The best Nintendo Switch games for kids aren’t created equally. The perenially popular home console and handheld hybrid system is home to hundreds of titles aimed at younger gamers, but we’ve narrowed things down to a definitive top 10, which was no easy feat. You’ll find everything from party games, racers, platformers, open-world releases, and more.
We’ve considered everything from the best Switch games for families to younger kids, so no one will be left out by any titles on the list. This includes both single-player and multiplayer releases, both locally and online. However, we recommend that you monitor your child’s online play usage with parental controls for the best experience.
Here are ReadWrite’s picks for the top 10 best Nintendo Switch games for kids in 2025.
Best Nintendo Switch games for kids in 2025
10. Super Mario Party Jamboree
The latest in the long-running franchise at the time of writing, Super Mario Party Jamboree also happens to be a series best. The third game in the Super Mario Party line on Nintendo Switch, Jamboree thrives due to its seven detailed boards, 112 minigames, and a slew of different modes. There’s the usual Mario Party mode, of course, but also a mode featuring the new Jamboree buddy, as well as Pro rules, and the sprawling Koopathlon, too.
Thanks to its wealth of content and family-friendly edge, Super Mario Party Jamboree can be considered among the best Nintendo Switch party games for kids. The minigames are at an all-time high here, with dozens of 4-player free-for-alls, many one vs three bouts, and exciting new rhythm and survival-based challenges. Whether that means they will be waggling the Joy-Con around or locking in with a Pro controller, there will be something for everyone here.
9. Bluey: The Videogame
Bluey: The Videogame is exactly as it sounds; it’s an interactive experience based upon the perennially popular early years cartoon series. Comprised of what’s described as “four interactive episodes”, young children will be able to explore popular locales from the television show, such as the Creek, Playgrounds, and the Heeler House itself.
It also features minigames based on notable moments from the Bluey show, including Chattermax Chase and Keepy Uppy. It can be played in single-player or local multiplayer if there’s more than one child in the household, too. Bluey: The Videogame has light collect-a-thon elements, such as a sticker book to fill out throughout the game world, outfits to unlock, and secret references to the series.
The entire experience can be finished in as little as an hour, but exploring around can triple the playtime, making it one of the best Switch games for young kids around.
8. WarioWare: Move It!
The WarioWare games have been synonymous with family play for decades, and the latest entry is no exception to the rule. In many ways, it’s the spiritual successor to the fan-favorite Smooth Moves, which debuted on the Wii all the way back in 2006 with its emphasis on motion-controlled fun.
WarioWare: Move It! contains a total of 223 microgames throughout the experience, which is beaten out only by WarioWare Gold (a 3DS compilation) for the most amount of content. You’ll be shaking, swinging, shimmying, drawing, and dancing to win out. Unlike its predecessor, Get it Together, this one is far easier for younger kids to understand with its copyable poses and motion-based activities. For this reason, it’s one of the best Switch games for kids of all ages.
7. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
While Animal Crossing: New Horizons isn’t as popular as it was during its peak in 2020 and 2021, the chilled-out life simulator still has a ton of things to do for young kids. Whether that’s going fishing and farming or getting into the weeds of detailed interior decorating for the homes you can acquire.
Exploring the island won’t get old any time soon, but as soon as your kid has done everything around them, they can travel to other islands using Nook Miles, meet new people, and then (eventually) pay off the debt to Tom Nook himself. There are over 100 hours worth of content to explore, so they won’t become bored any time soon. For this reason, Animal Crossing: New Horizons ranks among the best single-player games for kids.
6. Spyro Reignited Trilogy
As its name implies, Spyro Reignited Trilogy isn’t just a single Switch game but a total of three classic titles, beautifully remade for a new generation of young gamers. Spyro may be more well-known to today’s kids as the mascot of the popular toys-to-life series Skylanders, but this package gorgeously showcases what made the purple dragon so beloved in the first place.
