Free Online Games to Boost Your Brain

How adults benefit from playing free online games

Exercising your mind on a daily basis can keep your brain sharp and focused. Stimulating and educational online games are a great way to accomplish your daily “brain-training” and have fun all at the same time.  For example, you might learn new vocabulary words playing Scrabble online or exercise your spatial reasoning skills playing Tetris. And even for games like chess, checkers or Scrabble, you don’t need to find another person to play!

Online games can also help you relax and distract you from worries and concerns. Instead of focusing on the tension and anxiety in your life, you can momentarily shift your attention to a fun and engaging game. The wide variety and availability of free online games have made them a popular form of entertainment and they can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

How to find free games online

Free games are available online to fit any interest you have, whether you want to play alone or with other people. Many sites offer a wide variety of games including card games, puzzle and word games, sports games, arcade games and more. Check out the sections below to find enjoyable games for you to play.

Are free online games really free?

The list of sites below offer great online games for kids and adults for no cost at all. Some free sites may require registration using your e-mail address, and many of the sites include advertising. Sites not listed below may offer free games too, but be cautious in providing too much personal information or any payment information at all. Some sites may be available for a free trial and then move automatically to a fee-based system. There are an abundance of great games available for free online so think twice before you “pay to play.”

Sites with free, fun and stimulating educational games for kids

The internet offers a huge selection of websites aimed at the K-8 crowd and the purpose of most of these sites is to promote education and learning. The types of games that are on the sites include puzzles, word jumbles, matching games, educational board games, printable activities and much more.

• Nobel Prize Games – Free educational online games for kids of all ages, but best suited for middle and high school students. Each game is focused around a real-life idea that has won a Nobel Prize in Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, Peace or Economics. Simply click on a topic and get ready to learn.
• Fun School – Offers simple, entertaining, and educational games for K-6 students.  The games hone students’ skills in a range of areas such as Spanish, typing technique, and geography. This site has very few advertisements.
• Fun Brain – Provides great games and puzzles for kids, as well as other entertainment options such as movie clips.  A teacher’s section outlines the available curriculum.
• Primary Games – The games on this site are organized by educational topics, such as science, math, and puzzles.
• Merriam-Webster Online – A group of free games based on words, definitions, and etymology. It features 19 different word games plus a “Game of the Day” that gets updated daily.
• Nickelodeon Games – A great selection of free online games for toddlers and younger children. Some of Nickelodeon’s most popular characters keep kids focused and having fun on positive problem solving skills and educational learning games.
• PBS Kids – A website that not only offers great educational games for kids but also offers kid-friendly music to listen to, videos to watch and print-outs to color. The games are centered around PBS Kids television shows, but there is no outside advertising.

Sites with free, fun and stimulating online games for adults 

Choosing from single-player and multi-player games is a great way to mix up the types of games you play. A wide variety of single player games are available free. Multi-player games are a great way to socialize while playing games, but multi player games are often “pay for play.” The single player and multi player games listed below are all free.

Single player games

• Blueprint – Blueprint is a free brain-racking puzzle game that will keep players of all ages interested and entertained while working on their problem solving and spatial reasoning skills.
• AARP Games – Features free online puzzles, jigsaws and other interactive games. Includes clear instructions with few advertising interruptions. Be sure to try the “Brain Fitness Workout” Game in the Mind Games section. The game is one of many developed by a company called HappyNeuron which specializes in games that are “scientifically designed to improve memory and brain health.” 
• Pogo.com – Offers free games such as Word Whomp, solitaire, dominoes, chess, and more. Registration is required to play games on this site. It is quick, easy, and worthwhile to register because of the wide variety of games.
• AARP Games – Features free online puzzles, jigsaws and other interactive games. Includes clear instructions with few advertising interruptions. Be sure to try the “Brain Fitness Workout” Game in the Mind Games section. The game is one of many developed by a company called HappyNeuron which specializes in games that are “scientifically designed to improve memory and brain health.” 
• All Games Free – Offers a wide variety of free games including arcade games, card games, puzzle and word games, sports games, and interactive trivia games. Registration is required and after you're registered you can build a custom "My Games Page" with all of your favorite games.
• MSN Games – Provides a good selection of board and card games that are easy to access and play. Provides helpful hints for the games, if needed, and features good game descriptions and the ability to browse by genre.
• Zeeks! Games – Offers a variety of games, with little advertising. Many games are appropriate to play with your children especially those in the Mind, Puzzles & Mazes and Board & Card Games sections.

Multi-Player Games

• MSN Multi-Player Games – Classic games such as chess and checkers can be played the way they are meant to be played – against other people.
• Yahoo! Multi-Player Games – One of the largest and most user-friendly online multi-player game collections. Very social and best of all, completely free. Be sure to try pool and reversi.

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Elmer Blanco, Robert Segal, M.A. and Gina Kemp, MA., contributed to this article. Last modified: June 2009.