Which Esports Are Suitable For Children?
Video games and esports are now a normal part of childhood in New Zealand, but many parents wonder about their impact. Will competitive games make kids aggressive? Are online interactions safe and appropriate? These concerns are natural for any caregiver.
Research from Oxford University has found little evidence that gameplay leads to real-world aggression, yet it’s still important to choose age-appropriate games and set healthy boundaries. This comprehensive guide will help Kiwi parents understand which esports and competitive games suit different age groups, from preschoolers to teenagers, so you can make informed decisions for your family.
Understanding Age Classifications in Esports
Before exploring specific games, it’s helpful to understand video game rating systems. Most countries use content classifications to guide parents:
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Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)
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Pan-European Game Information (PEGI)
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New Zealand Classifications
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E (Everyone)
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PEGI 3+ (Suitable for all ages)
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G (General - suitable for everyone)
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E10+ (Everyone 10 and up)
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PEGI 7+ (Mild content with implied violence)
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PG (Parental guidance recommended)
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T (Teen 13+)
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PEGI 12+ (Moderate violence, mild language)
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M (Mature - suitable for mature audiences 16+)
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M (Mature 17+)
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PEGI 16+ (Realistic violence, sexual content)
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R13, R16, R18 (Restricted to specified ages)
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AO (Adults Only 18+)
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PEGI 18+ (Extreme violence, graphic content)
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According to the NZ Classification Office, many downloadable games may only display international ratings rather than going through our local classification system. These ratings roughly correspond to our local categories (for instance, an ESRB “Everyone” game aligns with a New Zealand G rating).
Remember that these ratings are guidelines, not hard rules. They indicate content maturity, but you know your child best and can judge what’s appropriate for them.
A Guide for Parents on Suitable Games for Children
For our youngest tamariki, the focus should be on developing motor skills, basic problem-solving, and creativity rather than intense competition.
Recommended Games:
- PBS Kids Games (Ages 4+) These educational mini-games feature popular characters like Arthur and Elmo. They teach counting, letters, shapes, and colours through playful, interactive tasks. Benefit: Enhances early numeracy, literacy, and hand-eye coordination.
- Endless Alphabet & Endless Numbers (Ages 4+) These apps introduce young learners to letters, words, numbers, and basic maths through engaging puzzles and animations. Kids enjoy competing against themselves to beat their best scores. Benefit: Builds early literacy and numeracy foundations in a pressure-free environment.
- Toca Boca Series (Ages 4+) Games like Toca Kitchen and Toca Life World stimulate creative play and imagination. Although not strictly competitive, children naturally set their own playful goals. Benefit: Encourages creativity, imagination, and early social role-play skills.
- Mario Kart Junior Mode (Ages 5+) Nintendo’s racing game has a junior mode with auto-acceleration and steering assistance for younger players. The bright colours, recognisable characters, and simple gameplay make it perfect for little ones. Benefit: Introduces gentle competition and develops hand-eye coordination.
At this early stage, gaming should be limited to short sessions. The New Zealand Ministry of Health recommends no more than one hour of screen time daily for this age group, ideally with a parent present.
As children enter primary school, they can start experiencing more structured gameplay while enhancing their cognitive abilities.
Recommended Games:
- Minecraft: Education Edition (Ages 7+) Minecraft is fantastic for younger primary students. The educational variant includes lessons in maths, science, coding, and history. Students often compete in friendly class competitions such as building challenges or coding tasks. Benefit: Boosts creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, and STEM skills.
- Prodigy Math (Ages 6+) This maths-focused adventure game engages children in battles and adventures by solving maths problems. They can compete against classmates in friendly maths duels, motivating them to improve their skills. Benefit: Reinforces maths concepts, critical thinking, and introduces competitive spirit.
- Osmo Genius Kit (Ages 6+) Osmo combines physical play with digital gaming, turning maths, spelling, and drawing into interactive puzzles. It has both competitive and cooperative play options. Benefit: Combines physical and digital play, supporting early maths, literacy, and fine motor skills.
- Pokémon Series (Ages 7+) These games involve turn-based “battles” between creatures, but there’s no violence or gore. The Pokémon Company even runs official junior tournaments for kids in this age group, as mentioned on pokemon.com. Benefit: Introduces strategic thinking, reading skills, and planning.
- Rocket League (Racing/Sports, Ages 6+) This unique game mixes football with rocket-powered cars. It’s rated for all ages (PEGI 3) and has no characters or violence—just cars and a ball. Young kids love the concept of cars scoring goals. Benefit: Develops hand-eye coordination and introduces team play concepts.
