How to play guides
Every game on GamesBento has a short, friendly guide. Each one explains what you need, how a turn works, how to win and the common house rules, with a step-by-step summary you can read in a few minutes.
Not sure which game to learn first? Our longer reads below help you choose, and our collections pick out games for seniors, brain games, relaxing games and games that work without internet.
In-depth guides
Longer reads on choosing and enjoying free games
The Best Free Online Games for Adults (No Download, No Sign-Up)A friendly guide to the best free online games for grown-ups: card games, dominoes, puzzles and gentle arcade classics you can play now, with no sign-up.
The Best Free Online Games for Seniors (Big, Clear and No Sign-Up)Free online games for seniors with big pieces, no timers and no sign-up: card games, dominoes, puzzles and word games, plus tips for setting up a tablet.
Free Brain Games for Adults: Puzzles, Memory and Word Games OnlineFree brain games for adults to play online: logic puzzles, word games, memory games and strategy games, with tips on picking a level and a daily habit.
Browser Games: Play Free Games Instantly Without DownloadingWhat browser games are, why they are a safe and easy way to play, and what to look for in a good gaming website: no pop-ups, no account, clear privacy.
Easy Hangman Words for Seniors (With Themes and Tips)Friendly, easy Hangman words for seniors in themed lists, from the garden and kitchen to the seaside and music, with tips for running a group game.
Free Word Games Online: Word Puzzles to Keep Your Mind BusyFree word games for adults, explained: word scramble, word search, word guessing, word ladders, word wheels and Hangman, with tips to get better at each.
Games to Play With Elderly Parents and GrandparentsIdeas for games to play with elderly parents and grandparents: classic table games, cards, dominoes, games on a tablet or TV, video calls and group games.- Games You Can Play Without Internet (Free, on Phone or Computer)Free games you can play with no internet: how to keep GamesBento games working offline on your phone or computer, plus classic offline games for the table.
- How to Play Hangman Online (Rules, Tips and a Free Game)Play Hangman free online and learn the rules, the best letters to guess first, fun variations and how to play with friends on paper. No sign-up needed.
Memory Games for Adults and Seniors: Free Games to Keep Your Mind BusyFree memory games for adults and seniors you can play online: classic Memory Match with big cards, plus word, card and logic games that use your memory.
Dominoes & board games
Card games
How to play Klondike SolitaireThe classic patience game.
How to play FreeCellAlmost every deal can be won.
How to play Spider SolitaireBuild suits from King down to Ace.
How to play HeartsAvoid hearts and the Queen of Spades.
How to play SpadesBid and win tricks with a partner.
How to play Gin RummyMake sets and runs, then knock.
How to play CribbageCount fifteens, pairs and runs.Logic puzzles
How to play SudokuFill the grid with 1 to 9.
How to play NonogramsUse the number clues to reveal a picture.
How to play MinesweeperClear the field using the numbers.
How to play CalcudokuSudoku with sums in each cage.
How to play Binary PuzzleFill with 0s and 1s by three simple rules.
How to play Code BreakerFind the hidden colour code.How to play Memory MatchTurn over the cards two at a time and find every matching pair.Word games
How to play Word GuessGuess the hidden five-letter word in six tries.
How to play Word SearchFind the hidden words in the letter grid.
How to play Word ScrambleUnscramble the letters to find the hidden word.
How to play Word LadderChange one letter at a time to reach the goal word.
How to play Word WheelMake words from nine letters, always using the centre one.How to play HangmanGuess the word letter by letter before the flower loses its petals.Arcade
How to play SnakeSteer the snake to the apples and don’t bite your own tail.
How to play Space DefendersHold back the waves of invaders from above.
How to play Brick BreakerBounce the ball to clear every brick.
How to play Block DropTurn the falling blocks to clear full lines.
How to play Tile MergeSlide and join matching numbers to reach 2048.African games & puzzles
How to play OwareSow seeds around the board and capture to win. Also played as Ayo and Awalé.
How to play BaoFour rows of pits; the great strategy game of East Africa.
How to play MorabarabaLine up three cows to capture, from Southern Africa.
How to play FanoronaCapture by approach and withdrawal, from Madagascar.
How to play DaraMake rows of three in the sand, from West Africa.
How to play SenetRace across the board, from ancient Egypt.
How to play LusonaPlace mirrors to make one unbroken line, inspired by Angolan sand drawings.