Minecraft server for kids: play safely together

Updated 2 November 2026

Want your child to play Minecraft with their friends, without strangers joining? With your own server, you decide who plays. This page explains how to set it up safely, even if you don't play Minecraft yourself.

Why your own server?

Only people you know. With an access list, only the children you add can join. Public servers are open to anyone.
Your rules. You choose the difficulty, whether players can attack each other and who is in charge.
Always the same address. Friends join the same way every time, even when your computer is off.
No ads or in-server purchases. Your own server shows no ads and sells nothing to your child.

Which version does your child play: Java or Bedrock?

Minecraft comes in two versions that don't simply play together:

Bedrock: on tablets, phones, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and the Minecraft app for Windows. Most young children play this version. Choose a Minecraft Bedrock server.
Java: on a PC or laptop (Windows, Mac or Linux), through the Minecraft Launcher. Choose a Minecraft Java server.

Friends on different devices? A Java server with the free Geyser plugin can let Bedrock players in too. See Let Bedrock players join with Geyser.

For a group of 2 to 6 children, 1 or 2 GB is enough: from €0.99 per month (paid quarterly).

How to set the server up safely

Quickest way: in SparkPanel under Settings, click Make my server child-safe. It turns on the access list, turns off attacking each other and sets the difficulty to peaceful in one go. Then you only add the children (step 1).

Type commands in the console in SparkPanel.

1. Only let people you know in

Bedrock: allowlist on, then for each child allowlist add Gamertag.
Java: whitelist on, then for each child whitelist add PlayerName.

Ask the other parents for their child's player name (gamertag), and share the server address only with them.

2. No attacking each other

Java and Bedrock: type gamerule pvp false in the console. (Java older than 1.21.9: set pvp=false in server.properties and restart.)

3. Calm play

Difficulty to peaceful (no monsters): difficulty peaceful.
Building without limits: set the game mode to creative, in SparkPanel under Settings (Bedrock) or with gamemode creative PlayerName.

4. Limit chat (Bedrock)

On a Bedrock server you can turn chat off with chat-restriction=Disabled in server.properties. If they play in the same room, they often don't need chat anyway.

5. You're the admin, not the kids

Make only yourself (or one trusted child) an operator with op Name. An operator can do anything on the server.

Microsoft settings for children

For both Java and Bedrock your child needs a Microsoft account. For a child account, you have to allow online play with others (multiplayer) in Microsoft Family Safety. On Xbox, PlayStation and Switch, the console's parental controls apply as well. Without that permission your child can't join, not even your own server.

What does it cost and how do you pay?

From €0.99 per month (paid quarterly) including VAT when you pay per quarter, or €1.09 with monthly billing. Never charged automatically, and you can cancel any time.
Pay with iDEAL, Bancontact, card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
The server is in Europe and backed up every night, so you can restore a broken world.

Frequently asked questions

I don't play Minecraft myself. Can I do this? Yes. Follow the steps above, and you can always email us at info@serverspark.nl.

Can I see who's playing? Yes. Type list in the console in SparkPanel; the console also shows who joins and leaves.

Does this work for a class or club too? Yes, see Minecraft server for a school or club.