Buzz
Before Barbie made her way to theaters, 2023’s top-grossing film was an animated kids’ adventure inspired by a video game, featuring a mushroom-loving plumber, a primate with father issues, and a fire-breathing turtle serenading us with a song about peaches.
It sounds odd when you break it down, right? But The Super Mario Bros. Movie introduced a new generation to a gaming franchise that’s been thriving for over forty years, inspiring many young kids to put down Roblox and pick up the Nintendo Switch their parents got for them during the pandemic.
If you’re looking for fun, age-appropriate games for your kids (or yourself) on the Switch, here’s a curated list of the platform’s top kid-friendly titles—without including the obvious choices (like the plumber/mushroom-loving hero, of course).
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Imagine SimCity without the natural disasters, taxes, and social dilemmas, and you’ve got the essence of this beloved game. Create your ideal island home with animal neighbors. Along the way, you’ll fish, plant crops, dig up fossils, explore wildlife, craft furniture, and assist your fellow villagers. The only true rule? Live your best life—making this simulation a must-have on the Switch.
Scribblenauts Showdown
One of my son’s friends introduced him to this creative party game where players solve challenges by summoning anything from dinosaurs to zombies using a magical book. While some critics feel this version doesn’t measure up to other entries in the series, watching how it sparked my son’s creativity and problem-solving skills made it a worthy addition to the list.
New Super Lucky’s Tale
Originally created for Xbox and Oculus, New Super Lucky’s Tale was later updated for the Switch and found its audience. It’s a simple game that an experienced player could breeze through in an afternoon, but its easy-to-understand gameplay and plot (the fox protagonist collects clovers to protect the Book of Ages) make it a great introduction to platformers for younger players.
Nintendo Switch Sports
It’s like Wii Sports for a new generation! Players use the gyroscopes in their Joy-Con controllers to bowl, play badminton, tennis, or golf with friends, both online and locally. If you’re concerned that video games will make kids sedentary, have them try chambara (sword fighting) for an hour and watch how quickly they work up a sweat.
Blanc
Can a video game make you tear up? Players of this breathtaking co-op game about a fox and a fawn navigating a snowstorm to find their home claim they’ve never felt so emotionally invested in a game. Guide them by following their tracks and solving puzzles to help them reach their goal. If you're looking for a game to play together, Blanc tells its story through silence, making it perfect for younger children who are still learning to read.
Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain
With customizable difficulty levels for each player, this game offers families a fair chance to compete in various puzzles and activities to determine who has the biggest brain.
Kirby’s Dream Buffet
Which Kirby can gather the most strawberries in the shortest amount of time? Players race through levels to collect their fruit quota, engage in easy-to-play mini-games, or compete in a fruit-filled battle royale. The more strawberries you collect, the larger you grow—making you an easier target for other players in this lively, all-ages party game.
Disney Illusion Island
Packed with funny cutaways and vibrant gameplay, this family-friendly action game focuses on teamwork over violence. The classic Disney quartet assists a group of island creatures in finding mysterious books that ensure the prosperity of their village. Difficulty settings let you customize the challenge, or you can make each character invincible. With numerous multiplayer options, this game becomes accessible even for younger players.
Game Builder Garage
If your kids are bored with the games they have, let them create their own! This game guides them through the basics of programming, including input, output, logic, and on-screen objects. They'll be able to build the multiplayer platform of their dreams, or keep trying until they perfect it.
