Raising Stardew Valley age rating: what parents of kids 4–7 should know
Stardew Valley age rating: the ESRB rates it E10+ (everyone 10 and older) for fantasy violence, mild blood, mild language, simulated gambling, and use of alcohol and tobacco. PEGI rates it 12 in Europe and the UK, for gambling, and Apple's App Store rates it 13+. Common Sense Media, an independent nonprofit, lists it for ages 10 and up. It's a paid game, and the ESRB lists online interaction on the Switch versions.
Stardew Valley at a glance
- ✓Official rating above age 7
ESRB: E10+; PEGI 12; App Store 13+ - ✓Contact with other players or strangers
ESRB: Users Interact (Switch) - –Purchases with real money
Paid game; no in-game purchases listed - –Paid random items
None listed - ✓Violence or scary content in rating descriptors
ESRB: Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood - –Government lawsuits, fines, or safety warnings
None found
Each flag is a yes-or-no fact from the sources on this page. The number is a count of flags, not a safety score. How we count.
| Type | Farming and life-simulation game by ConcernedApe (Eric Barone), first released in 2016 |
|---|---|
| US & Canada (ESRB) | E10+ (everyone 10 and older) — Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco source |
| Europe & UK (PEGI) | 12 (suitable from age 12) — Gambling source |
| App Store (iOS) | 13+ — infrequent cartoon violence, crude humor, suggestive themes, alcohol, simulated gambling; $4.99 source |
| Common Sense Media | 10+ (an independent nonprofit's age guidance) |
Checked October 2026. Ratings and settings change; check the official source before you decide. What do these ratings mean?
Facts for parents, not medical or legal advice. If you're worried about your child, talk to your pediatrician.
What is Stardew Valley?
Stardew Valley is a farming and life-simulation game made by Eric Barone, who works as ConcernedApe. Players inherit a farm, grow crops, raise animals, fish, and get to know the people in town. The ESRB describes cave combat against cartoon-style enemies. It came out on PC in 2016 and is on consoles, phones, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Stardew Valley age rating: what's in it
Short answer: It's rated 10+ in the US and 12 in Europe, mostly for a casino, drinking, and monster fights.
- US (ESRB): E10+, for fantasy violence, mild blood, mild language, simulated gambling, and use of alcohol and tobacco.
- Europe & UK (PEGI): 12, for gambling.
- App Store: 13+.
- Common Sense Media: 10+.
The ESRB describes a casino with simulated gambling, occasional smoking and beer drinking, and the word "damn." Common Sense Media notes players can date, marry, and have children in the game, and that characters drink at the town saloon.
Online play and purchases
Stardew Valley is bought once: $4.99 on Apple's App Store and Google Play. The ESRB lists "Users Interact" for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 versions. Common Sense Media lists no in-game purchases. The ESRB describes the gambling as simulated.
The habit kids may copy: the busy day
Each in-game day is short, and there's always one more thing to water, harvest, or sell before bedtime.
Try tonight: plant something real
Put a bean in a cup of damp soil or a wet paper towel. Check it each morning. Say: "It grows at its own speed. We just wait and watch." In our program, this is the lesson "Not Yet": the trying matters.
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FAQ
What age is Stardew Valley for?
The ESRB rates it E10+ (everyone 10 and older), PEGI rates it 12, and Apple's App Store 13+. Common Sense Media lists it for ages 10 and up.
Why is Stardew Valley rated E10+?
The ESRB lists fantasy violence, mild blood, mild language, simulated gambling, and use of alcohol and tobacco.
Does Stardew Valley have in-app purchases?
It's a one-time purchase ($4.99 on phones). Common Sense Media lists no in-game purchases.
Can you play Stardew Valley with other people?
The ESRB lists "Users Interact" for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 versions, meaning players can interact with others.
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