The Best Wii Games For Kids

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.

Highly Educational! My highest recommendation for young kids and great fun for all ages. Your children probably won't be able to handle all the mini-games right away, but you'll be surprised what they can do with a little instruction.

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.

Continues the great fun of the first.

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.

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!

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.

This game is really fun for kids and adults. Lots to explore even after you finish the game.

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.

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.

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.

If you want unique, addictive, yet simple gameplay, try this out. The goal is to get the ball to the end of the course, but there are lots of obstacles and it is pretty easy to fall off! Think of those games with marbles where you try to get them through a hole.

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.