Animal Crossing New Horizons Free Items And Treasure Islands In 2026

Animal Crossing: New Horizons players have access to several methods for acquiring free in-game items and resources. According to official announcements and community resources, Nintendo has released specific design codes for 2026-themed apparel, while third-party "treasure islands" offer a continuous supply of materials, currency, and rare items. These resources are available to players who meet specific eligibility requirements, primarily regarding Nintendo Switch Online membership and in-game progression.

Official Nintendo 2026 Design Codes

Nintendo has utilized the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Custom Design portal to distribute free promotional items. Specifically, three new Design ID codes were released to celebrate the upcoming year. These items feature a "2026" motif, fun fireworks artwork, and a purple colorway.

The available items and their corresponding Design IDs are: * 2026 Knit Cap: Design ID MO-4BF9-FR90-X513 * 2026 Hoodie: Design ID MO-05W4-BPK8-3R2F * 2026 Flag: Design ID MO-T5KK-WX8Y-VKP0

Players can also access all designs from Nintendo by searching for the Creator ID MA-6818-1746-6029.

Eligibility and Redemption Process

To redeem these free items, players must satisfy several prerequisites: 1. Nintendo Switch Online Membership: An active subscription is required to access the Custom Design portal. 2. In-Game Progression: Players must have unlocked the Able Sisters clothing shop. The Custom Design portal kiosk is located inside this shop. 3. Redemption Steps: * Navigate to the Able Sisters shop. * Interact with the kiosk at the back of the store. * Search for the specific Design IDs listed above or the Creator ID. * Select "Save" to download the designs to the player's catalog.

According to the source material, there is no stated expiration date for these codes, allowing players to claim them at their convenience without a strict time limit.

24/7 Free Treasure Islands and Dodo Codes

In addition to official promotional items, the Animal Crossing community hosts "Treasure Islands." These are player-created islands where hacked or modded Switches are used to spawn unlimited quantities of rare items, Nook Miles Tickets (NMTs), bells, DIY recipes, and seasonal collectibles. Hosts share these items with the community via Dodo Codes, which allow other players to fly to the island and collect resources.

Availability and Access

"24/7" treasure islands are designed to be accessible at any time of day. This continuous availability is achieved through various hosting methods, including: * Automated Systems: Using bots to share and regenerate Dodo Codes to keep the island open even when the host is inactive. * Continuous Logging: The host keeps the game and console running continuously. * Community Management: Groups of friends or communities managing the island in shifts.

Community-hosted resources, such as those provided by Pange Plays Treasure Islands, offer automatically updated Dodo Codes for islands that are always open. These islands typically feature basic materials, a limited supply of fish and sea creatures, tools, photos, posters, and significant quantities of Nook Miles Tickets.

Safety and Terms of Service

While visiting these islands is generally considered safe for the player's Switch and game file, the method of item distribution involves hacking. The source material notes that while visiting is not explicitly against the game's terms of service, the underlying method of obtaining items (hacking/exploiting) could potentially violate Nintendo's terms.

Rules and Etiquette

To maintain access to these community resources, specific rules are often enforced: * Departure Method: Players must leave the island via the airport. Using the "−" button to end the session or "Leave Quietly" is prohibited. * Internet Connection: A stable internet connection is required; hotspot connections are discouraged. * Pocket Management: Players are requested to empty their pockets before arriving to maximize collection capacity. * Code Sharing: Users are generally asked not to share Dodo Codes with other communities but to direct friends to the official source page or Discord server.

Cost

Access to free treasure islands is entirely optional and free of charge. While paid treasure islands exist, the source material asserts that players can acquire all necessary items through free islands without payment.

Conclusion

Players of Animal Crossing: New Horizons in 2026 have two primary avenues for acquiring free content. First, official Nintendo Design IDs provide specific, themed apparel and flags accessible through the in-game Custom Design portal, requiring a Nintendo Switch Online membership and access to the Able Sisters shop. Second, community-managed "24/7 Treasure Islands" offer a continuous supply of materials, currency, and rare items via shared Dodo Codes. While these islands provide significant convenience for players looking to accelerate progress or complete collections, users should be aware of the community-driven nature of these resources and adhere to established etiquette to maintain access.

Sources

1. Gamerant - Animal Crossing New Horizons Codes January 2026
2. AKRPG - ACNH Free Treasure Island Dodo Codes
3. Pange.ca - Free Dodo Code