The Nintendo Switch offers games for every age group. Here you will mainly find games suitable for children.
What kind of games are these? In the following list, you will find various games and game series that are suitable for the youngest among you, featuring simple gameplay and a friendly look. There are exciting games, but also puzzles and brain teasers, as well as games that primarily focus on creativity.
Many of them can be wonderfully played together and are quick to learn – even if you haven’t had much experience with gaming before.
You will find in this list not only an overview but also the prices of the games – these are the official prices from the Nintendo eShop, if you want to download the game directly. However, keep in mind that many of the games can be found significantly cheaper with other retailers.
The following list should not be viewed as a ranking. They are all equally suitable for children – although some are designed for different age groups.
All of these games are especially fun if you can already read or at least have someone to help with explanations. Otherwise, getting started can be difficult.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Genre: Simulation / Building Game | Players: 1 – 4 | Released: 20.03.2020 | Cost (in the Nintendo eShop): €59.99
Age Rating: USK from 0 years – however, reading (or explanation by parents) is helpful
What kind of game is this? Animal Crossing is a colorful, friendly game that does without much action but is still fun. You set up camp on your very own island in the sea – and start to shape this paradise according to your wishes.
Build a stage with musical instruments? No problem! Create a soccer field? That is also possible. There are decorative objects from simple fire hydrants to giant lighthouses or dinosaur statues that you can obtain.
Additionally, more and more residents appear on the island. These are animals that bring their very own personalities. A cheerful cow with a loose mouth, rocking beavers, koalas, bears, squirrels – pretty much everything is included. Friendships can be built with these residents, and you can swap items or help with problems.
Otherwise, you spend the whole day fishing, catching insects, or designing the island. There are also special events that bring variety.
Overall, it’s very calm, pleasant, and without major traps. The most action occurs when you encounter nasty spiders or bees that can attack – but that is also a rather rare occurrence.
Animal Crossing is therefore wonderfully suited for relaxed video games. Furthermore, if you wish, you can play together with the family on one console or visit friends’ islands.
You can find Animal Crossing alternatives beyond the Switch here.
Minecraft
Genre: Adventure / Building Game | Players: 1 – 8 | Released: 21.06.2018 | Cost (in the Nintendo eShop): €29.99
Age Rating: USK from 6 years
What kind of game is this? Minecraft is definitely not a hidden gem when it comes to games for children. Rather, it has become a classic that still captivates numerous players.
In Minecraft, the main focus is on living out your creativity. Mine materials, craft tools, and then build whatever comes to your mind – that is the core of Minecraft.
The entire game features a friendly block design that may seem a bit outdated but also contributes to Minecraft’s charm.
There is a bit of action in Minecraft as well, if you want it: You can encounter enemies, play survival modes, and build bases to protect yourself against threats.
Consequently, the game is not only for the creative aspect but also suitable for children who want to face a challenge.
Yoshi’s Crafted World
Genre: Action / Platformer | Players: 1 – 2 | Released: 29.03.2019 | Cost (in the Nintendo eShop): €59.99
Age Rating: USK from 6 years
What kind of game is this? It doesn’t get much cuter than in Yoshi’s Crafted World: The little green dinosaur moves through a colorful crafted world, collects all sorts of items, and faces not very fearsome opponents. Interestingly, you can even explore the “back side” of the levels and thus get a new perspective on the materials from which they are made.
Yoshi runs and jumps through the world, must overcome jumping passages, throw eggs, and solve puzzles. However: It doesn’t get too difficult. Yoshi’s Crafted World is a simple, friendly jump ’n’ run with a low entry barrier.
There’s even a “Relaxed” mode where the Yoshis get wings and simply fly over nasty fall obstacles – just in case it gets frustrating. And if you want, you can also play the game with the Joy-Cons in two-player mode.
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Genre: Puzzle Game | Players: 1 – 2 | Released: 13.07.2018 | Cost (in the Nintendo eShop): €39.99
Age Rating: USK from 6 years
What kind of game is this? Like Yoshi, the little mushroom Toad is also known from the Super Mario world. Here, he becomes the hero: As a treasure hunter, Captain Toad travels through cube-shaped levels to collect golden stars.
To achieve this, Toad has to find a way over the different cubes. Unlike Yoshi or Mario, Toad does not jump. In “Treasure Tracker”, Toad refrains from jumping and focuses on flipping switches, blocking enemies via touchscreen, or throwing turnips.
Especially cool: The levels can be rotated, allowing you to look at the cubes from different angles – and sometimes you even have to. Often, it comes down to finding clever solutions and the right timing. There are also boss fights, mini-games, and bonus challenges that are more demanding than the simpler basic puzzles.
In addition, the game offers a support mode. Here, a second Joy-Con can be used to shoot turnips at enemies or provide hints. Parents or siblings can help if progress becomes tricky. Since an update in 2019, there is also a real co-op mode, so you can play all levels together.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Genre: Racing Game | Players: 1 – 4 (local), 12 (online) | Released: 25.04.2017 | Cost (in the Nintendo eShop): €59.99
Age Rating: USK from 0 years
What kind of game is this? Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has been around for a few years, but it is still one of the best-selling games on the Switch. No wonder: The colorful, action-packed racing game is simply fun – not just as a child but at nearly every age level.
The game features numerous characters from the Mario and extended Nintendo world (such as Link or the Inklings), lots of tracks and cups, as well as a variety of different racing cars and motorcycles. The combination possibilities are vast.
In the races, it’s not only about the skill behind the wheel but also about the clever use of various items: From bananas that make pursuers slip to Koopa shells and bullet bills, there are all sorts of things to throw opponents off track. Those who are further behind get better items – keeping the races exciting.
Mario Kart offers various difficulty levels and speeds so that everyone finds a good entry point for their skill level. From the 50cc cup on “easy” to online matches against opponents from around the world, there are plenty of levels to choose from.
However, one should note: If the performance gap is too large, it can lead to stress. It can be quite frustrating to crawl over the finish line in Mario Kart while siblings speed ahead.
On the next page, you will find two more games and some game series that are great for children.
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