The PlayStation guide to gaming for busy moms & dads
Struggling to find time for games now that you have kids? Moms, dads & guardians from PlayStation share tips for balancing responsible parenting and a love of gaming
Short PS4 and PS5 games you can finish in a weekend
Not got the headspace for a 60-hour open-world epic? Check out these more manageable adventures
Erica
Immerse yourself in a dangerous underworld in this pioneering interactive thriller, where you reach into the game world and take control of the action.
Typical completion time: 2-3 hours
Astro's Playroom
Embark on a nostalgic, bite-sized platforming romp that explores the innovative features of the PlayStation 5 console and Dualsense wireless controller.
Typical completion time: 4-5 hours
Resident Evil 3
The 2020 remake of the survival horror classic packs a massive amount of action into a manageable running time.
Typical completion time: 6-7 hours
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
The acclaimed 2018 adventure respects your spare time, offering thrilling set-pieces and breathless cinematic action with zero filler.
Typical completion time: 8-9 hours
Concrete Genie
It won't take weeks to complete this charming adventure, but Ash's journey and his mischievous Genies will stay with you long after the credits roll.
Typical completion time: 5-6 hours
The Last Campfire
Immerse yourself in a compact story-driven adventure, set in a charming world rich with exploration and puzzle solving.
Typical completion time: 5-6 hours
PS5 system features are here to help
PS5 console UI features such as Activities and Game Help let you enjoy games at your own speed
Activities
Short on time? Browse the activity cards in your PS5 console’s Control Center and jump straight into specific missions, modes, quests and more.
Game Help
Stuck and need a little help in a game? For select titles, PlayStation Plus members can pull up the Game Help feature in the Control Center and access hints and tips.
Share Play
The Share Play feature (PlayStation Plus membership required) allows you to virtually ‘pass the controller’ to another online player on your friends list and have them take control for up to an hour. Perfect if you need someone to step in during a diaper change!
Tip: Don’t be ashamed to turn on Easy Mode!
Determined to experience the latest epic single-player adventure title like The Last of Us pt. 2, God of War or Days Gone, but keen to condense the experience to fit your busy schedule? Don’t be ashamed to dial down the difficulty.
Many blockbuster action titles featured an array of difficulty and accessibility options that allow you to customise the experience to meet your needs.
Pick-up-and-play PS4 & PS5 games you can enjoy in short bursts
With youngsters around you never know when you might have 30 minutes to spare to grab a controller. These great games are perfect for a quick blast.
Returnal
The explosive PS5 roguelike adventure is custom-built for extreme replayability, with a condensed gameplay loop that changes every time.
More like this: Deathloop
Rocket League
This high-octane hybrid of arcade-style football and vehicular mayhem is just the ticket if you’re after a couple of quick matches before bedtime.
More like this: Destruction AllStars
Dreams
Media Molecule’s community-focused DIY confection lets you browse a near-endless stream of snackable, user-created mini-games and experiences.
More like this: LittleBigPlanet 3
Call of Duty: Warzone
In Warzone™, the constantly evolving free-to-play battle royale experience, you can engage in an intense firefight in 30 minutes or less, so jump in for a quick session!
More like this: Apex Legends
Get familiar with Parental Controls
Use PS4 and PS5’s intuitive Parental Controls to ensure your kids can only access suitable content - and they can even help you manage your own playtime and spending.
Set age restrictions for games, Blu-ray Discs and DVDs.
Manage how long family members can play each day.
Disable chat, messaging and content sharing.
Set monthly spending limits for digital downloads.
Great games to help you relax and unwind
Kids safely in bed? Put your feet up, grab a controller and clear your head with one of these relaxing experiences
Tetris Effect
Put your finely-honed tidying-up skills to good use with this breathtaking reinvention of the classic puzzle game, featuring shimmering visuals, an unforgettable score and classic gameplay.
ABZU
Escape the real world and explore the turquoise depths in this meditative underwater adventure from the co-creators of chill-out classic Journey.
Ghost of Tsushima
This stunning open-world adventure has an involving, all-action campaign to tackle, but equally feel free to just take in the scenery, commune with nature and even pen a few haikus.
PGA Tour 2K21
Sure, golf is not for everyone, but its devotees insist there are few things more peaceful than a leisurely 18 holes, and PGA Tour 2K21 delivers a pitch-perfect simulation.
