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Best Animal Games for Kids

Kids love animals. And these great video games let them do everything from care for virtual pets to go on a scuba diving adventure. This list of games for Xbox, PS4, Wii, Nintendo DS, PC, and more will appeal to any creature-loving kid, from dog and cat lovers to safari enthusiasts. You can start a zoo, become a vet, or even join a wolf pack from your own living room. All the fun with none of the fur to clean up: What's not to like? For more animal fun on the go, be sure to check out our list of animal-lover apps for mobile.

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Little Touch: Animal Dance Poster Image
GAME

Little Touch: Animal Dance

age 2+

Introduces motor skills, rhythm, and animals.

Platforms: Little Touch LeapPad (2003)
Bob the Builder: Can-Do Zoo Poster Image
GAME

Bob the Builder: Can-Do Zoo

age 3+

Help zoo animals in educational downloadable game.

Platforms: Windows , Mac (2008)
Alba: A Wildlife Adventure Poster Image
GAME

Alba: A Wildlife Adventure

age 5+

Charming, relaxing adventure game with positive message.

Animal Genius Poster Image
GAME

Animal Genius

age 5+

Seamlessly incorporates learning into fun gaming.

Platforms: Windows , Mac (2008)
Endless Ocean Poster Image
GAME

Endless Ocean

age 5+

Engaging scuba-diving simulation with no danger.

Platforms: Nintendo Wii (2008)
Fantastic Pets Poster Image
GAME

Fantastic Pets

age 5+

Kinect-enabled sim brings pets into the living room.

Platforms: Xbox 360 (2011)
LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Super Animal Genius Poster Image
GAME

LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Super Animal Genius

age 5+

Explore the animal world through fun games and quizzes.

Platforms: LeapFrog games (2013)
A Bird Story Poster Image
GAME

A Bird Story

age 7+

Short but emotionally powerful story told without words.

Platforms: Linux , Mac , Windows (2014)
Animal Kingdom: Wildlife Expedition Poster Image
GAME

Animal Kingdom: Wildlife Expedition

age 7+

Educational safari game has a strong conservation theme.

Platforms: Nintendo Wii (2009)
Nintendogs + Cats Poster Image
GAME

Nintendogs + Cats

age 7+

Super pet sim adds cats, 3D, and other new features.

Platforms: Nintendo 3DS (2011)
Pet Vet 3D: Wild Animal Hospital Poster Image
GAME

Pet Vet 3D: Wild Animal Hospital

age 7+

Kids heal sick African animals in easy vet sim.

Platforms: Windows (2007)
SimAnimals Poster Image
GAME

SimAnimals

age 7+

You play as the hand of nature in this fabulous forest sim.

Platforms: Nintendo Wii , Nintendo DS (2009)
Animal Crossing: New Leaf Poster Image
GAME

Animal Crossing: New Leaf

age 8+

Cute town sim about friendship and spending virtual money.

Platforms: Nintendo 3DS (2013)
Fish Tycoon Poster Image
GAME

Fish Tycoon

age 8+

An excellent aquarium simulation game.

Platforms: Nintendo DS , Windows (2006)
Harvest Moon: Animal Parade Poster Image
GAME

Harvest Moon: Animal Parade

age 8+

Cute role-playing adventure with farming at its core.

Platforms: Nintendo Wii (2009)
Kinect Nat Geo TV Poster Image
GAME

Kinect Nat Geo TV

age 8+

Nature-themed interactive TV software puts kids in the show.

Platforms: Xbox 360 (2012)
Mekazoo Poster Image
GAME

Mekazoo

age 8+

Fun arcade side-scrolling platformer for young and old.

Platforms: PlayStation 4 , Windows , Xbox One (2016)
Star Stable Poster Image
GAME

Star Stable

age 8+

Girls can ride, care for horses; game missing many features.

Platforms: Mac , Windows (2012)
Viva Piñata (Xbox 360) Poster Image
GAME

Viva Piñata (Xbox 360)

age 8+

Amazing ecosystem simulation is full of eye-candy.

Platforms: Xbox 360 (2006)
Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise Poster Image
GAME

Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise

age 8+

Portable ecosystem as lush as the console version.

Platforms: Nintendo DS (2008)