GIFT GUIDE: Top 5 Children’s XBOX Games All The Family Will Love

Got any budding gamers in your home? Chances are the answer is a resounding YES! Don't worry, instead of them disappearing into a darkened room for the entire Christmas period, here are a few brilliant games you can all play together this year. No excuse not to hang out together as a family now!

Minecraft

Despite first coming out in 2011, Minecraft is still one of the most special games out there for your child. It's an open world sandbox-style game that'll foster incredible creativity. Kids can explore the world and use building blocks to customise everything around them, then build anything they can dream up.

It's really easy to pick up and play, but deep enough that they can become master builders to their heart's content. And a great game for them to teach parents how to play so everyone can all get creative together.

LEGO Dimensions

There was always going to be a LEGO game on the list. LEGO Dimensions is a toys-to-life game, meaning that it comes with a build-it-yourself portal and some LEGO Minifigs, when you scan them on the portal, they appear inside the game.

It's got all of LEGO's licensed properties too, including Lord of the Rings, Jurassic Park, DC Comics, Adventure Time, Ghostbusters, The A-Team, and more. The story is fun and full of educational value. It's possible to buy all sorts of expansion packs but make sure you know what you're getting into first.

Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare

Plants vs Zombies may sound unappealing, but this comedic, cartoonish shooter will be okay for slightly older kids and younger teens. Picture plants shooting peas, cactus needles and planting potato mines. It's full of fun modes and charming characters, which will keep your little ones and your big ones entertained for hours. Minecraft: Story Mode

That Minecraft is on this list twice is testament to just how amazing it is for kids. This game, in particular, injects a narrative into the Minecraft universe, introducing characters and a plot that had not existed before. It's a downloadable episodic game, which means so you can download an episode at a time, so it allows you to spread the costs of the games over a few months – hopefully.

Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq0_dGKx4Os

This is a movement game set within Disney's beautiful world of Fantasia, allowing the player to become a musical conductor by simply waving their hands at the music. It uses the Xbox One S Kinect Camera to sense movement – which is pretty cool. You really feel like you're controlling everything the music, from Bohemian Rhapsody to Mozart while getting a little physical action too. A win-win for everyone in the family (especially around Christmas-time).

This article is brought to you by Microsoft Microsoft devices offer the best of entertainment and productivity, combined in the sleekest of devices for year round enjoyment for the family. Not everyone can spend holidays with their loved ones but, today technology helps us all stay connected, no matter where in the world we are. Microsoft acknowledges the importance of helping people stay connected and have given an Arctic researcher the perfect gift this Christmas – his family! Shop Microsoft Surface Pro 4 and Microsoft holiday gifts instore and online at selected retailers nationwide including Harvey Norman, PC World and Curry’s, Powercity and DID. Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is also available at microsoftstore.ie.