Young gamers love the hand-held nature of the Switch. It allows them to take their favorite experiences anywhere, and thanks to the diverse library of the console, the games can grow with them.
For unfamiliar people, browsing the Nintendo Switch catalog for age-appropriate games can be more than a little daunting. To help your young player get the best games possible, we narrowed down this list to only include the best-rated games from kids and their parents across a wide range of genres.
| What Did We Look For When Shortlisting Switch Games For 7-Year-Olds? At this age, a child can comprehend most Switch games in the E and E10+ ratings. Before shortlisting a game, we read the description to ensure the story content is appropriate. Even games rated E can still include comic violence, so it is worth understanding how and why a game got a specific rating. When shortlisting the top Switch games in this list, we looked to include options for different games to cover a range of interests and types of play a 7-year-old may have. We’ve also included a couple of games rated age ten and above, as we know that many kids are likely to want to play games slightly above their age rating. |
All the games in the final list will help kids develop essential skills such as problem-solving, reading, critical thinking, sportsmanship, hand-eye coordination and following instructions.
Top 3 Switch Games for 7-Year-Olds
| 💰 FOR TIGHT BUDGETS | 🧒🏻 BEST FOR YOUNGER KIDS | 🧑🤝🧑 BEST MULTIPLAYER | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Wheels Unleashed | Kirby and the Forgotten Land | Mario Party Superstars | |
 |  |  | |
| ✅ BEST AGE | 3 years and above | 6 years and above | 3 years and above |
| ❤️ PROS | Able to make your own tracks | Very simple and can be played in co-op | Truly fun for all ages with fantastic replayability |
| 💔 CONS | Controls are a little complex | Might be too easy for experienced players | Some of the mini-games can be challenging for a |
| 💵 PRICE | $30.85 | $49.95 | $50.21 |
Those are just our top picks. Check out the complete list to find the perfect Nintendo Switch game for your 7-year-old gamer.
1. Kirby and the Forgotten Land
| Type of Game: Platform / Jump ‘n’ run Skills it develops: ✅ Problem solving ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Reading |
The adorable pink puffball is back for his first fully 3D adventure. Like the cute, soft Kirby himself, this adventure is whimsical and breezy through a mysterious and abandoned world.
| Recommended age: 6 years and above |
Using his signature ability to copy enemy abilities, Kirby will take on plenty of new forms, such as Drill and Ranger, to take out enemies and solve puzzles to save the captured Waddle Dees. You can join in on the fun with your child and take control of Bandana Waddle Dee.
What We Love:
❤️ Tons of fun abilities to play with
❤️ A wide range of different levels
❤️ Plenty of secrets and extras to unlock
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Might be too easy for experienced players
💔 Very light on story
2. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
| Type of Game: Puzzle & Strategy Skills it develops: ✅ Problem-solving ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Reading |
Originally debuting as a side character, Captain Toad gets his own full adventure to show that even a Toad that can’t jump can be a hero.
| Recommended age: 7 years and above |
Featuring bite-sized levels that look like miniature dioramas, players will guide Captain Toad through hazardous environments to track down his treasures. They’ll need all your wits to guide him safely through these increasingly challenging stages.
What We Love:
❤️ Over 70 levels that are all unique
❤️ Single levels can be played in just a few minutes
❤️ Great game to play in co-op
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Can be beaten quickly
💔 Might disappoint kids expecting a classic Mario game
3. Super Mario Maker 2
| Type of Game: Platform / Jump ‘n’ run Skills it develops: ✅ Problem solving ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Reading |
Mario has been the icon of platforming ever since his arcade days, but most really got to know the iconic plumber when he came to consoles. Since then, he’s appeared in dozens of games from the NES up to the Switch.
| Recommended age: Everyone |
Super Mario Maker 2 lets players experience the rich history of Mario by playing or building levels across the various graphical styles he’s appeared in. Kids can play classic 8-bit Mario or his more modern, highly detailed model. With levels able to be made and shared online, the amount of fun is essentially endless.
What We Love:
❤️ Intuitive level building
❤️ Tons of fun levels to play
❤️ Fun story mode
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Need to have internet access to share and download levels
💔 Game doesn’t run well in co-op
4. Hello Neighbor
| Type of Game: First-Person Action Skills it develops: ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Spacial awareness |
We all had that one neighbor that just seemed a little strange that sent our imaginations running. Hello Neighbor takes that idea and lets kids live out the most exaggerated version by sneaking into a massive labyrinth of a house to find out what their neighbor is hiding.
| Recommended age: Everyone 10+ |
This stealth game features an ever-growing house to explore and solve puzzles while attempting not to get caught by the neighbor. The layouts become increasingly cartoonish, almost resembling something from a Dr. Suess book at times.
