How To Get Free Items In Animal Crossing New Horizons

Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers players multiple pathways to acquire free items, including furniture, clothing, in-game currency, DIY recipes, and seasonal rewards. These methods utilize in-game mechanics such as Nook Miles challenges, seasonal events, social interaction with other players, and account linking promotions. By engaging with these features, players can expand their inventory and customize their islands without spending in-game currency.

Primary Methods for Acquiring Free Items

Players can access free items through several established in-game systems. These methods are integrated into the core gameplay loop and do not require external purchases.

• Nook Miles Rewards: Completing Nook Miles challenges is a primary method for earning free rewards. Players can access these challenges by speaking to Timmy and Tommy at the Nook Stop located in the Resident Services building. Rewards include items, in-game currency (Nook Miles), and DIY recipes.
• Fishing Tournaments: Participating in Fishing Tournaments allows players to catch rare fish and earn exclusive rewards. The schedule for these tournaments can be checked by speaking to C.J. at the C.J.’s Re-Tail shop.
• Bug Off Events: The Bug Off event enables players to catch rare insects to earn rewards. The schedule for these events can be checked by speaking to Flick at the bug-catching event.
• Festivale Events: Attending Festivale events provides opportunities to receive exclusive rewards and items. Participation is initiated by talking to the Festivale staff member, Reese.
• Gift-Giving: Giving gifts to animal neighbors helps build relationships. Neighbors may return these gestures with gifts of their own. Players can give gifts daily, and neighbors will sometimes provide new items in return.
• Recycling: Players can recycle items they no longer need or use to earn in-game currency. This is done at the recycling bin located in the Resident Services building.
• Borrowing from Friends: Players can visit friends' islands to borrow furniture and other items. This system allows for the temporary acquisition of items for redecorating. In return, players may lend items from their own islands, facilitating a mutual exchange of goods.

Cross-Game Promotions and External Rewards

Beyond standard gameplay, players can obtain free items by linking their Nintendo Account to other Animal Crossing titles or utilizing community-hosted resources.

Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Linking Rewards

Players who own Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp on mobile devices can link their Nintendo Account to receive unique items in New Horizons. To redeem these rewards: 1. Ensure the Pocket Camp game is linked to the same Nintendo Account used for New Horizons on the Nintendo Switch. 2. Log in to Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp and navigate to the "My Nintendo" section in the menu. 3. Locate the "Animal Crossing: New Horizons Special Offer" and redeem it. This provides 50 Leaf Tickets and a redeemable code. 4. The code must be used on the Nintendo Switch eShop under the "Enter Code" section.

Treasure Islands and Dodo Codes

Some players utilize "treasure islands" to acquire free items. These are player-created islands that use hacking devices or software to spawn unlimited quantities of rare items, Nook Miles Tickets (NMTs), bells, Sanrio items, Royal Crowns, DIY recipes, materials, furniture, critters, and seasonal items. Hosts share Dodo codes to allow other players to visit and take items. Some sources claim to update these codes 24/7, allowing players to visit anytime.

Seasonal and Update-Specific Freebies

Nintendo occasionally distributes free cosmetic items through custom design codes, often coinciding with game updates or holidays. For example, as the 2025 year concluded, Nintendo distributed custom design codes for the following items to celebrate the new year and the release of update 3.0 (scheduled for January 2026): * 2026 Knit Cap * 2026 Hoodie * 2026 Flag

These items are available via codes and can be integrated into the game provided the player has sufficient design slots.

Additional Tips for Acquiring Free Items

Players can employ several strategies to maximize their acquisition of free items: * Island Decoration: Decorating the island can attract new visitors, who may provide gifts. * Mail Monitoring: Players should check their mail regularly for letters and packages from friends and other characters, which may contain gifts. * Visiting Other Islands: Traveling to other islands allows players to discover new items and gain inspiration for their own designs. * Museum Tasks: Completing tasks for the museum helps earn new exhibits and associated rewards.

Conclusion

Animal Crossing: New Horizons provides a variety of legitimate methods to obtain free items, ranging from in-game events like Fishing Tournaments and Nook Miles challenges to social exchanges with friends. Additionally, cross-game promotions such as the Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp linking offer provide exclusive content. While community-hosted "treasure islands" offer access to a vast array of items through third-party methods, the primary in-game systems remain the most reliable source for free rewards.

Sources

1. How to Get Free Stuff on Animal Crossing: New Horizon?
2. How to Get Pocket Camp Items in New Horizons
3. ACNH Free Treasure Island Dodo Codes That Are Always Open 2025
4. Animal Crossing Official Custom New Years Designs Free