When controllers seem too tedious to set up and many online games just take way too long to play, there is also the simpler option: browser games! These games are quick to play, easy to understand, and readily available without the need for a fancy gaming computer.
Here is a look at the 40 best browser games for kids to help them blow off some steam, learn something, or take a quick brain break.
1. Geoguessr
This is one of the most well-known browser games around and is perfect for kids who are interested in the world around them. They will get dropped off somewhere on earth and use clues around them to guess where they are. Can they see famous landmarks or different languages around them?
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2. Line Rider
The game is as easy as drawing a line. But can kids keep the rider going for 30 seconds? Or will he simply fly off the edge of their ramp? Kids love to get daring by adding some dangerous surfaces to see if their course will hold up.
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3. Skribbl
Few browser games are as fun and easy as a simple drawing game. Skribble drops kids in a room with other players and everyone takes turns trying to draw the word they are given. There is a chat box to the side where players can state their guesses or simply make fun of each other's awful drawings.
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4. Threes
This game is part strategy, part logic. The numbers 1 and 2 are added together to make 3. Any number 3 and higher can only match with a number of the same value. Try and build the highest number possible by moving the blocks in a strategic manner. It sounds more complicated than it is and kids will quickly get the hang of it after only a few moves.
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5. Wordle for Kids
This simple game has taken the world by storm and spawned many similar versions. The aim is to guess the five-letter word of the day in less than 6 tries by unscrambling the clues you get. It's incredibly addictive but can only be played once a day, the perfect little brain break.
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6. Codenames
Codenames is another classic board game that has made its way online for you to enjoy with friends. Use one word to connect one or many cards on the playing field and get your team to guess all your designated words first. Kids can play alone or add their friends to a room for a fun game with people far away.
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7. Lego Games
All kids love Lego, so why not introduce them to the fun games on Lego's official website. This Ninjago-themed game is reminiscent of Temple Run where the hero runs through a course trying to avoid the bad guys and gain some power.
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8. Winter Rush
This is a highly addictive single-player browser game that sees players flying high as a skier soaring over the slopes. With only three commands, kids must try and land the little guy safely and complete as much of the slope as they can.
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9. Poptropica
Poptropica is an adorable game for kids of all ages. Each level happens on a new island and kids travel through the islands to complete a series of tasks to move on. The Disney-like animation is a big plus, offering great quality that kids will love.
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10. Pacman
Few addictive browser games can beat the classic game of Pacman. Even without any advanced features or any major gameplay changes, it continues to be a fan favorite, even with kids today. It is still packed with all the same chomping fun from your own youth at the arcade as you try and escape the dastardly ghosts.
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11. The Great Slime Rally
One thing is as true today as it was 20 years ago: kids love Spongebob! Race through a slime course and collect slime ingredients with some of their favorite Spongebob characters.
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12. Scary Maze Game
Only steady hands will make it through this addicting browser game. Move the small blue dot through the yellow maze with your mouse or trackpad without hitting the sides. It sounds easy enough but each level increases in difficulty and getting excited towards the end will be the downfall every time. This game is great for concentration and fine motor skills development in kids.
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13. Thunder
Single-player browser games are usually super simple to play but very hard to master. Thunder is the perfect example as kids simply need to move left and right to escape the thunderbolt while picking up the golden blocks it leaves behind.
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14. Slither
In the 90s, everyone was addicted to the ever-popular snake game on their phone. Now kids can play a similar version with colorful neon snakes dotting across the screen. Eat as many glowing dots as you can while dodging the other sneaky snakes that are equally as hungry.
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15. Seasame Street Games
All the favorite characters from Seasame Street come together with a collection of super entertaining browser games for kids. Cookie Games is but one of many fun and simple games, perfect for younger kids.
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16. Townscaper
This fun browser game has no way to win or lose. All you do is click to build a dock and choose a color to build a building. It is hypnotizing to see your creation come to life and the possibilities for your town are endless. It is a highly addictive game and kids will let their imaginations run wild.
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17. Quick Draw
Most drawing games see you play against strangers but the aim of Quick Draw is to teach AI to identify your drawings. Kids have 20 seconds to draw and the computer keeps guessing as they go. It is fun, quick, and highly entertaining.
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18. Helicopter Game
Flappy bird might have gone off the market but Helicopter Game has proudly filled that niche. Move the mouse up and down to move the helicopter through a series of obstacles that come in the way. The most difficult part is trying to stop your flying session as this game will have kids begging for more!
