With so many racing games available for purchase and download, it's daunting to find the best racing games for kids. We have compiled a list of the top 10 best racing games for kids, complete with prices, where to buy them and our personal suggestion for which ones we think are the best.
FAQ
1. What Are Racing Games For Kids?
Racing games are video games with the focus on competing in and winning races. The ones intended for kids have no realistic violence, foul language or humor, or suggestive themes. Racing games for kids are a fun pastime for kids who want a thrill, and they allow parents to relax knowing their kids aren't seeing or playing violent games.
2. How Do I Know Which Racing Games For Kids Are Appropriate?
Check the Entertainment Software Rating Board's (ESRB) rating for the game. The best ratings for kids are E for Everyone and E10 for Everyone ages 10 and up. Mobile games must show their rating on the game's page in the app stores. The games we have chosen are all rated E or E10, so there is no need to worry about what the games will show to kids unless otherwise specified.
3. Where Can I Buy These Games?
The racing games for kids we've chosen can be purchased on the Google Play Store and iOS Store on mobile devices.
4. What is the Current Price Range for These Games?
The racing games for kids we've chosen are free to play and download, but many use advertisements in the games to earn revenue. There is an option to turn off the ads, which can cost as much as five dollars. In addition, many of these mobile games offer optional in-game bonuses for micro-transactions that can build up to significant amounts. Because each game has its own prices for its purchases, it is best to check in the in-game stores for more details on their respective costs.
How We Reviewed
The racing games for kids we've reviewed were judged on the following criteria: Pros, Cons, Price, and Where to buy them. Pros and Cons include game accessibility, graphics, gameplay, educational merits, pricing of optional in-game currency and ad removal, and access to online multiplayer. Where to buy them is based on how many platforms the games are available to be played on.
What We Reviewed
Asphalt 9: Legends
Features
Asphalt 9: Legends is a high-speed example of racing games for kids that uses current car models in intense races. The tutorial of the game is simple, with only three major controls to learn (with settings to add more advanced controls), and the ability to customize the cars earned after the races. Races are fast-paced, tactical, require precise timing, and encourage players to use jumps to get ahead of the competition, adding to the excitement. Players can use the in-game currency to buy more turns or watch ads to earn card packs that will give them cars, in-game currency and parts for their cars.
PROS
CONS
Price
Asphalt 9: Legends is free to download and play, with optional ads to earn in-game bonuses. Players can purchase these same bonuses and more in the game's store.
Where to Buy
Asphalt 9: Legends is available on iOS and Android via their respective app stores. We have included a link for purchase here.
Need for Speed No Limits
Features
Need for Speed No Limits is a mobile title of the acclaimed Need for Speed series published by EA. EA is infamous for its aggressive and controversial market strategies, which are clear in this game. While the game is free to download and play, EA aggressively offers promotions to buy in-game currency and items before and after races. While the races are enjoyable as is common from the games in this series, many of them are short and can only be one minute long. Despite this, the game is beautiful during races, and the fast-paced action will keep players coming back for more.
PROS
CONS
Price
Need for Speed No Limits is available to download and play for free. Players can purchase bonuses for the game via the game's shop.
Where to Buy
Need for Speed No Limits is available on iOS and Android, via their respective app stores. We have included a link for purchase here.
SkidStorm
Features
SkidStorm is a perfect type of racing games for kids. Unlike the others we've mentioned so far, SkidStorm has cartoon-like graphics and a top-down view rather than a rear-view that mirrors stock car races of days gone by, complete with a focus on the sharp turns players they expect players to make. SkidStorm's a perfect game to play with friends, as multiplayer is available at the beginning of the game. The controls are simple to learn so that new players can jump right in without a problem. The game features an in-game shop and optional advertising that can unlock cars, their parts, and aesthetics.
PROS
CONS
Price
SkidStorm is free to download and play with optional ads to earn in-game bonuses. Players can purchase these same bonuses and more in the game's store.
Where to Buy
SkidStorm is available on Android and iOS devices via their respective app stores. We have included a link for purchase here.
Ridge Racer Slipstream
Features
Ridge Racer Slipstream was made by Bandai Namco Entertainment, one of the biggest names in the video game industry, and it shows. Bandai Namco games appeal to a young male audience. This is most clear when there is an attractive woman as the host of the entire game. As a game, it also shows signs of its developer, as the game is easy to pick up, but difficult to master. The graphics are beautiful with attention to detail on everything from the cars to the tracks. It is also the first game on this list to support twelve languages, so even if a player isn't comfortable with English, there are others to choose from.
PROS
CONS
Price
Ridge Racer Slipstream is free to download and play with optional ads to earn in-game bonuses. Players can purchase these same bonuses and more in the game's store.
Where to Buy
Ridge Racer Slipstream is available on Android and iOS devices via their respective app stores. We have included a link for purchase here.
