Guides / The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo Switch 2)
Temple of Time (Child)
The Temple of Time during the child era is a holy sanctuary where Link uses the Spiritual Stones and the Song of Time to open the Door of Time and draw the Master Sword, advancing seven years into…
Getting there: Accessed via a cobblestone alley northeast of the Market square in Hyrule Castle Town.
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Before you leave
- •Drawing the blade temporarily locks off child-era gameplay, child-exclusive side quests, optional Heart Pieces, and magic spells like Din's Fire until after you beat the Forest Temple as an adult.
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Items
0/3Route
5 steps- 1
Fleeing the Castle. Watch the gate cutscene, then dive into the moat to retrieve the submerged item.
- 2
Approaching the Cathedral. Head through the Market and take the northeast alley to enter the cathedral sanctuary.
- 3
Unlocking the Door of Time. Stand on the carpet before the altar and play the Song of Time to open the portal.
- 4
The Pull Decision. Enter the inner chamber to either draw the Master Sword or exit to finish child tasks.
⚠ Drawing the blade locks child-exclusive content until you clear the Forest Temple as an adult.
- 5
Awakening in the Sacred Realm. Draw the Master Sword to advance seven years and awaken in the Chamber of the Sages.
Choices here
1| Choice | Options and what happens | Most players pick |
|---|---|---|
| The Pull DecisionWhen standing before the Master Sword in the inner sanctum's Pedestal of Time | Draw the Master Sword: Triggers Ganondorf's intrusion and seals Link away for seven years, locking you into the adult era and pausing child-exclusive side quests, magic spells, and collectiblesLeave the Temple of Time: Retain Child Link's form to freely roam and complete child side quests, gather magic spells, or obtain Heart Pieces before proceedingPoint of no return: drawing the sword temporarily locks off child-era gameplay until you advance in the adult era and complete the Forest Temple | Leave the Temple of Time |
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The full walkthrough text
The Temple of Time during the child era is a holy sanctuary where Link uses the Spiritual Stones and the Song of Time to open the Door of Time and draw the Master Sword, advancing seven years into the future.
1. Fleeing the Castle
Approach the Castle Town gates to watch a voiced cutscene where Zelda and Impa flee on horseback, Zelda hurls a treasure into the moat, and Ganondorf confronts you outside the entrance. Once the encounter concludes, dive straight into the Hyrule Field moat water to grab the submerged item. You will automatically experience a psychic vision granting you a new tune upon retrieval.
2. Approaching the Cathedral
Head through the Hyrule Castle Town Market and take the northeast cobblestone alleyway to enter the sanctuary grounds. Walk into the grand cathedral interior and proceed down the central nave toward the altar engraved with the Triforce crest. Note that searching around for hidden collectibles will yield nothing, as the structure's interior is devoid of any stray treasures.
3. Unlocking the Door of Time
Position yourself directly on the carpet laid out before the altar in front of the Door of Time. Take out your newly acquired instrument and perform the Song of Time to set all three Spiritual Stones onto the altar. This ritual breaks the seal, swinging open the massive stone portal to reveal the inner sanctum.
4. The Pull Decision
Walk through the doorway into the inner chamber where the Master Sword sits embedded in the Pedestal of Time. You now face a critical choice: pull the legendary blade immediately, or walk back out to wrap up any incomplete business. Drawing it will trigger Ganondorf's intrusion cutscene, seal off your youth, and thrust you seven years into the future, locking you out of child-exclusive side quests, optional Heart Pieces, and magic spells like Din's Fire until after you beat the Forest Temple as an adult.
Tip: You can walk out of the temple before touching the blade if you still need to collect spells or Heart Pieces.
5. Awakening in the Sacred Realm
Interact directly with the blade in the Pedestal of Time to initiate the drawing sequence. After Ganondorf breaches the sanctuary and you remain locked away for seven years, you will awaken in the Chamber of the Sages alongside Rauru, the ancient Sage of Light.
The short version
What matters
- Diving into the moat right outside the Castle Town gates to obtain the Ocarina of Time and learn the Song of Time.
- Playing the Song of Time before the altar to place the three Spiritual Stones and unlock the Door of Time.
- Pulling the Master Sword from the Pedestal of Time in the inner sanctum to progress to the adult era.
Common mistakes
- Drawing the Master Sword before finishing child-exclusive quests; you cannot return to childhood until you complete the adult era's Forest Temple, locking you out of spells like Din's Fire in the meantime.
What you can skip
- Scouring the interior of the Temple of Time, since it contains neither Heart Pieces nor Gold Skulltulas.
18 facts on this page · 0 checked · 18 still being checked · from zeldacentral.com, g2a.com, ign.com
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