Best Nintendo Switch games for kids: guaranteed fun for all the family

In Animal Crossing New Horizons, players are given their very own island to customise and create. By liaising with the island’s animal residents, harvesting fruit and vegetables and using tools to create custom materials, your little one can personalise their landscape and decorate their own home and character, earning things that help them build further and expand their playing space.

Animal Crossing can be played entirely at your child's own pace, in real time, meaning that their island and characters are there even when they're busy or at school. We also like that the surroundings change with the weather and seasons, with special events and activities for occasions such as Christmas and Halloween, adding an extra fun element for kids.

Gameplay is calm and stress-free, with a focus on completing activities to earn in-game rewards, setting goals and earning coins to buy new items from the store (with an inventory that changes daily). Best of all, you can even share your island with friends and visit their homes too - whether locally on wifi or online.

Despite its popularity, one source of frustration with Animal Crossing fans is that there is only one island allowed per device, so it's not the best for siblings to play simultaneously unless they both have their own device.

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From Alex Kid to Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine, Golden Axe 1 to 3 and the 90s’ classic Sonic the Hedgehog, this is a great place to start if you’re looking to get your money’s worth out of a Switch game whilst embracing a retro vibe.

With over 50 classic games suitable for a variety of ages and generations, this is an ideal option to introduce your older children to some of the classic SEGA games you played and enjoyed in your youth.

At less than £30 this is fantastic value, and a great game to get started with.

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In this adventure themed platform game, players are tasked with growing their own adorable Pikmin plant-like characters, travelling to a new world and attempting to save their planet.

With stunning animations in these vivid nature filled planets, you must use your Pikmin’s individual skills and strengths to solve puzzles, complete missions, defeat enemies and collect must-have fruit and supplies.

A great option for siblings, children can pair up to play cooperatively or compete against each other. There are a variety of difficulty settings so younger players can join in too.

Whilst there are a relatively small number of levels within Pikmin 3, the addition of side stories and extra missions means even after completion, you can continue playing and attempt to improve your score.

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When Link wakes after a 100 year slumber, she no longer recognises the Hyrule Kingdom. Armed only with what she can scavenge, she must set out on a mission to find the answers and rescue her kingdom, climbing mountains, exploring destinations and battling enemies.

Link must hunt wild beasts, gather supplies and solve shrine puzzles in order to earn special rewards that assist her upon her adventure. With a PEGI rating of 12, it might be a bit too scary for younger players, but teens will love the captivating adventures this game entails.

There’s also a newer version of the Zelda games available, but Mumsnet users rated this version for fun gameplay for older children.

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A game that needs no real introduction - if you haven’t heard of Mario Kart, where have you been? Suitable for playing alone, competing against a sibling, with up to four players on split screen or up to 12 players online, this faced paced, high-energy racing game comes with a huge 48 track circuits and the ability to choose from over 40 different characters.

Race around the track and collect power ups, attacks and speed boosts to try and whizz past your opponents, slow them down and be victorious - the first to cross the finish line wins.

Players will love selecting their character and vehicle choice, whooshing past their family members and embracing their competitive spirit. With smart steering options included, even the youngest members of the family or beginners can join in the fun.

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Overcooked was another standout choice on the Mumsnet forums. Overcooked - All You Can Eat combines Overcooked and Overcooked 2 with additional content and exclusive features.

Players are tasked with running their own kitchen, cooking up a frenzy, serving customers and being careful not to burn the food, resulting in cooking chaos in a range of fun and, at times, downright crazy kitchens.

Suitable for up to four players playing together in multiplayer mode, this game also works well as cooperative play where two chefs have to work together, passing ingredients and rushing around the kitchen to prevent food catching fire. Expect a mix of shouting and laughter in this high-energy simulation game.

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Great fun for the whole family, Mario Party Superstars is packed full of Classic Mario Party boards and fun, competitive mini games. From Yoshi’s Tropical Island, to Space Land and Peach’s Birthday Cake, there are five main boards to explore, as well as a selection of 100 classic and modern mini games that can be played alone or with friends.

