My nephews spend time playing games on their parents’ mobile devices after school, but the problem is the games they get stuck on are packed with ads. This often leads them to download multiple new games in just a few minutes, which I want to avoid since my parents aren’t savvy about this stuff. I’m looking for mobile games suitable for kids that don’t bombard them with ads or push tons of in-app purchases. Ideally, something safe and fun that keeps the experience clean and simple. Any recommendations?
5 Answers
Honestly, free-to-play mobile games are pretty junky with aggressive ads and microtransactions that mess with kids’ attention spans. Investing in a few quality paid games or subscriptions like Apple Arcade can help kids develop focus without the constant distractions of pop-up ads and hype to buy stuff.
On Android, you can try using an ad-blocking app like Blockada 5 which can block in-app ads system-wide without needing root or payment. It helps keep games ad-free and stops kids from accidentally clicking on annoying ads that lead them to download random stuff.
If the kids are using iPhones or iPads, Apple Arcade is an awesome option. It’s a subscription service that gives access to a bunch of quality, ad-free games like Crossy Road, Sneaky Sasquatch, and Mini Motorways — all perfect for kids and without the typical mobile game spam. Plus, you can set up FaceID or TouchID for downloads so they can’t install stuff without permission.
If your parents don’t mind spending a bit, paid games are usually the way to go since they tend to have no ads or microtransactions. For example, Bloons TD6 is a fantastic tower defense game that’s really kid-friendly and fun. Plus, there are some Final Fantasy remakes on mobile that might suit older kids if they’re into RPGs, which cost just a few bucks.
Knowing the kids’ ages helps a lot. For younger ones, like under 7, apps like Sago Mini and Toca Boca are fantastic — colorful, simple, and ad-free. Between those and Apple Arcade we’ve got some solid kid-safe options that won’t overwhelm with ads or in-app purchases.
Thanks! Paid games sound smart to avoid all the annoying ads. I’ll check out Bloons TD6 and maybe some of those RPGs for the older kids.