George rockets into space on a one-monkey mission and then is on to the jungle to save the day. It’s fast-paced and family-friendly fun, with the usual mishaps, pratfalls, new friends, and positive messages about trying new things and working together.
Peanuts Emmy Honored Collection
11 Emmy-nominated TV specials starring the Peanuts gang. No holiday fare here; these stories focus on their day-to-day lives. Great messages about self-worth, friendship, empathy, good sportsmanship, and dealing with hurt feelings and loss.
Toy Story That Time Forgot Beloved characters come face-to-face with
battle-ready dinosaurs who’ve been tricked into believing they’re actual warriors by a scheming, self-serving villain. Every turn has a positive message about relationships, loyalty, and being true to yourself. Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas In this animated merging of the 2003 hit movie Elf and its subsidiary Broadway musical, expect even sweeter moments of family emotion, lots of Christmas cheer, and a soundtrack packed with songs that are destined to become sing-along favorites.
Jasper: Journey to the End of the World It’s cold where Jasper the penguin lives, and his elders are sure their habitat is the whole world. He sets out to prove them wrong and finds more of an adventure than he bargained for. One of those rare movies that both kids and grown-ups will enjoy.
Shaun the Sheep Movie With its nonstop humor and positive messages
about teamwork, friendship, and correcting your mistakes, this is exactly the kind of adorable, entertaining, and expertly crafted film that families with young children should see together.
Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast
In this intense, vividly drawn film, Fawn forms an unlikely friendship with Gruff. Big emphasis on loyalty, giving others the benefit of the doubt, and the importance of balancing adventure with the safety of the community. An exciting, fast-paced tale.
Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection
The contrasting styles and techniques of these 12 short films and masterful storytelling make the compilation a great choice for family movie night, with lots of laughs. Expect a little bit of everything: retro, moving, romantic, and heartwarming.
No matter how much planning you do, shopping for holiday gifts can feel overwhelming. Let us help! Our guide is packed with 100+ holiday gift ideas hand-selected to inspire, educate, and entertain kids
of all ages and stages. Whether your list includes young children, tweens, or teens, use this guide to find presents that kids and parents will feel good about. All our picks are arranged by age and media type,
and they include movies, video games, books, TV shows on DVD, apps, and websites.
Aladdin Street urchin Aladdin woos Princess Jasmine by pretending to be a prince, with the help of an exuberant blue genie. But before they live happily ever after, Aladdin must tell her the truth — and defeat the evil Jafar! Brand new Diamond Edition out now.
Descendants Blends the continuing story of many fairy tale
favorites — and villains — as it follows new relationships forged among their teenage kids. Highly entertaining in the kind of young-love, flash-mob, song-and-dance way that tends to thrill the youngsters.
Inside Out Told mostly from the perspective of 11-year-old
Riley’s feelings, this outstandingly original story is about growing up and learning to handle your biggest emotions. Clever, heartfelt, and beautifully animated, it’s destined to join the ranks of Pixar’s best movies.
Monkey Kingdom Set in Sri Lanka and narrated by Tina Fey, this film
follows Maya, a plucky toque macaque. With positive messages about motherhood and sacrifice, spectacular visuals, and laughs for the whole family, this movie combines entertainment and educational value.
My Fair Lady: 50th Anniversary Edition In 1912 London, linguistics professor Henry Higgins picks cockney street peddler Eliza to reshape her into an aristocrat — but he has his work cut out for him. The witty songwriting, charismatic performances, and lush costumes and sets may help kids muscle past the three-hour mark. Anniversary edition out now.
Paddington Orphan bear Paddington stows away on a ship,
hoping to find help. Once in London, he’s quickly taken in by the adorably imperfect Brown family. Kids will delight in his mischief; he’s very sweet, polite, and good-intentioned. Charming and touching.
Age 7–12
An American Girl: Grace Stirs Up Success
Grace is an ambitious girl who’s passionate about baking and who gets a rare — and humbling — chance to see her uncle’s French bakery. A whirlwind of positive lessons about drive, staying cool under pressure, merging stepfamilies, and welcoming a new baby.
Batkid Begins In November of 2013, San Francisco became
Gotham City — complete with the Riddler, the Penguin, and the Batmobile — to help fulfill the Make-a-Wish dream of a 5-year-old leukemia survivor. This heartwarming documentary is for all ages, with basically zero iffy content.
Big Hero 6 A captivating superhero adventure for the entire
family that focuses on the power of brotherhood, friendship, and using your gifts to help others, with a theme of coping with grief. Refreshingly diverse cast; inflatable robot Baymax is impossible not to love.
The Book of Life The fun outweighs the scary parts in this vibrant,
colorful movie about doing the right thing and the importance of family — messages that can be appreciated by both kids and parents. Refreshingly original and an invitation to learn more about Mexican culture.
Song of the Sea A beautifully hand-drawn animation about Irish
myths and legends with powerful messages about the importance of sibling relationships, accepting everything you feel (no matter how sad or scary), finding your voice, and doing everything to protect the people you love.
