Best Games for Bonding with your Child

From pediatricians to psychologists, experts agree that spending quality time is among the best investments a parent can make for their children. But it’s also sometimes the most difficult to pull off.  Between parents’ work responsibilities and their child’s school, sports, and activities schedules, time for parents to bond with their kids can slip away.

One popular way kids spend their free time is playing video games. From the Atari of the early 1980s to the PlayStation 5 of today, games have only gotten better. Between increasingly sophisticated stories to stunning graphics, it can be rather difficult to peel kids away from their screens!

What if instead of competing with video games for your kids’ attention and time, you joined them instead?  Many parents are doing just that and enjoying the games almost as much as their children are!

Below we highlight seven of our favorite video games that you can play with your kids. And with CoastConnect’s high-speed fiber internet, you can enjoy these video games seamlessly and without lag or interruption, whether you play on a console like the PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, or Xbox, or on your PC or tablet.

Read on to learn more about some of the best video games you and your child can play together!

1. Minecraft

First on our list is Minecraft, the popular building game. Millions of people of all ages cannot get enough of this building and crafting game. Its open-world sandbox setting gives children and their parents the opportunity to create and improve worlds together. Minecraft is available to play on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.

2. Terraria

Comparable to Minecraft, but perhaps somewhat more goal-and-mission-oriented, the popular Terraria is another vast building, exploration and crafting game that can be played by multiple people. Like other “sandbox” games, Terraria is open-world, letting players explore more freely than other types of games. No two games are exactly alike, enhancing its replay value, while giving parents plenty of time to master the game alongside their kids as they wind their way through it. Terraria is playable on your PC, Xbox, PlayStation or Nintendo Switch.

3. Super Mario Odyssey

Many parents will fondly remember the Super Mario Bros. game series from their own childhoods. The series has stood the test of time and has expanded over the decades. Super Mario Odyssey continues Mario’s adventures through perils on a magical airship called the Odyssey. Mario makes use of a sentient hat named “Cappy.” Super Mario Odyssey won Best Family Game in 2017 by The Game Awards, one of the industry’s most prestigious honors. The game is available on Nintendo Switch.

4. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

If you and your kid can’t get enough of the Mario universe, try another challenge with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe! Is there a better way for you to compete against your child than in a classic car race? In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, you’ll race go-karts across a variety of locations and terrains. But be warned: the game is so much fun for kids and their parents, many find it hard to put down the controllers! Mario Kart 8 Deluxe can be played on Nintendo Switch and has an online play option as well.

5. Rocket League

When you’re ready for a stouter automobile challenge, check out Rocket League, a popular game over the past few years. Rocket League is an eccentric but surprisingly perfect mix of sports, specifically soccer and car racing. One of the more competitive games on this list, Rocket League is free to play on just about every major platform, including consoles and PCs (and even Macs).

6. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Another popular game is Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Utilizing animals to build a human-like settlement and society, you and your child can enjoy an easy-going and pleasant game that helps develop decision-making, organizational and social skills. Playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a nice way to unwind with your kids after a long day. The 5th entry in the Animal Crossing series, New Horizons won The Game Award’s 2020 Best Family Game award and is available on Nintendo Switch.

7. LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

Our last game recommendation combines two legendary names in family entertainment: LEGO and Star WarsLEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is part of a large series of LEGO-themed video games based on movies. The Skywalker Saga is an especially solid choice for parents to play with their kids because of how Star Wars bridges the generations and lets grown-ups share the sweeping epic and beloved characters of Star Wars in an interactive way. This edition follows the entire 9-film series and is playable on Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox and PCs.

We hope our list of seven great games — and our super-fast internet service to power them —  will help parents and kids spend more quality time together. Don’t forget to check out our Fiber Gaming Network, a FREE online gaming platform for CoastConnect subscribers. www.coastconnect.com/gaming

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