Happy kids, happy parents this Christmas: Best Nintendo Switch games for kids 2024

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is arguably the best arcade racing game available, featuring over 40 characters, 48 courses, and unique game modes like Bob-omb Blast and Balloon Battle, adding excitement to the standard races. Whether played solo, with friends, or online, Mario Kart never fails to entertain. This edition comes with all the DLC preloaded, offering fantastic value for money. And with the additional Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass, you'll unlock even more classic tracks. It's truly the game that keeps on giving!

Parents can rest easy knowing it's a fun and competitive racing game without any violence – perfect for endless, family-friendly play sessions.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons has won the hearts of players of all ages, and it's easy to see why. One of our writers has clocked over 400 hours! This peaceful, creative game allows players to build their own community of adorable little critters. It's ideal for children with a good attention span or for parents who want to foster calm, focus and patience in their kids – especially in a world dominated by short clips and shrinking attention spans.

Offering a relaxing way to unwind after school, players can design and personalise towns to share with friends. Its wholesome atmosphere also makes it appealing for parents, who may find themselves enjoying it as a peaceful daily retreat. Whether played for 30 minutes or more, it's the perfect way to escape into a world of tranquillity.

Parents should note that only one island can be created per console, meaning it may need to be shared. The game is entirely safe and fosters creativity, teamwork, and communication.

Super Mario Odyssey is a 3D platforming adventure full of charm, creativity, and humour. Each level introduces fresh mechanics and fun challenges, keeping the gameplay exciting, varied and intellectually stimulating. Its light-hearted nature makes it a perfect choice for kids, as they can explore its delightful worlds over and over.

It's a great, family-friendly game with no inappropriate content, providing hours of safe entertainment.

Kirby's latest adventure takes players through a 3D world of collectable treats and enemies to absorb powers. Kids can use these abilities to solve puzzles and explore, making it a game that's quick to pick up but packed with replayability. It offers plenty of fun with a playtime of around 10 to 15 hours.

Kirby is a friendly and safe character, and the game offers a wholesome, nonviolent adventure perfect for younger players.

Super Mario Party Jamboree revives the charm of early Mario Party games with a thrilling new twist, making it one of the most anticipated titles for kids and parents alike in 2024. With 22 playable characters, including Donkey Kong, Toad, and Mario Odyssey's Pauline, it's the ultimate family party game.

Set across whimsical board game-style maps, players race to collect stars, unlock secret paths, and outsmart one another through strategy and, more often than not, luck.

While the maps are incredible, the mini-games truly shine with a mix of brand-new and nostalgic favourites. Super Mario Party Jamboree is a safe, age-appropriate visual feast offering endless replayability for the whole family. As the holiday season approaches, this game makes an ideal Christmas gift!

Just Dance 2024 brings the energy of an arcade dance game right into your living room. Kids can dance to hits from Blackpink, Miley Cyrus, and Billie Eilish using the Joy-Cons or a smartphone app. It's a sneaky way to get some exercise while having a blast! The 2024 edition includes 40 tracks.

It's a fun and energetic game with no inappropriate content – perfect for children who love to dance, stay active, and compete in a safe environment.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder offers a thrilling twist on the classic 2D platforming formula, packed with new ideas and quirky mechanics. Each level features Wonder Flowers, transforming the gameplay from turning Mario into sticky slime to creating musical stages where you jump to the beat. The game is just as fun for adults, making it perfect for family multiplayer sessions.

The added accessibility option, where a character can't take damage, ensures that even the youngest or most inexperienced players can enjoy it without frustration. A safe, engaging, and wildly fun experience for all!

These modern remakes of the classic Pokémon Yellow let players start their journey with either Pikachu or Eevee, capturing the original 151 Pokémon in the Kanto region. With updated features like having a Pokémon follow you and a simpler, more linear progression, it's perfect for young trainers just starting out.

Parents will appreciate its mild, nonviolent gameplay and the educational aspect of strategic thinking. It's a gentle introduction to the Pokémon universe and role-playing games in general.

Luigi's Mansion 3 is a spooktacularly fun, comedy-horror game in which players explore a haunted hotel as Luigi, armed with a ghost-sucking vacuum. The game is full of clever puzzles, wacky characters, and rewarding exploration, making it a blast for kids who love adventure with a touch of humour.

Despite the ghostly theme, it's light-hearted and not scary – more silly than spooky, ensuring that it's safe and suitable for children.

Nintendo Switch Sports brings the fun of Wii Sports (2006) to the latest generation, featuring motion-controlled games like tennis, bowling, football, and golf. It's a fantastic way to get the whole family moving and offers friendly competition and fun.

Parents can be reassured that the game is family-friendly and encourages physical activity, making it a safe and healthy option for kids who need to burn off some energy!

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet introduce kids to an open-world Pokémon adventure in the region of Paldea. With over 400 pocket monsters to discover and new gym leaders to challenge, the game is full of excitement. There's also DLC to extend the adventure even further.

While the open-world format may be more complex for younger children, it's still a safe and fun experience with no violence – perfect for budding Pokémon trainers!

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga lets kids relive the magic of Star Wars in LEGO form. They'll explore iconic planets, control their favourite characters, and pilot legendary ships. It's filled with humour, collectables, and fun twists on classic scenes.

Parents can trust the LEGO series for its safe, family-friendly gameplay, which is ideal for both solo play and family co-op fun!

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a charming puzzle game where kids can join Captain Toad on treasure hunts across various worlds. With plenty of puzzles to solve and lots of replay value, this beautiful, often overlooked game will surely delight young gamers.

It's nonviolent, safe, and full of fun brainteasers, making it an excellent, parent-approved choice for curious minds.

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury is a fantastic platformer that combines classic Mario gameplay with a brand-new, open-world adventure. Whether played solo or with friends, it's packed with inventive mechanics and a mode where players can even transform into a cat!

Its light-hearted nature and colourful worlds make it a safe, fun game for kids, with plenty of variety to entertain them for hours.

Overcooked! is a hilarious, chaotic game where players run a restaurant's kitchen in bizarre locations like hot air balloons or volcanoes. This edition includes the original and sequel and all downloadable content.

It's certainly one of the best party games around and is excellent for teaching coordination, teamwork, and time management – all in a fun, nonviolent package that parents can feel good about.

Minecraft Dungeons takes the creative world of Minecraft and turns it into an action-packed dungeon crawler. Kids can team up with friends to battle through dungeons, fight villains, and gather loot. The Ultimate Edition includes all DLC, adding even more adventures.

It's a safe game with no harsh content, encouraging teamwork and strategic thinking in a vibrant, fun environment.

Who knew that smashing blocks could be so much fun? Minecraft is a worldwide phenomenon, and for good reason. It is the ultimate sandbox adventure game where kids can build, explore, and create whatever they can imagine. Its 8-bit style and endless creativity make it a favourite among young gamers.

With no specific objectives or violence, Minecraft encourages creativity and problem-solving, making it a safe and fun experience for children of all ages.

Splatoon 3 is a family-friendly multiplayer shooter where teams battle for map control using ink-spraying weapons. It's a unique and colourful twist on the genre, known for its positive, welcoming community. It's endlessly replayable, with plenty of depth for young players to dive into.

Parents can trust that Splatoon's nonviolent, paint-based combat is safe and engaging for kids. Note that there is no option for a single-system split screen.