Teen Beach 2 Fictional ‘60s movie characters drop in on their
real-life counterparts, and hilarity ensues at the cultural and technological differences. This sequel strings together one far-out musical theater number after another. Prominent message of female empowerment.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
In the midst of the worst day ever, Alexander’s family manages to support each other and ends up even stronger than they were before. This is a sweet, entertaining movie with positive messages about finding humor in adversity and coming together as a family.
The Boxtrolls One night, mysterious creatures carry off a crying baby — but they lovingly raise him as their own. Years later their numbers are dwindling, and Eggs must save the day for his adopted family. Amazing animation that forms a rich, fully realized world.
The Last Unicorn A unicorn who fears she may be the last of her species sets out to find the others. An early example of Japanese animation’s artistry and an unconventional concept with terrific storytelling. With romance, philosophical reflection, laughs, and funny insights. Enchanted Edition out now.
Spirited Away Sullen 10-year-old Chihiro wanders into a world ruled by witches and monsters, where her parents gorge on enchanted food and turn into pigs. She must overcome her whiny self to win them back. A creepy, animated masterpiece. Featured in the special gift pack The Collected Works of Hayao Miyazaki, out Nov. 17.
The Tale of Princess Kaguya The whole family will enjoy this gorgeously
animated retelling of a 10th-century Japanese fable. Serious themes and moments of heartbreak but also strong messages about what kids need to thrive and how striving for social status will leave you dissatisfied.
Zarafa Maki, an orphaned African boy, takes a sometimes
difficult journey to find his place in the world and to protect a young giraffe for whom he feels responsible. Filled with funny moments, offbeat and interesting characters, and a bounty of exotic settings.
McFarland, USA Based on a true story, this inspiring drama about a
Mexican-American cross-country team has positive messages about teamwork, cooperation, and community. The portrayal of the boys and their hardworking, loving families is nuanced and uplifting.
Paper Planes Dylan could compete in the world championship
of paper-plane making, if he could just rally his dad, who’s still grieving over the death of Dylan’s mom. Beautifully shot in Australia and Tokyo, this film offers strong positive modeling on competition and creativity, friendship, bullying, and sportsmanship.
Ant-Man The Marvel Universe’s tiny but fierce hero is its
funniest. Just-released prisoner Scott is recruited to be Ant-Man, a superhero who can shrink to the size of an ant and communicate with insects. With exciting action sequences and witty dialogue.
Age 13–17
Above and Beyond Stirring docu about heroic WWII pilots who aided
Israel. Articulate, warm, proud, funny, and deeply moving, seven of the principal players give testimony that fills the screen with vivid memories of a little-known chapter in the ongoing difficulties in Israel.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 Katniss wakes up disoriented and soon agrees to become the symbolic face of the rebellion. This melancholy sequel is the most political installment, with intense and upsetting violence, but Jennifer Lawrence is hypnotic as the unforgettable heroine.
The Imitiation Game Historical drama explores the role cryptologists
and mathematicians played in WWII. Strong themes about the power of persistence and the fact that gender doesn’t dictate intelligence or competency. An enjoyable, if flawed, film with an excellent cast.
Selma This powerful, educational, well-acted drama
— one of the finest films ever made about the civil rights movement — is a great choice for parents to watch with teens (and even mature tweens).
Paper Towns Comical coming-of-age mystery about a high
school senior who convinces his friends to search for his smart, beautiful neighbor, who’s disappeared a couple of weeks before graduation. The supporting young actors make this smart, edgy, funny film.
Testament of Youth Historical drama based on WWI memoir of an
aspiring Oxford student, bride-to-be, and battlefield nurse. Heartrending and violent, with a quiet but fierce performance from the star, who’s gifted with acting skills and a luminescent beauty.
The Theory of Everything Biopic about physicist Stephen Hawking doesn’t
shy from the indignities he suffered after being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Not only about the triumph of the human spirit but also a compelling look at a deeply loving and unconventional marriage.
Whiplash A searing portrait of a talented young man under the tutelage of a brilliant but heartless mentor. The star’s total investment in his performance makes viewers into witnesses. An ode to the beauty of jazz and an engrossing look at a relationship gone awry.
Age 2–6
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Daniel and friends validate kids’ emotions — disappointment, sadness, frustration, joy — before demonstrating how to deal with them. Strong messages about friendship and family bonds, respect for curiosity; show covers basic preschool skills like letter sounds and counting.
Dinosaur Train Encourages curiosity and introduces preschoolers to basic scientific principles and several species of prehistoric creatures. Each story teaches kids terms like “hypothesis” and “herbivore,” celebrates differences, and encourages respect for others.
Doc McStuffins Six-year-old Doc “heals” her toys, encouraging independence, caring for others, and a can-do attitude. In this African-American family, the parents take on reversed gender roles (mom at work, dad at home); health tips remind about basic personal hygiene.
