21 Best One Player Games For Kids

We love playing games in our homeschool. But, as we are a homeschool of 1 I thought I would share with you our favorite one player games for kids.

We normally play together either as a family or just the two of us if my husband is working. But sometimes I need to either work or clean. Or one of the other millions of things we have to do as moms.

I have put together the best games kids can play by themselves, that we have tried and tested through the years.

These are some of the best games for kids you will find, but more importantly, they are fun. To be fair I can find an educational slant to pretty much every game we have come across!

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Single Player Games for Kids

These are some of the ways you can make the most out of one player board games:

• Quiet times. If he is feeling overwhelmed or a little stressed, playing one of these single player games gives him time to calm down and regroup.
• Sick Days – if either one of us is sick (check out our top tips on how to survive homeschool sick days!)
• In the car running errands (one of these games actually lives in the car!)
• If the weather isn’t great. On days when it isn’t raining, we try and go on at least four walks during the day, it gives us time to relax and just chat. If it isn’t very nice, he will get out one of these solo player games before he starts on the next subject.
• If we have an appointment (at the bank, or I am getting my hair done, he will bring one of these games to play.)

1 Player Games for Kids

When it comes to single player games, they can be a lifesaver in a homeschool setting, especially for only children.

Homeschooling an only child has led us to find the best single player games that are educational and entertaining.

These games not only keep kids entertained but also help develop critical thinking, logic, and problem-solving skills.

Whether you need a quiet moment to focus on work or you’re looking for something to keep your child engaged during downtime, play alone games can be a great solution.

From classic puzzles to brain teasers, there’s a wide variety of options that are both fun and educational. Plus, they offer the flexibility to be played anywhere!

Trekking Through History

Despite it showing on the box that it is a 2-4 player game, Trekking Through History has a solo player mode. Not only is this history board game educational it is so much fun.

Read our detailed Trekking through History review for more information, but this is one of our favorite single player board games for kids.

EXIT Escape Room Puzzles

We love escape rooms both in person and at home. Check out how we make our escape room puzzles but my son enjoys playing them on his own too.

Exit: The Forbidden Castle and Exit: The Sunken Treasure are two that he has enjoyed. But there are loads to choose from. If this is something new for your child though I would go for the easiest level first such as the House of Riddles.

Check out even more of our favorite escape room board games.

Rush Hour

Rush Hour is a traffic jam logic game great for kids over the age of 8. You don’t need to take my word for it, they have sold over 10 million throughout the world and the game is rated 5 stars!

Boggle

Boggle is a great one player game that is really educational too! The original game is to set a 3 minute timer but we never do!

Laser Maze

Laser Maze is made by the same amazing company that brings you Rush Hour, Think Fun clearly knows how to make great solo games for kids! It is like Rush Hour in that you need to use logic to complete the challenge cards.

Rubiks Cube

Well, I didn’t know until recently when my son went to science camp that the world was going crazy again for the Rubik’s cube.

We are currently doing a challenge to see how quickly he can complete it without the use of YouTube, his best time so far is 13 minutes. Of course, me and his dad are yet to do it, although YouTube didn’t exist when we were younger!!

Kanoodle

Kanoodle has been a go-to for us because it’s fun, portable, and challenges my son to think critically. With 200 puzzles, it’s perfect for keeping him engaged during quiet moments or on the go.

It’s also been great for building his problem-solving and spatial reasoning skills independently.

Gravity Maze

Gravity Maze is a big hit with my son. He loves building the towers and creating paths for the marble. It’s such a satisfying puzzle that challenges him to think creatively.

With varying difficulty levels, he never gets bored, and it’s a great way for him to unwind while still learning.

Genius Star

There are two games Genius Star and Genius Square for younger players. We haven’t played the younger game as we have only recently heard about it, but we both absolutely love playing it.

Chairs

The chairs staking game may seem simple, but it’s surprisingly challenging! My son enjoys seeing how high he can stack the tiny chairs without them toppling over. It’s great for improving fine motor skills and patience.

We’ve had so many laughs watching the towers wobble just before they fall. It’s a perfect game for quiet moments, and since it’s compact, we often bring it along when we travel or need something quick to set up.

Circuit Maze

Think Fun is featuring yet again. This circuitry fun logic game, Circuit Maze is perfect for kids over the age of 8. You will need 3 AAA batteries that are not included to make the LED light work.

