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
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
- Need for Speed No Limits
- SkidStorm
- Ridge Racer Slipstream
- Kids Rally Car Racing
- Monster Truck for Kids
- Car Run
- Big Rig Racing
- Formula Car Game for Android
- Moto Fire
Asphalt 9: Legends
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.
- Stunning 3D Graphics
- Accessible to newcomers
- Educational regarding current car models
- Ads are a free alternative to some in-game purchases
- 1.5 Gigabytes of memory needed to download the game
- Online multiplayer isn’t accessible until reaching level 20
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
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.
- Part of an acclaimed series that lives up to the name
- Accessible to newcomers
- Gorgeous 3D graphics in races
- Educational regarding current car models
- Despite being a free game, there is heavy advertising from EA for in-game bonuses that cannot be removed through a purchase
- The story focuses on illegal racing, with many races putting the player against police officers
- Races can be as short as one minute
- The graphics in menus and dialogue boxes are lackluster
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
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.
- Accessible to newcomers
- Ads are a free alternative to some in-game purchases
- Multiplayer is available from the start.
- No educational value in the game
- Lack of realistic graphics might turn some kids away
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
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.
- Beautiful and realistic 3D graphics
- Twelve languages are supported for the game.
- Educational regarding current sports models
- Multiplayer available at the start
- Easy to pick up, difficult to master
- Caters to a young male audience with an attractive woman being the host
- 1.6 Gigabytes needed to download the game
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
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.
- Accessible to newcomers and new players of video games
- Cartoon graphics and music will appeal to younger children
- No adult material
- Encourages players to dodge cars rather than crash into them
- 10 Megabytes of data are necessary to download the game
- Older kids will not want to play this game due to its intended audience being younger children
- Lack of multiplayer and online modes
- Ads and in-game purchases might frustrate younger players
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
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.
- Accessible to newcomers and new players of video games
- Graphics, music, and horns are all cute, making it appropriate for all ages.
- A great game to bond over.
- This game will not appeal to kids who aren’t fans of monster trucks
- Challenge-seeking kids will not see the appeal to this game
- Ads and in-game purchases might frustrate younger players
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
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.
- Accessible to newcomers of video games
- Challenging at higher levels of play
- Simple, but in a way that feels rewarding
- The game’s focus on speeding and trying to outrun a police officer might not sit well with parents
- The game has no other modes or any form of online multiplayer
- No educational value in the game
- The graphics are mediocre for its audience, especially when compared to other games on this list
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
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.
- 3D graphics that will appeal to most who play the game
- Kids who are fans of big rig semi trucks will find this game appealing
- Accessible to newcomers
- No other game modes such as multiplayer are available
- Ads appear after every race unless one pays to get rid of them
- No educational value in the game
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
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.
- Accessible for newcomers and new gamers
- Completely kid-friendly
- Encourages players to dodge cars rather than crash into them
- Better graphics and storage requirements than a previous game on this list from the same developer
- Lack of Multiplayer and other modes
- Older kids will not want to play this game due to them falling out of the intended audience
- Ads and in-game purchases might frustrate younger players
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
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.
- A test of skill rather than adrenaline which will be a nice change of pace for some players.
- There are over 100 levels to master
- Amazing physics engine keeps the challenge feeling fair and realistic
- The Motorcycle sounds and lack of music grow irritating quickly
- Lack of Multiplayer and other modes
- Ads frequently appear unless purchasing the option to get rid of them
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.