Miles from Tomorrowland Miles and his family travel the universe, exploring
new places and helping other space-dwellers; teamwork and problem-solving are common themes. Sparks curiosity about outer space through characters’ adventures. With STEM-based, NASA-approved content.
I Love Lucy: The Complete Series Lucille Ball charms with her clownish pranks and vaudevillian charades alongside real-life husband Desi Arnaz, who plays Cuban bandleader Ricky Ricardo. Despite its dated references and old-fashioned family dynamics, the show remains hilarious. Box set out Nov. 3. Lego Star Wars: The New Yoda Chronicles A laugh-out-loud parody of the Star Wars prequels, starring Yoda, with characters and much of the scenery built of Lego pieces. Rapid-fire inside jokes will fly above kids’ heads but delight those who remember the original films’ story line.
The Dick Van Dyke Show: Complete Remastered Series Part comedy, part variety show, this entertaining sitcom was significant for its reflection of a middle-class awareness of JFK-inspired social movements and trends of the early 1960s while still focusing on the domestic issues of a married suburban couple. Box set out Nov. 10.
Little House on the Prairie: The Complete Series Deluxe Remastered Edition The Ingalls family, living on the American frontier in the late 19th century, is a model of mutual respect and affection. Show sets the standard for rich characters, intuitive acting, and interesting story lines. Serious matters include death and sickness. New edition out in 2015.
Avatar: The Last Airbender A peaceful presence manifests itself as an 11-year-old boy who’s soon on a quest to realize his past and present place in the world. This top-notch ‘toon mixes magical fantasy and comedy with martial arts sequences and Godzilla-style monsters. Box set out Oct. 6.
Good Witch The continuing story of Middleton’s most intuitive, empathetic resident. Great messages about compassion, empathy, and responsibility; with a new teen character, there’s more opportunity for the messages to be delivered in ways that resonate with kids.
Over the Garden Wall An animated series about two brothers’ journey through a magical forest to get home. Blends comedy, whimsy, and touches of horror in a unique 10-part miniseries. Most notable is its visual appeal; the cast of quirky creatures keeps the content enticing.
Star Wars Rebels Continues the story of a team of rebels on missions against an evil empire. So well-written and the characters so intriguing adults may enjoy this as much as kids. A positive message in the rebels’ cause, as they battle the odds against a powerful adversary.
We Bare Bears Funny, heartwarming story of three bears who try to fit into the tech-heavy human world. Their attempts poke gentle fun at hallmarks of modern society and usually result in some sort of chaos. Positive messages about being unique and working as a group.
Adventure Time Chronicles the off-the-wall, colorful, often absurd and hilarious escapades of a boy named Finn and his talking dog, Jake. Rooted in fantasy; fun for older kids and tweens who can get the references and irony and separate it from reality. Doctor Who Underneath the Doctor’s cool exterior and joviality are some decent moral messages. In this British sci-fi series, selfishness, evil, and the urge to dominate others are frowned upon; honesty, loyalty, and integrity often benefit the Doctor.
Fresh Off the Boat A Chinese-American family has just moved to Orlando, Florida, and opened a Western-themed restaurant, which isn’t doing so well. In a light, funny, and often sardonically sweet manner, the show tackles many challenging subjects: race, class, and ethnicity.
Marvel’s Agent Carter Tantalizing series expands the story of Captain America’s female liaison and love interest, Agent Peggy Carter. Marvel does itself a service by letting this clever, self-reliant female operative crush the gender stereotypes of the time.
Age 13–17
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. A prime-time follow-up to the movie The Avengers; difficult to jump in without having seen the film, as it’s an entirely new story based on new characters. A thrilling ride with rapid-fire, often comical dialogue and huge action sequences.
The X-Files: The Complete TV Series and Movie Collection A pair of FBI agents investigates cases that involve the paranormal. Dark, often-scary episodes creepy and intriguing; show revolves around a mythology of
2015 Holiday Gift Guidegovernment conspiracies and cover-ups related to extraterrestrials. For superfans, a brand-new season began Jan. 2015.
Gilmore Girls: The Complete Series A single mother and her daughter run an inn in a fictional Connecticut town. The intelligent, well-written show features strong female leads and a diverse cast. Chock-full of pop culture and literary references; material is exceptionally clever.
iZombie A teen-oriented detective show that just happens to have a zombie protagonist. The quirky police-procedural formula combines good writing, well-placed humor, and, of course, zombie creepiness to make this unconventional show entertaining and lively. Parks and Recreation An unseen camera crew documents an idealistic parks and rec official trying to improve her community. First season is roll-on-the-floor hilarious; gets even better once audiences get more familiar with the characters and embrace their quirks and foibles. Box set available.
Age 2–6
The Day the Crayons Came Home The wandering crayons have been battered, bitten, eaten, spit up, and spun in the dryer. Each makes an impassioned plea to Duncan to come back, so he makes them a special castle. Hugely entertaining; on lots of best-of-2015 lists.
Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music An African-Chinese-Cuban kid hears drumbeats all around her in this true story of a girl who broke down barriers for female drummers in Cuba in the 1930s. Rich, warm hues blend scenes of Cuban life with fantastic dreamscapes. A book to treasure.
Harold and the Purple Crayon The 60th-anniversary edition of this beloved children’s classic about a little boy who creates his surroundings with his ever-present purple crayon is in a new, larger size. An enduring celebration of imagination.
Last Stop on Market Street Grandma Nana gently imparts her belief in finding beauty in the world by answering her grandson’s questions on a bus that takes them from church to the soup kitchen where they help out each week. Teaches acceptance, generosity, appreciation, and imagination.
Look! Using only two words — “look” and “out” — this book about a gorilla and a boy celebrates reading instead of watching TV. It’s also a sweet story of friendship and conflict resolution; great mixed-media illustrations capture the two’s emotions. What Pet Should I Get? The newly discovered Seuss book is filled with jazzy rhymes, familiar-yet-unique characters drawn with strong black lines, primary colors, and a story kids will like. Offers a valuable message about decision-making, especially when choosing a pet. Click, Clack, Ho! Ho! Ho! The pesky farm animals get stuck in Farmer Brown’s chimney on Christmas Eve, and it takes Santa Claus to get them out. After they’re free, they decorate the tree, placing the star that Duck brought at the top. Lots of laughs and cozy holiday fun.
Little Elliot, Big Family When Mouse goes off to a family reunion, Elliot the polka-dotted elephant wanders New York observing other families and feeling alone — until Mouse finds him and brings him to the party. A sweet message that friends can be family.
Otter in Space While Otter Keeper’s at work, Otter — the adorable, kid-like main character — decides to rocket to the moon (actually the backyard) with Teddy. A delightful celebration of imaginative and independent play; illustrations are full of fun details.
The Polar Express Lush drawings of the winter world seen through a kid’s eyes complement his quietly elegant story of taking a magical train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. 30th-anniversary edition includes a golden ornament and an audio version read by Liam Neeson.
The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party Princess Magnolia is all set for her birthday party when her glitter-stone ring sounds the alarm: There’s a monster attack! Great story for beginning readers; colorful illustrations show diverse princesses and different monsters’ approaches to eating goats.
Dory and the Real True Friend:Dory Fantasmagory, Book 2 Wildly imaginative 6-year-old Dory is starting first grade. With BFF Rosabelle she goes on exciting adventures, many featuring imaginary friends and foes from Book 1. Shows a deep, wacky understanding of kids dealing with school, cliques, and sibling rivalry.
Age 7–12
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Part of Harry’s longstanding appeal is that he could be any 11-year-old boy — but he also has an aptitude for magic. The gorgeous 2015 edition of this series start features a new cover and more than 100 lavishly detailed illustrations.
Circus Mirandus Micah, orphaned at a young age, is about to lose his beloved grandfather, who raised him on stories about the Circus Mirandus. The true magic of this gripping fantasy lies in its ability to make the reader crave to believe in the impossible.
Full Cicada Moon Set in 1969, this novel-in-verse is about 12-year-old Mimi Yoshiko Oliver, a half-African-American, half-Japanese girl who dreams of becoming an astronaut. Coming-of-age story delicately weaves in American history; Mimi’s courage and determination inspire
The War That Saved My Life Ada was born with a clubfoot and has been hidden away by her mother in the English countryside. She comes into her own during WWII when she and her brother are evacuated. Historical fiction at its best; an unforgettable character with an unflinching voice.
The Blackthorn Key An irresistible mix of history (it’s set in England in the 17th century), science, staunch friendship, swashbuckling thrills, world saving, and comic misadventure as 14-year-old Christopher and his best friend must try to solve murders and stay alive.
The Marvels In 1766, young Billy and his dog are the sole survivors of a shipwreck. In London they launch a famous acting dynasty, the Marvels, whose tale unfolds in nearly 400 pages of meticulous, poignant drawings, leaving the page-turning reader in shocked suspense.
Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes Demigod Percy Jackson offers up the stories of 12 mythological heroes in this large-format, gift-size volume. Percy’s witty, sardonic-teen voice helps smooth over any mature content. Brilliantly illustrated and absorbing.
The Sword of Summer: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book 1 In this exciting new series from the creator of Percy Jackson, wise-cracking hero Magnus Chase follows Norse mythology as he visits wild worlds and meets amazing creatures and gods. Like Percy, Magnus must stop the end of the world.
The Thing About Jellyfish Seventh-grader Suzy Swanson’s best friend has just died by drowning. Death and grief are explored in nongraphic, literary detail in this beautifully written, lovingly constructed, deeply touching, and thoroughly engaging gem of a debut.
Goodbye Stranger A compassionate, timely novel about the strange years of middle school; centers on an intimate picture that gets shared with an unintended audience. A tender meditation on love that also touches on privacy, sexism, identity, faith, and betrayal.
