GamesBento

Free online games for seniors

Everything on GamesBento was made with older players in mind, so think of this page as a friendly way in. Here is our pick of the best free games for seniors, sorted into groups: the easiest ones to start with, word games, card games, puzzles to solve at your own pace, classic board games and dominoes, and a few to share with the family.

These are grown-up games for older adults, not children’s games with bigger buttons. All 35 games are free and play in your web browser on a tablet, phone or computer. There is no download, no account to make and no email to give. The cards, tiles and letters are big and clear, most games have a hint button and an undo button, and nothing in the puzzles or card games ticks down against you.

If you are looking for games to play with seniors in your family, or choosing games for an older parent or friend, these make a good start too. Many people enjoy a daily word puzzle or a hand of patience as a pleasant way to keep the mind busy, and it is easy to sit side by side and play one together.

Easiest to start

Simple rules you probably know already, and nothing to rush. These are easy games for seniors who are new to playing on a phone or tablet.

Word SearchFind the hidden words in the letter grid.Klondike SolitaireThe classic patience game.Memory MatchTurn over the cards two at a time and find every matching pair.HangmanGuess the word letter by letter before the flower loses its petals.

Word games

Word puzzles for seniors who enjoy a crossword: friendly everyday words, never obscure ones, with big clear letters and a new puzzle every day. Use a hint whenever you are stuck.

Word GuessGuess the hidden five-letter word in six tries.Word ScrambleUnscramble the letters to find the hidden word.Word WheelMake words from nine letters, always using the centre one.Word LadderChange one letter at a time to reach the goal word.

Card games

The patience and table games many of us grew up with. Large cards, undo and hints, and the computer players wait for you to take your turn.

FreeCellAlmost every deal can be won.Spider SolitaireBuild suits from King down to Ace.HeartsAvoid hearts and the Queen of Spades.Gin RummyMake sets and runs, then knock.

Puzzles at your own pace

Nothing counts down in any of these. Start on easy, check your work when you like, and leave a puzzle half done to finish later.

SudokuFill the grid with 1 to 9.NonogramsUse the number clues to reveal a picture.Code BreakerFind the hidden colour code.CalcudokuSudoku with sums in each cage.Tile MergeSlide and join matching numbers to reach 2048.LusonaPlace mirrors to make one unbroken line, inspired by Angolan sand drawings.

Board games & dominoes

Classic board games against a patient computer player, with big pieces and a hint button if you are unsure of a move.

DominoesThe classic draw and block game.CheckersJump and capture to win.OwareSow seeds around the board and capture to win. Also played as Ayo and Awalé.MorabarabaLine up three cows to capture, from Southern Africa.

To share with family

Learn the rules here, then play together at the table, or solve the same daily puzzle as your children and grandchildren and compare how you got on.

Mexican TrainBuild your train out from the centre tile and empty your hand first.CribbageCount fifteens, pairs and runs.SpadesBid and win tricks with a partner.Word GuessGuess the hidden five-letter word in six tries.

How to get started

  1. Tap a game. It opens straight away. If you are not sure of the rules, tap How to play beside the game’s name for a short, plain guide.
  2. Make it comfortable. Tap Full screen to give the game the whole screen, and use the moon button at the top of the page to switch between light and dark colours.
  3. Turn the sound on or off. Each game has a gentle Sound on button. Your choice is remembered for every game.
  4. Use hints and undo. Most games have both. There is no penalty for using them, so do not be shy.
  5. Stop whenever you like. Your game saves on your device. Come back tomorrow and it will be waiting.

On a tablet, you can add GamesBento to your home screen so it opens with one tap, like an app. Games you have opened before will then keep working even without internet: see games without internet for how.

Questions people ask

What are the best online games for seniors?

The best ones are games you already know and enjoy. Many older players start with Klondike Solitaire, Word Search or Dominoes, then try Sudoku or the daily word games once they feel at home. Every game here is free, so it costs nothing to try a few and keep the ones you like.

Are the games really free? Do I have to sign up?

Yes, they are free, and no, there is nothing to sign up for. There is no account, no email address, no subscription and nothing to buy. You just tap a game and it starts.

Can I make the cards and letters bigger?

The pieces are already large, and every game has a Full screen button that gives it the whole screen. You can also zoom in with your browser (pinch on a tablet, or Ctrl and + on a computer), and switch between light and dark colours with the moon button at the top of the page.

Will a clock rush me?

No. The card games, board games, word games and puzzles never count down against you. The few arcade games have a gentle slow speed and a pause button.

Do the games work on an iPad or tablet?

Yes. They work in the web browser on an iPad, an Android tablet, a phone or a computer, with nothing to install. If you like, add the site to your home screen so it opens like an app.

Is there a memory game?

Yes. Memory Match is the classic pairs game: turn over two cards at a time and try to find all the matching pairs. The cards are large, and you can choose from easy to hard.

Further reading

More games to explore

Prefer something to think hard about? Try our brain games for adults. For a quiet, unhurried session, see our relaxing games. Or browse every game A to Z, and read the how to play guides for clear rules to every game.