Studying can be a difficult task. After hours of diligently looking over documents, creating projects, or solving equations, your mind can easily wander.
Taking breaks is essential for maintaining focus and productivity. When you find yourself stuck in a monotonous school day, engaging in a fun, quick game can help you recharge and return to your tasks with renewed energy.
For gamers, it’s frustrating not having access to your favorite games without a console or PC. However, technology has made it easier than ever to enjoy gaming on-the-go with handheld devices or through browser games.
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of 25 of the best online games to play when you’re bored at school. These games are perfect for a quick mental escape and are accessible with minimal tech requirements. From classic browser games to mobile apps, each entry is detailed to help you find the right fit for your gaming needs.
Remember, while these games can provide a welcome distraction, it’s important to use them responsibly. Avoid playing games on your phone during class to ensure you’re staying engaged with your studies. Additionally, we’ve included some timeless classroom games that teachers can use for educational purposes and gamification.
The Best 25 Online Games To Play When Bored At School
1. Cookie Clicker
Okay, so when you load into this browser game you’ll find that there’s a giant cookie on your screen. There seems to only be one thing to do—as per the game’s name—so you click it. The game informs you that you have now generated one cookie.
Each time you click you gain a cookie, and with those cookies, you can then buy, sell and purchase new equipment. This is to be the beginning of your cookie empire.
Soon you’ll have grannies working for you to give you extra cookies and eventually factories. Cookie Clicker is a strangely addictive economy game where you must create a gigantic empire of cookies.
Play Now: Cookie Clicker
2. QWOP
This one has entertained bored students for a long time now. The goal of this game is easy—all you have to do is make your athlete run 100 meters using the q, w, o, and p keys.
But the problem is each key controls a different part of the runner’s legs, making it difficult and hilarious to manage.
Play Now: QWOP
3. Chess
Chess is a classic for a good reason, it’s the game of Kings and is widely known as one of the most difficult games in the world. You can make a free account on Chess.com and play as much as you like.
After a few games your ranking will be adjusted and you’ll always be playing against someone of your skill level. It’s never too late to start chess!
Play Now: Chess
4. Line Rider
This is another classic that has captured the minds of people everywhere. In Line Rider, you use your cursor to create tracks for figures to ride down.
You’ll be able to make some crazy combinations are really let your creativity fly.
Play Now: Line Rider
5. Wordle
Wordle is a slower-paced game that’s great if you enjoy the likes of Scrabble or Words with friends.
You start off placing letters into a five-slot line, and the game will tell you if any of them are in the eventual word you need to get to. It’s a process of elimination that can really aid your vocabulary skills.
Play Now: Wordle
6. RuneScape
So this one can be dangerous to play when studying, but it’s a great choice if you’re a fan of fantasy MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Games).
RuneScape allows you to create a unique character and go out questing in a vast fantasy world. It’s delighted players for well over a decade now and you’re bound to find it fun!
Play Now: RuneScape
7. Agar.io
Agario is another addicting game that you can play in your browser. The premise is simple—you drop into a big open space, populated with little blobs for your own blob to eat up.
You eat a blob, you grow larger. But here’s the problem—this also is the same for other players, and if they eat you up then you’re going to be dead and they’re going to get even larger and more powerful.
It’s a dog-eat-dog world in Agar.io.
Agar.io spawned a whole genre of similar .io games, known for their simple yet addictive multiplayer gameplay. Some other popular titles include Slither.io (a multiplayer snake game), Diep.io (a tank battle game), and Hole.io (where you control a black hole consuming everything in its path).
Play Now: Agar.io
8. Books Tower
This is a simple game where all you have to do is see how high you can stack a series of books. The higher you get the new sizes of books you’ll get and the faster the books will move horizontally before you can drop them.
A very simplistic but very addictive game! It might seem difficult at first, but once you’ve got a decent stack you’ll be hooked and keep playing to see how high you can get it!
Play Now: Books Tower
9. Pokémon Go
Now this one might seem preposterous to certain gamers, but here is a game that takes you into the outside world.
Pokémon GO is an augmented reality game that puts you in the shoes of a Pokémon trainer, going out into the world to search for Pokémon. This one is only for Android or IOS!
Download For Android
Download For IOS
10. Genshin Impact
You can play this one on your mobile device or on your PC with a download and it’s by far one of the most impressive games you can get without much of a download.
