Ever since Nintendo Switch popped up in 2017, they have made a name for themselves as the most popular handheld gaming console among gamers of all ages. Thanks to their easy-to-use controls and a massive library of games, you can have fun playing Switch whether you are 4, 40, or even 80 years old!
If you want to introduce your 4-year-old to the wondrous world of video games, Switch is the way to go, as it supports many games designed with preschoolers in mind.
When choosing Nintendo Switch games for 4-year-olds, look for games with simple controls, basic gameplay, bright colors and friendly characters. Before deciding, think about whether you want something your little one can play alone or something you’ll play together. If you want them to be able to play by themselves, look for games explicitly aimed at young kids that don’t require any reading!
In the list below, we’ve got games for kids new to the Switch, games for little pro gamers and everything in between. Will it be heroic pups, speedy plumbers or mischievous geese? That’s for you to decide!
Top 3 Switch Games for 4-Year-Olds
If you’re short on time, we’re pretty confident any of our top 3 picks will go down a treat.
💰 FOR TIGHT BUDGETS | 🧒🏻 BEST FOR YOUNGER KIDS | 🧑🤝🧑 BEST MULTIPLAYER | |
---|---|---|---|
Yum Yum Cookstar | PAW Patrol Mighty Pups Save Adventure Bay! | Mario Party Superstars | |
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✅ BEST AGE | 3 years and above | 3 years and above | 3 years and above |
❤️ PROS | Lots of kid-friendly recipes you can try IRL | Easy enough for young kids to play by themselves | Truly fun for all ages with fantastic replayability |
💔 CONS | Practicing the techniques is repetitive | The loading time is pretty long | Some of the mini-games can be challenging for a |
💵 PRICE | $17.94 | $24.00 | $51.50 |
However, if you have a few minutes, check out our full list of Nintendo Switch games for 4-year-olds below. We’ve provided a short review of each game so you can find the one that will suit your mini-gamer best!
1. Ryan’s Rescue Squad
Type of Game: Platformer & Adventure Skills it develops: ✅ Problem solving ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Reading |
Ryan’s Rescue Squad is a super entertaining game for little ones, whether they are fans of Ryan’s world or not. It is also a good game for Switch beginners, as it is easy to learn and remains simple throughout. But that doesn’t mean it is boring – the cute characters, colorful world and ridiculous monsters make it a hoot!
Recommended age: 3 years and above |
This game is fun to play in both single-player and co-op modes, and there are many mini-games to try out. There are also loads of characters to play and fantastic costumes to unlock as you gain points!
What We Love:
❤️ Easy for young children to learn
❤️ Cute characters and fun, silly monsters
❤️ Entertaining whether kids are fans of Ryan’s World or not
What We Don’t Love:
💔 There are only 20 levels so kids may finish the game very quickly
💔 Gameplay is a bit generic
💡 Tip: Is your little one more of a PJ Masks than a Ryan’s World fan? Luckily, PJ Masks: Heroes of the Night is just as fun, kid-friendly and affordable! |
2. Yoshi’s Crafted World
Type of Game: Action & Adventure Skills it develops: ✅ Problem solving ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Reading |
Yoshi’s Crafted World is a captivating game for young kids and older folks alike, as it takes place exclusively in a highly detailed hand-crafted world of felt, cardboard and paper cutouts. Each level has so much to do and explore; once you’re finished, you can make your way through each stage backward too! Kids will love getting sucked into Yoshi’s world and battling bizarre enemies.
Recommended age: 3 years and above |
Regarding kid-friendliness, this game is excellent as it offers a lot of guidance, and you can tweak the difficulty level to make it easier for little ones.
What We Love:
❤️ Offers quite a bit of advice and a range of difficulty levels
❤️ The crafted world is amazingly detailed
❤️ There is so much to see and do
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The learning curve may be too steep for some kids
💔 The soundtrack is quite a repetitive
💡 Tip: If your 4-year-old loved Yoshi’s Crafted World, they are sure to love Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze too as it is just as action-packed and entertaining! |
3. CoComelon: Play with JJ
Type of Game: Puzzle & Adventure Skills it develops: ✅ Problem solving ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Reading |
If your child has a new Switch and is a CoComelon fan, this game is perfect for them. It is easy for preschoolers to learn even if they haven’t played Switch before and it is packed with familiar content from the show. Kids can explore JJ’s house, garden and tree house, interact with objects and sing along to classic CoComelon songs!
