Games to Play When Bored: Free Browser Games and Board Games for Any Mood

People searching for "bored games" usually mean one of two things: board games to play when bored, or any game that kills time. This page covers both. The games below are free, run in your browser and need no sign-up. Most have a mode against the computer for when you are alone, and a two-player mode for when someone is next to you. They are sorted by how much time you have, so you can pick one in a few seconds.

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Pick by time

You have	Try
1 to 2 minutes	Basket Random, Head Soccer 2022
5 to 10 minutes	Air Hockey, Dots and Boxes, Minesweeper Duel
15 minutes or more	Chess, Reversi, Battleship
Nothing but a friend	20 Questions, word chain, rock paper scissors

Short games: a minute or two

• Basket Random. Two-on-two basketball where each side uses one key. The menu has 1P against the computer and 2P on one keyboard. Hold your key to make both players jump and swing. After each basket the court and the players change. First team to 5 wins.
• Head Soccer 2022. One-on-one football with big-headed players. Each match lasts about a minute. Choose 1P Arcade to play the computer, or 2P Versus for a friend on the same keyboard.
• Volley Clash. One-on-one volleyball, first to 11 points with a two-point lead. You can play the computer at five levels, from Beginner to Professional.
• Tennis Masters. The menu has 1 Player, 2 Players and Quick Match. Move with W, A and D, hit with V, smash with B.

Medium games: five to ten minutes

• Air Hockey - 2 Players. First to 15 goals. Pick 1 Player against the CPU on Easy, Medium or Hard. On a laptop two people cannot really play at the same time, so the 1 Player mode is the better choice there. On a tablet, choose 2 Players and put it flat between you.
• Dots and Boxes 2. Choose Two Players to share a screen, or vs AI Bot at Normal, Hard or Expert. You join dots with lines and score each box you close. See how to play dots and boxes.
• Minesweeper Duel. The classic puzzle as a turn-based game for two. You score the number on each cell you open, and opening a mine loses at once. The menu also offers a single player mode and play with the computer.

Longer games: a quiet half hour

• Master Chess Multiplayer. Press the screen icon, then player vs computer. The computer has three levels, shown as one, two and three stars, and the board shows where each piece can go. See how to play chess for beginners.
• Reversi Multiplayer. The same title screen, with the same three computer levels. Practise against the computer at one star before trying three. The rules are in how to play Reversi.
• Battleship War Multiplayer. The left button (person and screen) plays the computer. Sink the whole enemy fleet before it sinks yours. Read how to play Battleship first.
• Guess Who Multiplayer. Play against the computer, or use the globe button for online play. The board shows 24 characters.

If you want something to look at

• Summer Rider 3D. An endless surfing game. Choose 1 Player to ride on your own, steer around rocks and ruins and collect starfish.

Bored with a friend, no screen

Put the phone down and try one of these. Rules are in games to play with friends without anything.

• 20 Questions
• Word chain
• Rock paper scissors, best of five
• Categories with a letter you choose

Bored with a board game

If you want an actual board game, our best board games for 2 players list covers a dozen, from tic tac toe to chess. For card games, try 2 player card games.

How to pick when you cannot decide

1. Ask how long you have. Short games first.
2. Ask if you want to think. Chess, Reversi and Battleship make you plan.
3. Ask if you want to laugh. Basket Random and Head Soccer are quick and loud.
4. Still cannot decide? Mind Games for 2 Player has a Spin button that picks one of eight games for you.

If you are playing with several people, see 3 player games.