Mobile games can be a wonderful part of childhood: they build reflexes, problem-solving and patience, and they are a lot of fun to share as a family. But not every game is designed with children in mind. As game makers ourselves, we know what to look for — so here is the checklist we would use as parents.
1. Start with the store page
Before installing anything, spend two minutes on the game's page in the app store.
- Content rating. Every game on Google Play has an age rating based on a questionnaire the developer completes. It tells you about content such as violence or scary scenes. It does not tell you about ads or purchases, so keep reading.
- "Contains ads" and "In-app purchases". These labels appear under the game's name. Neither is bad on its own — many free games rely on them — but you should know before your child starts playing.
- The Data safety section. Google Play asks developers to describe what data their app collects and shares, and why. Look for clear, limited answers. A simple game should not need your child's contacts, photos or precise location.
- The developer. Tap the developer's name to see their other apps, website and contact email. A real website and a working contact address are good signs.
- Recent reviews. Sort by "most recent" and look for complaints about aggressive ads, unexpected charges or bugs.
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2. Understand how the game makes money
Free games usually earn money in one or more of these ways:
- Ads between levels. The least intrusive kind appear at natural breaks, not in the middle of play.
- Rewarded ads. The player chooses to watch an ad in exchange for a bonus, such as extra coins. These are optional by design.
- In-app purchases. Coin packs or a one-time "remove ads" purchase are common.
A good children's game makes it clear what is an ad and what is gameplay, never tricks players into tapping ads, and does not make progress impossible without paying.
3. Turn on purchase protection
On Android, open the Google Play Store, go to Settings and look for the option to require authentication for purchases. Set it so that a password or fingerprint is needed for every purchase. This single setting prevents almost all accidental spending.
4. Use parental tools
- Google Play parental controls let you restrict which apps and games can be downloaded based on their content rating.
- Google Family Link lets parents of younger children approve downloads, set screen-time limits and see which apps are used.
- Personalized ads. In your device's Google settings you can reset or delete the advertising ID and limit ad personalization.
5. Play it together first
The best test is simple: play the game for ten minutes yourself, or with your child. You will quickly notice whether ads appear too often, whether the game pushes purchases, and whether the difficulty suits your child. Playing together also turns screen time into shared time — and it is the moment children are most likely to tell you what they love about a game.
6. Watch for healthy habits
Look for games that offer natural stopping points, such as short levels, rather than endless loops designed to keep players going. Daily rewards are fine in moderation; just agree on a time limit together so the game stays a treat rather than a habit that runs the evening.
Our own promise
At Tugrion we try to follow this checklist ourselves. In our games, ads appear only between levels or when a player chooses to watch one for a reward — never during play. Purchases are optional, processed securely by Google Play, and we publish a clear privacy policy for every game. If you ever have a question about one of our games, write to us at info@tugrion.com.
This article is general guidance and not legal or professional advice. Store features and settings can change; check the latest options on your device.