Recommended age: 4 years and above |
This is a carefully designed game with excellent graphics and smooth gameplay. If your kiddo is already an experienced gamer, they may find it too simple, but it is just the right level for beginners.
What We Love:
❤️ Game is intuitive and easy for beginners
❤️ Good graphics and smooth gameplay
❤️ Lots of fun songs and interactive elements
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Some parents hoped it would be more educational
💔 It may be too simple for kids with Switch experience
4. New Super Lucky’s Tale
Type of Game: Platform / Jump ‘n Run Skills it develops: ✅ Problem solving ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Reading |
Whether your kid loves foxes or animals in general, they will love the cute and energetic Lucky! New Super Lucky’s Tale is a platforming game, but it’s more than that — there are lots of puzzles to solve, mini-games to play and foes to battle along the way. The gameplay should be intuitive enough for most kids, though they may need some help in the later levels.
Recommended age: 3 years and above |
This game feels like a lucky packet sometimes, with all the collectibles to gather, secrets to discover and costumes to wear. The characters and exciting 3D world will utterly enchant kids!
What We Love:
❤️ Fun storyline and intuitive gameplay
❤️ Loads of fun extra content like puzzles and mini-games
❤️ Great soundtrack and colorful graphics
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The advanced levels are a lot harder than the earlier levels
💔 Requires quite a bit of reading
5. PAW Patrol Mighty Pups Save Adventure Bay!
Type of Game: Action & Adventure Skills it develops: ✅ Problem solving ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Reading |
If your kiddo loves PAW Patrol, this game is an absolute must-buy. It is designed with young children in mind, so it has simple controls, provides a lot of guidance and doesn’t require any reading. Kids will love playing as their favorite pup and enter Adventure Bay to complete seven heroic missions!
Recommended age: 3 years and above |
In addition to the main missions, there are seven fun mini-games that kids can play repeatedly. Whether kids play alone or with a friend or parent, they will love using the pups’ mighty powers to save the day!
What We Love:
❤️ Easy enough for young kids to play by themselves
❤️ Provides a lot of guidance and recites the instructions aloud
❤️ Kids can play as their favorite character and complete fun missions
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The loading time is pretty long
💔 It only has 7 levels to complete
6. LOL Surprise! Movie Night
Type of Game: Action & Adventure Skills it develops: ✅ Problem solving ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Reading |
Does your kiddo have a LOL Surprise doll? If so, they will jump at the chance to enter the world of these cute dolls and customize their own LOL Surprise movie star. Whether it is rising through the ranks of stardom, completing mini-games or simply living a glam lifestyle, it’s hard to run out of things to do here!
Recommended age: 3 years and above |
In keeping with the Movie Night theme, kids can memorize lines, play in movies filmed at L.O.L.Ville Studios, decorate their home and glam up with the latest fashions. The more you play, the more pretty items you unlock!
What We Love:
❤️ Mostly easy enough for young kids
❤️ Fun theme and adorable graphics
❤️ Includes a great variety of in-game activities and mini-games
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Requires some reading
💔 No multiplayer option
7. Life in Willowdale: Farm Adventures
Type of Game: Role-Playing Games (RPG) Skills it develops: ✅ Problem solving ✅ Decision making ✅ Reading |
Life in Willowdale: Farm Adventures isn’t too different from Animal Crossing, except this time, it is all about growing crops and tending your animals so you can restore your farm to its former glory. However, there are also resources to gather and new lands to explore – just remember to pack your sword, as you may need to battle enemies and nature itself!
Recommended age: 3 years and above |
Life in Willowdale works excellently in multiplayer mode, so this is one of the best games to play as a family. This way, you can form a stronger battle party and defeat more foes!
What We Love:
❤️ The farming theme is cute and fun
❤️ A great variety of activities, including farming, exploring and fighting opponents
❤️ Multiplayer mode works great for the whole family to play
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The controls are not very intuitive
💔 The characters move quite slowly
8. Mario Party Superstars
Type of Game: Party / Multiplayer Skills it develops: ✅ Familiarity with game rules ✅ Hand-eye coordination |
Mario Party Superstars is a must-buy for families who want a game everyone can enjoy together. Bring the party to five classic boards and have fun with over 100 mini-games! With all there is to do, there is something for everyone. There are also several ways to tweak the difficulty level so your 4-year-old can play alongside older kids and parents without it feeling unbalanced.
Recommended age: 3 years and above |
Mario Party Superstars is always fun to return to, and you can stop any time as the game is saved after every turn. You can even play online to include those who aren’t physically present!
