:NOTE Unofficial guide. Not affiliated with Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo. Menu names change, so every step links to the maker's own support page. Checked 14 Nov 2026. :COUNTDOWN [targettime:2026-12-25T00:00:00Z] :INFO Step 1: Update before the kids wake up Do the system update the night before so it is ready. PS5: Settings, System, System Software, System Software Update and Settings. Auto download and install can run in rest mode. Xbox: Profile and system, Settings, System, Updates. Switch 2: System Settings, System, System Update. :INFO Step 2: Make accounts first, parent as manager PlayStation: create a family and add your child as a family member BEFORE setting parental controls. Xbox: the parent is the family organizer in Microsoft Family Safety. Nintendo: parents and children share a Nintendo Account family group. Up to two parents can manage. :INFO Step 3: Time limits, and where each one lives PS5: Playtime settings. Set the time zone first. Xbox: set on the Family Safety website or app. Time counts while the child is signed in. Switch 2: set the play time limit in the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app, up to 6 hours a day. :INFO Step 4: Spending, the part that surprises parents PS5: the monthly spending limit is 0 by default. Raise it only if you want purchases. Xbox: set Ask a parent under Buy and download, or use spending limits in Family Safety. Switch 2: eShop restrictions are set in the parent Nintendo Account, not on the console. :INFO Step 5: Age limits and the PIN Switch 2: you choose a PIN of 4 to 8 digits during parental controls setup, and can restrict software by age. PS5: set the age level for games and apps in the child's parental controls. Check the child's age is set correctly, then test with the child account. :INFO Tip: log out when done Xbox says screen time counts while a child is signed in. On PS5, if you change controls while a child is playing, have them sign out and back in for it to apply. :LINK https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/account/ps5-parental-controls-spending-limits/ PS5: parental controls and spending limits :LINK https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/account/play-time-controls-playstation/ PS5: set playtime :LINK https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/ps5/system-software/ PS5: update system software :LINK https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/family-safety/set-screen-time-limits-across-devices Xbox: screen time limits (Family Safety) :LINK https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/family-safety/spending-limits-in-family-safety Xbox: spending limits and purchase approval :LINK https://support.xbox.com/en-GB/help/hardware-network/settings-updates/system-update-overview Xbox: about system updates :LINK https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/68322/ Switch 2: set up parental controls and PIN :LINK https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/22508/~/parental-controls-on-nintendo-switch 2-and-nintendo-switch-overview/faq Switch 2: parental controls FAQ :PRODUCT Printable Christmas setup plan, 1 page 5 USD One page for your home: which consoles you have, the child ages, and the exact steps to tick off before Christmas morning, with the official links. Unofficial. No checkout on this page. :INFO Payment, honestly Send your details with the button below. We reply with the plan and a payment link. Pay only if you want it. :CONTACT Order my 5 USD setup plan Tell us your consoles (PS5, Xbox, Switch 2) and the ages of the kids. We reply with your plan.