Explore the top Nintendo Switch games that have received a stamp of approval from parents and are ideal for children. Uncover a variety of genres that cater top creative play, problem-solving and safe multiplayer experiences.
The Nintendo Switch has established itself as a favorite for gamers of all ages. The console’s expansive library includes titles ranging from educational to purely entertaining, ensuring that there’s a game to match kids’ interests and skill levels.
Family-friendly games on the Nintendo Switch are abundant, allowing for play involving the whole family. These games provide fun experiences designed with kids in mind, boasting content appropriate for younger gamers. Whether it’s imaginative play, interactive storytelling or competitive racing, the Nintendo Switch has games that can cater to children’s diverse preferences.
With so many options, finding the best Nintendo Switch games for kids can be a challenge. However, some titles stand out for their popularity, ease of play and positive reception from critics and the gaming community. These games are celebrated for their colorful graphics, engaging gameplay and the ability to bring people together, making them top picks for any family’s gaming library.
“At 7 years old my son was obsessed with Super Mario Bros U Deluxe. This was a great first Nintendo Switch game for him. After he had gone through all worlds, beat Bowser several times, he then went on to play Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Now that he is eight, his new obsession is Minecraft. While he plays the Java edition on his laptop with his friends, we also have the Bedrock Edition for him on his Nintendo Switch for individual play.”
— Tamara, Thriving In Parenting
Selecting the right games for children
When choosing Nintendo Switch games for kids, it’s crucial to consider age appropriateness and the features available to manage gameplay. Look for titles with educational value that align with your child’s interests, ensuring a balance between learning and fun.
Understanding age appropriateness and ESRB ratings
ESRB ratings: The Entertainment Software Rating Board, also known as ESRB, provides structured, age-appropriate guidance. Ratings vary, starting from Early Childhood, commonly abbreviated as EC, for children three and older, to Adults Only, known as AO, for games suitable for ages 18 and up. Games rated Everyone, or E, are ideal for all ages but may contain content such as minimal cartoon violence that might not be appropriate for the youngest players.
Age specifics:
- Under 10 years: There is simple gameplay with minimal reading required, featuring bright colors and encouraging creativity and problem-solving. Coordination and fine motor skills are often developed through these games.
- Ages 10 and up: Games may include more complex strategies and reading, which can benefit cognitive development. Creativity is still a focus, but games may also introduce teamwork and critical thinking elements.
Setting up parental controls and time management
Parental controls: Nintendo Switch offers parental controls to help manage which games children can play according to their ESRB ratings. Parents can also set time limits, ensuring that gaming is balanced with other activities.
Time management: Instill a habit of taking regular breaks to reduce eye strain and maintain a healthy balance between screen time and physical activity. Incorporate activities like stretching or short walks in these intervals to promote blood circulation and overall well-being.
When selecting Nintendo Switch games for kids, implementing these elements ensures that the choices align with their needs and developmental levels. Additionally, it promotes a healthier, more engaging gaming experience tailored to their growth and learning.
“Mario Kart is a great Nintendo Switch game for kids because it’s family-friendly and you can choose to be competitive or not. Kids of all ages can play alone or with others and still have fun.”
— Heidi Bruaw, Real Life of Lulu
Top kid-friendly Nintendo Switch games
The Nintendo Switch offers a variety of cozy games perfect for younger players, providing fun experiences that are often great for family game nights or individual play. Many of these titles feature multiplayer or co-op modes, ensuring that everyone can enjoy them, regardless of age.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, players can create their island paradise. It’s a social simulation game that allows for creativity in home and island decoration, fostering a relaxing environment for children to engage in.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the quintessential multiplayer racing game on the Switch. Its family-friendly gameplay offers competitive racing experiences and a two-player co-op mode in local multiplayer, ensuring endless fun for kids and the whole family.
A Highland Song
A Highland Song tells a heartfelt story through rhythm-based gameplay. The game is suitable for children who enjoy music and adventures set in enchanting landscapes.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
This open-world adventure game lets players explore the vast kingdom of Hyrule. The Legend of Zelda encourages problem-solving and imagination while maintaining an accessible experience for younger players.
Mario Party Superstars
Mario Party Superstars is a compilation of the best mini-games from the franchise’s history, perfect for local multiplayer fun. It provides a family-friendly gaming experience that can accommodate multiple players on the same console.
Overcooked 2
In Overcooked 2, players work together in a chaotic cooking simulation that requires cooperation and quick thinking. This game is ideal for kids to learn about teamwork enjoyably.
My Friend Peppa Pig
With a relatively simple gameplay designed for preschoolers, My Friend Peppa Pig lets young players interact with characters and settings from the popular TV show. This creates a rather fun and interactive storybook experience.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Kirby and the Forgotten Land game follows the iconic pink character, Kirby, in a charming platforming adventure. It’s especially suitable for young players with its inviting art style and lighthearted tone.
CoComelon: Play with JJ
This is a game that brings the popular children’s show CoComelon into an interactive format. It allows young fans to play and learn with JJ and friends on the Nintendo Switch, offering educational entertainment.
Luigi’s Mansion 3
Luigi’s Mansion 3 combines puzzle-solving and adventure as Luigi bravely navigates a haunted hotel. It strikes a balance between mild spookiness and fun, perfect for kids who enjoy a bit of thrill.
Minecraft
Spanning across various age groups, Minecraft is the ultimate sandbox game for the Nintendo Switch. It promotes creativity and problem-solving with its blocky, open-world gameplay.
Yoshi’s Crafted World
This platformer is set in a world made entirely of household items, giving it a distinct visual appeal. Geared towards younger players, it offers a gentle difficulty curve and co-op play.
