Games for ages 5 to 8

Colourful, forgiving games they can enjoy with a little help from you.

Before you start

Most children this age are happy with simple controls and some reading help. Sit with them for the first few sessions.
Choose games with no chat with strangers. Switch off or limit online features in the console settings.
Set up the console's family controls before they play: you can limit time, spending and who they talk to.

Games for this age

Level 2 · EasyMinecraft

A good one to play togetherCan be played onlineIn-game shop

What it is

A world made of blocks where you build, dig and explore. There is no set goal.

Why they love it

They can make almost anything: a house, a farm, a roller coaster. It is like digital Lego with no instructions.

What to know

In creative mode, monsters cannot hurt you and you cannot lose. In survival mode they can.
On a Microsoft child account, multiplayer, servers and chat are switched off until a parent allows them.
The in-game Marketplace sells extras for real money. A child account has no payment method, so a parent has to do the buying.

Could you join in?

A good one to join. Ask them to show you their world, and try creative mode.

Age ratings: US (ESRB) E10+ · Europe (PEGI) 7.

Plays on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC, Phone and tablet.

Ask them: “What is the best thing you have built?”

Checked 4 October 2026. Sources: minecraft.net, minecraft.net

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Level 2 · EasyPokémon Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!

A good one to play togetherCan be played online

What it is

Catch, collect and train Pokémon as you walk around a map.

Why they love it

Collecting favourites and showing them off.

What to know

Online trading and battles are optional and need a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
The Poké Ball Plus controller is optional. The Joy-Con work too.

Could you join in?

A good one to play side by side. Two players can play together on one Switch.

Age ratings: US (ESRB) E · Europe (PEGI) 7 · Common Sense Media 9+.

Plays on: Nintendo Switch.

Ask them: “Which Pokémon is your favourite, and why?”

Checked 4 October 2026. Sources: nintendo.com, en-americas-support.nintendo.com

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Level 1 · GentleMario Kart 8 Deluxe

A good one to play togetherCan be played online

What it is

Racing with Mario characters, with items you can throw to knock out other drivers.

Why they love it

Items make the races unpredictable, so it is not always the fastest driver who wins.

What to know

It has driving helps called Smart Steering and Auto-Accelerate. Switch them on for little ones, and for yourself.
Online racing is optional.

Could you join in?

Very easy to join. Switch on the driving helps and race each other.

Age ratings: US (ESRB) E · Europe (PEGI) 3 · Common Sense Media 7+.

Plays on: Nintendo Switch.

Ask them: “Which track is your favourite?”

Checked 4 October 2026. Sources: nintendo.com

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Level 2 · EasyKirby and the Forgotten Land

A good one to play together

What it is

A cute pink character who eats things and copies their powers.

Why they love it

It is gentle and colourful.

What to know

A second player can join as Bandana Waddle Dee.
Spring-Breeze mode gives Kirby more health and makes enemies easier.
There is no online co-op.

Could you join in?

A good one to play with a young child. You each take a role.

Age ratings: US (ESRB) E10+ · Europe (PEGI) 7 · Common Sense Media 8+.

Plays on: Nintendo Switch.

Ask them: “What power do you want to copy next?”

Checked 4 October 2026. Sources: nintendo.com

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Level 2 · EasySuper Mario Bros. Wonder

A good one to play togetherCan be played online

What it is

A side-scrolling Mario game where the world changes in surprising ways.

Why they love it

It is funny and full of surprises.

What to know

Up to 4 can play together on one Switch, or online with up to 12 friends (4 per course) with Nintendo Switch Online.
A player who is knocked out comes back as a ghost, and a teammate can touch them to bring them back.

Could you join in?

A good one to join. Up to four can play at once.

Age ratings: US (ESRB) E · Europe (PEGI) 3 · Common Sense Media 7+.

Plays on: Nintendo Switch.

Ask them: “What is the strangest thing that happened in a level?”

