Questions
Frequently asked questions
Here are the questions we get asked most often: about this reference, about creative games and about how to make a game safe for a child. The answers are short; you'll find more detail in the other sections.
The most reliable parental control is genuine interest in what your child is creating in the game.
About the project
What is Allgirlsgames?
An independent reference about creative games: stylist games, character creators, room design, drawing, music and cooking. We explain how these genres work and how to choose a game on your own.
Can I play games or download game files here?
No. We don't host games or files, don't provide download links and don't send you to game portals. Only install games from an official app store.
Why don't you name specific games?
Games change quickly, and our goal is to help you notice what matters on your own. The criteria in our section on judging games work for any game, including one that comes out tomorrow.
Are you connected to the old site on this domain?
No. This domain used to host a different site, and later spam pages. Nothing is left of those pages, and we have no plans to bring them back.
Games and creativity
What do creative games teach?
Choosing colors and seeing contrast, building a composition, planning a space and seeing an idea through to the end. They also teach you not to get upset when an attempt doesn't work out.
Can we play creative games together?
Yes, and it's a great way to spend an evening. Take turns furnishing a room, design characters for a story you make up together or hold a family contest where nobody has to win.
How can I share my creations safely?
Post screenshots of your work without your first or last name, address or school name. Make sure no private messages are visible in the screenshot, and set your profile so only friends can see it.
What if I can't get it right?
Save the version that didn't work and try changing one detail — a color, a shape or where something sits. Often one small tweak is all it takes to make the piece come alive.
Safety and purchases
How do I limit purchases?
App stores and consoles have parental controls: you can require an adult's approval for every purchase or block purchases entirely. It's best not to save card details in a child's account.
Can I limit chatting with strangers?
Yes. Parental controls let you restrict chat, and the game's own settings often let you turn chat off or limit it to friends. Agree that your child will tell an adult right away about any strange message.
What do the labels on a game's page mean?
They're the age rating and content descriptors. Europe uses PEGI, with categories 3, 7, 12, 16 and 18 and descriptors such as "in-game purchases"; North America uses ESRB.
What should we do about ads inside games?
Explain to your child that ads inside a game aren't part of the game itself and there's no need to tap them. If there are too many, look for another game in the same genre.
Related reading
- Genres
Stylist games, room and house design, life sims, drawing, music, cooking and building sandboxes.
- Techniques
The color wheel and palettes, layers and symmetry, saving versions, planning a space and smart spending.
- How to judge
Your own criteria, no rankings: creative freedom, fair purchases, privacy and accessibility.
- Guides
How to plan a room in a design game, step by step. Plus the catalogue of our articles.
What we rely on
- PEGI — age category descriptions
- ESRB — rating descriptions
- App store help pages on parental controls
We describe genres and techniques in general terms. Every game has its own menus, button names and purchase terms, and they change over time, so check the details in the game's own help section and on its app store page.