Orbiting Jupiter Jack is 12 when his family takes in Joseph, a 14-year-old who fathered a child and was sent to a detention center for assaulting a teacher. But Jack sees a softer side to him. Heartrendingly tragic yet stubbornly hopeful, with quietly remarkable characters.
Hello, Goodbye and Everything, In Between Smartly considered romance chronicles the final night at home for a loyal and affectionate high school couple trying to imagine their future — together and apart. Eloquently captures the strange, bittersweet feel of being a teen. Romantics will swoon.
Legacy of Kings: Blood of Gods and Royals, Book 1 Series start intertwines seven stories of the magnificent palace of Philip II of Macedon. Fantasy lovers and history buffs will be rewarded by the broad scope, suspense, action, romance, and ending that satisfies while leaving room for the saga to continue.
The Accident Season Each October Cara’s family braces for the bumps, broken bones, and concussions that haunt them each year. It wasn’t always this way, and their bonds are tested as they dig into their pasts. Excellent coming-of-age novel; genuine and emotional.
Never Always Sometimes Motherless best friends and seniors Dave and Julia decide to do everything on an old list they’d compiled of all sorts of common high school behaviors they swore to avoid. Romantic coming-of-age story shows how beautiful the gray areas of life can be.
The Scorpion Rules: Prisoners of Peace, Book 1 A global computer intelligence named Talis attempts to prevent another world war by holding hostage the children of various world leaders. Clever, intense dystopian sci-fi boasts an engaging and formidable protagonist, and the plot takes a fascinating turn.
Six of Crows Kaz is the brilliant and ruthless face of the Dregs gang, and he’s on a mission to save Ketterdam, a city whose slums team with brothels, gambling, thievery, and shady deals. This new series start from mega-author Leigh Bardugo is nail-bitingly suspenseful.
Age 2–6
My Very Hungry Caterpillar Kids tap an egg until it hatches into a caterpillar. Each day they feed it, play with it, and make sure it gets plenty of rest until it becomes a butterfly. Has feel-good written all over it, from the tinkling musical notes to the bright colors.
Drawnimal by Yatatoy An alphabet app with a creative twist: Kids use real paper and pencil to draw around the device and add to a picture of an animal that appears on-screen. Visually appealing in its simplicity, it takes a unique approach to teaching the alphabet.
Explore Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Kids can place Daniel and his family in a grocery store, a music store, a doctor’s office, and a bakery and explore interactive items, including a mini-game hidden in each business. Highly polished, with tons of interactive props and graphic elements.
Metamorphabet Letters transform into animations representing words that begin with the letter. Kids see and hear the words and, one by one, tap and drag through the alphabet. Captivates with stunning, quirky graphics, mesmerizing animations, and silly interactions.
Mickey’s Magical Math World by Imagicademy In five math-themed worlds, kids practice counting, adding and subtracting, matching and counting, following number sequences, and sorting objects with Minnie, Donald, Mickey, Daisy, and Goofy. Creative and quite impressive despite the hefty price tag. Peg + Cat: The Tree Problem Silly Cat keeps getting stuck in tall trees! Kids build bridges, ramps, and stairs to help him climb down. Each of six “worlds” has a different challenge. Immerses kids in a place where math is a fun, exciting, and a totally integral part of life.
Frozen: Early Science - Cooking and Animal Care by Disney Imagicademy Kids help run a new nature park in Arendelle, caring for baby reindeer with Anna and Kristoff or cooking creative new dishes for Queen Elsa with Olaf and Oaken. Superb graphics, animation, and sound effects; interactions feel wonderfully realistic.
Learn With Homer An outstanding way to get kids excited about reading. They visit four worlds that infuse stories and songs with excellent, more traditional phonics exercises. Encourages critical thinking through comprehension questions, drawing, and recording answers.
Reading Rainbow Kids can learn about the joys of reading in an encouraging and nurturing environment. The app offers a wide selection of books (you’ll need a subscription) as well as videos that will appeal to a wide audience.
Gro Garden A great, easy way to get kids excited about and engaged in gardening and sustainable living. They visit the garden plot, the house, and the compost bin and plant seeds, shine the sun’s rays, and drag rain clouds around to nurture crop growth.
Odd Squad: Blob Chase The blob has escaped, and the Odd Squad is on the case! Help them by leading blobs through bridges, passageways, and more. A fun approach to using arithmetic; kids will put their problem-solving, planning, and critical-thinking skills to the test.
The Robot Factory by Tinybop Almost immediately kids are designing a robot in this exploratory app. The simple concept will capture and keep a kid’s attention because it provides a combination of creation, free play, testing, and revision. Allows kids to create robot after robot.
Age 7–12
Windosill A beautiful puzzle game with no instructions; kids figure out how to unlock each level’s door and move the woodblock-style toy train to the next level. They’ll encounter endlessly interactive illustrations they can tap and drag to reveal their capabilities.
