(Credit: Netflix)
The next step in Netflix’s gaming expansion is a new app designed for young children to play freely without safety concerns around content or ads, or the risk of additional purchases being charged to your credit card.
Netflix Playground is included with all the streamer's subscription tiers and is now available for Android and iOS. It's designed for kids aged 8 or younger, who can play multiple games, all themed around popular franchises they may have previously seen on Netflix.
Playground is “full of enriching experiences designed to spark creativity, laughter, and fun with your kids’ favorite characters," Netflix says.
It's not just mobile games; it also includes interactive elements such as virtual jigsaw puzzles, coloring pages, and sticker book collections.
Games are themed around popular shows, including Bad Dinosaurs, Peppa Pig, Sesame Street, and Storybots. There are also various Dr. Seuss properties, such as Red Fish, Blue Fish, Horton!, and The Sneetches. The brand says to expect more later this year, including Gabby’s Dollhouse, KPop Demon Hunters, PJ Masks, My Little Pony, and Paw Patrol. If Netflix launches any other child-friendly franchises, you may find tie-in games appear in Playground.
If you don’t want your children interacting with particular Netflix properties, Playground doesn't yet offer granular controls to restrict what they can play. For example, if you don't think your child is ready for KPop Demon Hunters, you may need to closely monitor what your kid does on the app.
The app is now available for download in the US via Google’s Play Store or Apple’s App Store, with a global launch set for April 28.
In late March, Netflix announced its latest price hike, taking its ad-supported subscription up to $8.99 a month. The first ad-free package now costs $19.99 a month, while its Premium option is $26.99 a month, both up $2.