All preschool kids are different—some of them like adventurous games, and some prefer an easy-peasy walk in the park. But all parents can agree that for a kid that’s three to six or seven years old, there is no space for violence or upsetting games.
Additionally, although all parents swore off video games once or twice, it might be beneficial for preschoolers to indulge in a game once in a while. The reasons are several, but in the end, it’s fun, engaging, and for kids—games are serious stuff.
Because we want our kids to learn through these video games, we prepared a list of ten educational retro games for kids that don’t have any (or are presented softly, through humor) evil characters, no timers, and no stress. It’s all about having fun while learning.
Why Choose Educational Games for Your Kid?
Every parent wants the best for their kids—even in games. If a game can be fun and educational at the same time, you would consider that a win-win.
Video games (in moderate amounts) can be considered chocolate-covered broccoli, so it’s essentially the perfect way for your kid to speed up their response time, stimulate creativity, focus and visual memory, improve strategy and leadership, and develop critical thinking.
Retro games, in particular, can evoke a sense of nostalgia in parents, encouraging them to join the game as well. Another positive aspect of retro games is their simple mechanics, which are perfect for younger players.
It’s time to check out the list!
#10 Fisher Price: I Can Remember
This retro game is very loved among youngsters because of its simplicity. It’s a memory-matching game where kids flip cards to find pairs. It’s simple and repetitive, ideal for younger kids.
There are no time limits, minimal buttons to press, and no pressure. Kids can really take their time to focus and play at their own pace.
Benefits of this game include memory and pattern recognition and the development of cognitive skills. The reason this retro game is number 10 on our list is because of its repetitiveness, so it might not keep the kids engaged for long periods of time.
Age recommendations: 3-5 years
#9 Fisher Price: Firehouse Rescue
Another cool Fisher-Price game, but this time in the Firehouse Rescue edition!
In this variation, kids drive a fire truck through town and rescue animals. The fun part is in helping out and overcoming simple obstacles along the way.
The controls are extremely basic; the kids can go either left or right to reach the goal.
Again, it’s not stressful; the kids can play it at their own pace, and they develop a sense of empathy, spatial awareness, and decision-making.
Age recommendations: 4-6 years
#8 Kikansha Thomas
A cool, fun, and engaging video game based on the beloved Thomas the Tank Engine. This educational game improves problem-solving, fine motor skills, and planning through easy and stress-free gameplay.
Kids navigate Thomas through simple railway obstacles, and the goal is to pick up passengers and cargo. It’s slow-paced and easy to understand, and the primary challenge is deciding the right route for the train to take.
This game does not have any villains, time constraints, or other stressors. It’s a perfect educational game for kids, with “retro” sprinkled all over it!
Age recommendation: 3-5 years
#7 Sesame Street 123: Ernie’s Magic Shapes
Ah, Sesame Street! Nostalgia is deeply incorporated into this franchise. You will love playing this game with your kid!
The reason why it’s so good for youngsters is that it’s stress-free and designed for early learners to explore and discover at their own pace. The game has six levels, so both you and your kid can really see the advancement.
Ernie will offer your kid encouragement throughout all levels, and the goal is to match shapes and numbers.
It promotes early math skills, so offering this game to your kid might just save you money on tutors in high school!
Age recommendation: 3-5 years
#6 Yoshi’s Cookie
In this puzzle game, players match cookies in rows and columns to clear the screen. It’s a truly educational retro game for kids in every aspect. It develops logical thinking and pattern recognition while being perfectly suitable for youngsters because of its simple mechanics.
And it’s Yoshi—the cutest turtle on the planet.
The only thing that is important to note is that there is very mild violence happening in a comical or abstract context, particularly where Yoshi has to defend himself from his enemies.
Age recommendations: 5+
#5 Crystal’s Pony Tale
Although this game has a villain—an evil Storm Witch—who cast a spell that imprisoned Crystal Pony’s friends in order to rule Ponyland, this game is sweet and rewarding. Although the witch is in the gameplay, there are no threats, jump scares, or anything similar that might frighten your kid.
The game focuses on solving puzzles and interacting with animals in a friendly, colorful environment.
Generally, this educational and retro game for kids helps improve fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities, and the bright, cheerful design makes it inviting for anyone who enjoys imaginative play.
Age recommendation: 4-6 years
#4 Barney’s Hide and Seek
Barney was (and still is) one of the favorites when it comes to kids’ characters. This retro and educational game for kids is made without villains or timers, making it a positive reinforcement and stress-free experience.
In this game, kids control Barney through five different levels to search for his friends and toys. The game is easy to navigate and does not require using too many buttons. However, there are gentle instructions for anyone that needs practice.
This educational game promotes empathy, patience, and social learning, and it encourages exploration and curiosity.
Age recommendation: 3-5 years
#3 Pokémon Snap
Who doesn’t love Pokémon, right?
In this retro game for kids, the ultimate experience lies in taking the role of a photographer and snapping pictures of beloved Pokémon.
Your kid will be encouraged to explore, navigate, and use their creativity to find all the creatures, and there are no villains, timers, or any stress-inducers.
Who knows, maybe the experience of experimenting with angles and settings for their photos awakens their love for photography from an early age!
Note: This game has a small learning curve, so it might be beneficial to play this game with your child until they develop a sense of all the angles and settings.
Age recommendation: 5+ years
#2 Mickey’s Safari in Letterland
With no pressure or danger in this game, Mickey’s Safari in Letterland is a perfect game for any kid that likes archaeology!
Essentially, Mickey travels through different lands to collect all letters, so it’s perfect for children who are learning the alphabet. Additionally, there is a spelling word component; just make sure you choose it for your kid in the settings.
It promotes early literacy by teaching letter recognition and is fun and easy to play. Although there are some flaws when it comes to this game, like when Mickey is spelling the word but not saying it, this game is our #2 on the list because of how easy and fun it is to play.
Another advantageous feature is the fact that you can choose difficulty levels. There are Normal (a kid collects a small portion of letters, and Mickey does a lot of things automatically), Advanced (now the kid is more in control of his movements), and Super Advanced (the kid can make all movements and find the entire alphabet on their own).
Age recommendation: 3-5 years
#1 Putt-Putt Saves the Zoo
And… *drum rolls*…. Putt-Putt Saves the Zoo!
This is a point-and-click adventure game in which Putt-Putt helps save the zoo by finding lost baby animals. It’s not only cute but also very empathetic. By clicking on various points in the game, your kid will collect items, talk with characters, and watch animations.
Since players solve simple puzzles and explore vibrant environments to help reunite the animals with their families, we can, with certainty, say that this is our #1 educational game for kids.
What makes things easier is that there are no villains, no time constraints, and it’s full of positive reinforcement. It helps with critical thinking, empathy, problem-solving, and creativity.
Age recommendation: 4-6 years
Final Thoughts: Having Fun With Retro Educational Games for Kids
By introducing one of these retro educational games to your kids, you can strike the perfect balance between fun, education, and stress-free time.
These titles not only entertain but also help develop key skills like critical thinking, empathy, and problem-solving.
Every child is an individual, so try shifting between these games to see which game your kids find the most fun.
Whichever game you go with, rest assured that your kid will learn, explore, and grow in a relaxed, pressure-free environment.