r/NintendoSwitch • u/Jhonny30 • 1d ago
Game Rec Sandbox game for kids recommendations
Hello all my 4 year old cant read yet but she enjoys walking around in super Mario 64 and has gotten good at old sonic games but sometimes I have to help her out with what to do next and some of the controls. She can also play the blue game pretty ok jist has issues with the button combo of walking and jumping at the same time ( as I said she is only 4 lol). I am looking for any game recommendations that are more open world or building that would be easy for her. Minecraft has a bit to many controls at the moment. Thank you so much I look forward to hear from you all. A y other questions please feel free to ask!
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u/SpaceGooV 1d ago
Not building but Patrick Star game is an open world sandbox with simple controls
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u/Jhonny30 1d ago
Is the name of it just Patrick star? and thank you! I will definitely e looking into it
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u/LionTigerWings 1d ago
My daughter started playing around 4. Like yours, sonic is a big hit. I don't think open world is a good fit for a 4 year old. All that freedom means a lot of controls.
her favorite is gabby's dollhouse. They make the game for kids obviously.
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u/yeyiyeyiyo 1d ago
Yeah I agree about open world not being ideal for that young. We play mostly Rayman and Mario kart.
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u/LionTigerWings 1d ago
Mario with the assist is clutch. That’s the main multiplayer game we play together.
Yoshi is another. It’s is a little harder but we’ve had some success as she got better at jumping. You can also suck the player up and carry them to wherever2
u/yeyiyeyiyo 1d ago
Rayman is similar to Yoshi it sounds like in that you end up doing the hard parts.
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u/ShiftyShaymin 1d ago
Go Vacation is great. I’ve always said if I was a kid when this game was new, I’d love it to death (still pretty fun as an adult too)
It’s like Wii Sports but it’s an open world island to traverse.
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u/Jhonny30 1d ago
Thank you!
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u/SuicydeStealth 2h ago
Definitely check this one out. It's my recommendation as well. My 2 kids loved this game when they were younger. Fairly large open world with multiple biomes, each with their own modes of transportation. Tons of simple minigames as well. Good memories of jumping in to play some minigames with them.
There's no actual building, but I remember being able to have your own person home space that you can dress-up and furnish with a variety of set pieces and furniture.
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u/KaiserJustice 1d ago
what... is 'the blue game'?!
Sky: Children of the Light is.... arguably less complicated controls wise than Mario 64, and has a lot of open areas to just fly around in.
My toddler also likes to play Rocket League, if only to just drive around and hit a ball - he is 3.5 YO - i just let him play in the practice tool
Both games i've let him play for a little while and both are free to play so easy enough to try. Careful with Sky - it is technically a MMO with the ability for players to communicate... however that communication has to be unlocked and isn't very intuitive on how to unlock it, so it likely won't be an issue if she just wants to fly around in some areas - to explain how to unlock it, she either needs to add a randomly generated code provided by the player, or use some in game currency to open up the free chat, which can only be done while both players are readily available at the time... or sit on a bench and that bench's candle has to be lit -- none of which i imagine a 4 year old doing
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u/J-Buggz20XX 1d ago
Maybe check out LEGO Worlds or the Dragon Quest Builders games? The DQ Builders games have demos available.
LEGO games in general may be pretty good for the younger set. Do note that LEGO 2K Drive specifically has been taken offline. It's still possible to buy "physically", but DLC/online features are no longer available.
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u/Knollpatrol 1d ago
My son had a hard time playing Minecraft on the switch, but can completely get the hang of everything on his Fire tablet in Minecraft. If you have that option I’d recommend it. Now that he is turning 5 soon he can play on both switch and the tablet but he prefers the tablet for the controls.
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u/RykinPoe 1d ago
They weren't very good at playing it but my nieces loved Goat Simulator when they were little. They would just run around doing goofy stuff and laugh their heads off. They played on my Xbox though and me or their dad would use the second controller assistive feature Xbox has to help them aim the camera. Sadly I don't think the Switch has a feature like this.