You will learn how series and parallel circuits work, and the aim of the game is to be able to complete the circuit and turn on 1, 2, or 3 LED lights.

The Game

The Game is one of those card games that quickly becomes addictive. My son loves the challenge of playing against the game itself, trying to outsmart it by placing cards in the right sequence.

It’s simple in concept but surprisingly tricky, which keeps him coming back for more. It’s also a great way for him to practice strategic thinking, and I appreciate how it offers a different experience each time he plays.

Katamino

Katamino features a wooden playing board. 12 colorful wooden pieces, and a manual with 500 puzzle challenges for you to solve.

This will have you coming back again and again for another challenge!

Playing Cards

Theory 11 makes my new favorite playing cards. You can get the most beautiful playing cards in a Marvel or Star Wars theme that will make a perfect gift.

Our favorite single-player game is classic solitaire. I am not showing these cards though as they have been purchased as a Christmas gift (check out over 100 Christmas gifts tween boys actually want!)

Check out our favorite one player card games that the kids will love.

Bananagrams

Bananagrams is a favorite in our house, and it’s perfect for solo play. My son loves the challenge of creating his own crossword grid as fast as possible, racing against himself to use all the tiles.

It’s not only a fun way to pass the time but also helps build his spelling and vocabulary skills. We often take it with us when we’re out because it’s small and easy to set up anywhere. Plus, the fast-paced nature of this word game for kids keeps him engaged and entertained!

Find it Games

Find It Games, especially the “Sports Edition,” has been a lifesaver on car trips. My son loves searching through the tube to find hidden objects, and it keeps him quietly entertained while we’re running errands or on the road.

The best part? It’s mess-free and requires no setup. There are lots of different themes, like beach or glitz and glamor, so there’s always something new to discover. It’s the perfect game for those moments when you need a quick, easy distraction.

ColorKu

If you’re a fan of Sudoku, you and your family will love this colorful alternative. Instead of using numbers to solve the puzzles, Colorku uses colored wooden balls.

Download our free printable sudoku for kids worksheets too. There are 5 levels of difficulty so perfect for all ages.

Code Master Programming Logic Game

Code Master has been an awesome addition to our game collection. It’s a one-player game where my son learns programming logic through fun, hands-on puzzles. He has to guide an avatar through different maps using sequential thinking, and it’s been great for developing his problem-solving skills.

I love that he’s learning foundational coding concepts without even realizing it. The different levels of difficulty keep him engaged, and it’s become a go-to for quiet time learning.

Suspend

Suspend has been a favorite in our home ever since my son received it for Christmas years ago. It’s all about balance, as players take turns hanging metal rods from a frame without causing it to topple. My son loves the challenge, and it’s great for developing focus and fine motor skills.

The game never gets old, as the unpredictable nature of the balancing rods keeps every round exciting. It’s simple yet challenging enough to keep him entertained, and we still enjoy playing it together as a family.

Simon Electronic Memory Game

Simon the classic electronic memory game. It’s an exciting electronic game of lights and sounds.

Players repeat random sequences of flashing lights by pressing the colored pads in the correct order. Bop it is a great alternative.

Lego

I know Lego is not really a game, but in our homeschool of one, it is a necessary part of our week! This is his Friends setup he has displayed in his room.

We love to do challenging Lego sets in our homeschool, check out our favorites. If you are looking for even more inspiration check out over 115 of the best gifts for Lego lovers that are not Lego sets!

SmartGames IQ Twist

IQ Twist has been our go-to travel game for years. Its compact size makes it easy to slip into my handbag, which is perfect for appointments or long waits. My son enjoys solving the colorful puzzles, and it keeps him quietly entertained wherever we are.

The game challenges him to fit all the colored pieces on the board while following specific placement rules, making it a great brain workout in a small package. It’s an ideal option for keeping kids engaged on the go without needing much space.

Puzzles

Puzzles have always been a staple in our house. My son loves the challenge of completing them on his own, and they offer the perfect balance of fun and learning. They help build his patience, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail, making them one of the best one-player activities.

From simple jigsaw puzzles to more complex brain teasers, they’re an excellent way for him to relax and stay engaged independently.

Last Updated on 6 October 2024 by Clare Brown