What We Love:
❤️ Lots of ways to tweak the difficulty level
❤️ Truly fun for all ages with fantastic replayability
❤️ Packed with game boards and mini-games
What We Don’t Love:
💔 There aren’t any unlockable characters or items
💔 The latest edition does not add much
💡 Tip: Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope is a more affordable single-player option for Super Mario lovers that is just as full of adventure! |
9. Yum Yum Cookstar
Type of Game: Simulation Skills it develops: ✅ Critical thinking ✅ Promotes friendship ✅ Reading |
In this cooking simulation game, players practice cooking techniques, learn recipes and serve up a virtual feast fit for a king. Once they have completed a recipe, a panel of hilarious judges assesses their attempt. Playing this with your little one makes for a great bonding experience and you can get ideas to try out together in the real world too!
Recommended age: 3 years and above |
This game has four difficulty modes and intuitive touchscreen controls, making it accessible for young children. If your kid loves pancakes, unicorn cupcakes and fun foods, Yum Yum Cookstar will surely hit the spot!
What We Love:
❤️ The touch screen controls work great
❤️ Great atmosphere from the fun music and humor
❤️ Lots of unique, kid-friendly recipes you can try in the real world too
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Each recipe takes quite a lot of time
💔 Practicing the techniques can feel a little repetitive
10. Garfield Kart: Furious Racing
Type of Game: Racing & multiplayer game Skills it develops: ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Familiarity with game rules ✅ Social interaction |
Looking for a game like Mario Kart but with a twist? Well, if your little one is a Garfield fan, look no further. This is a simple racing game, except you play as characters from Garfield’s universe. The characters are super cute and there are 16 excellent circuits in stunning environments to race in, including Palerock Lake and Pastacosi Factory!
Recommended age: 3 years and above |
Garfield Kart offers three game modes so that you can start with your 4-year-old in the simplest one. It also offers single-player and multiplayer modes with up to four players locally and eight online players.
What We Love:
❤️ The characters are cute, and there are many to choose from
❤️ Fun in both single-player and multiplayer mode
❤️ Simple gameplay and great value for money
What We Don’t Love:
💔 There isn’t that much to unlock
💔 Not quite as kid-friendly as Mario Kart
11. My Friend Peppa Pig
Type of Game: Adventure Skills it develops: ✅ Problem solving ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Reading |
This is also a great first Switch game for preschoolers, especially if they are Peppa Pig fanatics! It plays like an interactive episode of the show, with kids making choices as they accompany Peppa through her world. If you want a challenging game with lots of missions, this isn’t for you, but if you want a cute and simple game with lots to explore, this is ideal.
Recommended age: 4 years and above |
What Peppa fans will love about this game is that they become Peppa’s friend and star in their own unique story! They will also find it easy to navigate and smooth to play.
What We Love:
❤️ Easy to navigate with verbal instructions
❤️ Peppa fans will love playing with their favorite character
❤️ Smooth gameplay and lots to explore
What We Don’t Love:
💔 It doesn’t include much to challenge little minds
💔 Takes a while to load
12. Disney Magical World 2: Enchanted Edition
Type of Game: Simulation Skills it develops: ✅ Critical thinking ✅ Promotes friendship ✅ Reading |
Calling all Disney fans – with Disney Magical World two, kids interact with their favorite Disney characters in their magical worlds. They can explore the world of Frozen, dance with Disney princesses, or run a cafe frequented by familiar characters like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. Wherever they decide to explore on a given day, characters may ask them to help with all kinds of tasks!
Recommended age: 3 years and above |
What’s great about this game is that there are activities to suit all interests, ages and moods. Whether you’re planning a party or going on a quest in the dungeons, it’s all fun!
What We Love:
❤️ A friendly game – even if you die, you can simply try again
❤️ Loads of different activities to do
❤️ Kids can interact with all their favorite Disney characters in their own worlds
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Quite a bit of reading required
💔 The human character options are not very diverse
13. My Universe: Pet Clinic Cats & Dogs
Type of Game: Simulation Skills it develops: ✅ Critical thinking ✅ Promotes friendship ✅ Reading |
Does your 4-year-old love nothing more than animals of all kinds and dream of becoming a vet? Then you must get them My Universe: Pet Clinic. In this fun simulation game, you play as a vet with many animals to care for, from cats and dogs to more exotic creatures! You can also teach your four-legged friends tricks, learn cutting-edge treatments and upgrade your clinic.
