More families are getting Apple Watches for their children thanks to Family Setup. But finding appropriate games can be challenging—many "free" games bombard kids with ads or pressure them to make purchases. This guide focuses on games that are genuinely kid-friendly. Many of these games also work without a phone, perfect for kids who don't have their own iPhone.
What Makes a Game Kid-Friendly?
For this list, we evaluated games on: no inappropriate content, minimal or no ads, no aggressive in-app purchases, simple controls suitable for small fingers, and positive themes like kindness, learning, and healthy habits. We also prioritized games that encourage physical activity since many parents use Apple Watch for fitness tracking.
8 Best Apple Watch Games for Kids
1. Belly: Cute Pet on Your Watch
Kids love taking care of their very own pixel pet. Belly teaches responsibility through simple care mechanics—walking earns hearts that keep the pet healthy. There are no ads, no violent content, and the colorful pixel art style is instantly appealing to children. The game naturally encourages physical activity since steps power the pet's happiness.
Parent note: Great for teaching responsibility and encouraging daily walks. Completely ad-free with no pressure to purchase.
2. Simon Says
The classic memory game that kids have loved for generations. Watch the colors light up, remember the sequence, and tap them back. Simple tap controls work perfectly for small fingers, and the game helps develop memory and concentration skills. Multiple free versions exist with minimal ads.
3. Activity Rings & Awards
Apple's built-in activity tracking turns fitness into a game. Kids love closing their rings and earning achievement badges. The visual feedback of colorful rings filling up is inherently satisfying, and the celebration animations when goals are met delight children. Parents can set appropriate move goals through Family Setup.
4. Breathe (Mindfulness)
Teaching kids to calm down and breathe is invaluable. The Breathe app uses gentle animations and haptic feedback to guide breathing exercises. Kids can start with one-minute sessions and build up. The gamification through streaks and achievements makes mindfulness feel like an accomplishment.
5. Infinity Loop
A calming puzzle game where kids rotate pieces to connect loops. The satisfying click when pieces connect and the endless variety of puzzles keep children engaged. No time pressure means kids can solve at their own pace. The minimalist design is visually clean and non-overwhelming.
6. Wokamon
Kids walk to hatch cute monsters. The collecting aspect appeals to children, and the step-based progression encourages physical activity. While there are some in-app purchases, the core experience is free and engaging. The cute creature designs appeal strongly to younger children.
7. Timery for Shortcuts
Older kids can use this timer app to gamify homework and chores. Set focused work sessions and track time spent on different activities. The visual progress and time tracking help kids develop time management skills in an engaging way.
8. Peak - Brain Training
Quick brain training games that work well for older children. Memory challenges, math problems, and focus exercises are presented as fun mini-games. The short session format (30 seconds to 2 minutes) is perfect for the watch, and progress tracking shows improvement over time.
Tips for Parents
Use Screen Time settings to limit game access during school hours or bedtime. Apple's Family Setup lets you approve or reject app downloads, preventing surprise purchases. Consider enabling Ask to Buy so children must request permission before downloading new games.
For more gaming options beyond kids-specific titles, check out our guide to free Apple Watch games and the best Apple Watch games overall.
Want games for the whole family? Explore cute Apple Watch games or cozy games for Apple Watch that all ages can enjoy.