With a choice of difficulty levels from easy to ‘brutal’ (which as you would expect, is a little on the tricky side), this is an interactive, inclusive way for the family to play together regardless of their gaming experience.

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If you’re looking for a game to play on the Switch that encourages you to move around and get up off the sofa, then Ring Fit is a popular choice, proving to be a hit both in the bestseller rankings and amongst the Mumsnet community.

In Ring Fit Adventure, players can explore a new world, battling enemies using real life fitness exercises. The included Ring-Con and Leg Strap accessories detect and measure your real life movements and turn them into on screen actions.

Ring Fit also comes with additional mini games and guided workout programmes that can be achieved from the comfort of your own home. With a PEGI rating of 7+ it's good for motivating older kids to be active, but is also a good choice for adults too, particularly if you loathe the gym or have limited time but want to be more active in 2026.

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If you’re a fan of traditional sports-based games, but looking for a game with some variety that will appeal to the whole family, then the Olympic Games on the Switch is an obvious choice. Rather than being limited to one sport, this game enables you to play a whole host of Olympic sports from the comfort of your sofa, competing for glory against friends, family or even the global leaderboards.

In this official Olympic Games Switch edition game, you can create your own athlete, train them up, practice and then choose your event. From long jump to hammer throw, boxing to baseball, there are 18 different skills to perfect.

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It can be tricky to find games that are truly tailored to the younger audience, but PAW Patrol Mighty Pups does just that.

Not only does it feature Ryder and the Pups that PAW Patrol fans will know and love, but it comes with super simple controls, easy to understand game play and fun missions without a ‘baddy’ in sight.

Mighty Pups also comes with seven mini games that can be played as a stand alone short activity - including the infamous Pup Pup boogie.

No violence and no scary bits; just safe, simple fun for preschoolers or younger children.

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From the creative minds of Nintendo games, Game Builder Garage is a newly released game which allows players to create a game of their own.

Whether it’s a high speed racing game or an action packed platform adventure, players can bring their imagination to life and use basic programming skills to create fun, unique games and share them with the world.

Starting with the basics, this creative and educational game gradually builds up to more advanced programming options for more detailed game play.

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Since its debut back in the 1990s, Pokemon has been a hugely popular gaming franchise. This is the remake of a Pokemon classic from 2006, Brilliant Diamond, a fast-paced adventure for long-standing Pokemon fans as well as those new to the franchise.

The gameplay is in line with the original - you start your mission in Sinnoh with one Pokemon character and go on a quest to capture more, battling it out against other critters (with elements of earth, wind or fire) to defeat them and earn badges.

With great graphics, a huge range of Pokemon characters and an expansive world, even first timers will be able to appreciate the excitement and anticipation of winning duels and challenges.

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If you really want to break the ice at a gathering with family or friends, Just Dance is the obvious party starter. Turn up the volume and dance along to 40 new tracks including chart-topping hits and older classics. Dance along and follow the actions outlined on screen to score points and battle it out against your friends and family - who’s got the best moves?

Whilst we can’t guarantee you’ll know all the songs, Just Dance is sure to get your pulse racing and cause a whole lot of laughter in your living room.

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Minecraft is really popular with children and older players alike, and again has got some really positive feedback from the Mumsnet community. There are two unique modes of play called creative and survival. A really inventive game, players can explore worlds made entirely from bricks and use their imagination to build quite literally anything - from houses to castles, furniture to farms.

In creative mode, you have as many resources as you need, meaning you are free to build to your heart’s content. In survival mode however, you must create weapons to fight off your enemies and earn additional resources in order to protect and expand your brick world.

Parents may question the 3D style block graphics which scream more Commodore 64 than Nintendo Switch, but if you can see past the simple graphics, this game is hours of fun.

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If you’re into your technology and are looking for something really different and unique, then the Mario Kart Live Home Circuit will be right up your street.

Using augmented reality (AR) technology, you can capture footage of your physical surroundings and turn your home into a race track for those competitive Mario Kart battles. Set up your circuit in your living room, kitchen, or even outside (in the shade) before bringing the track to life on the screen.

It is pricier than a standard game, but we love the interactive features that bring the game to life and think this would make a great birthday present for kids who love racing games.

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