How to Get a Shovel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

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Easy guide to getting the Flimsy, Regular, & Golden shovels in ACNH

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: October 23, 2023

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Flimsy Shovel

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Regular Shovel

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Golden Shovel

Are you looking for the Flimsy Shovel in Animal Crossing? If you're just starting your island journey, you may be wondering how to get the tool needed to dig up plants and fossils. The DIY recipe for the shovel is given by Blathers, and you'll need to complete Tom Nook's donation requests to invite him. This wikiHow will show you how to get the Flimsy Shovel, regular Shovel, and Golden Shovel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Nintendo Switch.

Things You Should Know

To get the shovel DIY recipe, donate 5 unique fish or bugs to Tom Nook to unlock Blathers.
Get the Flimsy Shovel recipe from Blathers when he arrives. Use 5 pieces of hardwood to craft the Flimsy Shovel.
To upgrade to a regular Shovel, purchase the Pretty-Good Tools pack from the kiosk for 3,000 Nook Miles.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Flimsy Shovel

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1
Complete the tutorial objectives. When you first arrive on the island, Tom Nook will walk you through how to do different tasks. Before Blathers can arrive, you must do the following:
- Pick the player's tent location and two locations for the other two villagers.
- Complete Tom Nook's collecting objectives.
- Take a nap at the tent.
- Speak to the two villagers for DIY recipes.
- Obtain the Flimsy Fishing Rod recipe and Flimsy Bug Net recipe.
2
Capture 5 unique bugs or fish. You'll need a fishing rod to fish in Animal Crossing. If you'd rather capture bugs, you'll need a net.^{[1]
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- To fish, equip a fishing rod. Press A to cast your line above a fish's shadow. Wait for the fish to pull the bob underwater, and then press A to reel it in.
- To catch bugs, equip a net. When you see a bug, press A to bring the net down. If you're trying to catch a bug that is skittish, hold A to slowly walk towards it with the net, and then release it when you're close.
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3
Give the bugs or fish to Tom Nook. Once you've obtained 5 unique creatures, speak to Tom Nook in the Resident Services tent. You'll have the option to donate the creatures. Select all 5 in your inventory to give them to Tom Nook.
- After doing so, Tom Nook will invite Blathers to the island and give you Blathers' Tent. This item allows you to place a site for Blathers' home and, eventually, the Museum.
This tent will eventually be upgraded to the Museum, so be sure to place it down in an area you like. If you want to move it later, you'll need to pay a fee, similar to building bridges.
5
Speak to Blathers to receive the Flimsy Shovel recipe. You'll need to wait until the next day for Blathers to come. When you talk to Blathers, he'll give you the DIY recipe for the Flimsy Shovel and the Vaulting Pole.
- The Vaulting Pole can be used to jump over rivers.
6
Craft the Flimsy Shovel. You'll need 5 pieces of hardwood to craft it. Visit any crafting bench, and then navigate to the Flimsy Shovel. Select Craft it!
- Once crafted, you'll be able to use the Flimsy Shovel 40 times until it breaks.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Regular Shovel

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When you enter Resident Services, you can find the kiosk on the right side of the screen. This kiosk acts as an online shop.
This will open a catalog of items available for purchase.
This costs 3,000 Nook Miles, which is a different currency from the regular Bells. To get Nook Miles, you must complete the daily challenges on your NookPhone, or by reaching certain milestones (such as catching 10 bugs) and claiming the rewards.
4
Craft a regular Shovel with the Flimsy shovel and an iron nugget. This is the regular variant. You'll need 1 Flimsy Shovel and 1 iron nugget. Visit any crafting bench, and then navigate to the Shovel. Select Craft it!
- Once crafted, you'll be able to use the regular shovel 100 times until it breaks.
5
Purchase a Shovel (optional). If you'd rather purchase a Shovel rather than craft it, you can find it in Nook's Cranny as long as you meet the requirements.
- You must have completed the milestones:
  - Nook's Cranny has been open for at least 30 days.
  - You have spent or earned a combined total of 200,000 Bells in Nook's Cranny.
  - Mabel has set up her shop in front of Resident Services at least once.
- If these milestones are met, you'll be able to purchase Outdoorsy, Colorful, or Printed-design Shovels for 2,500 Bells each.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Golden Shovel

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Gulliver is a random-event NPC that can be found washed up on your shore. If Gulliver appears, speak to him repeatedly until he wakes up. When he does, he'll ask for help finding 5 Missing Communicator Parts. To find them, use the Shovel to dig up water spouts in the sand. Then, speak to Gulliver to hand them over.
Every time you help Gulliver, he will mail you a present the next day. These can be DIY recipes or items. After the 30th time, Gulliver will mail you the Golden Shovel recipe.
Select the DIY recipe in your inventory, and select Learn it!
4
Craft the Golden Shovel using 1 regular Shovel and a gold nugget. Visit any crafting bench, and then navigate to the Golden Shovel. Select Craft it!
- Once crafted, you'll be able to use the Golden Shovel 200 times until it breaks.