From getting lost in Shadow of the Colossus to finding our way in Journey, games underline the importance of the spaces in which we play. Other games let us experience our connection to the environment by adventuring in it. Then there are games of dire warning that let us step into a future where humanity is all but disconnected from the wider environment and hangs on just by a thread. One family told us about Final Fantasy 7 Remake's commentary on corporations and ecology. Other games, like The Wandering Village underline how our location in the world impacts on us and others. Or it can be how a game like Eco establishes the connection between your actions and the other aspects of the environment.

This might be how a game like Terra Nil makes the land itself a character in the experience. As she quotes, “games of environmental responsibility animate our capacity to respond, to affect and be affected, to engage with others: other species, other people, and the otherness of our own planet.” They offer a chance to consider play from an ecological perspective. The games in this list take inspiration from Alenda Chang’s Playing Nature book. These games encourage players to consider the impact of their actions on the environment, as well as their interconnectedness to the world in which they live. There are, however, many games that offer quite the reverse. It’s easy to assume that video games are all about building big cities or running successful economies. These games, together with some screen-free time in the lead up to sleep are a great way for children to develop healthy bedtime habits. Some, like Flower or Alto’s Adventure, create calm with simple repetition of tasks and process in a world where the sun slowly sets. Others, like Frost or Lifelike, offer gentle, tranquil interactions to still the mind and escape the world. Some of them are ideal to play right before sleeping and even let you turn off the screen to listen along when you are finished interacting. These are playful ways to calm the brain, ease anxiety and generally get little heads ready to rest. It creates mindfulness experiences for children to “enjoy calmer day times and quicker bedtimes”. We have worked with Moshi Sleep on this list of games and apps that are a great way to help children wind down as they transition to night time. While these offer a wide range of benefits, it can be good to transition to something less energetic as the day draws to a close. Children love to play exuberant and exciting video games with their friends.

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