What We Love:
❤️ Addictive gameplay
❤️ Creative levels
❤️ Logical puzzles
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Can be a little scary
💔 Very strange story
5. Soldam: Drop, Connect, Erase
| Type of Game: Puzzle & Strategy Skills it develops: ✅ Problem-solving ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Reading |
This puzzle game classic is a reimagining of a 90s tile-matching game, only now updated to include bright, colorful characters, more levels and multiple difficulty levels.
| Recommended age: Everyone |
Kids will rotate and arrange different colored fruits to make matches and erase rows, which can cause the fruit above to fall and create even more matches if you plan. With four difficulty modes, over 200 levels and even a two-player vs. mode, there are hours upon hours of content here.
What We Love:
❤️ Unique puzzles
❤️ Great for fans of Tetris
❤️ Easy to learn, but hard to master
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Not ideal for a first puzzle game
💔 Requires a lot of concentration
6. Sushi Striker: The Way of The Sushido
| Type of Game: Puzzle & Strategy Skills it develops: ✅ Problem-solving ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Reading |
Invite your kid to join Musashi in his quest to become a Sushi Striker and save the world’s sushi from the Empire. Match different colored plates and sushi to unleash powerful attacks while making friends with adorable Sushi Sprites.
| Recommended age: 7 years and above |
This title allows players to play as a boy or girl version of Musashi in an explorable world with fun RPG elements. There are tons of Sushi Sprites to befriend and they can all be leveled up to give you more help in the exciting boss battles.
What We Love:
❤️ Awesome story and art style
❤️ Fast-paced puzzles
❤️ Plenty of extra side modes and activities
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Not very long
💔 Hard to control with the JoyCons
7. Pokémon Legends: Arceus
| Type of Game: Action & Adventure Skills it develops: ✅ Problem-solving ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Reading |
This game marks the beginning of an all-new adventure in the first open-world Pokémon game that lets your kid explore, battle and collect Pokémon in a new way. This entry will allow them to interact with all their favorite creatures from the series in a massive adventure.
| Recommended age: 7 years and above |
Set in the historic Hisui region, your kid’s goal is to complete the first-ever Pokédex by encountering every Pokémon in the region. Watch them build a team, level them up, and take on new challenges as you explore the world to uncover its secrets.
What We Love:
❤️ Tons of Pokémon to collect
❤️ Giant open-world regions to explore
❤️ Exciting battles
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Can require grinding to level up
💔 Lots of dialog in the beginning
If you love Pokémon then be sure to also check out our list of Pokémon coloring pages that you can color in for free.
8. Paper Mario: The Origami King
| Type of Game: Action & Adventure Skills it develops: ✅ Problem-solving ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Reading |
In Mario’s paper-crafted world, a mysterious evil King Olly has appeared to transform the people of the Mushroom Kingdom, including Peach, into origami figures. Only Mario, alongside his new companion Olivia, can set things right.
| Recommended age: Everyone |
This latest entry in the Paper Mario series shakes up combat by adding in puzzle-elements alongside the RPG mechanics. With tons of exciting new places to visit, characters to meet and challenging bosses to thwart, this is one of Mario’s most memorable adventures yet.
What We Love:
❤️ Inspiring graphics
❤️ Fun and engaging story
❤️ Colorful cast of characters and environments
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Puzzle elements can be tricky
💔 Lots of tutorials
9. Luigi’s Mansion 3
The unlikely hero returns for his third entry in Luigi’s Mansion 3. This time Luigi isn’t exploring a haunted mansion but an entire resort hotel!
| Recommended age: 7 years and above |
Mario has once again gone missing, forcing Luigi to pick up his Poltergustt G-00 to vacuum up the pesky spirits, solve puzzles and navigate the themed floors of this massive hotel. However, Luigi doesn’t have to face it alone, with his new Gooigi buddy there to lend him a hand.
What We Love:
❤️ Every floor is unique and fun to explore
❤️ Co-op is a blast
❤️ Can play with up to 8 players online in mini-games
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Controls can be tricky to learn
💔 Bosses can be hard to figure out
10. Splatoon 3
| Type of Game: First-Person Action Skills it develops: ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Spacial awareness |
The squid-kids are back in this colorful battle between Inklings and Octolings, only this battle is fought with ink. Unlike other shooters, the main goal of Splatoon 3 is to cover as much ground in your team’s ink as possible to win.
| Recommended age: Everyone 10+ |
Aside from the vast multiplayer offerings, such as 4v4 Turf Wars with tons of weapons and clothing to unlock, there’s a full story mode where players will face off against the evil Octarians in colorful battles of ink.