Genshin Impact has been described as an ‘anime version of Breath of the Wild’ and features colorful characters, magic, and a gorgeous open world. It is a gotcha game though, so make sure to be careful with those microtransactions!
Play Now: Genshin Impact
11. Hearthstone
Do you like card games? If you do then Hearthstone might be the perfect one for you.
Available on mobile devices or through the Battle.net launcher, this is a tremendously rich but easy-to-learn game that will have you competing against other players.
It’s probably the easiest battle card game to get into and has a lot of depth to keep you interested for hours!
Play Now: Hearthstone
12. Clash Royale
Clash of Clans creator Supercell did it again with another thrilling fantasy game based in the Clash universe. Clash Royale is a real-time strategy game where you fight off against another player with cards and minions.
Like Hearthstone above, it has a lot of depth and can be really thrilling to get into! You can build a decent enough deck for free, but if you want the most ‘meta’ decks available you’ll probably have to put some money in.
Download Now For Android
Download Now For IOS
13. Little Alchemy 2
If you’re looking for something that is simple and chill to play then we massively recommend Little Alchemy 2.
It’s a game that lets you step into the shoes of an alchemist, combining different elements to see what you can discover!
There are hundreds of combinations and items to find so it’s a great one to work on casually when breaking from studying.
Play Now: Little Alchemy 2
14. Monument Valley
This is a series of award-winning, chill puzzle games that you can play on your mobile. By manipulating different monuments you can create paths to explore the enchanting world of Monument Valley.
This is a great pick if you’re looking for something that will engage your brain but also calm you down!
15. Fortnite
A lot of the most popular games out at the moment have mobile versions—a particularly good one is Fortnite.
After their huge, sudden expansion, Epic Games had a lot of money to invest in creating it, and it’s a smooth, thrilling experience.
Simply jump into a 100-player battle to the death and try to be the last one standing! There are countless different weapons to collect to destroy your enemy, and lots of skins to unlock if you want to invest some money and buy the battlepass.
Play Now: Fortnite
16. Adventure Quest
This is an old one but it’s still gold if you like simple, colorful roleplaying games. Adventure Quest is a fun RPG where you can create a character, travel the world, and engage in turn-based combat.
This one has been out for a long time so you can expect two decades of content to enjoy on your browser!
Play Now: Adventure Quest
17. Diablo Immortal
Diablo Immortal is the mobile version of Blizzard’s legendary dungeon-crawling game.
Take up one of a few different, deadly classes and experience thrilling boss fights to collect loot and make yourself more powerful. It’s free (aside from its slightly ridiculous microtransactions) and offers an experience like no other.
18. Slither.io
Did you ever play Snake and think—this could use an update? If this sounds like you then Snake.io might be a good choice for you.
It’s like a mix between Agar.io and Snake, taking place in a cool, neon plain and testing your maneuverability skills against other players, each vying to be the top snake around!
Play Now: Slither.io
19. The Wiki Game
The Wiki Game is a cool way to use Wikipedia and uses your general knowledge skills to navigate through the website. You’ll get a random ‘start’ and ‘end’ point, and you’ll need to get from one to the other in a few clicks.
It can be an entertaining way to break between studying sessions, and you can even learn some new things along the way!
Play Now: The Wiki Game
20. Akinator
This is an AI tool game that will attempt to guess the thing you’re thinking of. Using some impressive AI technology, Akinator will try to determine the object you’re thinking of by asking you a series of questions.
Akinator is great at what he does, and you’ll probably be amazed at how quickly he gets to the bottom of the thing you’re thinking of.
Play Now: Akinator
21. AFK ARENA
This is a classic RPG with a great art style and an addictive gameplay loop that is perfect for the little slices of time you have between studying sessions.
In the world of Esperia, you’ll be able to play unique heroes, represent factions, and earn dazzling items and rewards to commemorate your deeds.
Play Now: AFK ARENA
22. Mad World
Are you looking for something dark and gory that’s also an MMORPG? If this is the case, then you should check out Mad World, where you can explore the wasteland of a once-great fantasy world gone to ruin.
It’s available on lots of different devices, or browsers, so it’s a great choice no matter what you’re looking for.