A case study from an Auckland primary school found that introducing Minecraft: Education Edition to Year 3 students (ages 7-8) resulted in increased enthusiasm for maths and improved teamwork. According to one teacher: “Students who usually struggled with maths became motivated to complete challenges because they wanted to build the biggest structure or code the most creative solution.”
By this age, children seek more challenge and complexity in games. Preteens can handle moderate competitive pressure but still benefit from age-appropriate content and guidance.
Recommended Games:
- Splatoon (Team Shooter, Ages 10+) Nintendo’s 4v4 team game has players shooting colourful ink to cover the most territory. There’s no blood—just splashes of colour—essentially making it paintball with a quirky twist. Rated PEGI 7+ or ESRB E10+. Benefit: Teaches teamwork, strategy, and territory control in a non-violent format.
- Roblox Education (Ages 8+) Roblox offers diverse games encouraging creativity, coding, and teamwork in moderated educational environments. Teachers have hosted friendly competitions like creating the most innovative virtual worlds. Benefit: Introduces coding fundamentals, creativity, and moderated online interactions.
- Scratch (Programming, Ages 8+) Scratch is a programming language designed specifically for kids, allowing them to create interactive stories and games. Many schools host coding tournaments with Scratch. Benefit: Develops coding literacy, logical thinking, and computational skills.
- Kahoot! (Quiz Game, Ages 8+) This quiz-based learning platform is used in classrooms worldwide. Teachers create educational quizzes, and students compete individually or in teams. Benefit: Supports memory recall, classroom engagement, and friendly academic competition.
- Super Smash Bros. (Fighting, Ages 10+) This party-fighting game features Nintendo characters in cartoonish battles. It’s not bloody or realistic—characters might get hit with a cartoon hammer or fireball. Rated PEGI 12 for mild fantasy violence. Benefit: Develops quick reflexes and introduces competitive play in a controlled environment.
- Hearthstone (Card Game, Ages 10+) A digital card game where players duel using fantasy cards. It’s rated PEGI 7 and encourages careful planning and logical thinking with no action violence. Benefit: Builds strategic thinking, planning ahead, and mathematical skills.
- Sports Games (FIFA, NBA 2K, Ages 9+) Traditional sports games remain excellent for this age. They carry the universal Everyone rating and teach teamwork and strategies. Benefit: Fosters understanding of real sports and team dynamics.
According to psychologist Dr. Peter Gray, children learn best through self-directed, playful experiences where competition isn’t overwhelming. By introducing gently competitive elements, kids learn valuable life skills—handling success and failure, working in teams, and communicating clearly—all while having fun.
At this stage, kids begin experiencing the social side of esports more deeply. Many intermediate schools and libraries in New Zealand host Minecraft or Rocket League tournaments, providing safe, organised competitive environments.
Once young people reach their teenage years, a broader range of competitive games becomes appropriate, though still with proper guidance.
Recommended Games:
- Fortnite (Battle Royale, Ages 13+) Often the first “big” esport for teens. Despite the shootouts, Fortnite’s style is more comic than realistic—characters wear silly costumes and there’s no blood or gore. It’s rated PEGI 12. Benefit: Develops communication, teamwork, resource management, and strategic planning.
- Valorant (Team Tactical Shooter, Ages 16+) A 5v5 tactical shooter with unique character abilities. Rated M in NZ (16+) due to realistic gunplay, making it suitable only for older teens. Benefit: Teaches communication under pressure, role specialisation, and tactical thinking.
- League of Legends (Strategy/MOBA, Ages 13+) A complex strategy game where teams of five compete to destroy the enemy’s base. It’s like an evolving chess match with action elements. Rated Teen (13+) for fantasy violence. Benefit: Develops team coordination, strategic planning, and adaptation skills.
- Overwatch 2 (Team Shooter, Ages 13+) A hero-based shooter where teams compete to secure objectives. Each character has a unique role (healer, defender, etc.), teaching the importance of different team contributions. Benefit: Encourages team role understanding and coordination.
- FIFA & NBA2K (Sports, Ages 10+) Sports games continue to be popular with teens. Many secondary schools in New Zealand now have esports teams competing in these titles. Benefit: Provides competitive outlet with minimal content concerns.
According to the Connected Learning Alliance, high schools that have started esports programmes report increased student engagement and school pride. In New Zealand, organisations like the New Zealand Esports Federation now oversee secondary school competitions, giving teens a chance to represent their school in digital competition.