What We Love:
❤️ Family friendly shooter
❤️ Tons of clothing to unlock and customize your character
❤️ Online promotes teamwork
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Requires Nintendo online to play online
💔 Very similar to Splatoon 2
11. Yoshi’s Crafted World
| Type of Game: Platform / Jump ‘n’ run Skills it develops: ✅ Problem solving ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Reading |
Yoshi doesn’t often get to be the star of the show, but Yoshi’s Crafted World lets our favorite green dinosaur shine in this comfy adventure. Yoshi dons a soft woolie appearance, and the entire game looks like something you could make yourself with some cardboard and pipe cleaners.
| Recommended age: 6 years and above |
Every stage of the game is packed with personality, fun enemies and secrets to find. Plus, players can return and play each level in reverse to find even more hidden secrets. Yoshi himself can be decorated in new costumes that kids can show off in the co-op mode.
What We Love:
❤️ Incredible art style
❤️ Non-stressful gameplay
❤️ Co-op mode for friends and family to join in
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Might be too easy for older gamers
💔 Not that many levels
12. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
| Type of Game: Platform / Jump ‘n’ run Skills it develops: ✅ Problem-solving ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Reading |
In Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, Nintendo takes things back to basics with this multiplayer classic platform game. If, like my mom, you love the old-school Mario adventures from the GameBoy era, you’ll slip straight into U Deluxe. This time around, there are new worlds to explore, new enemies to battle, and new characters to play with a whole load of new moves.
Like many Switch games that are famed for their bright, bold colors and great playability, U Deluxe is perfect for a 6-year-old. There’s no room for error when you’re on a 2D moving platform, so sharp reactions are needed.
You can play as Mario, his cheeky brother Luigi, the lovely Princess Peach, Toadette, or Nabbit. The great thing about Nabbit is that they don’t get hurt by enemies, so even the not-so-good players can enjoy this game without dying every 2 seconds.
What We Love
❤️ Includes loads of mini-games to play
❤️ You can team up and play with friends
What We Don’t Love
💔 Some of the levels are quite hard to pass
13. Hot Wheels Unleashed
| Type of Game: Racing Skills it develops: ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Critical thinking ✅ Sportsmanship |
Packing all the fun of the toy into a digital experience; Hot Wheels Unleashed brings every race and track your child could imagine to life. This is the best way for them to feel the thrill of racing around your living room without the mess.
| Recommended age: 7 years and above |
All of the coolest and fastest cars are included to unlock, each with their own stats and personality. Of course, this wouldn’t be Hot Wheels if kids couldn’t make their own courses using the iconic orange tracks. Watch them make impossible loops, jumps and more to share and play online.
What We Love:
❤️ Fun and fast racing
❤️ Ability to make and play custom courses
❤️ Tons of cars to play
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Slightly more complex to control
💔 Pushes you to purchase more content
14. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
| Type of Game: Role-Playing Games (RPG) Skills it develops: ✅Reading ✅ Problem solving ✅ Planning |
The first ever handheld Zelda game is back, but with a massive graphical overhaul. After waking up on a strange island, Link must venture through the dangers of Koholintt Island to collect all the instruments and awaken the Wind Fish to try and return home.
| Recommended age: 6-12 |
This smaller title still features dangerous dungeons, unique locals to meet and a ton of equipment to let kids explore further. This new version even adds a feature where they can design their own dungeon based on the rooms they complete.
What We Love:
❤️ A great first Zelda game
❤️ Classic Zelda storyline
❤️ Lots of secrets to discover
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Can be easy to get lost
💔 Expensive for a remake
15. Rabbids: Party of Legends
| Type of game: Party Games & Multiplayer Skills it develops: ✅ Team work ✅ Hand-eye coordination |
The mischievous Rabbids are up to their usual antics. This time, they’ve used their Time Washing Machine to go back and forth across time and space that lands them in a Chinese-inspired land.
| Recommended age: 7 years and above |
The single-player mode spans four chapters, but it’s the four-player multiplayer mode that will be the draw here. Like Mario Party, this title is packed with tons of mini-games to compete in and kids can even create custom game playlists of their favorites.