Play Now: Mad World
23. Neopets
If you were a big fan of classic games like Nintendogs, this could be a great choice for you now! In this game, you’ll experience the whimsical world of Neopia and be tasked with raising a Neopet.
You’ll form a close bond as you explore the world and nurture your pet!
Play Now: Neopets
24. Rusty Lake
If you’re looking for something creepy and story-driven, then we would highly recommend the Rusty Lake series.
This is a weird puzzle-solving game where you’ll experience strange, anthropomorphic creatures with dark backstories. It’s a great choice if you love horror and point-and-click adventure games!
Play Now: Rusty Lake
25. Candy Crush
In many ways, Candy Crush is the ultimate time waster. If you’ve ever played Bejewelled, you’ll know what to expect.
Line up different types of candy to eliminate them and control the board. It’s a very addictive game with gorgeous sounds and more levels than you’ll likely ever get through—unless you’re a total die-hard player.
Play Now: Candy Crush
You can play this on your phone or in your browser.
Bonus – Bored Now? Play Harbour Escape Below
Test Your Puzzle Skills – Picture Pie
🚨 See if you can beat the Edwize top score on the leaderboard.
18 Fun Classroom Games – Teacher’s Edition
Classrooms are more than just lessons and lectures; they’re spaces of fun and memories. Delve into these timeless games that have enriched learning and brought smiles to students for generations. Let the games begin!
Hot Seat
One student sits with their back to the board, and a word or concept is written behind them. Their teammates give clues without saying the word, and the student in the hot seat has to guess it.
Charades
A classic game where students act out a word or phrase without speaking, and the rest of the class tries to guess what it is.
Pictionary
Students draw a word or phrase on the board while their classmates try to guess what it is.
Jeopardy
Create a Jeopardy-style game with questions from the current lesson or unit. Organize it with categories and points.
Play Now: Jeopardy
Who Am I?
Students have a card taped to their back with a word or name. They move around the room asking yes/no questions to figure out who or what they are.
Bingo
Customize Bingo cards with vocabulary words, math problems, historical events, etc. As you call out the definitions or answers, students mark their cards.
Play Now: Bingo
Kahoot!
An online game-based learning platform used as educational technology in schools. Teachers can create quizzes and students answer in real time on their devices.
Play Now: Kahoot
Snowball Fight
Students write a question or fact on a piece of paper, crumple it up, and then have a “snowball” fight. Afterward, each student picks up a snowball and answers the question or discusses the fact.
Memory Game
Place cards face down. Each card should have a matching pair. Students take turns flipping over two cards, trying to find matching pairs.
Around the World
This is great for math facts or vocabulary. Two students stand up, and the teacher asks a question. The first to answer correctly moves to the next desk and faces the next opponent.
Two Truths and a Lie
Great for icebreakers. Each student says three statements about themselves—two truths and one lie. The class tries to guess the lie.
Heads Up, Seven Up
Students put their heads down and thumbs up. Seven students walk around and press one thumb each. Those seven then guess who pressed their thumb.
Pass the Story
Start a story with a sentence, then pass a paper around the room with each student adding a sentence.
20 Questions
Think of a word, and the class has 20 chances to ask yes/no questions to determine the word.
Four Corners
Label corners of the room with numbers 1-4. Ask a question and give four answer options. Students move to the corner corresponding to their answer choice.
Word Chain
The first student says a word, and the next student must say a word that starts with the last letter of the previous word.
Spelling Bee
A classic game to test students’ spelling skills.
Play Now: Spelling Bee
Balloon Pop
Write questions on pieces of paper, put them inside balloons, and blow them up. Students pop the balloons and answer the questions inside.
Final Thoughts
We all know school can have its tedious moments. That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of the best games to sprinkle some fun into those stretches of boredom.
Whether you’re an avid gamer or just looking for a quick distraction, there’s something here for everyone. Most of these games are free, though some might have microtransactions. Remember, these are meant to offer a brief escape, so don’t let them divert you for too long.
We wish you the best in your studies and hope this list brings a bit of joy to your school days, no matter where you are in your educational journey!
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I play in 10 minutes when I’m bored?
For a quick distraction in just 10 minutes, try Wordle. Its simple, engaging puzzle is perfect for a brief mental break.
What are the best games to play with friends?
Akinator is great for playing with friends. Its AI guesses what you’re thinking through questions, making it fun and interactive for everyone involved.