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19. QWOP
QWOP is a crazy-looking game with a steep learning curve. Use four computer keys to try and make your athlete run as far as you can. Getting the combination right takes some practice but once you get it there is no stopping you. Kids will love trying to figure out how to make him move or simply laugh hysterically at their hilarious failed attempts.
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20. Street Skater
This is another excellent game for kids looking for a simple two-dimensional experience. Move the skateboarder along over some skating obstacles and kickflip your way to success.
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21. Entanglement
This is the perfect game for a quick brain break and the relaxing music in the background is extra soothing. Simply add the random hexagonal tiles to the honeycomb to line up the tangled lines. See what is the longest path you can build each time you start a new game and try to fill up the entire board. It is easy enough for even younger kids to play.
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22. Gridland
This deceivingly simple game happens in two parts. First, kids match building materials to build their village and once it switches to night mode they start defending their village. It is easy, but the various elements happening outside the grid will keep you on your toes.
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23. Cookie Clicker
What's better than an absolutely banal game with no strategy or purpose? Nothing! This game simply requires kids to click on the cookie to make more cookies and utilize the various bonus features that are unlocked when they have created enough cookies.
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24. Museum Maker
This will quickly become one of the kids' favorite browser games as they get to build and expand museum exhibits. They will search for artifacts throughout the museum and learn interesting facts along the way too.
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25. The Floor Is Lava
This type of game is another one that old-school game enthusiasts will be all too familiar with and will love to show to their kids. Simply keep your ball from falling in the lava while playing bumper cars with the other players.
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26. Frogger
Frogger is another fantastic arcade game throwback. Maneuver your frog across the busy road and over the river without getting hit by anything. Its simplicity makes it highly addictive and kids will quickly find themselves playing over and over again.
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27. Color Pipes
This is a fun new puzzle game where you simply connect two dots of the same color. Draw a line between them without passing through another line. Each level gets increasingly more difficult and kids will need to think strategically to beat the game.
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28. Slime Volleyball
Slime Volleyball is an adorable adaptation of the classic computer game pong. Bounce the ball between the two slime characters without letting it touch the ground. Even though you only move forward and backward, it gets a bit tricky as the ball bounces in unpredictable directions.
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29. Cursors
Move the cursor through the tangled maze to reach the green block. The trick is that players are battling against several other cursors to be the first while the numbered square controls the red blockage.
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30. Magic School Bus
Classic SEGA games are still a hit with kids, especially this fun Magic School Bus Game. Go on a mission through space and shoot at asteroids targeting the bus. Learn some fun space facts in-between levels too!
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31. Sinuous
Sinuous is relaxing and thrilling all at the same time. Simply drag the dot through the darkness and avoid the red dots. Gain points by connecting with the green dots and eradicating a few red ones.
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32. Books Tower
How hard can it be to stack a few books? Pretty hard actually! Drop books on top of each other as they move speedily across the screen, drop one wrong, and risk the whole tower tumbling down.
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33. The Jigsaw Puzzle
Nothing is more relaxing than building a jigsaw puzzle. Choose from hundreds of puzzles online and set the difficulty level and design to suit the children playing.
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34. Spelunky
Spelunky is basically Indiana Jones meets Mario Brothers. Your character moves through a series of underground obstacles to gain points along the way. The nostalgia-filled design and easy gameplay make it a hit for a quick break.
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35. Celeste Classic
This is a charming game built in only 4 days. The premise is simple: climb the mountain, and land on the spikes. Use only your arrow keys and X+C combinations to move around as quickly as possible.
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36. Battle Golf
Golf isn't the most kid-friendly sport out there, yet an online version is always a winner with the young ones. Simply aim and hit, and watch as your golf ball goes flying over the obstacles.
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37. Kirby's Big Adventure
Kirby is a classic gaming character that everyone knows and loves. Take Kirby on an adventure through obstacles just like you did back in the 90s when Nintendo first introduced us to the lovable pink hero.
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38. Build a Biome
Kids get to play and learn about nature in this fun and interactive game. Through a series of quiz questions, they get to build a biome by choosing the plants, adding animals, and determining the weather.
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39. Log Run
Kids will love jumping over rocks and dodging pesky wasps as their goofy character struggles to run over logs. The adorable sound effects make this a great all-around gaming experience for kids.
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40. Little Big Snake
Kids will never tire of neon snake games. The games are colorful and easy to play and can keep you busy for 5 minutes or hours, depending on your level of commitment. Slither along the terrain and avoid all the kooky creatures that come your way.
Learn More: Little Big Snake
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