What We Love:
❤️ Fun for the whole family
❤️ Unique setting
❤️ Mini-games last longer than other party games
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Some mini-games are hit and miss
💔 Only has local multiplayer
16. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
| Type of Game: Racing Skills it develops: ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Critical thinking ✅ Sportsmanship |
Start your engines because Mario and his friends (and some enemies) have taken a break from adventuring to go-karting on the most exciting courses yet. Pick from all your child’s favorite Mario characters, modify their kart or bike and take on the competition in tense races across beautiful levels.
| Recommended age: Everyone |
For the first time, courses also feature gravity-defying sections where kids will ride up and along walls and even on the ceiling. Watch them pick up items and power-ups to make their opponents spin out and take first place in this classic racer.
What We Love:
❤️ Tons of courses
❤️ All your favorite Mario characters are here
❤️ Smart Steering option makes it easier for new players to keep up
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Nothing extra to unlock by playing
17. Nintendo Switch Sports
| Type of game: Sports Skills it develops: ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Timing |
Wii Sports was a phenomenon that got people of all ages playing. It took a long time, but the follow-up we all wanted finally arrived as Nintendo Switch Sports. Featuring six sports, some new and some old, let your kid grab their JoyCons and get ready to score.
| Recommended age: 6 years and above |
Players have the options of playing Soccer, Volleyball, Bowling, Tennis, Badminton and Chambara in one package. Each uses motion controls differently and can be played in multiplayer or online. There’s a sport in here for everyone!
What We Love:
❤️ Wide selection of sports
❤️ Intuitive controls
❤️ Online play and unlockable costumes
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Missing some classic sports
💔 Some sports are too similar
18. Overcooked! All You Can Eat
| Type of game: Party Games & Multiplayer Skills it develops: ✅ Team work ✅ Hand-eye coordination |
Chefs may not be the first thing you think of as a fun videogame character, but Overcooked! All You Can Eat proves that running a kitchen can be a chaotic mess of fun. The controls are simple, but clever tricks make every dish an exercise in teamwork.
| Recommended age: 7 years and above |
This edition bundles the first and second game, letting your young chef and their friends play through dozens of levels where kitchen layouts become more and more challenging. Encourage them to go for three stars on each by making enough dishes before time runs out!
What We Love:
❤️ Easy to understand mechanics
❤️ Fun level layouts
❤️ Requires a lot of teamwork
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Levels can get complicated later on
💔 Loads slowly
19. Mario Party Superstars
| Type of game: Party Games & Multiplayer Skills it develops: ✅ Team work ✅ Hand-eye coordination |
The classic N64 Mario Party games were some of the most popular multiplayer experiences of the day. While the series has gone on since then, there’s undoubtedly something special about those first few entries.
| Recommended age: 7 years and above |
While it is hard to return to the originals, Mario Party Superstars brings them into the modern day by upgrading the graphics and combining the best boards, mini-games and modes from the first three games. The setup is simple and fun for everyone to pick up and play.
What We Love:
❤️ 100 minigames
❤️ Can be played locally or online
❤️ Easy to understand
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Not as fun to play alone
💔 A lot of random elements
20. Ring Fit Adventure
| Type of game: Music & Fitness Skills it develops: ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Timing |
Games don’t have to have you sitting on the couch all the time to be fun. Ring Fit Adventure makes your kid part of the action by taking them on a journey that incorporates fun movements to control.
| Recommended age: 6 years and above |
Set in a fantasy world full of monsters, each exercise they perform lets them move or attack. As they level up, they will also get stronger. The game also has plenty of settings to fit players of all ages.
What We Love:
❤️ Incorporates movement with play
❤️ Addictive RPG mechanics
❤️ Teaches great exercises
What We Don’t Love:
💔 More expensive than most games
💔 Story isn’t well-written
21. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
| Type of Game: Simulation Skills it develops: ✅ Reading ✅ Problem-solving |
Animal Crossing took the world by storm when it was first released. Watch your 7-year-old build up a community of charming animal villagers, design everything from their home to the way your island looks and work to purchase new upgrades and tools to help the process.
| Recommended age: 7 years and above |
In New Horizons, time moves in, well…real time, even the seasons change. You can enjoy the Summer sun, dance in the Fall leaves, and build snow people in the Winter. You can do as much or as little as you please as you live life at your own pace, admiring your surroundings and interacting with others. This is a slow-paced game for 7-year-olds who love playing house.
