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| Talking about games together can make play feel more open and shared at home. |
By Juli Scarr, a parent and special education teacher who pays close attention to how games fit into everyday family life.
Gaming is something many families share, but it can also feel confusing if it is new to you. For some kids, games are a place to relax, connect, or feel confident. For adults, it can raise questions about time, spending, and online interactions. Bridging that gap often starts with conversation, not just settings.
Xbox recently partnered with clinical psychologist and parenting expert Dr. Becky Kennedy to share practical ways parents and caregivers can stay involved with their kids’ gaming. Her approach focuses less on cutting play off and more on understanding it, with small ideas that are easy to try at home.
If you are managing more than one platform at home, we have also put together guides for the Xbox Family Settings Guide for Kids and Parents, the PlayStation Family App Guide for Kids and Parents, and the Nintendo Switch 2 Parental Controls App Guide. Those walk through the technical side. This article focuses more on the day-to-day side.
Start With Curiosity, Not Assumptions
One of Dr. Becky’s most useful points is also one of the simplest. Before trying to change how your child plays, take a little time to understand why they enjoy it.
That can be as basic as asking what they like about a game, who they play with, or what they are working toward. Sitting nearby while they play, even for a few minutes, can lead to natural conversations. You do not need to understand every control or reference. Showing interest is often enough.
Games like Minecraft are a good example. To an adult, it might look repetitive or unstructured. To a kid, it can be about creativity, control, or building something that feels familiar. When you ask questions instead of jumping to conclusions, kids usually feel more supported.
What Favourite Games Can Tell You
The games kids return to can reflect what they need or enjoy in that moment. Some are drawn to open-ended creativity. Others prefer teamwork, clear goals, or routines they can count on.
Dr. Becky points out that paying attention to these patterns can offer a window into what your child enjoys, without needing to overthink it. A kid who loves cooperative games may value connection. Someone who replays the same level might enjoy the comfort of mastery and knowing what comes next.
You do not need to analyse any of this like a report card. Simply noticing and acknowledging what your child likes can make it easier to talk about gaming without it turning into an argument.
Why Boundaries Still Matter
Being curious does not mean removing limits. Clear boundaries can help gaming fit into the rest of the day, especially when school, homework, meals, and sleep are also in the mix.
Dr. Becky emphasizes that boundaries tend to work best when they are set before play begins and applied consistently. When kids know what to expect, it is easier for them to handle transitions. That might look like a daily playtime limit, a no-games-after-bedtime rule, or clear expectations around who they can talk to online.
On Xbox, these boundaries can be supported with built-in tools like screen time limits, content filters, and communication settings. If you want a step-by-step walkthrough of those tools, our Xbox Family Settings Guide for Kids and Parents pairs well with the ideas in this article.
Games Families Often Enjoy Together
Shared play can also keep conversations open. A lot of families find it easier to chat during or after a game than during a formal sit-down.
Here are a few games that are often a good fit for family play:
- Minecraft
- Mario Kart World
- LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
- Overcooked 2
- Rocket League
The goal is not to turn every session into a lesson. It is about creating moments where gaming feels shared, even if it is only once in a while.
Supporting Healthy Play Across Platforms
Every household looks different. Some families stick to one console. Others juggle multiple systems across siblings, shared rooms, or different friend groups.
If that sounds familiar, you may find it helpful to compare how each platform handles family tools. Alongside our Xbox guide, we have also published a PlayStation Family App Guide for Kids and Parents and a Nintendo Switch 2 Parental Controls App Guide. Each one covers similar concerns, just through a different system’s settings and apps.
Gaming does not have to feel like a constant back-and-forth. With curiosity, a few clear boundaries, and the right tools in place, it can become another way families connect. What is one game your kid never seems to get tired of, and what do you think they like most about it?