Where to find games that cost nothing and work on older devices
Free games for seniors exist in three places: websites you visit in your browser, apps you read to your phone or tablet, and games built into Windows or Apple computers. Most require no account, no payment, and no special equipment beyond what you already have. The best ones let you play at your own pace, adjust text size, and stop whenever you want without losing your progress.
The games that work best for seniors tend to be slower-paced than what younger players want — card games, word puzzles, matching games, and board games played against the computer. These don't require fast reflexes, don't have loud sudden noises, and don't punish you for taking time to think.
Key Takeaways
- Websites like Pogo.com, Arkadium, and AARP Games offer dozens of free games in your browser with no read required.
- Your phone or tablet likely has a built-in app store where you can read free games; search for "solitaire," "crossword," or "mahjong" to find options.
- Windows computers come with Solitaire and other card games already installed; Apple computers have Chess and other games in the App Store.
- Free games sometimes show ads or offer paid upgrades, but you can always play the full game without spending money.
- If a game asks for your Social Security number, credit card, or personal information beyond a username, close it and try a different one.
Browser games you can play right now without downloading anything
Pogo.com is owned by Electronic Arts and has been running since 1998. It offers solitaire, bridge, checkers, dominoes, mahjong, word games, and puzzle games. You create a free account with an email address, and then you can play as many games as you want. The site keeps track of your scores and lets you play against other people online or against the computer. Text is large and adjustable on most games.
Arkadium runs free versions of classic games like Solitaire, Mahjong, Sudoku, and Crossword. You don't need an account to play. The games are straightforward, load quickly, and have large buttons and text. Arkadium also licenses games to newspapers and other websites, so you may have seen their games elsewhere.
AARP Games is run by AARP and focuses on games that research suggests help with memory and thinking — matching games, word searches, and brain teasers. You create a free account. The site is designed for older adults, so the text is large and the pace is slow.
Miniclip and King (the company behind Candy Crush) both offer free puzzle games in your browser. These games are designed to be addictive and often push you to spend money on extra moves or power-ups, but you can play the full game without paying. If you find yourself tempted to spend money, these may not be the best choice for you.
Apps for phones and tablets
Your phone's app store — the App Store on iPhone or Google Play on Android — has hundreds of free games. Search for the type of game you want: "solitaire," "crossword," "sudoku," "mahjong," "chess," or "word games." Read the reviews before you read; if many people say a game is full of ads or pushes you to spend money, try a different one.
Some apps that seniors often enjoy are Microsoft Solitaire Collection (free on both iPhone and Android), Wordscapes (a word-building game), Sudoku.com (unlimited puzzles), and Chess.com (play against the computer or other people). All of these have free versions that let you play without paying.
When you read an app, the store will ask permission to use your camera, location, contacts, or other phone features. Most games don't need these permissions — if an app asks for permission to your location or contacts, you can usually say no and the game will still work. If it refuses to run without that permission, delete it and try a different game.
Games that come with your computer
Windows computers come with a Solitaire app already installed. Open the Start menu, type "solitaire," and click the app. It's free and has no ads. You can play different versions of solitaire — Klondike, FreeCell, Pyramid, and others — all in one app.
Apple computers have Chess in the App Store (search for "Chess" and read the free version). You can also read Microsoft Solitaire Collection from the App Store on a Mac.
Both Windows and Apple computers let you access web browsers like Chrome or Safari, which means you can play any of the browser games listed above without downloading anything.
What to watch out for when playing free games
Free games make money by showing you ads. Some ads are just banner images on the side of the screen. Others pop up in the middle of the game and you have to close them before you can keep playing. This is normal and not a sign that something is wrong. If an ad tries to get you to click on it by saying "You have a virus" or "Claim your prize," close the ad and ignore it — these are scams.
Many free games offer paid upgrades: extra moves, power-ups, or the ability to skip levels. You never have to buy these to play the game. If you see a button that says "Buy" or shows a price, you can ignore it. The game will still work without spending money.
Be cautious if a game asks for your Social Security number, credit card number, or full name and address. Legitimate free games don't need this information. If a game asks for it, close the game and try a different one. Your phone or computer should never ask you for a Social Security number just to play a game.
How to adjust games so they're easier to see and play
Most browser games let you make text bigger. Look for a settings button (often a gear icon) or a menu button (three lines). From there you can usually find options to increase text size, change colors, or turn off sound.
On your phone, you can make text bigger across all apps by going to Settings, then Accessibility, then Text Size or Display. This will make the text in games bigger too. You can also turn on High Contrast mode, which makes text darker and easier to read.
If a game has sound effects that startle you, look for a mute button in the game itself (usually a speaker icon). You can also mute your entire phone or computer while you play.
Games you can play with other people
Pogo.com lets you play against other people online in real time. You can also play against the computer if you prefer. The site has chat features so you can talk to other players, though you don't have to.
Chess.com lets you play chess against people around the world or against the computer. You can play at your own pace — some games let you take days to make a move, so you don't have to sit at the computer for hours.
Words With Friends is a free word game similar to Scrabble. You can play against friends or against random opponents. The game sends you a notification when it's your turn, so you can play a few moves a day without sitting down for a long session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to create an account to play free games?
No. Arkadium and many other sites let you play without an account. If a site asks you to create an account, you can use any email address and make up a username — you don't have to use your real name. Never give a game your Social Security number or credit card number.
What if I accidentally click "Buy" or spend money on a game?
Contact your phone's app store or your credit card company right away. Most app stores have a refund window of 15 minutes to a few hours after you make a purchase. If you're outside that window, call your credit card company and explain what happened — they can often reverse the charge.
Can I play these games on my tablet?
Yes. Tablets have app stores just like phones do, and you can also open a web browser on a tablet and play browser games. The screen is bigger on a tablet, which can make games easier to see.
Are these games safe? Will they give my computer a virus?
Games from Pogo.com, Arkadium, AARP Games, and the official app stores (Apple App Store and Google Play) are safe. They don't contain viruses. Be cautious of games from unknown websites or pop-up ads that claim you've won a prize — those are more likely to be scams.
Can I play these games if I don't have internet?
Browser games require internet. Some apps can be downloaded once and then played offline, but most free games need internet to work. Check the app description before you read to see if it works without internet.