Choosing e-games for gifts
12/8/2025 by Angela Mattke, M.D.
Electronic and video games are now as much a part of a child’s world as Legos, dolls or art supplies. From immersive learning adventures to creative sandbox games and competitive esports, e-games span a wide range of genres and platforms. With thousands of options — and new ones released daily — choosing the right game can feel overwhelming. If you're planning to give a young person an e-game as a gift, here are some updated tips to guide your decision:
Talk to Parents First
- Ask what games they consider appropriate. Every family has different values and rules around screen time and content. Some may avoid violent or multiplayer games, while others may embrace them with limits.
- Check for a family media plan. Many families now use digital tools to manage screen time and app use. Parents may have specific platforms or parental control systems in place.
Do Your Research
- Use trusted review sites. Common Sense Media remains a top resource for age-based reviews and educational value. Also, check sites like Taming Gaming and ESRB.org for ratings and gameplay insights.
- Look for educational or cooperative games. Many new games are designed to build skills like coding, problem-solving, empathy, and teamwork. Games like Minecraft Education Edition, Roblox Studio, and Toca Life World are popular for these reasons.
Understand Screen Time Guidelines
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) continues to emphasize quality over quantity when it comes to screen time. Here’s a quick refresher:
- Under 2 years: Avoid screen time except for video chatting.
- Ages 2–5: Limit to 1 hour/day of high-quality content. Co-play or co-view when possible.
- Ages 6–12: Encourage balance. Create a media plan to balance screen time with sleep, exercise, and unstructured offline play that fosters social and physical development.
- Teens: Focus on digital well-being. Discuss online safety, social media use, and the importance of breaks from screens.
Tip: The AAP’s Family Media Plan tool helps families create personalized screen time guidelines.
Other Considerations
- Check for in-game purchases. Many games now include microtransactions or subscriptions. Make sure parents are aware of whether a game consists of these features.
- Be mindful of online interactions. Games with chat or multiplayer modes may expose kids to strangers. Look for games with strong moderation or parental controls.
- Consider accessibility. Many modern games include features for children with disabilities—such as customizable controls, subtitles, or sensory-friendly modes.
Final Thought
With a bit of research and open communication, you can give a gift that’s fun, safe, enriching, and aligned with a family’s values. Whether it’s a puzzle game, a creative sandbox, or a story-driven adventure, the right e-game can light up a child or teen’s face with “just what they wanted!”
Angela Mattke, M.D., is a Community Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine pediatrician at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. She is also the host of the "Mayo Clinic Kids" podcast, where she helps listeners make sense of children’s health and wellness, drawing on the most up-to-date expert medical advice so that they can help the children in their lives grow to be healthy, happy adults. For more information about pediatric health topics, follow @mayoclinicchildrens on Instagram and Mayo Clinic Children’s on Facebook.