Recommended age: 3 years and above |
You can’t help but fall in love with the adorable animals in this game. Through caring for them, kids will develop a real bond with them and learn valuable lessons about empathy!
What We Love:
❤️ You can treat sick animals, train them, master new treatments and more
❤️ The latest addition has new missions, remedies, mini-games and animal breeds
❤️ The animals are adorable
What We Don’t Love:
💔 It gets a bit repetitive after a while
💔 There aren’t that many mini-games
14. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Type of Game: Racing Skills it develops: ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Familiarity with game rules ✅ Social interaction |
If your 4-year-old hasn’t played a racing game yet, it’s a good bet to start with Mario Kart as it is easy to pick up and the controls always work smoothly. As with many Super Mario games, you can easily tweak it so that young children play on the most accessible mode and older kids and adults have more challenges. This way, the whole family can truly enjoy themselves!
Recommended age: 3 years and above |
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe brings you five new characters, four new battle modes, 48 tracks and a whopping 40+ racers. It is impossible to get bored with all the variations on offer!
What We Love:
❤️ You can make it very easy for young kids but still fun for older kids and adults
❤️ Lots of excellent tracks and variations to choose from
❤️ Amazing colorful graphics and very smooth controls
What We Don’t Love:
💔 It’s a pricey game
💔 There are things to unlock, but they don’t do much
💡 Tip: Want a more budget-friendly racing game that is entertaining and easy enough for preschoolers? Try Axle City Racers. |
15. Best for Older Kids: Minecraft
Type of Game: Action & adventure Skills it develops: ✅ Problem solving ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Reading |
Minecraft can feel a little like the Borg in Star Trek, “you will be assimilated.”
But here at TheToyZone we are big fans of Minecraft and we are confident that it’s the perfect educational Nintendo Switch game for young kids to try. We see it less like a survival game and more like a digital LEGO adventure.
Recommended age: 8 years and above |
Make sure to enable the ‘Creative mode’ which strips away the survival aspects of Minecraft and allows players to easily build structures.
What We Love:
❤️ Excellent value! Minecraft for Switch can be found for less than $20
❤️ This educational game can help to support creative play
What We Don’t Love:
💔 The controls can be tricky for kids younger than 3
💔 It’s hard to find physical copies at the moment
Frequently Asked Questions About Nintendo Switch Games for 4-Year-Olds
🙋 Is Nintendo Switch suitable for a 4-year-old?
Nintendo Switch can be ideal for a 4-year-old. The Switch controls are simple and intuitive, hosting many games explicitly aimed at preschoolers. A considerable proportion of Nintendo Switch games have a PEGI rating of E for Everyone, which means they are suitable for ages three and above.
Of course, not all these games will be suitable for YOUR 4-year-old – that depends on their skill level plus a few other factors. For example, if your kiddo is liable to throw their toys around, you may want to wait a few years before handing them a valuable gaming console!
🙋Which game console is best for a 4-year-old?
The Nintendo Switch is the most child-friendly gaming console, making it the best choice for 4-year-olds. The controls are simple enough for little hands and there are loads of preschooler-friendly Switch games to choose from.
It is also easy to enable parental controls so your little one can’t access inappropriate content or speak to strangers online. However, not all 4-year-olds will have the fine motor skills to handle the Switch controls. You could also always go for the Nintendo Switch Lite, which is a little more lightweight but doesn’t have a TV dock.
🙋What age is appropriate for a Nintendo Switch?
There is no definitive answer to this, and you’ll find a lot of differing opinions online. Some say you should avoid letting your kid play video games for as long as possible, while others say there’s nothing wrong with letting kids as young as 3 play occasionally.
If your little one is interested in the Switch, it’s okay to let them play age-appropriate games occasionally. Some kids will get the hang of it at age 3, while others won’t be interested or have the relevant skills until age 6 or 7. Of course, no matter how old your kiddo is, setting daily screen time limits is essential!
So… What Nintendo Switch Game Should You Get?
That depends on what your little Switch player is into. If they love jumping on platforms and munching gold coins, you can’t go wrong with Super Mario Bros. If action and adventure are more their bag, Yoshi’s Crafted World could be ideal. If, on the other hand, they want to step into a virtual world full of their favorite characters, Disney Magical World might be the way to go.
We’ve tried our best to offer a variety of games that 4-year-olds of all skill levels will adore. But if you think we left something out, pop us a message and let us know!
💡 Tip: Didn’t find a Switch game that would suit your 4-year-old? Check out our selection of the best Nintendo Switch games for 5-year-olds. |