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There are very few FPS games that are solely for kids, but some are less violent than others and serve as a nice starter for older kids that may be interested in them. Others games give a new take on what an FPS really is, moving away from guns entirely. Either way, it is possible to find first-person shooter games for kids.
Updated on September 18th, 2021 by Chris Birsner: As more video games hit shelves every day, there are more developers out there willing to try out new concepts. While shooting games for kids continue to be somewhat controversial in theory, many companies out there are willing to try new ways to introduce the genre to a younger audience. There are also some examples of older games having some elements of first-person shooting that are worth checking out, even if they don’t completely fall under the FPS genre. Regardless of how hard it is to find the perfect FPS for kids, there are at least a few options out there that are worth a shot.
15 Lovely Planet
It may be tough to sell a difficult game to a kid, but if they are up for a bit of a challenge, they can try Lovely Planet. With graphics reminiscent of Katamari Damacy, the innocent look of the game may compel people looking for a brighter environment in their FPS to play this.
However, the game can be very difficult as each level tasks the player with killing every enemy on the stage without getting hit once. The goal is also to finish the level in the quickest time possible. These two elements may turn kids away from playing it, but it could be worth trying a few levels.
14 Superhot
To be clear, Superhot is a title that has some disturbing scenes in it. There are a few points in the game where the player must end their life to advance to the next level. This would make it completely understandable for parents to not want their kids to play.
That said, if parents are moderating the kid as they play, the game is not at all gory and serves as more of an engaging puzzle game than a fast-paced shoot ’em up. The game only moves when the player moves, so the strategy is to figure out the routes of other targets to effectively knock them all out.
13 Boomerang X
Games with creepy monsters in them may be too much for super young children, but older kids may enjoy taking enemies down with a boomerang. In Boomerang X, players are tasked with fighting back against nightmares that have brought civilization into ruins.
The crux of the gameplay is players being able to hit these creatures with a boomerang, but there is a lot of really fun elements to throwing it, including being able to zip right to it while it’s in the air. Boomerang X is also another difficult game, but it’s one that can be entertaining to both play and watch for almost all ages.
12 Metroid Prime Trilogy
Metroid Prime Trilogy also borders on being a bit disturbing at points as there is plenty of violent montages in this game. But parents of older kids shouldn’t feel too bad letting them play as much of the violence isn’t terribly graphic, though it’s recommended that parents play with them.
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The Metroid Prime Trilogy is rich with character and has plenty of fun puzzles to solve. The story itself also focuses on various interesting topics that could be thought-provoking and rewarding enough for a parent and kid to experience together.
11 Overwatch
One of the most popular competitive games out there, Overwatch is a first-person shooter that has taken the world by storm and contains cartoon violence that isn’t too bad for kids to take in. That said, this game is online only and communication is key to the game.
If a kid wants to play Overwatch, it might be best to start them off by setting up a game where they are playing as an easy hero with their friends and going up against AI. If a kid wants to dip their toe into an online mode, it would be recommended they do so with friends or family on their team at all times.
10 Tower Unite
Party games are always a treat for kids, and one hidden gem on Steam is Tower Unite. While not a super popular game, Tower Unite has a lot of mini-games that can be fun for the whole family if everyone has their own computer.
While these mini-games range in genre, there are a few kid-friendly gun games that are worth a shot. This includes simple arcade games like Laser Tag or more fleshed out modes such as Virus. The only downside for kids is that this is a massively multiplayer game, so turning off chat may be ideal.
9 Supraland
Another game that might be a bit challenging for kids but could also be an exhilarating experience is Supraland. Described as a first-person Metroidvania game, the world of Supraland takes place in a literal sandbox. Players are tasked with exploring the world and solving puzzles while also having to deal with many different enemies.
The game will reward players for overcoming obstacles and consistently keeps players guessing. While the game focuses a lot on melee attacks, there are also plenty of opportunities for shooting action.
