16 Best Switch Games for Kids

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild takes a new approach to the classic and beloved franchise by allowing players to explore the world in a way never seen before. As they take control of Link, players will face numerous puzzles which all have various solutions so kids can explore time and time again to find a new way to get through the game. Players can scavenge for weapons and armor as well as search for animals, cook food, and brew elixirs as they fight to make it in the wild.

At the top of our list for Switch games for seven-year-olds is Splatoon 2. The Inklings are back in Splatoon 2, and they are ready to cause even more chaos as they colorfully claim their turf. It's a 4-on-4 action shooter that has endless thrills from start to finish. Players can even hop onto the Salmon Run game mode and play co-op battles for more fun. Join Marie, Callie, Sheldon, and Co. as they make their way through Octo Canyon fighting Octarians and recovering stolen Zapfish in this amazing adventure game.

One of the very best Switch games we recommend for eight-year-olds. With Super Mario Odyssey, kids jump into a 3D sandbox-style world playing as Mario where up to two players can join in on the fun. This game is loaded with fun adventures as Mario races to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser's plans. Mario even has a few new cool abilities for players to discover, making it easier for him to collect Moons so he can power up his airship. Whenever players see something interesting, they can throw Mario's hat at it and check out what incredible thing will happen once it reaches its target.

This is THE Switch game for family game night. There are plenty of classic characters returning like Mario to Bowser but also features new characters like Inkling Girl and Inkling Boy. Players can race on instantly recognizable tracks where the aim isn’t solely trying to reach first place. They are tasked with grabbing the item boxes to protect themselves or hinder their opponents.

Kirby: Star Allies marks the return of the beloved pink puff character (named fondly after Nintendo’s lawyer). Players embark on a fun adventure where Kirby can blow hearts at enemies to recruit them onto their side so they can have an epic team party of up to four characters. There's also a multiplayer horde mode suitable for two players either online or local split-screen. Kirby and Co. can use fire, wind, water, and electricity to unleash powerful attacks and solve the many puzzles which lay before them.

Unless you’ve been living on Mars, this instantly-recognizable block world is one of the best-selling games across multiple platforms this century. It may look like it came out in the seventies, but millions of kids spend days on end coming up with different building designs in this time-killer of a game. They don't have to go at it alone if they don't want to either, as players can connect with others by playing online.

Taking place in the new region of Galar, Pokémon Sword sends kids into a diverse and impressive new landscape. There is great variety seen to explore different areas such as a forest and a snow-covered mountain. There are three adorable Pokémon to pick from right in the beginning: Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble. Each has unique abilities, but as kids journey through the game, they can discover more Pokémon to add to their lineup.

For the older kids out there, the Diablo Eternal Collection lets players explore the complete world of Diablo III. There are seven unique hero classes to choose from, an Adventure Mode for endless exploration, and the ability to play with friends. They can play with up to four friends online, offline local co-op, or single console co-op couch-style. The fact that this game can be played on something as small as a Switch Lite is impressive but it runs well with short loading times and high performance even when a lot is going on screen. This game has the potential to be a lot more addictive than the other games on the list so something to be aware of especially with younger kids.

There isn’t that much choice when it comes to games for kids as young as toddlers but Paw Patrol is one the best. What can be more fun than hanging out with their favorite adventure pups with the Paw Patrol On a Roll? Players dive into Adventure Bay to go on 16 different rescue missions across eight locations. These locations - like Jake's mountain and even the ocean - will instantly remind kids of the show. Players are tested on their pup knowledge as each of them has a unique skill needed to resolve the mission. Choose the right pup to help the community in this immensely popular Switch title.

In Yoshi's Crafted World, kids will lead the popular character of Yoshi into a thrilling adventure. But rather than exploring the usual world, this one is instead filled with items players can find in their homes like toys and cardboard boxes. Every stage has a unique theme so kids consistently see something new as they advance in the game. They must work to find hidden treasures and solve various puzzles to win.

Luigi's Mansion 3 is a fun way to teach children that even though they may be afraid, they can still do great things. They play as the ever-fearful yet resourceful Luigi as he teams up with his all-green doppelganger known as Gooigi. Throughout the game, players are given the option to switch between the pair as they go through activities and fight different bosses. There are several locations to explore that have different themes and spooky enemies to encounter. You can also team up with up to eight players online and race to complete different objectives. If you're looking for Nintendo Switch games for seven-year-olds, then be sure to check out our recent article.

Animal crossing is at the top of our list for the best Switch games for 6-year-olds. With the world how it is right now, Animal Crossing is a solution to socializing, as players build a community on a deserted island completely from scratch. They can customize a character that is uniquely theirs as well as their home and the landscape surrounding them. Everything passes in real-time so what a player sees outside (e.g., weather and time), they will see in their game. They can visit other island communities online as well by playing locally with up to four people on the same system.

Cooking Mama: Cookstar breathes new life into a classic for a new generation to enjoy. Even with this upgrade, not much has changed in terms of gameplay as kids still take over the role of cook and go through various challenges tackling dozens of recipes. There are more than 90 different recipes for kids to learn including a vegetarian mode. All players need to do is follow the instructions and they’ll be well on their way to becoming master chefs.

Nothing quite gets kids moving like Just Dance 2021. If parents get the Just Dance Unlimited subscription service, kids can have over 600 songs to dance to. Otherwise, there are dozens of songs available on the game itself including Dua Lipa, The Weekend, Lady Gaga, and Billie Eilish. In this edition, eight new kid-friendly songs come with choreography for hours of family fun.

Players new and old can dive into three different classic Mario adventures: Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy. This collection is extremely cost-effective with hours of gameplay in each episode. For a little variety, ‘64’ and ‘Sunshine’ are solo-player games, while ‘Galaxy’ offers a Co-Star mode to play with friends and family. For those who have played these games on a previous platform, these versions now use the Switch system’s Joy-Con controllers for a whole new gameplay experience.

If you’re looking for a brand new Nintendo experience, with Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit, you can transform your home into an incredible racetrack. Race your kart in the real world but on the screen (you can see all the action from the race kart's onboard camera). Kids will delight at seeing their home transform into a sandy desert, an underwater paradise, and more locations found in Mario Kart.