My 5-year-old son has been super into Minecraft lately, even though he’s never actually played it. I think he’s chatting about it with his friends at pre-K. My wife and I want to let him give it a go, but we only have an iPhone 13, and no iPad that can run Minecraft well. I recently upgraded my gaming PC, which is pretty decent, and it could definitely handle the game. However, I’m worried that using a mouse and keyboard might be too complicated for him compared to a touchscreen. Also, I’m not very confident in helping him learn the game since the blocky graphics all look pretty confusing to me. Would it be better to let him play on the iPhone or the PC? Any tips or advice would be awesome!
5 Answers
Just a heads up, Minecraft comes in two main versions: Java and Bedrock. Java is mostly for PC, while Bedrock works across consoles and mobile devices like the iPhone. If you want to play together, make sure you use Bedrock on both devices. You can install it on your iPhone and PC, then maybe play alongside your son, showing him the ropes from your end.
Honestly, I’d say try both and see which one clicks with him. Since he’s just starting out, give him some time on the iPhone and the PC and watch how he picks it up. Some kids find touchscreen controls much easier at first, while others might surprise you and handle a mouse and keyboard better than expected.
Don’t stress too much about the age! Kids can learn way faster than we expect. My older kid taught themselves to use the PC controls around that age with just a little help getting set up. If you’re patient and have fun playing together, your son will probably surprise you with how quickly he picks it up.
It might sound tough, but teaching your little one how to use a mouse and keyboard early on could be a win. It’s not only great for Minecraft but also helps with general computer skills later on. You can even get a simple game controller for the PC to make the experience easier and more fun for him.
If I were in your shoes, I’d probably start with the phone since it’s simpler—touch controls are pretty intuitive for little kids. Once he gets the hang of Minecraft, you might want to switch to the PC later on so he can explore mods and more advanced features. Also, playing the game yourself can geek you out and help you guide him through it better. Minecraft really grows on you once you get comfortable with it!
Thanks! I think I’ll download it on both and give him a shot on the phone first. Then maybe I can learn a bit myself and try the PC after.