The 10 best exploration games for young children

For children aged 4 to 8, the best exploration game is a world they can find their way around alone, with a reason to keep looking. We rank Jupo World first where exploring leads to learning, Toca Boca World first for open imaginative play, and Sago Mini World first for preschoolers.

How we chose

• A world to move around in, not a menu of games.
• Easy to navigate without reading.
• Something new to find as the child plays.
• Safe: no ads, no chat with strangers, purchases behind a parent.
• What children get from it: imagination, planning, memory or skills.

The list

1. Jupo World

A castle world on a map where children walk around, meet characters and open rooms. Every character brings a game, so exploring leads to memory, logic, movement and feelings games, with no ads and no chat.

• Best for: children who like a world with things to do in it.
• Watch out for: it is guided play, so there is less free building than in open worlds; the full world needs a subscription.

2. Toca Boca World

A huge open world of places and characters where children make up their own stories. Single-player, no chat, no third-party ads.

• Best for: imaginative storytelling.
• Watch out for: many places are in-app purchases.

3. Sago Mini World

More than 20 games for ages 2 to 6, from building robots to exploring space and running a bakery, with offline play.

• Best for: preschoolers.
• Watch out for: older children may want more challenge.

4. Pok Pok

Calm, open-ended toys including a town, a house and islands to explore, for ages 2 to 8, with no text or speech.

• Best for: calm exploration.
• Watch out for: subscription only.

5. Fiete World

A large open play world where children travel by vehicle and invent stories, for ages 4 and up.

• Best for: young children who love vehicles and travel.
• Watch out for: country packs and a membership are in-app purchases.

6. My Town World

All the My Town places in one dollhouse-style world, recommended by the developer for ages 4 to 12, with same-device play for friends.

• Best for: role play across many places.
• Watch out for: only the first locations are free; more are bought one by one.

7. LEGO DUPLO World

Themed LEGO DUPLO play packs with vehicles, animals and trains for young children.

• Best for: young LEGO fans.
• Watch out for: most packs are paid.

8. Dr. Panda Town Tales

A town, a mall and a theme park to explore and role play in, with a character creator.

• Best for: role play and dressing up characters.
• Watch out for: a subscription unlocks most areas.

9. PBS KIDS Games

Free games for ages 2 to 8 with an adventure theme among many others, plus offline downloads.

• Best for: free, varied play.
• Watch out for: a game library more than one world.

10. Minecraft

The open world most older children know, rated PEGI 7 and ESRB Everyone 10+.

• Best for: children 7 and up, ideally with a parent at first.
• Watch out for: online play needs parental controls set up.

Questions parents ask

What is the difference between open world and guided games?

Open worlds give a child places and toys with no goal. Guided games add missions or characters who ask for help. Both are good; they suit different moods.

Which exploration games are safe for a 5 year old?

Single-player worlds with no ads and no chat, such as Jupo World, Toca Boca World, Sago Mini World and Pok Pok, are a good start.

Is Minecraft too old for my child?

Minecraft is rated PEGI 7 and ESRB Everyone 10+. Younger children often enjoy it with an adult, but games built for ages 4 to 7 are easier to play alone.