Best Co-Op Video Games to Play with Your Kids

Competitive gaming with your kids usually ends one of two ways: you destroy them and feel guilty, or you let them win and they know it. Co-op games fix this. You’re on the same team, working together, and everyone has fun.

Switch Games (Best for Families)

1. Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Ages: 5+ | Players: 4 local co-op

The best Mario game in years. New power-ups, Wonder Flowers that change the entire level, and forgiving multiplayer where nobody gets left behind.

2. Minecraft

Ages: 6+ | Players: 4 local / 8 online

Build anything together. Survival mode teaches resource management. Creative mode is pure imagination. Either way, your kids will spend 400 hours on this.

Dad hack: Build a family house together in Creative mode. Let each kid design their own room. Save it as a world you can revisit.

3. Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Ages: 5+ | Players: 2 local co-op

Player 2 is Bandana Waddle Dee — slightly easier to control. Perfect for younger kids jumping into 3D platformers.

4. Overcooked! All You Can Eat

Ages: 7+ | Players: 4 local co-op

Cooperative cooking chaos. You’ll be yelling “I NEED THE TOMATO” at your 8-year-old. Hilarious, stressful, and perfect.

PlayStation / Xbox Games

5. It Takes Two

Ages: 8+ | Players: 2 co-op (required)

Game of the Year winner for a reason. Every level has completely different mechanics. Play as a married couple trying to save their relationship — it’s actually a great conversation starter.

6. Sackboy: A Big Adventure

Ages: 6+ | Players: 4 local co-op

LittleBigPlanet vibes but smoother. Great level design, fun costumes, and some levels require teamwork to complete.

7. Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

Ages: 6+ | Players: 2 local co-op

All nine films in Lego form. Drop-in/drop-out co-op. If your kid is into Star Wars, this is 80+ hours of content.

PC Games (Dad + Older Kids)

8. Stardew Valley

Ages: 8+ | Players: 4 online co-op

Farm simulator that’s actually relaxing. Fish, mine, garden, and build together. No violence, no pressure, just vibes.

9. Deep Rock Galactic

Ages: 10+ | Players: 4 online co-op

Space dwarves mining rocks and fighting bugs. Surprisingly wholesome community. “ROCK AND STONE!“

10. Portal 2 Co-op

Ages: 10+ | Players: 2 co-op

Physics puzzles with portals. The co-op campaign is separate from single-player and requires actual communication and teamwork.

---

Gaming Rules for the Family

1. Time limits matter — set them before you start, not after
2. Play together first — solo gaming earns screen time after co-op
3. Age ratings exist for a reason — ESRB ratings are more reliable than “but everyone at school plays it”
4. Celebrate teamwork — “great job covering me” > “I got more kills”
5. Dad plays too — don’t just supervise, participate

The Best Investment

A Nintendo Switch with 2-3 co-op games is about $350. That’s maybe 200+ hours of quality family time. Compare that to $350 on a single trip to an amusement park.

What co-op games does your family play? Share your picks!