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The Best Wii Games For Kids

Reviews of the Best Games for Kids on the Wii
Finding the best Wii games for kids is often a chore. You have to sift through a bunch of duds to find the diamonds. Did you go home with something like "Cooking with Lame-O Sam" when your child wanted "Cooking Mama"? Don't feel discouraged. Help is available!
This lens is for parents who want to know about the best and greatest games. Your child is missing out if you think "Mario Brothers" and "Dora the Explorer" are all the Wii has to offer.
Those games are fun, but many more are available. Your child can play puzzle games, rhythm games and more. Popular kids games like "Where's Waldo" and "I Spy" are on the Wii too.
The Wii games below are grouped according to age-group. That makes it easier to find the best game for your child. Simply look at the games within a specific age group. Refer to this page often, and you'll never end up with another inappropriate game.
Check out the best Wii games for kids listed below. Your child will appreciate it!
Be sure to check out this other Wii Games For Children list too...
Compiled by Matthew
Edited by thefluffanutta

Best Wii Games for Little Kids
Ages 3+
Finding a suitable Wii game for young children can be tricky, as many of them require some reading, but there are a few that specifically cater this age group. Many games just need a parent to set them up, and once they're ready to play, the child can play mostly without reading.
The Dora and Diego Wii games are particularly good for little kids, and encourage exploration and learning.

This "game" has its critics in the adult world, but the mini-games are ideally simplistic for little guys & gals. This is listed so high simply because it's accessible to a younger age. Lower games on this list are more involved, but much more fun.

The Dora/Diego games are the best intro games for young beginners (3-4yo). Little children will be interested and capable of playing without much parental assistance. Boys like Dora just as much as Diego, but some 'macho' boys may prefer Diego over Dora.

Very accessible to the youngest children with no reading and very little adult assistance required. All Dora games on all consoles are very accessible to their target audience, though they do tend to be effectively repackaged variations on same game.

This is exactly what you'd expect from the title. It isn't deep, but it is easy and entertaining enough for early gamers to enjoy without the frustration that comes from games requiring more dexterity.
Best Wii Games for Young Children
Ages 4+
A lot of games are geared at older children, and teens, and a lot of the very young kids get left out. There is not much of a broad variety of games for very young children when you go looking for them in game stores, and you certainly don't want to give a 5 year old a game that features blood, gore, and adult themes, but here's a list of Nintendo Wii video games that are geared at the young kids!

Outstanding fun for the whole family! One of my top recommendations! Similar to Jenga, except you don't stack blocks, you knock them down or otherwise manipulate them. You will enjoy this just as much or more than the kids.

Later tracks will become way too challenging for young kids, but the intuitive steering-wheel control makes this Kart racer so much easier than all predecessors with traditional console controllers.

Mario Wii Games are Great for Kids
Mario has appeared in over 200 video games since he was created way back in 1981 and has taken on the role of Nintendo's mascot and has been a huge selling point together with lots of top selling merchandise. He is of course part of the hugely successful Nintendo Wii currently taking the world by storm.
Mario games really are the best Wii games for kids.
Mario Wii Games are Great for Kids

Start your engines and race with Mario and his friends with their finely tuned racing machines in Mario Kart Wii. Also included with Mario Kart Wii is the Wii Wheel!

New Super Mario Bros. Wii is a side-scrolling platforming game where players collect coins as they attempt to make their way through progressively more difficult game levels using their ability to time jumps over obstacles and avoid a slew of enemies.

Launch into a new universe of gravity warping worlds in the sequel to one of the greatest games of all time!

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games is a sports party game that takes players on the Wii platform to Vancouver, Canada, host city of the official 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

The third installment of the incredibly successful Super Smash Bros. series is now on the Wii, The roster is longer than ever, but that just means more butt to kick across over a dozen different, graphic-rich stages with original moves, new modified moves, and a brand-new super attack called Final Smash!
More Best Wii Games for Kids - Ages 4+

My 4-year-old had trouble with the Gamecube version of this title, but did much better with the Wii control scheme. Mario Kart is a more enjoyable racer with more appeal to older gamers, but this one is worthwhile especially if you're fans of the film.

A family game. Kids love the Gameboard design of the game and the mini-games are a blast. Some will pose a challenge to them, but it's great fun to play with them so you can provide assistance, coaching, and encouragement where necessary.