The British Esports Association notes that esports titles like Rocket League and Overwatch are becoming standard in school competitions because they balance competitive elements with age-appropriate content
Addressing Social Concerns
Video games and esports are now a normal part of childhood in New Zealand, but many parents wonder about their impact. Will competitive games make kids aggressive? Are online interactions safe and appropriate? These concerns are natural for any caregiver.
Research from Oxford University has found little evidence that gameplay leads to real-world aggression, yet it’s still important to choose age-appropriate games and set healthy boundaries. This comprehensive guide will help Kiwi parents understand which esports and competitive games suit different age groups, from preschoolers to teenagers, so you can make informed decisions for your family.
Most esports games include online interaction via text or voice chat. Even games rated for everyone can become concerning if chat is unmonitored.
Safety Measures:
- Use built-in safety tools (mute, block, report functions)
- Teach children to tell a trusted adult if someone’s behaviour makes them uncomfortable
- Ensure kids know not to share personal information (name, address, school, photos)
- Check each game’s settings—you can often disable voice chat or restrict communications to friends
- Use parental controls at the console or PC level
Netsafe (New Zealand’s online safety organisation) recommends using these tools and encourages kids to speak up about uncomfortable online encounters.
Competitive gaming can sometimes foster intense emotions and behaviour. “Trash-talking” might cross into toxic territory.
Managing Behaviour:
- Discuss respect and empathy with your children
- Establish clear rules about appropriate language and conduct
- Encourage good sportsmanship (congratulating opponents, not gloating when winning)
- Direct kids toward well-moderated communities (school clubs, supervised Discord servers)
- Consider a family “code of conduct” for online interactions
Many New Zealand schools with esports programmes require students to maintain certain behaviour standards and academic performance to stay on the team.
Setting healthy limits is crucial for any digital activity.
Recommended Boundaries:
- The NZ Ministry of Health suggests children aged 5-17 should have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time daily
- Establish tech-free zones or times (e.g., no gaming during meals or after a certain hour)
- Ensure gaming is balanced with homework, physical activity, and sleep
- Set ground rules together—for instance, no gaming until homework is complete
- Consider a “tech curfew” (e.g., no online play after 9pm on school nights)
- Encourage regular breaks during long gaming sessions
Research consistently shows that the most effective way to ensure a positive esports experience is active parent involvement.
Ways to Engage:
- Ask about what they’re playing and who they’re playing with
- Try playing a round or two with them—many games are designed to be enjoyable for novices
- Watch professional esports together to discuss sportsmanship and strategy
- Monitor mood and behaviour changes that might indicate problems
- Create opportunities to discuss online experiences openly
- Attend local esports events (many libraries and schools host tournaments)
British Esports Association notes that all the games in their recommended list are multiplayer, “so if you’re a parent, you can play them with your children.” Being present in the gaming world, even occasionally, means you’ll better understand the appeal and be able to provide guidance.
Conclusion
Esports and competitive gaming continue to grow in popularity among New Zealand youth. As we’ve explored, there’s a spectrum of games suitable for different ages—from educational apps for preschoolers to complex team games for teenagers.
Rather than taking a blanket approach of fear or restriction, informed understanding allows parents to guide children toward positive gaming experiences. By knowing the difference between age-appropriate titles and those meant for mature players, you can set boundaries that make sense for your family.
The research is clear: when children’s gaming is supported and supervised appropriately, it can lead to improved cognitive skills, new friendships, and even academic or career opportunities. Many schools across New Zealand are recognising this by establishing esports programmes that emphasise good sportsmanship, teamwork, and balance.
Like any activity, the impact of gaming depends on how it’s approached. With the right games chosen for the right age, and with caring adults staying involved, esports can be another valuable way for Kiwi kids to learn, grow, and have fun.
References
- British Esports Association (2023). Age-appropriate esports titles for children and young people.
- Classification Office of New Zealand (2022). Understanding game ratings in New Zealand.
- Gray, P. (2013). Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life. Basic Books.
- JAMA Network Open (2022). Association of Video Gaming With Cognitive Performance Among Children.
- Ministry of Health NZ (2023). Physical Activity Guidelines for Children and Young People.
- Netsafe New Zealand (2023). Online Gaming Safety Guide for Parents.
- Oxford Internet Institute (2021). Violent video game engagement is not associated with adolescents’ aggressive behaviour.
- Pokémon Company (2023). Junior Championship Series.
- World Economic Forum (2022). The benefits of esports in education.