via: Unsplash / Kelly Sikkema
If you're looking for the best Nintendo Switch games for kids, you may have noticed that there are a ton of options out there today -- and more being added to Nintendo's online store every day.
While you're certainly welcome to sort through dozens and dozens of games online to find the best ones for you and your kids, there's a better option: Save yourself some time and effort by exploring this curated list of Nintendo Switch games for kids!
Every game on this list is available in a hard copy version, so you can share it with your friends -- something that digital editions don't allow for.
Contents
18 Best Nintendo Switch Games For Kids
via: Unsplash / Alvaro Reyes
With a focus on single-player experiences that can be made multiplayer through online connectivity, every game in this section is one of the best of the best for kids. Even better, each of these games has either significant replay value or tons of game play time -- making them ideal as a summertime activity for kids.
via: Amazon / Nintendo
1. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
Mario is an absolute classic, and one of the foundational pillars of Nintendo's gaming empire. In their latest adventure, you'll find options to moderate the game's difficulty for very young players.
via: Amazon / WB Games
2. LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2
All of the fun and action of Marvel superheroes, but with the kid-friendly presentation of LEGOs, this game has the potential for hundreds of hours of game play.
via: Amazon / WB Games
3. The Incredibles
Play as LEGO versions of Violet, Dash, Mr. Incredible, and Elasti-Girl in this action-packed adventure based on the wildly popular Pixar movies.
via: Amazon / 2K GAMES
4. Carnival Games
Stuffed with 20 games in one inexpensive package, Carnival Games is great for on-the-go fun that doesn't require heavy concentration.
via: Amazon / Outright Games
5. Gigantosaurus
Team up with up to three friends in local multiplayer adventuring as you lead dinosaurs to survive an extinction event. As an added bonus, it has a racing mode for extra variety.
via: Amazon / Nintendo
6. Donkey Kong Country
A classic Donkey Kong adventure that builds on the nostalgic side-scrolling action of the Super Nintendo original, "Tropical Freeze" lets you play as Funky Kong for the first time.
via: Amazon / Microsoft
7. Minecraft
Perhaps the most popular kids' game of the last 10 years, Minecraft has incredibly deep game play but is quite easy to learn. It's guaranteed to be fun for your kids for hours and hours.
via: Amazon / Nintendo
8. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
The latest rendition of Mario Kart brings a whole new cast of racers to this classic go-kart track racing game. It's especially colorful, and as fun to watch handheld as it is on a big screen.
via: Amazon / Outright Games
9. Ugly Dolls: An Imperfect Adventure
The cult favorite Ugly Doll brand advocates for acceptance of others' differences, making this game an excellent way to encourage good behaviors for kids. It's a fun and surprisingly challenging puzzle-solving adventure.
via: Amazon / Sold Out
10. Overcooked! 2
This one is a fast and furious cooking game that will keep any kid on their toes as they have to learn to multitask effectively to beat levels.
via: Amazon / Nintendo
11. Yoshi's Crafted World
Mario's faithful steed Yoshi takes center stage in this side-scrolling adventure game, with a hint of puzzle solving thanks to a "behind the scenes" world to enter into.
via: Amazon / Nintendo
12. Splatoon 2
Awesome to play alone or with friends in local or online multiplayer, Splatoon 2 is a milder alternative to the more-violent first person shooter games that are so popular today.
via: Amazon / SEGA
13. Puyo Puyo Tetris
Real-time puzzle solving meets intense head-to-head strategy in this colorful game with an amazing soundtrack.
via: Amazon / SEGA
14. Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD
Roll through over 100 super-colorful stages as a monkey inside of a ball in this wacky adventure/racing game combo.
via: Amazon / Nintendo
15. Sushi Striker: The Way of The Sushido
Illustrated in colorful anime style, Sushi Striker puts you in the role of a super powered kid who needs to use conveyor belt sushi to stop the forces of evil. It's a strange and wonderful addition to the Switch's selection of kid-friendly games.
via: Amazon / THQ Nordic
16. Monster Jam Steel Titans
Filled with classic monster trucks like Grave Digger and Max-D, Monster Jam Steel Titans lets kids enjoy the big air stunts from monster truck rallies of old.
via: Amazon / Aksys
17. Waku Sweets
Learn new recipes and kitchen skills to progress through over 100 colorful and entertaining levels of Japanese-style animation.
via: Amazon / Maximum Games
18. Gear Club Unlimited 2: Porsche Edition
Gear Club is one of the most realistic and immersive racing games available for any system, but definitely the premier racing game for the Switch.