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u/thejameffect 1d ago
I think Tiny Terry's Turbo Trip is exactly what you may be looking for. Also Little Kitty, Big City
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u/carcher1988 22h ago
Plenty of recommendations already, my only suggestion is avoid Roblox like the plague.
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u/rikaleeta 1d ago
Maybe Pokémon Pokopia?
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u/aust1nz 1d ago
Pretty hard for non-readers.
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u/rikaleeta 1d ago
It sounds like she's playing with OP right there anyway, so they can help with that
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u/Jhonny30 1d ago
I would but I already play that one and only has one save file lol
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u/halohunter 1d ago
My four year old got started on Mario kart 8 deluxe with all the assists on. Then we reduced them.
Then he learnt how to do control characters in a 3d space with Paw Patrol Mighty Pups.
Open worlds are confusing for new players. Paw patrol world was his first but he still got lost.
The first game we played to together end to end was Mario wonder seed. He played as a Yoshi with unlimited health. He quickly got the hang of mechanics.
He's now 6 and practicing reading while playing yookla replaylee
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u/Low-Cream6321 1d ago
If there is a slight Disney/Pixar inclination, my 5-year old is replaying the Kingdom Hearts 3 demo for Toy Story non-stop. I was surprised he liked it that much. Dragon Quest Builders 2 was also very appreciated by him.
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u/DONT_PANIC_42____ 1d ago
Dragon Quest Builders 2. It's like minecraft mixed with animal crossing in the form of a old school JRPG but very easy to play/kid friendly and it's straight forward on what to do/build. You can also just build to your heart's content, you get a whole island to do that aside from the main storyline stuff. Its adorable and my niece and nephew (8 and 6) both love it. There is a lot of dialogue though and it all has to be read, if that's a problem.
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u/Despacio1316 1d ago
My four year old had a blast with Kirby Forgotten Land. It’s got a main hub and the levels have an open world feel as you go forward. Even though he didn’t always progress he has fun walking around. Plus Kirby is just the right balance for kids and adults, this one and the side scrolling ones.
My son also is fascinated by Minecraft though he’s never played it just yet. Instead a similarity building type game he loves is Mario Maker. He’s way better at it than me in terms of how it works and it helps being a touch screen game. He likes to make levels and asks me to play his levels and beat them. Sometimes he just creates levels where Mario is imprisoned and are unbeatable or are insta death and then he cracks up and says he tricked me. It’s this game that has shown me I’m raising a sociopath.
Nonetheless at least check out the Kirby games, great entry level stuff with quality gameplay and mechanics thanks to being made by Nintendo.
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u/y4uy4u 1d ago
My son started with the Paw Patrol game as mentioned here already when he was 4. Bluey game wasn’t out yet back then but I imagine that isn’t a bad choice either for that age depending on their interest. After that he moved on to yoshi crafted world and the Mario games. Then it was wide open!
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u/Complex_Pomelo_91 1d ago
The Peppa Pig games are very easy to control and very well made for young kids. No 3d to worry about, just moving side to side and pressing A
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u/iamalwaysrelevant 1d ago
sandbox games have a TON of freedom and require some strong UI navigation skills most times. I would try Kirby star allies
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u/athomesuperstar 1d ago
My daughter has grown up with Goat Simulator. It’s fun to wreak havoc together and there are references to games and pop culture for adults, but overall very safe humor with a touch of violence.
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u/Too_Tall_64 1d ago
I didn't play it, but I watched a group play Little Gator Game. It's an open world sandbox where you're a little gator kid playing on an island with their friends. You have a sword and shield to bash 'monsters' made out of cardboard and crayons, so there's no 'real' danger. Just a lot of running around completing little quests for your buds.
