Games kids can play together on one screen
Not all screen time is the same. A child alone with a tablet and four children arguing happily round one are doing very different things.
What to look for
- Everyone on one device So they are looking at each other as well as the screen.
- Short rounds One or two minutes. Natural stopping points make "last game" easier.
- No reading So younger siblings can join in.
- A way to level the field A handicap or helper for the youngest, like Easy help in Marble Rumble.
- No chat, adverts or purchases Nothing to supervise.
Games that fit
- Marble Rumble Up to four flick marbles from their own corner. Rounds last a minute. We make Marble Rumble, so of course it is on this list. Everything else here is someone else’s game, and we have no connection to any of them.
- Minigame collections Apps such as 2 3 4 Player Games offer dozens of short contests.
- Board game apps Ludo, snakes and ladders and draughts all work passed round a table.
- Drawing and guessing games One draws on the screen, the rest guess.
Making it work
- Lay the tablet flat On a table or the floor, so nobody "holds" it.
- Winner stays on, loser swaps out With more children than places.
- Agree the number of games first Best of five, then something else.
More game ideas
- 12 games to play with real marbles
- Flicking games from around the world
- 20 indoor party games for kids
- All game guides
Common questions
Is playing together on one tablet better than playing alone?
It is more sociable: children talk, take turns, negotiate and celebrate together. Many parents find it easier to manage than solo play.
What tablet games can siblings of different ages play together?
Look for simple controls and a handicap. In Marble Rumble a younger child can switch on Easy help for their own corner.
Ready to flick?
Marble Rumble is free, runs in the browser and needs no account or download.