The Reignited Trilogy includes remakes of Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage, and Spyro: Year of the Dragon. Each of the original games can be finished in around six hours, for around 18 hours of total playtime if you’re rushing through. With that said, the early Spyro games are bonafide collect-a-thons; there are upwards of 30 hours of things to do. Spyro Reignited Trilogy is one of the best Switch games for older kids, thanks to its open-level design and exploration.
5. LEGO Horizon Adventures
The most recent addition to the LEGO game franchise, Horizon Adventures, curiously sees the previously PlayStation-exclusive Horizon franchise (including Zero Dawn, Forbidden West, and Call of the Mountain) coming to a Nintendo platform. The result is a playful and kid-friendly retelling of Zero Dawn, complete with stellar visuals, slapstick comedy, and easy-to-understand gameplay for younger children.
It should be said that LEGO Horizon Adventures may be too simple for older kids, but younger children will no doubt get a kick out of the dinosaur-fighting action. It’s a great prelude to having kids later get into the more adult Horizon games. There’s no shortage of LEGO Switch games available, but Horizon Adventures feels like the most fully-fledged and feature-complete despite its simplicity.
4. Nintendo Switch Sports
While Nintendo Switch Sports isn’t as much of a landmark release as the seminal Wii Sports or its Motion Plus-powered sequel, Wii Sports Resort, the latest iteration for a new generation still carries on the essence of those “exergames” well. In addition to the tried-and-true Tennis, Bowling, and Golf of the original, this version also features Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Badminton, and Chambara.
Nintendo Switch Sports can be played solo against CPUs, in multiplayer duos, or in groups of four players either locally or online. The standout is how the Joy-Con is utilized here; it is much more advanced than the Wii Motion Plus while also being considerably smaller and sleeker; benefitting from HD rumble for haptic feedback doesn’t hurt either. It’s a great pick-up-and-play game for the living room and excels as one of the best Switch games for families.
3. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
A port of the popular Wii U game, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains one of the best Switch racing games for kids to this day. Since its launch shortly after the Nintendo Switch debuted, the Japanese company has continued to support its flagship racer; there are now 96 courses to race across in-game, provided you opt for the Booster Course Pass, which includes every track you could ever want all in one place.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is one of the most replayable Nintendo Switch games ever made, thanks to its surplus of modes available. For single-player and multiplayer, you have the tried-and-true Grand Prix, Time Trials, 200c mode, Battle, and a suite of online modes as well. Whether you’re thinking of a game for living room play or want to expand into online usage for your child, there’s endless replay value with this Switch game.
2. Minecraft
Its peak may have arguably passed, but Minecraft remains incredibly popular with kids even in 2025. Whether they’re just after a way to pass the time in Creative Mode, building whatever they can think of, or want a meaty challenge with Survival Mode, Minecraft remains one of the best Nintendo Switch games for kids of all time.
The Nintendo Switch version of Minecraft has (largely) received the same level of support as the current-generation console versions, including the Minecraft Marketplace, which can greatly overhaul the game. Many of the “mods” can be accessed for free, but others may require additional purchases with Minecoins. We recommend keeping a watch on your child’s spending if they do want to indulge in the marketplace, but it is a fun way to do more within the game once the Ender Dragon is taken care of.
1. Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! / Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!
The Pokémon: Let’s Go games take the top spot as the best Nintendo Switch games for kids. Whether you opt for the version with Pikachu or Eevee, one thing’s for sure: you’ll be getting a grand (but accessible) RPG adventure aimed at young children. In anywhere from 25 to upwards of 50 hours, there’s a ton of content here to explore, all with pleasing visuals and an easy-to-understand gameplay loop.
That’s because Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! (or Eevee) utilizes motion controls in an immersive way to catch the Pocket Monsters. There’s a lot to add to the Pokédex, too, as all 151 original Pokémon are present and accounted for and brought up to a modern graphics standard for the TV. What’s especially good about this one is how it will set your kid up to play the more action-orientated and challenging games in the series on the Nintendo Switch, such as Legends: Arceus and Scarlet/Violet.