13 Nintendo Switch Multiplayer Games For Kids
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Games for kids are always more fun with friends -- which is why you should try out any of these awesome Nintendo Switch multiplayer games!
via: Amazon / Nintendo
19. ARMS
Take control of robots with weaponized stretching arms in this cartoon combo of a fighting and shooting game. With offline and online multiplayer options, it's a fantastic choice to play with friends.
via: Amazon / Nintendo
20. Animal Crossings
Animal Crossing: New Horizons may be the best-selling game for the Nintendo Switch in the foreseeable future. Its deceptively simple game play is calming and satisfying, and made even better if you play together with friends.
via: Amazon / Nintendo
21. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
The latest addition to the uber-successful Smash Bros. series that started on the N64, Ultimate adds more fighters than ever before -- and has no blood or gore to make it unsuitable for children.
via: Amazon / Nintendo
22. Luigi's Mansion 3
Explore another haunted mansion with Mario's taller brother and sidekick, Luigi, as you take charge of busting ghosts level by spooky level.
via: Amazon / Ubisoft
23. Rayman Legends Definitive Edition
Timing and rhythm are key to beating this side-scrolling platformer, where you'll be in control of a spunky character with floating hands and feet. It's made even better by playing with friends, as the game's difficulty scales with however many players are added.
via: Amazon / THQ Nordic
24. Spongebob Squarepants: Battle for Bikini Bottom
All of the zany silliness of the Spongebob animated series is on display in this adventure game, where multiple people can take control of the denizens of Bikini Bottom to play.
via: Amazon / Nintendo
25. Mario Tennis Aces
One set of Joy-Con controllers can let two people play this fast-paced sports game featuring Nintendo's leading legend, Mario, and all of his Mushroom Kingdom friends.
via: Amazon / Nintendo
26. Kirby Star Allies
Everyone's favorite pink puffball is back in this power-swapping adventure that's made infinitely better when played with multiple people in a co-op adventure mode.
via: Amazon / Xseed
27. BurgerTime Party!
Cook your way through carefully crafted strategy-heavy stages in this food-centric multiplayer extravaganza.
via: Amazon / Konami
28. Super Bomberman R
Offering over 50 challenging levels of single player or co-op maps, this is the first Bomberman game to feature immersive and detailed 3D maps.
via: Amazon / ININ Games Taito
29. Bubble Bobble 4 Friends
Taking after a Nintendo classic, Bubble Bobble 4 Friends lands you the role of bubble-blowing dinosaurs who have to cooperate to advance through increasingly challenging stages on their way to a final boss.
via: Amazon / Ubisoft
30. Just Dance 2020
In a genre made popular in all-night video game dance clubs in Tokyo, Just Dance 2020 stands out as being incredibly kid-friendly -- and a great way to get groups of kids up and moving around.
via: Amazon / Maximum Games
31. Nickelodeon Kart Racers
Featuring characters from SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Hey Arnold!, Rugrats, and more, this simplified racing game is perfect for kids who are fans of Saturday morning cartoons.
How to Pick the best nintendo switch games for kids
via: Unsplash / Enrique Vidal Flores
With all of those cool options listed above, are you still struggling to decide which one is best for kids? If so, just follow these three simple steps.
1. Narrow It Down to One or Two Genres
via: Unsplash / Felipe Vieira
What sort of games does your kid enjoy playing the most? Action, adventure, fighting, racing, and puzzle solving games all offer different experiences and an easy way to narrow down your choices.
2. Single Player or Multiplayer?
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Does your kid have friends with Switch consoles as well? If so, you may want to choose multiplayer games that let them play with friends. If not, single player games will deliver more fun for your buck.
3. How Much Game Play?
via: Unsplash / Adrien Robert
Every game is designed to last for a certain amount of hours, with multiplayer and competitive games having the most replay value. Think about how much time you'd like your kid to spend playing the game before deciding on a purchase.
More Awesome List Of Games from Nintendo
If you loved this list of Switch games for kids, there's plenty more where that came from! Check out these other awesome list of games from Nintendo:
- Enjoy the first console to put motion controls to great use with these Nintendo Wii games
- Kick it old school with this list of the best super nintendo games of all time!
- This Nintendo DS best games list details the coolest titles from the successor to the Game Boy.
In Conclusion
While plenty of Nintendo Switch games might be suitable for kids and adults alike, the above list of the best Nintendo Switch games for kids is specifically geared towards younger players. You can't go wrong choosing anything on the list -- just be sure to choose one that's in a genre your kid will enjoy!
