If you’ve seen your kid staring at a Nintendo Switch while a cartoon raccoon talks to them about home loans, they’re playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons (often just called ACNH).

The premise is simple: Your child moves to a deserted island, sets up a tent (which eventually becomes a house), and spends their days catching bugs, fishing, digging up fossils, and befriending animal neighbors. There are no "boss battles," no "game over" screens, and no ticking clocks—except for the actual, real-world clock.

The game is famous for its "cozy" vibe. In the world of gaming, "cozy" means high on aesthetics and low on stress. It’s about the "vibe" more than the victory.

There’s a reason this game practically saved everyone’s sanity in 2020. It offers a sense of control and agency that kids rarely get in real life. They get to decide where the bridges go, what flowers to plant, and how to decorate their rooms.

It’s also surprisingly educational in a "stealth-wealth" kind of way.

If your child is already an Animal Crossing pro, they might be looking for what’s next. The "cozy" genre has exploded recently, and there are some fantastic alternatives that offer different flavors of relaxation.

Often called the "grown-up" version of Animal Crossing (though it’s perfectly fine for ages 10+), this game is about inheriting a grandfather’s farm. It’s a bit more complex, involving crop management and relationship building with townspeople. It’s a masterpiece of indie gaming.

Think Animal Crossing, but with Mickey, Moana, and Wall-E. It’s very high-quality but be aware: it has more "micro-transactions" (asking for real money for cool outfits) than Animal Crossing does.

This is a zen puzzle game where you literally just unpack boxes and put items away in a new room. It sounds boring, but it’s incredibly meditative and teaches a subtle story through the items you carry through life. Great for kids who love organization.

For the younger set (ages 5-8) who aren't quite ready for the Switch, this app offers a similar "digital dollhouse" experience where they can create stories without any pressure to win.

Ask our chatbot for more "cozy" game recommendations based on your child's age

Animal Crossing is rated E for Everyone, and for once, that rating is actually accurate. There’s no violence, no gore, and the "rudest" thing a neighbor might do is tell your kid they haven't talked to them in a while.

However, there are two things to keep on your radar:

To visit a friend's island, your child needs a "Dodo Code." If they play only with school friends, it’s 100% safe. But there is a massive online community of adults who play this game. Kids might be tempted to go on Reddit or Discord to find "Turnip Prices" or rare furniture. The Rule: No visiting islands of people you don't know in real life without permission. While the community is generally wholesome, "griefing" (where a visitor steals items or tramples flowers) can happen.

The game follows your local time. If it’s 9 PM at your house, it’s dark on the island. The shops in the game usually close at 10 PM. This can lead to the "Just five more minutes, the shop is about to close!" excuse. Pro Tip: Some parents (and kids) "Time Travel" by changing the clock settings on the Nintendo Switch console. This allows them to play "daytime" content in the evening. It’s not "cheating," it’s a lifestyle choice.

As kids get deeper into the game, they might hear about "Nookazon." It’s a fan-made website (not affiliated with Nintendo) for trading items. It’s basically eBay for Animal Crossing. While it’s a cool way to get that rare "Ironwood Cupboard" they’ve been wanting, it involves interacting with strangers. If your child is under 13, I’d suggest doing the Nookazon trading with them or sticking to trading with friends.

Learn more about how to set up Nintendo Switch parental controls

If you want to engage with your kid about their island, don't just ask "Are you winning?" (Because you can't really win). Try these instead:

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is one of the "cleanest" hits in digital media. It encourages creativity, rewards patience, and provides a low-stress environment for kids to experiment with design and basic economics.

Is it "brain rot"? Absolutely not. It’s more like a digital garden. It requires tending, it grows slowly, and it’s a lovely place to spend an hour after a long day of math homework.

Next Steps:

Check out our full guide on managing Nintendo Switch screen time