Maneuvering through the world map & story mode may be too hard for younger ones, so you will have to play a bit on your own to open up a bunch of the mini-games, but then they'll have plenty of easy, quick options. No need for a long attention span or complex thinking - every mini-game makes it clear what you need to do with the Wiimote.

Young children (3yo) can use the Wii-mote to explore the serene & vibrant environment, but in order to advance the story-mode, it really requires more skill (~5+yo).

I try not to gender steer my boys too much, but the princess-pretending and dress-up features were beyond my comfort level. You make the decision for yourself. Younger children will need more assistance.
LEGO Wii Games
Ages 5+
The LEGO Wii Games are definitely some of the best Wii games for kids. Two people can play together through the story, which is very easy to pick up and play and there are cute Lego characters and funny moments. If you like LEGO or just want something you can play with a younger child, these are great.

This game involves fighting, so if you don't want the kids exposed to it then skip this one. But the game design is brilliant and you'll enjoy as much or more than they do. You can play cooperatively, too. The youngest can join you as a "force buddy" and just work the nunchuk when you're a jedi.

No way to lose. You always respawn at your previous location. Enjoyable for multiple gaming skill levels. You will enjoy helping your younger children with the challenging parts.

Not quite as entertaining as the Lego games that have come before, but still accessible to children and fun for adults.

A little more repetitive, but also a little trickier, then the other Lego video games, but still very fun for everyone. This is a no-brainer if your family loves Lego, superheroes, or both.
Best Wii Games for Older Kids
Ages 5+
When children get a bit older, they're able to read the on-screen instructions, and figure out the controls for a game without any parental help. Here are some games that are popular with kids of this age group, and are a lot of fun.

Lots of Reading necessary. Entertaining game design! A ton of fun! You will need to play this with your little one (even 5-6yo) and take the controls at times, but it won't be a burden. This game is a blast to play together with your kids.

Easy enough for young children, but great fun and challenge for more experienced gamers. Unique, fresh, and fun for the whole family. Authentic color blending and varied music. A must-own, third party, cult hit exclusive to the Wii. Don't miss it!

A fun single & multiplayer game. Younger children may be able to dabble with this, but to avoid frustration requires stronger gaming skills.

Great practice for more complex platformers (eg, Mario Galaxy). Young ones will need help and guidance, but the game is so fun that you won't mind taking the controls for the tough parts. It switches from traditional 2D side-scrolling to full 3D.

I know this is a GameCube game, but it's compatible with the Wii and I include it because it is the single best traditionally-controlled console game available for young ones (3-5yo). It only has two controls to worry about (movement & action), it's simple yet entertaining for little ones, and plays just like a Dora episode.

Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree does a great job at bringing gamers young and old together in a game that works well, and expanding the online gaming action that the Wii has just started seeing. It is definitely a must buy for anyone who loves a mental challenge that is different from action games that are more about looks than fun.

A GameCube classic but updated for the Wii with motion controls. This is a strategy game with adorable Ant-like creatures that help you find the pieces to your ship while battling large bug-like monsters. Sounds weird, but even my mother loves this one.

My boys 6 and 7 love this game... They have been playing it since they received it. They can't wait till the next day in order to play again. They have not found it too difficult and the even asked if there was a Ace in Action movie. They love it and their little sister loves to see them play.
Got a child or grandchild or niece/nephew? What are their favorite Wii games at the moment? What games do they want to get for Christmas?
Share your recommendations in the Guestbook below:
Which Are Your Best Wii Games For Kids?
What no skylanders?! dude! My kids love that game, ages 6 and up. Add it!
Boom Blox is great for kids, and challenging for adults too when you get on to the later levels. Save the Gorilla!
My son really loves playing any sports game that comes out. His current favorites are Madden 2K11 and NBA Jam. I personally am glad to see NBA Jam come out for Wii because it was always one of my favorite games as a kid.
Any of the Lego games are wonderful, my four year old just loves them. He can easily play by himself or I can play with him. The characters have unlimited lives so it's perfect for his age.
Hey thanks for the recommendations - I needed some help for the upcoming holidays.
Keep thinking that I should get a Wii, but then afraid it will break into my Squidoo time! Good list for kids, though, including this kid (at heart).
My kids really want a Wii but I had no idea which games to get. I think a mix of sims, Mario, and dance would suit both of them. Thanks for this helpful guide!
Great collection of games!
Dance games are awesome for kids, Gets them some exercise too!
Coo lens with lots of game introduced
This is a great lens because so often you buy games and they are terrible for the kids and there goes 50 bucks out the window! Thanks for writing this
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