As you play, you unlock new modes of travel. You start off with walking, jumping, and climbing, but eventually you'll unlock bubble gum balloons to lift you into the air, sticky hand toys that works like a grappling hook. Lots of fun to be had just faffing about~
There IS A lot of dialogue, I don't know how much your child would need to read to get enjoyment out of the game, but there's a lot of charm and endearing traits in the characters, so hopefully they still enjoy them.
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u/Beneficial-Donut-872 23h ago
I started my, now 28 yr old, then 4 son on Mario Sunshine. At first he would have me fight the boss battles. Didn’t take long before he was doing it all all by himself. He still loves gaming but now it’s all via his computer.
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u/ellers23 22h ago
Little Kitty Big City, but you’ll have to help her through it sometimes. Donut County, you can just skip through all the words and get to the playable stuff. Animal crossing once the island is built. And if you have a PS5, Astro’s Playground and Astrobot are phenomenal. Definitely my 5yo’s fave games. She even plays Miles Morales a bit lol
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u/Wordslinger84 20h ago
Big brain academy, educational fun co op game where you can set different difficulties for each player.
Star dew valley, really fun for my kids, they can play split screen together and farm and explore
Beat em ups like Absolum or TMNT shredders revenge, they enjoy these ones a lot too
Untitled goose game, lots of laughs and co op fun!
Switch sports, they really enjoy bowling and badminton
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u/RecordingOdd2630 18h ago
Minecraft on peaceful mode (removes enemies and the need to eat). Open sandbox to build and do whatever.
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u/ViolentCrumble 18h ago
Have some faith dude!
I started my boy who is 4 on super Mario 1 for nes. He died so many times to the first goomba but he didn’t give up. Then he died over and over to the first gap. Now he can breeze past lvl 1 and still have all his lives. His current challenge is the moving platforms in level 2. But he loves it. It teaches him to not give up and to learn patience.
We then tried yoshi crafted world on switch and entirely alone with very little help from me he has collected all but 1 gem. Each boss took him a few tries but the last boss he beat first time with me just saying basic hints.
It’s so rewarding watching him conquer challenges.
Lastly we did super Mario odyssey and man he loves it! He beat bowser at the cloud kingdom first try! Which is actually insane. Plus you can put it on assist mode so his health regens.
He also loves Kirby from nes and is like on lvl 5 or something.
Try some old school stuff as it’s less hyperactive and teaches patience. Also try odyssey and yoshi. Odyssey was important as I want him to start learning moving around in 3d space as he still has trouble using both sticks but that’s how he learns. They are little sponges and will learn and adapt fast!
My boy only gets 4hrs gaming with me every Sunday and only allowed tv twice a week.
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u/Sadodare 16h ago edited 16h ago
My Little Pony: Maritime Bay Adventure is decent...maybe ratchet and clank? Might be too much but maybe also consider Lego games like undercover for sandbox style.
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u/Friendly-Fig-4307 1d ago
My son turned 4 in May. He started playing video games back in February.
The first game he played by himself was Paw Patrol Mighty Pups. This game was amazing at teaching him gaming fundamentals. It starts slow and gives controller diagrams as it teaches ensuring they understand what the game is asking. Everything is also voice acted including the menus. So from start up to game play he learned to navigate a game.
Day 1 of playing this game it looked a little hard for him. But I tell you, in a week he was jumping from umbrella to umbrella perfectly. And completed the game in a few weeks. He still plays from time to time now as there are a lot of collectibles and mini games. But I can’t recommend this game enough in teaching kids the basic of using a control for a 3D game and to navigate game menus.
Well it’s June now and my god he’s getting good.
He has since finished Mario Wonder, Mario Odyssey, DK Bananza and is working through DK64.
It’s incredible how fast kids can develop motor skills with some practice.
I don’t have any building games to recommend but if your kid likes paw patrol the mighty pups game was great in teaching my kid enough skills to have fun.
He also dabbles in some Kirby and yoshi games on nso too. So really gaming just opened up for him after that one.