8 Super 3D Noah’s Ark
Regardless of religious affiliation, Super 3D Noah’s Ark is an intriguing game to try because of its place in the history of family-friendly shooters. Using a style that is reminiscent of the classic shooter Wolfenstein 3D, the player takes on the role of Noah as he looks to round up animals that have gone rogue.
Noah is armed with a slingshot that he uses to take down the different animals that are either charging or spitting at him. Even if this sounds intimidating, the game was targeted towards a younger audience and was built to help the player. Super 3D Noah’s Ark originally came out in the 1990s on the SNES, but it was re-released in 2014 on Steam.
7 PowerWash Simulator
When finding a first-person shooting game that kids can play, it’s important to look across several different genres as a game that isn’t a typical FPS has FPS-like elements. This is where a game like PowerWash Simulator comes in.
This relaxing game gives players a power washer that they can use to walk around and clean up every place with grime that they can find. The calming sounds of the washer and the pure satisfaction of cleaning up a mess make doing chores quite fun.
6 Penko Park
Another atypical first-person shooter game to try out is a smaller indie game called Penko Park. The game is mainly focused on walking around a wildlife park that is a bit spookier than usual. Most of the shooting is done with a camera as the main purpose of the game is to take pictures of the different creatures that live there.
However, there is also plenty of opportunities to interact with the environment. Another shooting mechanic is the ability to extend the player’s arm to grab certain objects. Overall, despite its horror vibes, Penko Park is an adorable creature collector that has FPS elements.
5 Penguins Arena: Sedna’s World
As noted above, multiplayer games can be a bit intimidating for kids. In Penguins Arena: Sedna’s World, kids can enjoy the experience through LAN multiplayer and could dabble in online multiplayer if they and their parents are comfortable with that.
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Referred to as a “First-Penguin Shooter,” the game revolves around where cartoon penguins must battle for survival. The quick games revolve around using different weapons to take on enemies. The game allows players to come back after dying, either fully reincarnated or as a ghost.
4 Slime Rancher
Going back to simulators, a cute game that involves shooting (and collecting) slimes could be an easy bridge for kids to cross into first-person shooting games. In Slime Rancher, players take on the role of Beatrix LaBeau, a rancher who has started a new life on a planet far away.
The game revolves around spending each day growing the farm and exploring the region for various resources and creatures. The goal of the game is to not only get in a good enough position in the “Plort Market,” but to also discover the hidden mysteries that lie in the “Far, Far Range.”
3 The Unfinished Swan
Many popular walking simulators tend not to have many other gameplay mechanics beyond just finding things and exploring, but The Unfinished Swan adds a shooting element that may make it more engaging to younger players.
It focuses on a boy named Monroe who has jumped into a painting in order to find the missing subject of the painting: a swan. The game features a storybook-like narration while players can shoot paintballs to help them see the world better. There are also floating balloons that can be popped along the way.
2 New Pokemon Snap
While Metroid Prime is the only Nintendo first-person shooter that falls in line with other games of the genre, New Pokemon Snap gives “shoot” a completely different meaning. A sequel to the classic Nintendo 64 game, the rail shooter focuses on players shooting photos of different Pokemon across multiple environments.
Players can enhance their photos by shooting Fluffruit and Illumination Orbs at the Pokemon, which may fill them with enough glee to get a photo-worthy reaction. New Pokemon Snap is truly the most wholesome shooter that kids can spend hours in.
1 Portal 2
The Portal series was an innovative take on puzzle games, but it also was a unique taking on first-person shooting as well. While the original game was what started it all, the most talked-about game is Portal 2.
The game revolves around the premise of a portal gun where players can shoot portals that are connected in order to overcome a level’s challenge. While the story mode is a lot of fun by itself, there is a cooperative mode that is both fun for all ages and a solid challenge that can keep kids busy with a friend or family member. There is endless fun with Portal 2.
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