The 8 Gaming Genres Kids Love and Why They Choose Them

Just about everyone loves to play games. Whether it’s a family board game, a simple phone app, or a massive, online role-playing game, there’s a style of game for everyone (and every mood).

And this is one reason kids love Roblox. Instead of downloading dozens of apps, they have a huge variety of gaming choices on this one platform. In just one hour, your child can jump from role-playing as a restaurant owner to flying around like a bird. Then switch from solving a puzzle with their best friend to trying to survive a volcanic eruption. 

But even with the millions of games to choose from, most kids find a favorite. If not a favorite game, then a favorite style or genre. What is your child’s favorite gaming genre? And what does their preferred style of gameplay say about them? Let’s dig into the details! 

The 8 Most Popular Gaming Genres

There are many, many types of games. And within each type or “genre”, there are even more sub-genres. Roblox games often span multiple genres. But almost all games have one, overarching style.
 

Want to learn more about your child’s favorite? Here are the eight most common (and popular) gaming genres.

1. Adventure

Does your kiddo love a good story? Then they’ll enjoy adventure-style games! 

Adventure games center on moving the main character (the player) through its storyline. As the player progresses, they must complete objectives and reach certain milestones to move on to the next chapter. 

These games often come with their own set of lore and world-building. And a player’s choices may or may not affect the outcome (depending on the game’s complexity).

Adventure subgenres: Linear Story, Stealth Horror, Survival 

Roblox gaming examples: Booga Booga, Banana Eats, Nightmares

2. Strategy

Strategy games are great for when your child is looking for a challenge. In these games, success depends on having a plan of action and making skillful decisions. 

Players have ultimate control over strategy game worlds and their resources. Often, strategy games take a lot of resource management to achieve the end goal. You can’t just spend your resources as soon as you get them. You need to save for the next, better level in order to win. And that means these games require optimized decision-making and strategic planning skills.

Strategy subgenres: Grand Strategy Games, Tower Defense

Roblox gaming examples: Rise of Nations, World Defenders

3. Role Playing

Role-playing games are insanely popular — and for good reason. They drop you and your customized character into detailed worlds with immersive storylines. As you play, you level up — learning new skills so you’re better able to complete the game’s many challenges. 

If you are familiar with Dungeons and Dragons, then you understand role-playing games. They’re like a virtual D&D game, but on a larger scale — bigger worlds, way more people, and a seemingly never-ending experience.  

Role playing subgenres: MMORPG, Open World RPG, Roguelite

Roblox gaming examples: Vesteria, King Legacy, Islands

4. Sports

Sports games have been around for a while. And there are plenty of them on Roblox to help your child learn video game basics or the ins and outs of a new sport. 

All sports games center around players participating in a sporting event — either based on real-life favorites like football and basketball or an imaginary sport, like Quidditch. And the quick movements and high activity of this genre are great for honing a player’s psychomotor skills. 

Sports subgenres: Fighters, Racing, Team Sports

Roblox gaming examples: Football Fusion, Boxing League, Legends of Speed

5. Puzzle

Puzzle games are a popular category for many gamers. There’s just something incredibly satisfying about finding a pattern or finally solving a challenge. 

Whether they’re using clues to uncover a mystery, answering trivia questions, or practicing patterns during a rhythm game, puzzles come with a lot of skills — including critical thinking, pattern recognition, and improved working memory.

Puzzle subgenres: Logic, Rhythm, Social Deduction, Trivia, Word Game 

Roblox gaming examples: Crewmates, RoBeats, Shovelware’s Brain Game

6. Simulation

If you hear the term “simulation games”, you likely think of The Sims. Today’s simulation games are similar, though often more focused on just a single element of daily life — like working a job, raising a garden, or flying a plane.

In these popular games, you travel through online worlds participating in virtual activities that mimic real life. These games can be a great way to practice real-world skills like budgeting and basic entrepreneurial skills. 