Don’t wake up the kids – pick up a PULSE 3D™ wireless headset
Seizing the opportunity to fit in a bit of gaming time after the kids are in bed? A quality set of headphones will both elevate your gaming experience, help you relax more quickly, and ensure your children’s sleep is not interrupted.
Compatible with both PS4 and PS5 consoles, the PULSE 3D wireless headset features a comfortable, refined design with dual noise-cancelling microphones and a built-in battery for up to 12 hours wireless play.
It also includes easy-access controls that let you quickly turn down the volume or instantly mute your mic - handy if kids are coming and going.
Don’t wake up the kids – pick up a PULSE 3D wireless headset
Seizing the opportunity to fit in a bit of gaming time after the kids are in bed? A quality set of headphones will both elevate your gaming experience, help you relax more quickly, and ensure your children’s sleep is not interrupted.
Compatible with both PS4 and PS5 consoles, the PULSE 3D wireless headset features a comfortable, refined design with dual noise-cancelling microphones and a built-in battery for up to 12 hours wireless play.
It also includes easy-access controls that let you quickly turn down the volume or instantly mute your mic - handy if kids are coming and going.
Great games to play with your kids…
Playing games together is a great way to bond with your children over a shared interest
Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Up to four-players can team up to tackle the vibrant, compact levels in this bright, brilliant and eminent family-friendly platforming adventure.
Minecraft
The phenomenally successful sandbox adventure is perfect for constructive parent-child playtime. Grab a couple of controllers and start building your own little universe.
Crash Team Racing Nitro Fueled
This classy revamp of the madcap PS2-era kart racer delivers hours of couch multiplayer fun for all the family.
Cat Quest II
Jump into a fantasy realm of cats and dogs in this 2D open-world action-RPG. Explore together in local co-op in a family-friendly adventure filled with magic and monsters!
...and great games to play with your partner
Unwind together at the end of a busy day with these acclaimed cooperative games
...and great games to play with your partner
Unwind together at the end of a busy day with these acclaimed cooperative games
It Takes Two
In which a squabbling couple must work together to patch up their faltering relationship after they are transformed into dolls by a magic spell.
A Way Out
Team up with your partner in this thrilling co-op adventure which see two brothers staging an audacious jail break. Work together to solve puzzles, escape the authorities and find freedom!
Until Dawn
Miss going to the cinema to catch the latest horror movie? Narrative-driven adventure Until Dawn is perfect for a spooky stay-at-home date-night.
The Sims 4
Roadtest a few parenting strategies in this sandbox life-sim classic where you create your own virtual family and mould their destiny.
How to make your gaming budget go further
Household budget reprioritised? Explore free-to-play games, or consider a subscription service to get maximum value from your disposable income
PlayStation Plus
Not only does PlayStation Plus include a curated selection of monthly games to enjoy at no extra cost, but it also gives you access to online multiplayer. Playing together online is a great way to stay in touch with friends when parenting responsibilities make it harder to meet up regularly.
PlayStation Plus
Not only does PlayStation Plus include a curated selection of monthly games to enjoy at no extra cost, but it also gives you access to online multiplayer. Playing together online is a great way to stay in touch with friends when parenting responsibilities make it harder to meet up regularly.
PlayStation Now
Gain instant access to hundreds of PlayStation games on PS5, PS4 or Windows PC, with new titles added every month. One-month, three-month and 12-month subscriptions available.
PlayStation Now
Gain instant access to hundreds of PlayStation games on PS5, PS4 or Windows PC, with new titles added every month. One-month, three-month and 12-month subscriptions available.
Free-to-play games
There’s a wealth of great titles available now from PlayStation Store that are free to download and start playing, including acclaimed shooters like Fortnite, Apex Legends and Call of Duty Warzone.
Nostalgic PS4 and PS5 games to school your kids with
Give your youngsters a gaming education with these revamped classics
Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy
Turns out they do make them like they used to. This great-value package gives the classic Crash Bandicoot trilogy a 21st-century makeover, without losing the charm of the originals.
Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 & 2
Finally a game you can beat your kids at. Developer Vicarious Visions Activision went to town revamping the iconic skating game, right down to the ripping soundtrack.
Shadow of the Colossus
Team ICO’s melancholic adventure is a seminal title for a certain breed of millennial gamer, and the lavish 2018 remake presents the perfect opportunity to relive the experience with your youngsters.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
This classic PS2 RPG was a formative experience for a generation of gamers. Bring your kids up to speed via the epic 2020 remake, complete with cutting edge cinematic visuals and updated gameplay.