WonderBox: Explore & Learn Science, Geography, Music, and Design Learn, create, and share in a safe and inspiring environment that takes learning to the next level. Kids watch videos, draw, take pictures, create, share, and message with family and friends, completing challenges along themes such as music, science, and sports. Etter Drei Mesmerizing puzzler. Kids drag blocks to build towers; broken or fragile blocks and bouncy areas become obstacles. Utterly simple and really challenging. Beautiful design, with peaceful sound effects and colorful characters that look more like art than tools.
Zoombinis An educational math/logic game that originally launched as a computer game in the 1990s. Kids explore, develop theories, and test their ideas, leading the cute little creatures to freedom and meeting wacky characters along the way.
Alto’s Adventure Alto’s llamas are escaping, so he sets off on his snowboard to catch them in this absolutely stunning endless runner. The sun sets and rises over beautiful snow-capped mountains, and the weather changes, with gorgeous lightning strikes or a gentle rain.
Inventioneers Full Version Excellent physics puzzler emphasizes engineering. Kids must design, test, and revise until they succeed, either creating their own inventions or building ones to accomplish a given task. Eight themed chapters with several levels to complete in each.
Disney Infinity: Toy Box 3.0 Kids select a character from a virtual toy box and then choose an adventure, such as exploring, fighting, or creating new worlds. Amazing graphics and robust options. Now with Star Wars characters and slightly better touchscreen mechanics.
The Orchestra Kids listen to one of eight classical music selections and follow along with the score, exploring each instrument through an animated seating chart of the orchestra. A stellar tool for learning about classical music; stunningly good features.
Terraria Minecraft has some serious competition. Players are dropped into a randomly generated world, where they must mine for resources and create structures, such as houses, and other equipment. Kids also encounter monsters, which they can fight or flee from.
Age 13–17
Grim Fandango Remastered Manny Calavera helps souls on their journey to the afterlife. Then he falls in love and discovers a conspiracy against him. An update, though direct port, of the top-notch classic adventure game with high-resolution graphics and new music.
Lifeline... Dramatic story unfolds over several days; played on an Apple Watch or other iOS device, so kids will feel like they’re talking to a real astronaut, helping make life-or-death decisions. Excellent writing brings Taylor’s voice and personality to life.
Marvel Contest of Champions Story just an excuse to get superheroes and supervillains to fight, pitting characters such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, and Iron Man against Ultron, Yellowjacket, and Magneto. For comic book fans not looking for depth or complexity, a good choice.
Spotify Music Browse by category — blues to heavy metal, hip-hop to gospel — or top chart rankings; search by song or album title or artist. Mix it up with radio stations, and “favorite” songs; share favorites or playlists with friends. Music selection is unbeatable.
Zombies, Run! Players become “Runner 5” in a postapocalyptic world, running from zombies and collecting supplies. Story unfolds in episodes interspersed with the runner’s own music playlist. A creative, adrenaline-pumping way to entertain and motivate during a run.
Age 2–6
LeapFrog LeapTV: Letter Factory Adventures Tad and Lily meet Prof. Quigley in Grand Central Letter Station. None of the letters is where it belongs, so kids bring them back. The main game has 26 levels, and kids play a few mini-games. Creative, engaging way to introduce letter sounds and shapes.
LeapFrog PAW Patrol Imagicard Learning Game There’s a lot to do in Adventure Bay. Kids may deliver packages, clean up trash, repair a sidewalk, or replant flowers, and many tasks require the help of an adorable PAW Patrol pup. The tasks are engaging and educational; learning is seamless and fun.
LeapFrog Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Imagicard Learning Game The TNMTs need to use math to fight Shredder as they try to collect all the mutagen containers hidden around New York City. Who doesn’t enjoy making a pizza covered in jelly beans, spiders, and pepperoni? Kids will be properly challenged, engaged, and amused.
Pix the Cat Quite simply, you steer a cat from one Pac-Man-style maze to another, with no chance to catch your breath between stages. Very, very hard, but proves that classic arcade mechanics and challenges still work well across decades and hardware generations.
Snail Bob 2 This friendly point-and-click adventure lets kids explore three fantasy worlds, solving puzzles and avoiding obstacles. The cartoonish gameplay and easy controls make it a great experience for families to play together.
Super Mario Maker Lets you design, create, and share your very own Super Mario adventures — or, if you want to wait on that, play 60-odd levels. Engaging, fun, and easy to use, it lets you play a near-limitless number of levels created by players from around the world.
Age 7–12
Art Academy: Home Studio Players join Vince, a charming art tutor who appears in Claymation, and his dog, Bacon, in their cozy home studio, attending interactive art classes that help teach the basic techniques of drawing and painting. A rewarding, educational experience.
Mario Party 10 A variety of board games to play together. All three modes feature mini-games, and Bowser mode fosters a sense of camaraderie among the four players being chased by Bowser — a relatively small change to a well-established formula that will keep kids playing.
