Shopping for kids in middle school can be extremely difficult. While some of them are still playing with toys, others have grown out of that phase. But plenty of middle school kids love video games. And if you’re on the hunt for age-appropriate, fun options, we’ve found Pokémon, hockey and Mario-themed games they’ll love.
We’ve found options for Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, too. So, depending on their gaming system, there’s truly something for every kid!
Top Video Games for Kids in Middle School
- Parkour Play: Rooftops & Alleys Dual Pack Edition is a PS5 game that lets your kid live out their parkour dreams. Jump between buildings, flip over cars and master new tricks. Meanwhile, it allows for up to four players, making it the perfect sleepover game — $32
- Hoop Dreams: Designed for Xbox Series X, NBA 2K25 brings basketball games to life with ProPLAY, which lets you face off alongside your favorite NBA superstars. Needless to say, it’s any sports fan’s fantasy — $8
- Pokémon Trainer: Pokémon Legends: Z-A for Nintendo Switch is all about training to be the very best! Enabling players to battle on the streets of Lumiose City, it’s a deeply immersive experience for Pokémon enthusiasts — $60
- Fantastical: With incredible art and fantastical elements, Dragon Quest VII for PS5 provides an adventurous, imaginative experience. From exploring ancient ruins to battling colorful monsters, players will face all kinds of challenges — $60
- Speed is Your Game: Sonic Racing is a dynamic Xbox game for kids of any age. Pick from 23 characters and battle it out through multiple dimensions. Just don’t let Dr. Eggman win! — $40
- Dance it Out: Whether they’re an aspiring choreographer or just love a physical challenge, Just Dance 2026 for Nintendo Switch is a blast for all ages. And don’t forget to hit those Gold Moves — $30
- Need For Speed: Another next-level racing game is Fast & Furious: Arcade Edition. This PS5 must-have will have you racing through high-intensity tracks alongside top-tier racers — $30
- It’s a Me: Introduce your young ones to the world of Mario. Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 come in a bundle, giving kids some serious adventures alongside all the characters we grew up with. So, let’s a-go! — $69
- Goal: Score some goals, climb up the ladder as a rookie and win the Stanley Cup in NHL 26 for Xbox. Ice skates and mouth guards not included — $45
- Bundle Up: Get the gift of a gaming system plus their new favorite game! Since the PlayStation5 – Fortnite Flowering Chaos Bundle comes with the gaming console, 825GB of storage, V-Bucks and the game itself, it has everything they need to start — $399