Simulation subgenres: Animal Sim, Life Sim, MilSim, Physics Sim, Tycoon, Vehicle Sim

Roblox gaming examples: Yellowstone, Ragdoll Simulator, Restaurant Tycoon

7. Action

Action games are all about overcoming a challenge (or series of challenges). The player may need to battle increasingly difficult enemies (aka bosses) or stealthily discover weapons to help them defeat other players. 

Obbys are a popular type of action game. These virtual obstacle courses require a player’s avatar to jump, climb, and run through a map until they reach the end of the course.

As a general rule, if a game’s primary skills practice falls under the psychomotor skills umbrella, it’s likely an action game. 

Action subgenres: Brawler, Obby, Stealth, Shooters

Roblox gaming examples: SharkBite, Phantom Forces, Speed Run 4

8. Casual

Casual games are all about social interaction and fun! These are your brain-break games that you wind down with at the end of a long day. 

The game mechanics in casual games are simple and inviting for players of all levels. But the real draw is often the social interaction. So, even though your child is not stretching their mind when playing these games, they are still learning and practicing loads of social skills. 

Casual subgenres: Arcade, Lounge, Party

Roblox gaming examples: Bloxburg, Climb 1000 Stairs, Epic Mini Games

What’s your child’s gaming style?

While reading the previous section, you likely saw some of your kiddo’s favorite game styles. Did they look familiar? Does your child gravitate to one main type of game?

What’s most likely is that their preferences change based on their mood and situation. On the weekends, when they have more time, they may choose more complex games that focus on leveling up their characters or building a business. And after homework time, they are more likely to choose games that help them relax and unwind. 

And sometimes a brand new game may become their obsession for weeks on end. 

All of that is totally normal. And part of what makes a platform like Roblox so great. No matter their mood or current favorite gaming style, they can find something that fits. And almost always it will fall into one of three different gameplay categories:

• Deep work
• Exciting 
• Meditative

Deep Work

When your child chooses this style of gameplay, they’re ready and looking for a challenge. Games that require deep work are often set in immersive and rich environments — either based in real life or complex fantasy worlds. 

This style of gameplay encourages your child to think critically while also stretching their imagination.

Skills, abilities, and mindsets built inside these games:

• Deep concentration
• Attention to detail 
• Pattern recognition skills
• Management skills 

Game types that fall into this category:

• Strategy
• Adventure
• Role Playing
• Simulation
• Puzzle

Exciting

Exciting games move quickly and tend to be very stimulating. Have a rambunctious kiddo? They likely gravitate towards this style of gameplay.

But great news — these games often require a deep understanding of how things work. And this knowledge can easily be applied to at-home activities that require hands-on building — giving your high-energy child even more ways to learn and find their focus.

Skills, abilities, and mindsets built inside these games:

• Attention to detail 
• Ability to adapt quickly
• Filtering information in a fast-paced environment
• Tenacity and resilience
• Long term and working memory 

Game types that fall into this category:

• Sports
• Adventure
• Role Playing
• Simulation
• Action

Meditative

Ah, relaxing. Meditative games are exactly like they sound. They tend to be predictable, providing a sense of comfort and success. And they’re often also social in nature. 

Kids who prefer these games may be stressed or tired from a long day, or are possibly just craving the extra social time. And these games allow their brain to rest and relax.

Skills, abilities, and mindsets built inside these games:

• Social skills
• Pattern recognition
• Confidence
• Creativity
• Importance of rest

Game types that fall into this category:

• Puzzle
• Casual
• Role Playing
• Simulation
• Sports

Making Time for Learning, Play, and Rest with Kinjo 

There are so many games to choose from, it can feel overwhelming! But with Kinjo, your child can find exactly the type of game they need to complement their mood and their day. 

And best of all — every game type we’ve discussed today comes with a side of learning built right in. Yes, even the casual and meditative games!

At Kinjo, we believe in the learning power of games. We take time to review, classify, and rate a game’s complexity to help you and your child find the best Roblox games for fun and learning. 

And now, you can discover your kiddo’s current favorite gaming style and unlock new learning insights with Kinjo! The first step — download the app to your child’s IOS device. AND soon, you can sign up for our Weekly Parent Insights email.

Then sit back and discover the learning (while they enjoy the fun) with Kinjo!