Kids Rally Car Racing
Features
Kids Rally Racing is exactly what racing games for kids should play like for kids. The game is a rally racing game, which means it has a top-down view of a track that scrolls top to bottom, where the player controls one car dodging other cars and obstacles. The controls are simple, and even younger kids can play this game.
Speaking of younger kids, this game was intended for them, as the graphics are like cardboard cutouts, the music is generic and simple techno, and there is no true challenge or multiplayer present in the game. This is one for the kids in kindergarten or first grade, who will get hours of enjoyment, but the older kids will want to skip out.
PROS
CONS
Price
Kids Rally Car Racing is available to download and play for free. Players can purchase bonuses for the game via the game's shop.
Where to Buy
Kids Rally Car Racing is available on Android and iOS devices via their respective app stores. We have included a link for purchase here.
Monster Truck for Kids
Features
Monster Truck for Kids is not exactly in the genre of racing games for kids as much as it is a monster truck game. The game advertises itself as a game where it is impossible to lose, making this another one for the younger kids. This game features twelve monster trucks, a balloon pop game at the end of each level, and cute horns and musical pieces. The game will also attract adults who are fans of monster trucks, making this a great game to bond with a kid and nurture a passion for monster trucks with them. Older kids who aren't interested in monster trucks will want to skip this one if they want a more traditional racing game.
PROS
CONS
Price
Monster Truck for Kids is available to download and play for free. Players can purchase bonuses for the game via the game's shop.
Where to Buy
Monster Truck for Kids is available on Android and iOS devices via their respective app stores. We have included a link for purchase here.
Car Run
Features
Car Run is less of a racing game and more like a car chase game. The player takes control of a speeder whose goal is to outrun a police car as far as they can until the police car eventually pulls them over. The graphics are like old flash games, which complements the gameplay to a T. This game doesn't seem to focus on racing, and there's not much in the way of being kid-friendly or being educational, either. However, games like these are played for the simple gameplay and high challenge they offer. For those kids who love a challenge without multiplayer, this might be the game for them.
PROS
CONS
Price
Car Run is available to download and play for free. Players can purchase bonuses for the game via the game's shop.
Where to Buy
Car Run is available on Android and iOS devices via their respective app stores. We have included a link for purchase here.
Big Rig Racing
Features
While not one of the traditional racing games for kids, Big Rigs Racing is still a fun game to pick up and play. While most racing games focus on using the fastest car imaginable, in this game, they expect every player to drive a semi-truck carrying a massive load to race against other players. The track isn't appealing, as it's just black hills, and there are only four kinds of trucks to choose from with the only difference being the paint job. There are no other game modes to choose from, so while this is a fun diversion, it will wear out its welcome sooner than the player realizes.
PROS
CONS
Price
Big Rig Racing is available to download and play for free. Players can purchase the ability to get rid of ads.
Where to Buy
Big Rig Racing is available on Android and iOS devices via their respective app stores. We have included a link for purchase here.
Formula Car Game for Android
Features
Formula Car Game for Android is another Rally Racing game to make it on this list for racing games for kids. The same developer who made Rally Racing for Kids made it. Considering this game is the older one of the two games on this list, it's surprising that it has better graphics. Besides that, there's not much to say about this one that hasn't already said about Rally Racing for Kids. If we were to choose one over the other, we could choose this one due to the better graphics, and that this one takes up 6.2 Megabytes versus the previous game's 10.
PROS
CONS
Price
Formula Car Game for Android is available to download and play for free. Players can purchase bonuses for the game via the game's shop.
Where to Buy
Formula Car Game for Android is available on Android devices via the Google Play store. We have included a link for purchase here
Moto Fire
Features
Moto Fire is another unusual one of the racing games for kids on this list. Rather than being a race against the clock or against other players, the player takes control of a biker who looks identical to Ghost Rider riding his motorcycle, and guiding him along lines that have jumps, slopes and bumps to reach the finish line as fast as possible. This game is less about the thrill of a race and more of a test of skill. The game has no music during the levels. Instead, the player hears the loud sounds of a motorcycle throughout. The game's graphics are also not as impressive as others on this list, looking like flash games of the past.
PROS
CONS
Price
Moto Fire is available to download and play for free. Players can purchase the ability to get rid of ads.
Where to Buy
Moto Fire is available on Android and iOS devices via their respective app stores. We have included a link for purchase here.
The Verdict
The racing games for kids we have shown here are a mixed bag, but there are great ones to pick among them. The games intended for young children are a great way to introduce kids to video games or to bond over them, with our personal recommendation for those titles being Monster Truck for Kids and Formula Car Game for Android. Older kids who might be harder to please should play Asphalt 9: Legends for a realistic and exciting racing game without the ads, SkidStorm for a great multiplayer experience, and Ridge Racer Slipstream if a kid isn't comfortable with English or wants to learn another language.