Fossil Fighters Frontier Players roam a 3-D world to talk with characters, ride in customizable vehicles, excavate fossils, and battle “vivosaurs” (dinosaurs) against rival beasts. With more multiplayer features, a bigger map, and support for glasses-free 3-D graphics.
Madden NFL 16 New edition is one of the better Madden offerings in years, with improvements in gameplay, interface, control, modes,
and presentation. Most significant is the new Playmaker controls, which give you more options in offensive and defensive plays.
Mega Man Legacy Collection A collection of the first six Mega Man games; players fight through the forces of Dr. Wily and his Robot Masters. Fans of classic games will love this assortment of challenging action, and the bonus features will keep players coming back. Loads of fun.
MLB 15: The Show A handful of improvements make an already great game even better. This award-winning baseball franchise sports fluid animation and near photorealistic graphics, such as real-time sun and shadows, realistic-looking crowds, and revamped nighttime lighting.
Puzzle & Dragons 2 + Puzzle & Dragons Super Mario Bros. Edition Two match-3 games in one, with nearly identical puzzle play. One has a fantasy theme with quests and chats with other characters; the other looks like a Mario game, with dozens of iconic characters and items. Surprisingly strategic and wonderfully empowering.
Ori and the Blind Forest Accompanied by a tiny white spirit, catlike hero Ori sets off to defeat the encroaching darkness and restore the forest to its life-nourishing splendor. Gorgeous, gratifying, and emotional, with a wonderfully intuitive interface. Movement is an absolute joy.
Disney Infinity: Star Wars Starter Pack (3.0 Edition) Finally the Disney Infinity we were promised: Play Set has a dizzying amount of things to do and see, planets and star systems, and the feeling we aren’t trapped in a linear experience; and Toy Box has tutorials for almost anything you’d want to do.
King’s Quest Graham is bent on adventure, but famous kingdom Daventry isn’t all he’d hoped for. A reboot of the beloved classic games, with storybook-worthy graphics and amusing dialogue from an incredible vocal cast. A strong blend of exploration, action, and puzzles.
LBX: Little Battlers eXperience Follows the story line of the animated Nicktoons series. Puts players in the role of Van Yamano and his friends as they work to stop a global conspiracy and save the world. The story is surprisingly good, with a lot of depth for gamers of all ages.
Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask One of the most beloved Nintendo 64 games is back, now portable and in glasses-free 3-D. Link must stop Skull Kid from destroying the planet in three days. With sharper, more colorful graphics, better lighting/shadows, and 3-D-effects support.
Lego Dimensions Action-adventure game blends Legos with licensed properties like DC Comics, Lord of the Rings, Jurassic Park, Scooby Doo, and more. Players beat up the bad guys and solve puzzles. Kids can expand their imaginations and create their own adventures.
N++ A downloadable platformer with simple graphics and no story. Players control a tiny ninja who leaps from floors to walls to platforms, avoiding obstacles on his way to each stage’s exit. Intuitive, precise, empowering controls. A modern indie classic.
ScreamRide Create ridiculously tall winding coasters, then strap people in and crank the speed to 170 mph — or launch them off a huge and rotating arm into skyscrapers. Over-the-top action sim with equal parts construction and destruction is unique and fun.
Sid Meier’s Starships A tactical turn-based space-combat game. You visit planets colonized by humans and help them in combat missions, earning their support so they’ll join your empire instead of one of your rival’s. A great alternative to Civilization games, which can take weeks.
Yo-Kai Watch This cartoonish role-playing game explores how people’s lives (and emotions) are affected by invisible spirits called Yo-kai. This Pokémon-like game could help kids understand why they feel the way they do, while giving them a fun, entertaining adventure that lasts for dozens of hours.
Axiom Verge A scientist dies in a lab explosion and wakes up on an ancient alien planet, where an unknown intelligence guides him through the maze-like world. Beautiful and authentic retro 16-bit style, with natural and intuitive movement and compelling combat.
Sid Meier’s Civilization: Beyond Earth - Rising Tide This expansion of the game that moved the popular historical civilization simulation into the stars and onto alien planets adds new systems and mechanics. With a wealth of new content and structural changes, fans will want to get lost all over again.
Age 13–17
Code Name S.T.E.A.M. Famous historical and fictional characters fight aliens in an alternate-history steampunk version of 19th-century England and the U.S. in this turn-based strategy game. An unusual blend of considered tactics and real-time action; plenty of fun
Grim Fandango Remastered Charming, updated version of classic point-and-click adventure retains original story, characters, and puzzles; blends Mexican folklore, Aztec art, film noir, and art deco. With refreshed visuals and sound. Fans of slower-paced adventures will love.
Magicka 2 In this ridiculously fun, over-the-top action RPG, you mix and match elements to create everything from ice shields to laser beams to fireballs, all to rescue a child of prophecy and fight the forces of evil. A game best shared with friends; a blast to play.
