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Ad-free games for kids - how to check they are safe

Free games for children often make money from ads. Before your child starts playing, it is worth spending five minutes checking a few things. Here is the list we use ourselves when designing YourPet.

The YourPet team4 min read

A grey wolf cub holding a golden shield with a heart

Why are ads in kids’ games a problem?

Ads in free games interrupt play, often push children to install more apps and are sometimes tailored to the player’s interests. A young child cannot always tell an ad from the game - tapping a colourful button can take them off the site or open an app store. That is why “no ads” is one of the first things parents look for in a game.

6 things to check before your child starts playing

01

Does the game have ads, and what are they like?

Play it yourself for a few minutes. Look out for video ads between rounds, banners next to buttons and rewards “for watching an ad”, which teach children that ads are worth watching.

02

Can my child message strangers?

Chat, private messages, comments, other players’ profiles and friend requests are all doors to contact with strangers. In a game for a younger child, it is best if they are not there at all.

03

Can real money be spent?

Check whether the game sells anything for real money and who approves the purchase. On a phone, it is worth turning on a password or parental approval for every app store purchase.

04

Are there loot boxes?

Paid boxes with a random reward, known as loot boxes, work much like gambling: you pay without knowing what you will get. In a game for children, every purchase should have contents known in advance.

05

What data does the game collect?

Read the privacy policy. Check who creates the account, whether the game asks for a name, a photo or a location, and whether it asks for consent to cookies instead of assuming it.

06

What age is the game for?

Games in app stores have an age rating - in Europe it is usually PEGI. It is a good starting point, but nothing beats playing the first round together.

A short checklist for parents

  1. No ads, or ads that do not interrupt play.
  2. No chat and no contact with strangers.
  3. Purchases only with an adult’s approval.
  4. No paid random rewards.
  5. A clear privacy policy and an account created by an adult.
  6. An age rating that suits your child.

How does YourPet measure up?

When designing YourPet, we went through this list point by point:

  • We do not show third-party ads - neither in the games nor in pet care.
  • There is no chat, no messages and no profiles of other users. All mini-games are single-player.
  • In-game coins are earned by playing and cannot be exchanged for real money.
  • Paid items are bought with Paws, and only an adult can buy them - on the website they confirm they are an adult in the payment window, in the app they pay through the App Store or Google Play.
  • There are no loot boxes - you always see what you are buying before you pay.
  • The account is created by an adult, and the child plays on the parent’s account. We do not sell data or profile children for advertising.

You will find the details in Child safety and the Parent zone. If you are choosing a virtual pet, also read A virtual pet for your child: what to look out for.

Ad-free games you can play straight away

In YourPet you can play 14 animal games in the Park, on the Beach and in the Mountains without an account. With an account, you also get the games in the pet panel, including 9 educational games with a narrator.

Frequently asked questions

Can free games for kids be ad-free?

Yes, if the makers earn money another way: paid extras, a subscription or a one-off price. It is worth checking how a game pays for itself - then it is easier to judge what your child will see in it.

How can I limit ads and purchases on my child’s phone?

Turn on parental controls: Google Family Link on Android, Screen Time on iPhone. They let you approve purchases and installs and set time limits. Games that work offline usually do not load ads in airplane mode.

Does YourPet have ads?

We do not show third-party ads, neither in the games nor in pet care. We do not sell data or profile children for advertising.

What are loot boxes?

Paid boxes with random contents - you pay without knowing what you will get. This mechanic resembles gambling, which is why YourPet does not have it.