Playing Nintendo Switch with My Kids — Building Memories One Game at a Time
After work, my kids and I play Nintendo Switch together every evening. From Pokemon to Mario Kart, these gaming sessions have become our most treasured family time.
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When I get home from work, my kid is waiting at the door. "Daddy, let's play!" — Joy-Con already in hand. And just like that, our nightly routine begins.
Pokemon-Obsessed Kids
The game that gets the most play time in our house is, without question, Pokemon.
My kid is still in kindergarten and can't read well yet. Every dialogue box means "Daddy, what does this say?" But when it comes to recognizing Pokemon by their design and cries? Lightning fast. Pikachu, Eevee, Charizard... They've memorized their favorites and even draw pictures of them.
Battle mechanics are still a bit advanced, so I help out while we play together. When I ask "Which move should we use?" the answer is always a confident "The strongest-looking one!" The victory cheer when we win echoes through the entire house.
Mario Kart: Family Bonding Time
Our other go-to game is Mario Kart.
For a kindergartener, the controls are still a challenge. Driving straight is an achievement. Hitting walls and flying off the course is just part of the experience. But that's what makes it fun.
I quietly slow down, "forget" to use my items, and hang back just a little. Then on the final stretch, I make sure my kid crosses the finish line first. "I beat Daddy!" — that look of pure joy is worth everything.
Every now and then, they genuinely pull off a great race without my help. The pride on their face in those moments is priceless. Watching them gradually improve, race by race — that's a privilege only a parent gets to enjoy.
Passing the Torch
Playing Nintendo games with my kids gives me this strange, wonderful feeling.
When I was a kid, I sat in front of a TV gripping a Game Boy, completely absorbed. That same excitement and wonder I felt back then — my kid is feeling it right now, sitting right next to me.
It's like sharing my childhood memories in real time.
Most of the time, my kids can't understand stories about work or my past — they're kindergarteners, after all. But through games, we share the same experience. When I say "Daddy used to lose at this part over and over when he was little," they laugh and say "You too, Daddy?"
What words can't convey, games bridge perfectly. That was a genuinely happy discovery for me.
Games Create "Together Time"
Parenting makes you acutely aware of how precious time with your kids is. Right now, they cling to me and want to play constantly. But someday they'll grow up, spend more time with friends, and less time with dad.
So I want to treasure this time.
Turning on the Switch, handing over a Joy-Con, sitting on the couch together. It's such a simple thing, but it becomes irreplaceable family time. Trading Pokemon, racing in Mario Kart, laughing at old games together.
Games aren't just entertainment — they're a tool for creating "together time" as a family. I've come to feel this more deeply with each passing day.
To Wrap Up
As someone who works in tech, I have plenty of thoughts about the educational value of gaming. But I'll save that for another post.
For now, it's simple: playing games with my kids is fun.
The things that made me excited as a child still make my kids excited today. Being there to witness that, side by side — that's one of the great joys of being a parent.
Tonight, after work, I'll turn on the Switch with my kids again.