Games Like Minecraft

Is your kid crazy for Minecraft? The open-world sandbox-style game is among the most popular games ever -- and there are plenty of ways for kids to nurture an obsession, from mastering the Minecraft glossary to watching YouTube videos starring Stampy, Squiddy, and more. But it's not the only kind of game where players can express their creativity or their exploration skills. Try these other great games with similar appeal that help kids build, learn, play, and explore beyond the bounds of Minecraft. Who knows? You may find that your kids awaken some creative design talent that will help them take a more thoughtful perspective on the games they play.

Filter by:
Blox 3D Junior Poster Image
APP

Blox 3D Junior

age 5+

Kids build block models in challenging creative app.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad (2014)
Pango Build Safari Poster Image
APP

Pango Build Safari

age 5+

DIY safari landscapes come to life in scene-building app.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android (2018)
RaceCraft - Build & Race Poster Image
APP

RaceCraft - Build & Race

age 6+

Polished, fun track builder with pressure to buy.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android (2019)
Super Mario Maker 2 Poster Image
GAME

Super Mario Maker 2

age 6+

Fun, accessible editing tools expose kids to game design.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch (2019)
The Robot Factory by Tinybop Poster Image
APP

The Robot Factory by Tinybop

age 6+

Stellar sandbox tool drives kids to improve designs.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad (2015)
Toca Blocks Poster Image
APP

Toca Blocks

age 6+

Sandbox world-builder offers a great intro for younger kids.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android (2015)
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Poster Image
GAME

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

age 7+

The island life is idyllic in this latest adventure sim.

Platforms: Nintendo Switch (2020)
Blox 3D World Creator Poster Image
APP

Blox 3D World Creator

age 7+

Solid world-builder with learning curve boosts creativity.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Kindle Fire (2015)
Hovercraft - Build Fly Retry Poster Image
APP

Hovercraft - Build Fly Retry

age 7+

Cool 3-D modeling, racing, and revision; lots of ads.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Kindle Fire (2015)
Pocket Build Poster Image
APP

Pocket Build

age 7+

Build without boundaries in Minecraft-style sandbox.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android (2020)
Kerbal Space Program Poster Image
GAME

Kerbal Space Program

age 8+

Rocket-building sim helps determined kids reach the stars.

Platforms: Linux , Mac , Windows (2011)
LittleBigPlanet 3 Poster Image
GAME

LittleBigPlanet 3

age 8+

Kids empowered to create own content in clever adventure.

Platforms: PlayStation 3 , PlayStation 4 (2014)
Tayasui Blocks Poster Image
APP

Tayasui Blocks

age 8+

Simple tools make 3-D block creations a snap to construct.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad (2016)
Dragon Quest Builders 2 Poster Image
GAME

Dragon Quest Builders 2

age 8+

Terrific building game with positive messages and teamwork.

PK XD - Explore the Universe Poster Image
APP

PK XD - Explore the Universe

age 9+

Kid-safe virtual world with in-app purchases.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android (2020)
Algodoo Poster Image
GAME

Algodoo

age 10+

2-D physics sandbox fosters awesome inventions.

Platforms: Mac , Windows (2009)
Birthdays the Beginning Poster Image
GAME

Birthdays the Beginning

age 10+

Entertaining, simplified sim looks at the evolution of life.

Platforms: PlayStation 4 , Windows (2017)
The Blockheads Poster Image
APP

The Blockheads

age 10+

Create and survive in virtual worlds; some privacy concerns.

Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android (2019)
Dragon Quest Builders Poster Image
GAME

Dragon Quest Builders

age 10+

Imaginative world-building game with mild cartoon violence.

Dreams Poster Image
GAME

Dreams

age 10+

Extraordinary collection of powerful content-creation tools.

Platforms: PlayStation 4 (2020)