Most endless runner and arcade games aren’t made for toddlers, and their store ratings say so: popular ones like Crossy Road and Capybara Crossing are rated 9+. They aren’t violent in a scary way. The problems for a two- or three-year-old are speed, frequent failure, ads and purchase buttons. If a toddler is going to play, pick a game made for their age, keep sessions short, and lock the device first.
This guide covers what to check, which kinds of games suit under-5s better, and how to set up a phone or tablet so a toddler can’t wander off into your email.
How much screen time do toddlers need? #
The World Health Organization recommends no sedentary screen time for 1-year-olds, and no more than one hour a day for ages 2 to 4, with less being better (WHO guidance). The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages families to plan media use together with its Family Media Plan and to use media alongside young children rather than as a babysitter.
In practice, that means a toddler’s game time should be short, occasional, and ideally shared.
Why endless runners are hard for toddlers #
Endless games are built for older kids and adults. Here’s what makes them a poor fit for under-5s:
- Speed. Most runners move forward on their own and get faster. Toddlers can’t react that quickly, so they lose within seconds, again and again.
- Constant failure. Losing is the core loop. Adults find that motivating. Many toddlers find it upsetting.
- Ads. Free games often show ads, and toddlers can’t tell an ad from the game. A tap can send them to an app store or a web page.
- Purchase buttons. Shops and “special offers” sit a tap away in many free games.
- Timers and pressure. Some games punish standing still. In Capybara Crossing, for example, an eagle carries the capybara off after eight seconds of doing nothing, and a thoughtful toddler will meet that eagle a lot.
What to check before handing a toddler any game #
- The age rating. On the App Store, 4+ is the only rating aimed at the youngest kids. Crossy Road and Capybara Crossing are 9+.
- The ads. Look for “Contains ads” on Google Play or advertising listed on the App Store. If a game has them, either turn on airplane mode or choose something else.
- In-app purchases. Check the purchase list and turn purchases off at the device level (steps below).
- Chat or social features. A toddler game shouldn’t have any.
- Controls. Single taps and simple drags are best. Precise swipes and timing are hard at this age.
- How it ends. A gentle reset is better than a loud game-over screen.
Better games for under-5s #
These are made for the age group:
- PBS KIDS Games: free games built around PBS characters, covering early learning.
- Sago Mini World: a subscription library of simple, open-ended play for toddlers and preschoolers.
- Toca Boca World: open-ended pretend play with no way to lose (in-app purchases exist, so turn them off).
- Find Capybara: Spot Game!: a 4+ hidden-object game with no time limits, where kids look for capybaras disguised around a café or a hot spring.
More ideas are in our list of non-violent games for young kids.
When is a child ready for an arcade game? #
There’s no single age. Signs a child is ready for something like a road-crossing game include understanding cause and effect (tap, the character moves), coping with losing without a meltdown, and being able to stop when asked.
When they get there, hoppers are an easier start than runners. In a hopper like Capybara Crossing, nothing moves the capybara unless you tap, so kids can stop and look. It has no in-app purchases, no chat and no account. It does have ads and that 9+ rating for mild cartoon peril (bumped by traffic, carried off by an eagle), so play it together first. Only the ads need a connection, so airplane mode removes them.
For more on choosing between styles, see our roundup of animal games like Crossy Road, from hoppers to runners.
How to lock a phone or tablet for a toddler #
iPhone and iPad: Guided Access #
Guided Access keeps the device inside one app.
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access and turn it on. Set a passcode your child doesn’t know.
- Open the game.
- Triple-click the side button (or top button on iPad), and tap Guided Access if asked.
- Optionally, circle parts of the screen you want to disable, such as a shop or ad button.
- Tap Start. To end, triple-click again and enter your passcode.
Apple’s steps are on its Guided Access support page.
Android: app pinning #
- Open Settings, then Security (or Security & location), then Advanced, and turn on App pinning.
- Open the game, then swipe up and hold to see your open apps.
- Tap the app’s icon at the top and choose Pin.
- To unpin, swipe up and hold (gesture navigation), or hold Back and Overview (three-button navigation), and enter your PIN.
Google’s steps are on its app pinning help page.
Turn off purchases #
- iPhone: Settings > Screen Time > your child > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > In-app Purchases > Don’t Allow.
- Google Play: profile picture > Payments & subscriptions > Purchase verification > require it for every purchase.
Go offline #
Airplane mode stops most in-game ads from loading and prevents stray taps from opening web pages. Check the game still works offline first.
Frequently asked questions #
At what age can toddlers play arcade games? #
WHO guidance is no sedentary screen time for 1-year-olds and no more than an hour a day for ages 2 to 4. Most arcade games are rated 9+, so for toddlers, games made for their age are a better fit. Arcade games suit kids who can cope with losing and stop when asked.
Are endless runner games too stimulating for toddlers? #
Fast runners with flashing effects and constant failure can be. If a child seems wound up or upset after playing, switch to a calm, open-ended game or stop for the day.
How do I stop my toddler buying things in games? #
Turn off in-app purchases at the device level: in Screen Time on iPhone, or by requiring purchase verification in Google Play. Guided Access or app pinning also keeps them inside one app.
Is Capybara Crossing OK for a toddler? #
It isn’t designed for toddlers. It’s rated 9+ and shows ads. It has no in-app purchases or chat, and nothing moves unless you tap, so it’s a gentler arcade game for older kids who can handle an occasional eagle.