Checked 4 October 2026. Sources: nintendo.com, play.nintendo.com

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Level 1 · GentleAnimal Crossing: New Horizons

A good one to play togetherCan be played online

What it is

You live on an island with animal neighbours and make it your own.

Why they love it

They can decorate, fish, catch bugs and visit friends.

What to know

One island is shared by everyone who uses the console, up to eight people.
Visiting other islands online is optional and needs a Nintendo Switch Online membership.

Could you join in?

A good one to share. Ask for a tour of their island.

Age ratings: US (ESRB) E · Europe (PEGI) 3 · Common Sense Media 7+.

Plays on: Nintendo Switch.

Ask them: “Can you show me around your island?”

Checked 4 October 2026. Sources: en-americas-support.nintendo.com

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Level 1 · GentleNintendo Switch Sports

A good one to play togetherCan be played online

What it is

Eight sports, including bowling, golf and badminton, where you move the controller like a racket, club or ball.

Why they love it

It is active, and everyone from children to adults can play together.

What to know

It needs the Joy-Con controllers and cannot be played in handheld mode.
Online play needs a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
Leave plenty of room around you.

Could you join in?

Very easy to join. Bowling is a good place to start.

Age ratings: US (ESRB) E10+ · Europe (PEGI) 7 · Common Sense Media 8+.

Plays on: Nintendo Switch.

Ask them: “Can you beat me at bowling?”

Checked 4 October 2026. Sources: nintendo.com, nintendoswitchsports.nintendo.com

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Level 1 · GentleJust Dance 2025 Edition

A good one to play togetherCan be played online

What it is

Copy the dancer on screen to your favourite songs.

Why they love it

It is silly, active and good for a family laugh.

What to know

Up to six can play, locally or online.
Extra songs come from a paid subscription called Just Dance+, with a free first month.
The game is rated for mild lyrics.
A newer edition, Just Dance 2026, is out.

Could you join in?

Easy and fun for everyone. Join in even if you think you cannot dance.

Age ratings: US (ESRB) E10+ · Europe (PEGI) 3.

Plays on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox.

Ask them: “Which song should we do first?”

Checked 4 October 2026. Sources: nintendo.com, news.ubisoft.com

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Level 1 · GentleSuper Mario Party Jamboree

A good one to play togetherCan be played online

What it is

A board game with lots of quick mini games between turns.

Why they love it

It is a party game where anyone can win.

What to know

Up to four can play on one Switch, or up to twenty online with a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
It has more than 110 mini games.

Could you join in?

A good one for a family evening. Mini games are quick to learn.

Age ratings: US (ESRB) E · Europe (PEGI) 3 · Common Sense Media 6+.

Plays on: Nintendo Switch.

Ask them: “Which mini game is your favourite?”

Checked 4 October 2026. Sources: nintendo.com

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Level 2 · EasySackboy: A Big Adventure

A good one to play togetherCan be played online

What it is

A cute platform game where you play as a knitted character.

Why they love it

It is bright, and best with a friend.

What to know

Up to four can play together, locally or online. Online play needs PlayStation Plus.
It is on PlayStation and PC only, not on Nintendo consoles.

Could you join in?

A good one to play with them. Do the levels together.

Age ratings: US (ESRB) E · Europe (PEGI) 7 · Common Sense Media 8+.

Plays on: PlayStation, PC.

Ask them: “Which level did you like best?”

Checked 4 October 2026. Sources: playstation.com

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Level 2 · EasyLego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

A good one to play together

What it is

Lego versions of the Star Wars films, where you smash things and build things.

Why they love it

It is familiar, and easy to play in two-player mode.

What to know

One or two players on one system.
It has cartoon-style fighting.

Could you join in?

A good one for two. Take a character each.

Age ratings: US (ESRB) E10+ · Europe (PEGI) 7 · Common Sense Media 10+.

Plays on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC.

Ask them: “Which character do you want to be?”

Checked 4 October 2026. Sources: lego.com

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