Gaming is more than playtime. Kid gamers are exploring identity, managing emotions, mastering skills, and building friendships. No surprise then that games can directly impact player well-being.
Games studios know this. What many don’t know is that healthy game design can contribute to their success. Games that support well-being tend to see stronger long-term engagement, closer-knit fan communities, and greater trust from players, parents, and partners.
But studios are fuzzy on what healthy design looks like. They worry it comes at the cost of fun and flow. And those that try it often work on instinct rather than insight.
This design framework can help. It's rooted in how kids actually develop – socially, emotionally, cognitively – and translated into practical guidance for game design.
This framework is grounded in social and emotional learning (SEL), a proven method for teaching kids to understand and manage their feelings, build healthy relationships, make good decisions, and much more.
All skills they need to become capable, confident, and empathetic people.
When game design intentionally fosters SEL, play becomes more than entertainment. It becomes a space where kids can safely explore, experiment, and grow (while still having a great time).
The principles in this framework depend on understanding kids. Not assumptions and gut feelings, but real insights.
Trust us, kids will tell you when something feels forced or reads as fake. They'll show you what sparks joy and what falls flat.
So get them involved before, during, and after development. Create focus groups, test ideas with diverse groups of kids, and treat their input as essential, not optional.
What’s this mean in practice?
Scroll through this slideshow for a quick overview of the principles. In the next section, you’ll find a more detailed explanation.
Some of the principles in this framework shape how the game feels to a child while they're in it. Others focus on what kids take away: the skills, connections, and confidence that extend beyond the screen. Combined, they can steer your team toward healthier game design for kids.
Games create emotions: excitement, pride, frustration, disappointment. That's not a problem. The problem is when games leave kids without support to navigate those feelings.
Healthy game design helps kids recognise and manage the emotions that arise during play. It builds in moments to reset, frames setbacks as part of learning, and rewards effort rather than just outcomes.
What’s this mean in practice?
Kids want to choose, not feel compelled. Healthy game design gives players real control over how they play, when they stop, and what they explore. It avoids mechanics designed to create dependency, and respects kids' time and attention.
What’s this mean in practice?
When games invite curiosity and creativity, kids play for the joy of discovery. Healthy game design taps into intrinsic motivation. It creates worlds worth exploring for their own sake, where imagination drives progress and play itself feels satisfying.
What’s this mean in practice?
Every player is different. Good games meet them where they’re at. Healthy games do too, while also offering multiple ways to play, accommodating different abilities and moods, and ensuring all kids can see themselves reflected in the experience.
What’s this mean in practice?
Healthy games reward learning and discovery over grind. They help kids build real competence and connect what they achieve in-game to confidence outside it. The goal isn't to keep players chasing the next unlock. It's to create moments for growth that feel purposeful.
What’s this mean in practice?
Games are increasingly where kids hang out, make friends, and find belonging. That's a responsibility as much as an opportunity. Healthy game design fosters collaboration and empathy over comparison. It creates environments where kindness is rewarded, teamwork matters, and every player can feel like they belong.
What’s this mean in practice?
This framework is a starting point, not a finish line.
Each principle opens up deeper questions about implementation, trade-offs, and context. It gives you a common language to start the conversation with your team, and acts as a north star when it comes to design principles.
If you'd like help bringing healthy game design principles to your team, get in touch.
