Why parents are looking for Roblox alternatives
If you’re looking beyond Roblox, you may want more control over who your family plays with, fewer spending decisions or a game that’s easier to explore together. You might also be looking for a quieter creative activity, an offline option or a way to turn an interest in games into making something of your own.
The best place to start is with what you want to change and what you want to keep. Building, storytelling, coding and playing with friends call for different options. This guide helps you compare those choices and decide what fits your family.
What would you like to keep about Roblox?
A good alternative starts with the part your family enjoys. Building a world, making up stories and meeting friends are different needs. These four options cover some of that ground, but none replaces every Roblox experience.
Researched from official product information. The activity suggestions are ours; this is not a hands-on review or a safety certification. Read our approach.
Roblox alternatives at a glance
Compare the kind of play first, then check cost, devices and contact with other people.
| Option / good fit | Cost | Devices | Playing with others |
|---|---|---|---|
| MinecraftBuild worlds | Paid game; optional extras | Computers, consoles, iPad and Android; editions differ | Solo play or multiplayer; review account permissions before joining others |
| ScratchMake games | Free | Web editor; an offline app is also available | The website has shared projects and comments; offline creation avoids the community |
| ScratchJrStart coding | Free | iPad and Android tablets; other supported devices have limitations | Projects are stored locally; sharing uses email or, on iPad, AirDrop |
| Toca Boca WorldPlay pretend | Free download; optional in-app purchases | iPhone, iPad and Android; check the relevant store | Single-player, with no in-game chat according to the developer |
Prices and availability depend on your region and device. Check the linked official pages before downloading or buying.
1. Minecraft
Good fit: Building a world together
Start here if building and exploring are the parts of Roblox your family enjoys. Minecraft’s Creative mode focuses on construction; Survival adds health, hunger and other challenges. A shared building project gives you something specific to do together.
The trade-off
It is one sandbox game, so it will not replace Roblox’s whole catalogue. Playing alone and joining a public server are different experiences. Check the edition and device compatibility before buying copies for friends or siblings.
Set it up together
Begin with a single-player Creative world. If you later enable multiplayer, review Microsoft account permissions and who can communicate with the player. Agree which world or server to join before opening it up.
An idea for your first session
Build a treehouse with a room for everyone, then take turns giving a tour.
2. Scratch
Good fit: Making your own games
Choose Scratch when the exciting part is inventing a game and deciding how it works. Players connect coding blocks to make characters move, keep score and respond to input. Scratch is primarily designed for ages 8–16, although younger users can explore it with help.
The trade-off
This is a creative project, rather than a ready-made 3D world. Expect to help with reading and debugging. The online community includes work and comments from other users, so creating offline and browsing online deserve separate decisions.
Set it up together
Use the offline app if you want to create without participating in the online community. If using the website, explore together and discuss what to share. Check the download page for current device requirements.
An idea for your first session
Make a character catch a falling star. Add one point each time it succeeds.
3. ScratchJr
Good fit: A first small coding project
ScratchJr is designed for ages 5–7 to make interactive stories and games. Its visual blocks provide a smaller starting point than Scratch. We would begin with a short scene that responds to a tap, rather than trying to recreate a favourite Roblox game.
The trade-off
The simpler tools also limit what you can build. It will not replace a multiplayer game or a large 3D world. Projects live on the device, and the official FAQ notes limitations for some devices beyond iPad and Android tablets.
Set it up together
Check device support, then make a project together. Decide whether to allow the camera and microphone for personalised pictures and sounds. Help with email or AirDrop when sharing a project.
An idea for your first session
Make two characters greet each other, then move to a new scene when tapped.
4. Toca Boca World
Good fit: Pretend play and decorating
Consider this for someone who likes arranging homes, making characters and acting out stories. The developer describes touch-first, open-ended play, with no time limits or high scores. It is a different kind of activity from coding or building an obstacle course.
The trade-off
It will not replace playing online with friends. Free to download does not mean every location or item is included: the shop sells additional content. The developer says there are no third-party ads, but there are still purchases and branded content to consider.
Set it up together
Explore the included content before buying extras. Use your device’s purchase controls and agree a spending rule. Keep Toca Boca World distinct from other Toca Boca titles when checking features.
An idea for your first session
Set up a café and invent a story about its first visitor.
Before you switch, make a small plan
- Ask what they would miss. If the answer is a particular friend, a solo game may not solve the same problem. Plan another way to play together.
- Choose one first activity. A treehouse, a short story or a tiny game is easier to start than an unfamiliar menu full of options.
- Check the actual setup. Review multiplayer, messages, public sharing and purchase permissions on the account and device you will use.
- Try a session together. Watch for reading, camera controls or menus that need help. Decide whether the activity fits before buying extra content.
- Agree how to finish. Pick a natural stopping point, such as saving a scene or completing one room, so the first session has an ending.
Common questions
Which Roblox alternatives are free?
Scratch and ScratchJr are free. Toca Boca World has a free download with optional paid content. Minecraft is a paid game. A free download and a game with everything included are different offers.
Which option makes sense for a five- or six-year-old?
ScratchJr is designed for ages 5–7 and is worth exploring together for simple stories and coding. Toca Boca World is another option to investigate for pretend play. Choose based on interests and the help needed, rather than treating an age label as a guarantee of fit.
Can we avoid chatting with strangers?
Minecraft can be played alone. Scratch offers offline creation, and ScratchJr stores projects on the device. Toca Boca World’s developer describes it as single-player with no chat. Check the specific mode and permissions: the online community or multiplayer version of an activity can change the experience.
Are these games safer than Roblox?
We do not give a blanket safety ranking. A useful comparison is more specific: who can contact the player, what content they can open, what they can share and what they can buy. Pick the settings and level of supervision that suit your family.
How we researched this guide
We reviewed the official product pages, parent resources and store listings linked above on 22 September 2026. We selected four different play styles and compared their documented costs, devices and social features. Suggested activities and recommendations about fit are our editorial judgement.
We have not independently tested every device, purchase flow or parental control. This guide contains no affiliate links. ZOXX is building its own games app and game-making service; those products are not included as available alternatives in this comparison.
Spotted a change? Send us a correction.
What we’re building
A new place for families to play and create.
We’re developing the ZOXX games app and our game-making service. The app isn’t available yet. Join the launch list if you’d like to hear when it is.