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate Players team up to destroy large fantasy creatures — dinosaurs, enormous monsters, sea creatures — using swords, lances, guns, bombs, and magical strikes. A surprising amount of depth to keep players busy for a long time. Impressive graphics.
Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin You’re an undead warrior roaming the dangerous lands of Drangleic, fighting all kinds of foes. Challenging new edition even more engaging, with improved graphics and performance, new enemy and item placement, smarter AI, and other enhancements.
Apotheon Zeus is angry at a world riddled with sinful humans, so he has a plan for them to destroy themselves. But one man has a mission to save himself — and the rest of mankind. Great creative style a captivating balance between modern flair and ancient art.
Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection A compilation of Nathan Drake’s adventures. Epic narrative has him treasure-hunting all over the world, getting into firefights with rivals, goons, and other enemies. Fun exploration, smart puzzles, fast-paced action, and Hollywood-style storytelling. Batman: Arkham Knight Scarecrow plans to evacuate Gotham with his fear toxin while various villains and a mysterious new antihero plan to take out the Dark Knight once and for all. Bigger, deeper, grittier, more detailed and violent, and more engaging than previous installments.
Blackguards 2 An innocent woman wakes up in a dank dungeon. When she finally gets out, she’s consumed with the desire for revenge and enlists a band of misfits to seize control of the kingdom. A solid, complex, challenging game for fantasy and strategy lovers.
Pillars of Eternity Part of a caravan starting a new life in a new land, you stumble into a ritual that grants you unique abilities and detriments. Now you must stop an evil that steals children’s souls. An engaging story in a carefully crafted world. Raises the bar for RPGs.
Age 2–6
Nick Jr. Beyond the Backpack Parents get a learning plan and activities tailored to their kids’ development that helps them prepare for school. Focuses on family engagement, health and wellness, literacy, social and emotional skills, and STEM. Exceptionally good joint experience.
Skybrary Impressive reading resource that’s an offshoot of Reading Rainbow. Kids gather books from eight islands: My Friends, My Family, National Geographic Kids, Animal Kingdom, Music Mountain, Awesome People, Genius Academy, and Adventures and Magical Tales. Brainzy Activities address typical early learning themes. Good quality and range of topics, with creative games, songs, videos, and stories and different ways to interact with the learning material. High production value is bound to capture and hold kids’ attention.
CuriosityStream A good source for high-quality educational videos, frequently from the BBC, of interviews, lectures, documentaries, and performances; topics include science, history, entrepreneurship, tech, art, health and wellness, literature, music, and philosophy.
GPALoveMath Thanks to its engaging presentation, could be the best way for kids to learn or improve math skills. Each lesson provides instruction, practice, and assessment with animated learning coaches; the social platform is a fun way for kids to learn from peers.
Camp Google Each week Camp Google offers a new adventure, on topics such as space or the ocean. Kids collect badges for completing three related activities, designed by Google engineers, National Geographic Kids, NASA, and other organizations. Fights summer brain drain.
Brain Chase A clever, creative, and fun five-week program starting June 22. Kids complete weekly math and reading challenges, collect clues, and submit one guess every 24 hours as to the location of a buried treasure: a key to a safe-deposit box with a $10,000 scholarship.
National Geographic Kids The online component to National Geographic Kids magazine features educational games, high-quality videos, and other activities, centered mostly on animals and the natural world. Kids also can get a virtual tour of different countries, featuring fun facts.
CodeMonkey In a magical land, a bad gorilla has stolen the Code Monkey’s bananas. Users learn to write simple code phrases to guide the monkey to his missing fruit. Stands out with cheerful graphics, carefully constructed puzzles, and thoughtful puzzle sequences. LearnBop Kids choose from over 5,000 math problems, or “bops,” organized by Common Core standard. Each bop is essentially a multiple-choice problem, but some are more interactive. Does an admirable job of simulating a personal tutor with a detailed, gentle system.
Age 13–17
Bystander Revolution More than 100 short videos include advice from celebrities who share personal experiences and suggestions on how to prevent bullying. Kids can search by topic, such as being afraid to help or feeling excluded. Viewers likely to feel empowered and supported.
PolitiFact Fact-checks statements made by elected officials, candidates, and pundits. Content is updated daily, and each fact-check is rated from “True” to “Pants on Fire.” Encourages kids to question statements made by people in positions of power; a great resource.
Vocabulary Much more than a standard dictionary website. You can look up words, sure, but tons of games also test comprehension. Well designed, easy to figure out, and fun, it provides a uniquely customized experience. On Time magazine’s 2012 list of best websites.
Call Me Ishmael Users call a number and leave a voice-mail message about a book they loved. The creator types out the story and turns it into a YouTube video. Could be the best site around for encouraging kids to read certain books; better than a simple recommendation.
SCOTUSblog Can help teens understand high-level legal issues and the happenings of the Supreme Court. With simplified articles about key cases, an extensive glossary, and links to statistics, videos, and in-depth content. Nothing flashy, but an invaluable resource.
