Parent’s Guide: Top 10 Best Nintendo Switch Games for Kids

The Nintendo Switch is the quintessential gaming device for children in 2021. The question is, as a parent, what are the best Nintendo Switch games to get for your children? Whether you’re looking to do some early Christmas shopping or you are planning to pair the gift of a new game with the new Nintendo Switch OLED Model, there are so many great games in Nintendo’s catalog.

This list has a bit of everything: adventure, silly, challenging, relaxing, but all are a good time. Here are the top 10 best Nintendo Switch games for kids.

10. Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania is a new collection of old favorites, reintroducing some of the most fun games of my childhood. But, Super Monkey Ball is more than just nostalgia for me. There are 12 incredibly fun party minigames for up to 4 players like Monkey Racing, Monkey Soccer, Monkey Bowling, and, my personal favorite, Monkey Target. The main game consists of rolling your monkey through the goal of increasingly challenging obstacle courses, collecting bananas, and racing the clock.

In Banana Mania, you get Super Monkey Ball 1, Super Monkey Ball 2, and Super Monkey Ball Deluxe all in one package. Kids will love the fact that you can customize your own character and ball as well as play as Sonic and Hello Kitty. There’s lots to love in Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania; dare I say you’re kids will go bananas!

9. Untitled Goose Game

Geese are terrifying. In Untitled Goose Game, your kids get to play as an obnoxious goose, replacing their fear with respect for these bamboozling creatures. This game has been described as a “slapstick-stealth-sandbox” riddled with honks and pranks. The objective, as customary when you are a goose, is to cause micro-chaos; sneaking into gardens, stealing hats, things like that.

Kids will adore the minimal art style mixed with the charm of tormenting a sleepy village’s residents. With a new two-player update and a cheap price tag, Untitled Goose Game is a no-brainer for your children.

8. Super Mario Odyssey

Super Mario Odyssey is the latest (and arguably the best) entry in the Super Mario saga. There’s so much to say about this game: vivid graphics, diverse worlds, accessible controls, and a beautiful story. In this one, Mario can use his new friend Cappy to gain control of foes and their abilities. Everything’s just incredible and needs to be experienced to be fully realized.

Your kids will absolutely adore accompanying Mario on his globe-trotting adventure. As the original mascot for Nintendo, you can’t go wrong with Super Mario Odyssey.

7. Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!

There’s always room to invite young gamers into the Pokemon franchise, and with Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu, there’s no better choice. What makes Let’s Go, Pikachu special is that it is fully geared towards kids, placing more focus on catching Pokemon rather than fighting. Kids can actually catch ’em all in Let’s Go, Pikachu with the Joy-Con integrated controls, offering a more engaging experience.

While there are still battles, Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu is a fully kid-friendly introduction into the wonderful world of Pokemon. Also, if your child finds Eevee to be cuter than Pikachu, no worries! The games only differ by which Pokemon you start with and a few of the ones you can capture later.

6. Alba: A Wildlife Adventure

Alba: A Wildlife Adventure places your child in the shoes of Alba on the island of Pinar del Mar with a quest to document and save the wildlife on the island in order to raise awareness before the mayor builds a new resort hotel to replace the Nature Reserve. If that sounds like a stressful time, it’s anything but. Equipped with a camera phone and a kind heart, your child will love exploring this island full of exotic birds and locales.

This game will undoubtedly instill a curious wonder for the outdoors in your child. Preservation, doing your part, and how small acts can solve big problems make Alba: A Wildlife Adventure a true gem.

5. Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics

Clubhouse Games offers a return to the classics. Games from all over the world like Mancala, Nine Men’s Morris, Dots and Boxes, Gomoku, Backgammon, Chess, and so much more are available here. And the best part is that the game has tutorials to teach your kids how to play each game.

You can’t go wrong with introducing and playing classic games with your kids. Besides, they are classics for a reason (it’s because they are really fun).

4. A Short Hike

Not enough people know about A Short Hike. Similar to Alba: A Wildlife Adventure in spirit, your child will play as a young bird named Claire who finds joy in the journey. Hawk Peak Provincial Park is the gorgeous setting for this adventure, filled with hills, lakes, rivers, islands, and many lovely and charming characters.

Getting lost in pure discovery is the lightning in a bottle that A Short Hike achieves. With a truly heartwarming story and an adorable soundtrack, your child will love this special game.

3. LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2

If your child is really into Marvel, then there is no better option than LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2. LEGO games are famously really fun, especially for kids, and this one is no different. With a grand total of 194 Marvel characters to choose from, your child will be ecstatic playing through famous Marvel locations, unlocking their favorite superheroes and villains.

With the option for two-player co-op, this is a great one to play as father-daughter, father-son, mother-daughter, or mother-son. My little brother and I played every LEGO game that came out religiously and loved every single one.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Legendary, flawless, infinite. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is simply one of the best games ever made. You play as Link who has awoken 100 years after the Great Calamity destroyed Hyrule. What’s left is stunning vistas, castle ruins, broken civilizations, and the need for a hero. Breath of the Wild is massive, and your child will fall in love with the minimal soundtrack and the detailed world. As a masterclass in worldbuilding and storytelling, Breath of the Wild will assuredly grant your child an unforgettable experience.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a one-of-a-kind game. And with The Legends of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 right around the corner, there is no better time to explore Hyrule and save Princess Zelda.

1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Last but not least, Animal Crossing: New Horizons. What can’t you do in this game? Almost like a life away from life game, New Horizons offers your children endless creative freedom and fun. The goal of the game is whatever the player wants, putting relaxation and enjoyment at the core of New Horizons.

With loads of new content updates happening with each season, Nintendo really takes care of its games. You can’t go wrong with gifting your child this ultimate sandbox game.

Well, there you have the top 10 best Nintendo Switch games for kids! Hopefully, one on this list catches your attention and will be a perfect fit for your child. New Nintendo games are constantly coming out, so make sure to stay updated here.