What We Love:
❤️ Tons to do every day
❤️ Lots to customize
❤️ Plenty of different activities
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Can only have one island per game
💔 Won’t appeal to players who need a lot of action
22. Just Dance 2023
| Type of game: Music & Fitness Skills it develops: ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Timing |
Dancing is one of the most fun forms of exercise and who doesn’t love learning the moves to their favorite songs? Thanks to the motion controls of the Switch, kids can learn to pull off all the coolest moves by following along with the instructions in Just Dance 2023.
| Recommended age: 10 years and above. |
Featuring 40 of the most popular songs and artists, play alone or start a dance party with up to six players at once. Players can create custom playlists and perform their favorite moves whenever they want.
What We Love:
❤️ Intuitive controls
❤️ Kids mode makes it easy for younger players
❤️ Great song selection
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Requires a subscription to get more songs
💔 Not all songs are appropriate for all ages
23. Nickelodeon Kart Racers
| Type of Game: Racing Skills it develops: ✅ Hand-eye coordination ✅ Critical thinking ✅ Sportsmanship |
Take the idea of Mario Kart but instead use a range of characters from the most popular Nickelodeon shows, and you’ve got Nickelodeon Kart Racers. With tons of slime-filled tracks, this is a must-play for fans of these cartoons.
| Recommended age: 7 years and above |
Players can pick between characters from SpongeBob, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Rugrats and more as they race through levels based on iconic locations from the shows. Kids can play alone or with four friends in various cups and battle modes.
What We Love:
❤️ Great cast of characters
❤️ Tracks are varied and fun
❤️ Fun items to use
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Wish there were more characters
💔 Very similar to Mario Kart
24. My Universe – Pet Clinic: Cats & Dogs
| Type of Game: Simulation Skills it develops: ✅ Reading ✅ Problem-solving |
Whether you have one or not, everyone loves pets. Taking care of cats and dogs can be hard, but if your kid loves them that much, they could be interested in doing it for a living.
| Recommended age: 7 years and above |
My Universe — Pet Clinic: Cats & Dogs puts kids in the shoes of a vet who needs to diagnose and treat the various pets that come in. They will learn how to perform x-rays, apply bandages, prepare medicine and more to get them happy and healthy again.
What We Love:
❤️ Great for pet lovers
❤️ Teaches basic vet skills
❤️ Doing well lets you upgrade and do new tasks
What We Don’t Love:
💔 Some parts are repetitive
💔 Uses some big words that might be too advanced
25. Miitopia
| Type of Game: Role-Playing Games (RPG) Skills it develops: ✅ Reading ✅ Problem solving ✅ Planning |
Has your child ever dreamed of starring in their own RPG adventure? With Miitopia, they can create heroes based on themselves, friends and family to go on fantastical adventures. Watch as they take on the Dark Lord and stop him from stealing the faces of the residents of Miitopia.
| Recommended age: 7 years and above |
They will give each character a job, such as a warrior and a mage and level them up in turn-based battles. The better friends their party of heroes become, the more effective they are in combat.
What We Love:
❤️ Tons of character customization
❤️ Fun and silly story
❤️ Easy to understand combat
What We Don’t Love:
💔 AI controlled party isn’t the smartest
💔 Overly linear
Frequently Asked Questions About Nintendo Switch Games
🙋 What do the ratings on Switch games mean?
The ESRB is a system of rating video games based on the content they have to help parents decide whether it is right for their child:
- E = Appropriate for all ages
- E10+ = Includes some content that may not be suitable for players under 10
- T = Suitable for teens
- M = Only for players 18 and over.
You can also read why each game gets that rating on the back of every game box.
🙋 Is a Nintendo Switch good for a 7-year-old?
Yes! The Nintendo Switch is arguably the best console out there for your 7-year-old. Not only does Nintendo develop and publish many kid-friendly games, including Mario, Zelda and Kirby, but the Switch is also two consoles in one! It can be docked with your big screen TV like a standard console, but also taken in handheld mode to play those same great games on the go!
So… What Nintendo Switch Game Should You Get?
Even when we narrow down the list of options with our ranking, there’s still a considerable amount of Switch games for your 7-year-old.
To help you decide which Switch game is best for the specific kid you’re buying for, you first need to determine what genre of game they would enjoy the most. If you have multiple children who want to play together, party games like Mario Party Superstars would be a great choice.
On the other hand, kids who go on imaginary adventures alone might appreciate games such as Zelda or Kirby.
Each genre offers different experiences, which is why we went through the trouble of providing a wide range of games across various styles of play. If you know of some great games for 7-year-olds, please let us know so we can share them with more parents.
