Should They Play?The parents' guide to apps and games

Should I let my child play Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

7+

Only with conditions

From age 7, with chat with other players switched off in Nintendo's parental controls.

Animal Crossing is gentle, creative and has nothing to buy inside the game. The risk is online visits: anyone your child gives a 4-digit visitor code (the game calls it a Dodo Code) can visit their island and type messages to them, and these codes are often shared publicly online. Nintendo's parental controls can switch off chat with other players, locked with your PIN. Players also share their own clothing designs and dream versions of their islands, which aren't checked before others see them. With chat off, it's only with conditions, and the steps below are the conditions.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons passes all 7 safety checks. See how we decided, and the official age ratings

Last checked . Animal Crossing: New Horizons is made by Nintendo and runs on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2.

What is Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a calm life game where children build and decorate their own island, catch fish and bugs, and make friends with animal neighbours. Players can also visit each other's islands online.

Our advice by age

Under 7
NoCommon Sense Media recommends it from 7, and we follow the highest rating. PEGI rates it 3, so it's gentle, but there's a lot of reading.
7 and over
Only with conditionsOnly with chat with other players switched off in Nintendo's parental controls. Visiting friends they know in real life is fine. Set up every step below.

What to watch out for

  • Strangers visiting their islandRisk is high by default, low with controls on

    Anyone with your child's visitor code can come to their island and type messages to them, and players often share codes publicly online. With chat restricted in Nintendo's parental controls, visitors can't message your child.

  • Designs made by other playersRisk is medium by default, medium with controls on

    Players share their own clothing designs and dream versions of their islands. Most are lovely, but they aren't checked before others see them.

  • Time spentRisk is medium by default, low with controls on

    The game runs on real time, with daily tasks and visitors, so children want to check in every day. The Parental Controls app can set a daily limit.

  • CostsRisk is low by default, low with controls on

    There's nothing to buy inside the game. A paid expansion, the Switch 2 upgrade and Nintendo Switch Online for visits are all optional.

What's good about it

  • Calm, creative play with no winning or losing
  • Nothing to buy inside the game
  • Encourages reading, planning and looking after things
  • Great for visiting friends and family they know in real life

How to set it up safely

Required steps are the conditions of our verdict. If you can't do them, our answer is no. Takes about ten minutes. Do it with your child so they know what's switched on and why.

  1. Set up Nintendo's parental controls with a PINRequired

    Use the free Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app. Only someone with the PIN can change the settings.

  2. Restrict chat with other playersRequired

    In the Parental Controls app, restrict Free Communication With Others for Animal Crossing, so visitors can't message your child.

  3. Talk about visitor codesRequired

    Agree they'll only share their island's visitor code with friends they know in real life, and never post it online.

  4. Restrict spendingRecommended

    Set a spending restriction, so expansions and upgrades need you.

  5. Set a daily time limitRecommended

    The Parental Controls app can pause the game when time's up.

Recent news

  1. Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition ReviewCubed3

    The paid Switch 2 version adds sharper graphics, mouse controls and online visits for up to 12 players, but isn't essential.

  2. Animal Crossing New Horizons' version 3.0.0 update has added more improvements beyond what was announcedVideo Games Chronicle

    A big free update added a hotel, new islands to build and LEGO items, for both Switch and Switch 2.

Common questions

What age is Animal Crossing: New Horizons suitable for?

7 and over, with chat with other players switched off. ESRB rates it for everyone and PEGI rates it 3, but Common Sense Media recommends it from 7, and we follow the highest rating.

Is Animal Crossing safe for a 5-year-old?

We'd wait until 7, because Common Sense Media recommends 7+ and there's a lot of reading. If you play together, you'll quickly see whether it suits your child.

Can strangers talk to my child in Animal Crossing?

Yes, if they visit using your child's visitor code, which they can type messages with. Restrict Free Communication With Others in Nintendo's parental controls, and agree your child only shares the code with real-life friends.

Does Animal Crossing cost money after buying it?

There's nothing to buy inside the game. A paid expansion, the Switch 2 upgrade and Nintendo Switch Online for visits are all optional, and a spending restriction stops anything being bought without you.

What would change your verdict?

Proof that Nintendo checks player-made designs and dream islands before others see them. Then, with chat still off, it could get a plain yes.