How to set up a safe Minecraft server for your family and kids

A private server is one of the safest ways for kids to play Minecraft online. Only people you invite can join, and you decide the rules. Here is a setup that works well for families.

1. Make it invite-only

Turn on the whitelist so only the players you add can join. In the Console:

1. whitelist add YourName (add yourself first)
2. whitelist add and each family member's Minecraft name
3. whitelist on

Also turn on Enforce whitelist in Properties. See How to whitelist your friends for more.

Only share the server address with people you know. With the whitelist on, the address alone isn't enough to get in.

2. Friendly settings in Properties

Open Properties, change these, then Save and restart:

• PvP: off, so nobody can hurt other players.
• Difficulty: easy, or peaceful for the youngest players (no hostile mobs at all).
• Gamemode: survival for adventure, or creative if they just want to build.
• Spawn protection: 0, so kids can build near spawn too.

3. Game rules that save tears

Game rules are typed in the Console:

Rule	What it does	Command
Keep inventory	Players keep their items when they die.	gamerule keep_inventory true
Mob griefing	Creepers no longer blow holes in builds.	gamerule mob_griefing false

These names are for Java Edition 1.21.11 and newer. On older Java versions use gamerule keepInventory true and gamerule mobGriefing false. On a Bedrock server use gamerule keepinventory true and gamerule mobgriefing false.

4. Only trusted adults get OP

OP players can change gamemode, teleport anyone, ban players and stop the server. Give OP only to grown-ups you trust: op Name. Kids don't need it to have fun.

5. Protect builds and keep backups

• If many kids play together, a land-claim plugin stops "accidents" with other kids' houses. See How to stop griefing.
• Make a daily backup with a schedule, so any mistake can be undone. See Automatic restarts and backups.

Talk about the rules

A short family rule list helps more than any setting: no breaking other people's builds, ask before taking items, and tell a grown-up if something feels wrong. Friends and family first.