Although the PlayStation 4 Pro is from the last generation, it’s an excellent console for kids nonetheless—the Pro being the best performing model among the PS4 family. Your children still gain access to most of the games the console has to offer, with only a very small fraction being exclusive to PlayStation 5, making it an affordable alternative.

For starters, the PS4 Pro has extra resources to run games in 4K resolution, providing a huge increase in graphical fidelity. If you’re lacking a 4K TV, it has an optional Boost Mode to use that extra power on improving gameplay. You’ll have ample opportunity to take advantage of it considering the many popular Sony titles available, along with a 1TB hard drive to store plenty of games.

And if you opt for PS Plus, there are free games to add to your library every month. Though the games vary in maturity, parental controls are available to set spending limits and even restrict game content based on game ratings. With that in mind, the PlayStation 4 Pro is the ideal console for kids who desire a wider variety of games.

The Nintendo Switch is easily the go-to console for kids. It’s not only simple to set up but also doubles as a portable handheld. That way, your children have access to entertainment whether you’re on a long family trip or at home. More importantly, purchasing a Nintendo Switch guarantees that up to two people can play as soon as the console is booted up, and a compatible game is inserted. On each side is a controller (a Joy-Con), both of which can be removed and one given to each person to use as a single controller. While the library of games tends to lean towards children, the Nintendo Switch still has a healthy list of more mature titles. Should you wish to hide that content for your kids, there are also parental controls available. The Nintendo Switch is built to include multiple people in on the fun—an excellent choice for a family fun night. It can support up to eight players, after all. So, ditch the board games and pick up a Joy-Con. From party titles to health and fitness, there's something for everyone when you invest in a Nintendo Switch.

Along with the Series X, the Xbox Series S is the latest console generation from Microsoft and a direct competitor to the PlayStation 5. However, the value of the Xbox Series S and its entire ecosystem should not be overlooked. The Xbox Series S takes a much slimmer approach to its 4K-ready sibling, the Xbox Series X.

The Series S is limited to a 1440p resolution. Sure, it isn’t as grand as 4K, but 1440p is still a great visual upgrade from 1080p. Otherwise, the Series S plays every title the Series X can, but at a more affordable cost. It's one of the best game consoles for kids since it doesn't feature a disc tray, meaning discs can't get scratched, smudged, or damaged.

What really drives home the value of the Xbox Series S is access to Xbox Game Pass. It’s a monthly (or yearly) subscription you can opt into that allows access to over 100 games—across Xbox, PC, and mobile devices—without an additional cost. Several games on the list were added the very day they were released, and it continues to grow over time.

The Super NES Classic isn’t quite like its namesake, but it's still a great option for kids who enjoy retro games. There aren’t any cartridges to blow into and insert; instead, it comes with 21 pre-installed games. Many of the titles included are amongst Nintendo’s most popular franchises still developed today. While the Super NES Classic is a huge nostalgic trip for adults, it’s a beautiful way for parents to bond with their children over games they played growing up. It even includes two Super NES Classic controllers to take advantage of multiplayer games. Despite the games being more than two decades old, they’re still colorful and output in HD (with the included HDMI cable). Most importantly, the majority of games are family-friendly, so you won't have to worry about swearing or obscene graphics.

The Fire HD 10 Kids Tablet isn’t technically a game console, but it certainly has the ecosystem and design to accommodate gaming, education, and entertainment. There are thousands of apps available on the Amazon Appstore, both free and available for purchase. Many are ports of popular titles from console and PC.

The Fire HD 10 Kids Tablet itself is a nice 10.1-inches in size. That gives it a big enough screen to be useful as a gaming device. And with access to streaming services, it’s also big enough for children to thoroughly enjoy their favorite TV shows and movies.

The Fire HD 10 Kids Tablet is best utilized as an entertainment and educational device. With access to both games and educational apps, it can double as a preparation tool for children first entering school or refreshing before the summer ends.

For parents who’ve already introduced the Nintendo Switch to their kids, and feel they can be trusted, the Nintendo Switch Lite is the next natural step. It benefits from having the same internal hardware and plays all titles released for the Nintendo Switch and beyond.

The biggest difference is the lack of docking and removable Joy-Con controllers. Since it has a unibody, you won’t have to worry about your kids losing the controllers. And without the docking station, it doesn’t connect to a TV, allowing others to use the television while your kids enjoy their games.

It’s strictly a handheld device. With that said, it’s still very much a multiplayer machine and can support other players with their own Joy-Cons or Nintendo Switch consoles. Ultimately, it’s the same Nintendo Switch but with a more affordable price tag and is available in a multitude of colors.

While the Xbox One S, like the PS4 Pro, is part of the last generation of consoles, it has a fantastic shelf life and is a great game console for kids. It’s best in the hands of someone who is seeking the best deal, especially if you have a bunch of Xbox 360 and original Xbox games collecting dust.

For starters, it has great all-around performance. It isn’t a true 4K gaming console, but it can deliver 1080p, upscaled to 4K with a compatible TV. In addition to HDR, any game played is going to look stunning, crisp, and beautifully colored. Depending on the model, the Xbox One S is capable of holding as much as 2TB of video games.

The Xbox One S also benefits from an optional subscription to Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass and backward compatibility. This is where you can make use of old Xbox 360 and original Xbox games. Should you purchase an Xbox Game Pass subscription, over 100 more games are accessible free of charge. However, it should be noted the Xbox One S houses games of varying maturity. It isn’t explicitly for children but as a parent, you can limit content based on game ratings.