Pokemon Sword and Shield
Set in the new region of Galar, these games introduce new Pokemon and dynamic battles. They’re great for kids exploring and enjoying turn-based combat systems.
As you can see, there are plenty of options when it comes to age-appropriate Nintendo Switch games for kids. Plus, with new titles constantly being released, there’s always something fresh and exciting for young gamers to discover.
Kristen Wood is a writer, photographer, avid cozy gamer and creator of The Cozy Gaming Nook, your source for everything cozy games. Her work has been featured in various online and print publications, including Elle, Martha Stewart, MSN and more.
This article originally appeared on Food Drink Life.
Nintendo Switch Games
If you are looking for new fun games to play on your Nintendo Switch, here are a few ideas!
If you don't have a Nintendo Switch yet, here is where to start! You can use game cartridges or digital downloads.
Compact, lightweight handheld system
Available in a range of fun colors
Digital downloads only, which means you might run out of space, but that might work for you.
Build your community from scratch on a deserted island brimming with possibility; Create your personal getaway and customize your character, home, decorations, and even the landscape itself
Collect materials to construct everything from furniture to tools. Then, use what you create to give your island a personal touch
Watch as the time of day and seasons match real life—even your hemisphere. Each day holds potential for surprises and discoveries
Get to know the island residents, garden, fish, decorate, hunt for fossils, and more.
Show off your paradise – Play on the same system with a total of 4 people, or play together online or over local wireless for fun with up to 8 players
Hit the road with the definitive version of Mario Kart 8 and play anytime, anywhere. Race your friends or battle them in a revised battle mode for new and returning battle courses
This game is available only as a direct download from the Nintendo website.
A wild adventure through the Scottish Highlands, with open platforming and dynamic storytelling from the creators of 80 Days and Heaven's Vault.
Moira McKinnon is running away.
To reach the sea, Moira must first cross the Scottish Highlands—a wilderness of paths, peaks, shortcuts, dangers, and song.
If you love Zelda games or games involving adventure, explorations, and puzzles, this is the game for you!
Bring the party on 5 classic boards from the Nintendo 64 Mario Party games
Show your friends and family who’s boss in 100 minigames from throughout the Mario Party series
All game modes can be played online
Matches with friends in board game mode are saved after each turn both locally and online—pick up where you left off
Play using a single Joy-Con controller, two Joy-Con with the Joy-Con grip accessory, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, or Nintendo Switch Lite system
t ready for a double helping of cooperative cooking as Overcooked! And Overcooked! 2 come together in chaotic Harmony.
Overcooked! Play solo or engage in classic, chaotic couch co-op for up to four players in both co-operative and competitive challenge modes.
hold onto your aprons… it's time to save the world (again!)
Chop, Fry and serve your way through a series of unconventional kitchens. Play with over 20 chefs in 75 levels across both games!
includes the base game for both Overcooked! And Overcooked! 2
BUILD YOUR CHARACTER – Choose and dress your avatar
PLAY WITH PEPPA – Learn and adventure with your new friend
EXPLORE HER WORLD – Visit the Beach, the Forest, Potato City and beyond
MAKE FRIENDS – Your favorite Peppa Pig characters want to meet you
GET CREATIVE – Young players star in their own unique story
Join Kirby in an unforgettable journey on a delightful 3D platforming adventure
Explore a mysterious world with abandoned structures, remnants of a past civilization
Copy enemies’ abilities like the new Drill and Ranger and use them to attack and explore. They can even be evolved to become stronger.
Inhale real-world objects and transform using Mouthful Mode—swallowing a vending machine will allow you to shoot out cans
Bring along a second player to control Bandana Waddle Dee and take on the forgotten world together
PLAY MUSICAL MINIGAMES – Play and sing along with favorite songs including Yes Yes Vegetables
EXPLORE INTERACTIVE OBJECTS – Pick up and play with objects in JJ’s house, garden and treehouse
EXPLORE INTERACTIVE OBJECTS – Pick up and play with objects in JJ’s house, garden and treehouse
COLLECT THEM ALL – Build your CoComelon sticker collection as you explore and play
Catch ghosts and solve puzzles to rescue Mario and friends in the Last Resort hotel; Each floor of this towering hotel is themed, from the décor to the puzzles to the boss
Utilize the functions of the all-new Poltergust G-00: Pummel ghosts with a Slam, break through defenses with the Suction Shot, and blow back groups with a Burst
Luigi can call upon and control Gooigi, his all-green doppelganger, who can do what Luigi can’t; Gooigi can slip through tight spaces, walk on spikes, and help Luigi overcomes obstacles
Change between Luigi and Gooigi in single player, or let a friend play as Google for 2-player co-op
Up to 8 players can work together to ascend the Scarescaper via local wireless or online; It’s Team Luigi vs. Team Gooigi in a mini-game battle to see which is the ultimate team of ghost hunters
Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures.
Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles.
Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs.
Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack;Compatible with Nintendo Switch only.
Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes.
Explore each stage and then find even more secrets by making your way through the stage backwards on the flip side
Overcome varied enemies and obstacles, like Zombie Guys, Skelesaurus, Ukiki, and Monty Mole as you seek out hidden collectables; ESRB Content: Mild Cartoon Violence; Genre: Action, Platformer
Pass a Joy Con controller to a friend for 2 player cooperative exploration
Clad Yoshi in collectable, protective, handicraft costumes as he makes his way through each stage
Two games...lots of fun, especially if you love Pokemon!
15+ Popcorn Recipes and the Perfect TV for Movie Night or Watching Your Fav Sports Game!