level, and there’s a parent section to track progress. It’s one of the best free apps for young children, full stop.

PBS KIDS Games

PBS KIDS Games brings together free games featuring characters from popular PBS shows. Games focus on science, math, reading, and creativity, and new games are added regularly. There are no in-app purchases, and PBS designs its content with child development experts.

Read Along by Google

A free reading app from Google with no ads. A friendly in-app helper named Diya listens as your child reads stories out loud and gently helps with tricky words. It works offline after stories are downloaded and is designed for early readers.

For early elementary (ages 5–8)

Toca Boca World

A digital dollhouse where kids create characters and stories in homes, shops, and salons. The free version includes several locations with no time limits. Additional locations and furniture packs can be purchased, so set up purchase approvals before playing.

ScratchJr

A free coding app where kids snap together programming blocks to make characters move, jump, and talk. It’s a gentle introduction to how programming works, created by the researchers behind the Scratch coding language. There are no ads and no purchases.

Crossy Road

A simple, charming arcade game where you help a chicken (and hundreds of other characters) cross the road. It’s free with optional ads for bonus coins and character purchases, so it’s better for slightly older kids who understand that ads aren’t part of the game.

For older kids (ages 8–12)

Chess.com and Lichess

Both offer free chess apps. Lichess is completely free, open source, and has no ads. Chess.com has free lessons and puzzles with an optional membership. For younger players, turn off chat and limit online play to friends.

Minecraft (paid, but worth mentioning)

Minecraft isn’t free, but it’s one of the most creative and educational games available. Creative mode is especially good for younger builders. If you allow online multiplayer, use parental controls to manage who your child can chat with.

What to look for in any kids’ game

• Age rating: Check the rating on Google Play (shown as ratings like “Everyone” or “Everyone 10+”).
• Teacher Approved badge: Google Play highlights some kids’ apps as “Teacher Approved.” It’s a helpful signal, though not a guarantee.
• Ads: Kids can’t always tell ads from the game. Games with no ads or very limited ads are best for young children.
• Purchases: Look for “Contains in-app purchases” on the store page, and require approval for every purchase.
• Chat and friends: Avoid open chat for young kids. Games with no chat or preset messages only are safest.
• Data collection: Read the Data safety section to see what information the app collects.

Quick comparison

Game	Ages	Ads	Purchases
Khan Academy Kids	2–8	None	None
PBS KIDS Games	2–8	None	None
Read Along by Google	4–8	None	None
ScratchJr	5–8	None	None
Toca Boca World	5–10	None	Optional
Crossy Road	7+	Yes	Optional
Lichess	8+	None	None

App policies and pricing can change, so check each listing before downloading. The best free kids’ games share one quality: they respect children and parents rather than treating them as targets. With these picks, you can say yes to screen time with more confidence.