Best Switch Games for Kids (Family-Friendly Picks)

The Nintendo Switch is the most family-friendly console around, and its library is full of games that are easy to pick up, non-violent, and fun for the whole family. This guide rounds up the best Switch games for kids by age range — with tips on buying them for less.

For everything ranked by critic score, see the best Switch games list; for current discounts, the eShop deals page.

Best for Younger Kids

• Kirby and the Forgotten Land — gentle, forgiving 3D platforming with optional co-op.
• Super Mario Bros. Wonder — colourful, accessible 2D platforming with adjustable difficulty.
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons — a calm, creative life sim with no fail states.
• Pokemon (Scarlet/Violet, Legends) — collect and battle creatures; a perennial kid favourite.

Best for the Whole Family

• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe — easy to learn, fun for all ages, with smart-steering assists for beginners.
• Super Mario Party Jamboree — accessible board-game mini-games for four.
• Super Mario Odyssey — joyful 3D platforming with an assist mode for younger players.
• Overcooked! 2 — co-op cooking that gets the whole room laughing.

Best for Older Kids and Teens

• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom — open-world adventure and creative problem-solving.
• Splatoon 3 — a friendly, non-gory team shooter.
• Minecraft — limitless building and exploration.

Great Free Options

Several excellent kid-friendly games are completely free — Fall Guys, Rocket League and Pokemon Cafe ReMix among them. See the full free Switch games list before spending anything.

Getting the Best Price

Nintendo's own family titles (Mario, Zelda, Kirby, Pokemon) hold their value and rarely discount deeply, so the price history is the key signal — check it before buying. Many family-friendly third-party and indie games drop often. Watch the live eShop deals and set a wishlist alert.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best Switch games for young kids?

Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Pokemon are excellent for younger children — accessible, non-violent and forgiving. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the best whole-family pick thanks to its beginner steering assists.

Are there free Switch games suitable for kids?

Yes. Fall Guys, Rocket League and Pokemon Cafe ReMix are free, family-friendly and need no subscription. See the complete free Switch games list for more.

Which Switch games have the best parental settings?

The Nintendo Switch has built-in parental controls (screen-time limits, age restrictions and spending limits) that work across all games. Combined with the inherently gentle first-party library, it makes the Switch a strong choice for families.

How do I buy kids Switch games for less?

Check the live eShop deals page and sort by discount, then confirm with each game page's price history that the price is a genuine low. Third-party and indie family games discount often; first-party Nintendo titles rarely do, so wishlist them and wait for a sale.