Hi everyone. My three-year-old son is starting to play a few games with me, and I was wondering if anyone has recommendations for games that young children can play with an adult. He enjoys racing games particularly, but Flatout and Flatout 2 are far from appropriate for him.

What about Re-Volt? The game is pretty fun and child friendly.

This might be an unpopular opinion but honestly, I think he's a bit too young. I'd read with him or take him outside or play with his toys alongside him instead. He has his whole life to be stuck in front of a screen.

https://www.gog.com/mix/games_to_play_with_your_niece

Wacky Wheels, World Rally Fever, and Star Wars Episode 1 Racer might work.

I would agree with that as well. And it's not only "ranting", but it's due to the fact that such young children are easily "fascinated" with electronic gizmos, which in effect (usually) is leading them later to spending too much time with them.

I can even confirm it with my experience - I was raised in family with 4 siblings (3 brothers, 1 sister, except one brother all were younger than me. My youngest brother and sister (sister was the youngest amongst us) met with computer (and video games) earlier than me and my elder brother and they were more... Well, maybe not "addicted", but "attached". And it wasn't without influence on their other activities.

Don't worry. We just spent half an hour playing with his ball this morning, and now we're sitting out on the patio together. But he does like to have some video game time with his Daddy, and my wife and I both want him to be familiar with computers given how important they've gotten in the past decade (and how lacking IT education in Indonesian schools can be).

I'd say leave the raising up of someone's children up to them and keep to the topic.


I had great fun with International Rally Championship. Probably the game I spent most of my splitscreen time on.

Rollcage is also fun with a possibility of splitscreen but may be too fast for him at such a young age.

Rayman 2 might be a good way for him to get into more complex games and take him on a charming adventure. It might require you to give him some coaching though.

POD is also a neat racing game, but I can't find a way to get splitscreen to work (and I'm sure I played it in splitscreen with my cousin)

Commander Keen series could be okay but it is quite hard (especially the first 3).

Here's one.
https://www.gog.com/game/creatures_village

I have considered Wacky Wheels before, but the Mode 7-style courses don't seem to work for me anymore, sadly. As for pod-racing, I'm saving that for when he's a bit bigger. Thanks for the suggestions. Thanks. I've wishlisted POD; the graphic style is a bit more adult than I'm hoping for, but it does look like something I could play with him in a while. Rayman 2 has been on my watchlist for ages (I have my own memories of that one), and I agree with you about the Commander Keen series. That looks interesting. Wishlisted. Thanks!

No Man's Sky

Lots of pretty visuals, you can progress by exploring and researching you surroundings and it teaches just because some creatures look weird and nasty they are just peacefully looking for the next plants to eat (aka you don't progress by shooting everything in sight just because it looks strange which I think could have some educational value for young kids).

Also it teaches to keep the head down if the authorities (Sentinels) take a closer look at you :P (although that can be modded out I heard, but I found it to be more fun to play cat and laser-pointer with them; letting them case from stone to stone).

Do you really think No Man's Sky is a game for a 3 year old? There are so many things to do and take care of in that game. I had a hard time with Doom and Duke 3D when I was 5-6 years old and that was only about navigating levels and shooting monsters.

If anything, he could spectate Crisco playing it, but definitely not play it himself.

I heard children enjoy watching Ghost of a Tale.... might try with that...

I actually think of no game at all for a 3y old. But I think its a good game to play together with a parent.

I do have Spore in the library, if I want to try playing something with space exploration themes with him. But I'm not sure No Man's Sky would fit the bill.
I have been planning on starting this game. I'll have to see how he likes watching, rather than randomly pressing things on my controller (the right stick, in this case; I'm still using an old Logitech PS2-style controller). Thanks!

Well it does not always have to be commercial games,
sometimes there are good free ones too.

Super Tux Kart
Gameplay

And the 2D Jump&Run
SuperTux