The HTC Vive is a wonderful VR system that has an incredible library of games and other experiences thanks to support through Steam. A lot of VR is based around shooting or scaring the pants off of you — blame it on the gun-like Vive controllers and the immersion level — but there are plenty of great experiences that are also suitable for children.
Remember, it’s never a bad idea to follow the recommended age guidelines set by the manufacturer. In HTC’s case, they recommend 13 and up, but that isn’t set in stone as long as you remain precautionary. For more information on this subject, check out our guide to letting your kids try VR.
Job Simulator
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Getting kids used to VR might not be as tough as you think it is, but it’s never a bad idea to start off slowly. With theBlu, you’re placed underwater in one of three scenarios. The first episode lets you swim with an 80-foot whale, while the second and third episodes put you on the edge of a coral reef and in an abyss.
This is a fantastic Vive experience for anyone still getting their VR-legs or who is simply curious about the wonders of our oceans. You get to sit back, soak it all in, and come out the other side without salt water in your hair. See at Steam
The Lab
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If you played the original game, you probably remember the greasy fingerprints left smeared all over your tablet. Kids and adults alike can’t get enough of this game, and it’s now available for Vive. Fruit Ninja VR puts a razor-sharp katana in each of your hands and launches a bright assortment of fruit at you.
As far as addictive VR games go, this one is at the top of the list thanks to a great soundtrack, a visible score counter, and four different modes of play. It’s simple, it’s bright, and it will keep your kids entertained for hours on end. See at Steam
Destinations
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Putting together orders in a diner is hard work — just ask anyone who’s worked at a real one. Your kids probably aren’t quite ready to start a real job, but that doesn’t mean they can’t slap together a burger or two from the comfort of your living room.
Diner Duo starts out easy (great for a younger crowd) and slowly work up as levels are gained (great for an older crowd). There is local multiplayer where you can play as a server on PC while they’re in the Vive cooking, and you can also go solo — burgers can be tossed or slapped across the diner. With tons of customization options and a great soundtrack, all this game is missing is the new-burger smell. See at Steam
Fantastic Contraption
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It’s experiences like Tiltbrush that really make you realize the potential of VR. It’s a feature-laden art app that lets you and a brush create anything you want in 3D. Have you ever tried to draw a tree on anything other than a piece of paper? It’s tougher than it sounds, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll find it hard to stop drawing. Children are like little bundles of creativity just waiting to explode, so why not give them a futuristic tool before they take it out with fingerpaint on the walls? See at Steam
Vivecraft
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Every kid should, at some point in their life, get to experience the chill and thrill of a full-on snowball fight with forts and factions. Problem is, winter doesn’t come in the same way everywhere, and lots of places don’t get snow. With Snow Fortress, you can build forts from virtual snow, stockpile snowballs, and get to battling. A friendly fox follows you around as you take on enemy snowmen — this game is cute and not nearly as violent as it sounds. See at Steam
Source: VR Heads