While one-player games for kids don’t seem like they would be as much fun as multi-player games, they most certainly can be the most fun of all. I don’t know about everyone, but most I know when they think of games played solo, they only think of that stack of playing memory cards and the game of solitaire. However, there are so many different solo player games on the market that kids and adults love to play.

Today, many different psychologists, therapists, and other brain development experts strongly encourage learning through play. With there being so many different studies on the effectiveness of learning through playing, why not take a closer look into brain-building activities for the class?

*Disclosure: We only recommend products we would use ourselves. This post may contain affiliate links that we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Why Have One Player Games in the Classroom?

Something as simple as a card game, mazes, or puzzles sharpens the minds of children young and the not so young in various ways. The majority of solo activities (i.e., solitaire) sharpen logical and strategical thinking skills on this same note, more physical game that requires getting up and moving to sharpen attention and focus and hone in dexterity and hand-eye coordination skills. These activities are great not only for playing in the classroom but also for making available for gameschooling and on the go so that children can sharpen mental skills at all times.

Here we have compiled a list of the best-rated solo player games on Amazon. Each of these activities was considered in respect of price, age, and sharpened skills during play.

Best Single Player Games (Not Your Typical Card Games)

1 . Flashing Cube Electronic Memory & Brain Game

If you have ever played the game of Simon and have seen a rubrics cube, this one looks like those two games collided. The Flashing Cube game is most certainly fun for both adults and kids. Players have the chance to master four fast-paced challenges within two different modes.

The flashing brain and memory cube have a “chase-me” function, a “catch-me” function, and a “follow-me” function. With the “chase-me” function, players cannot let the moving light get out of their reach. The “catch-me” function involves the player catching the blinking red lights. Lastly, the “follow-me” function is all about memory, where the player needs to copy the pattern presented accurately.

Watch this fun product review:

If you want something that can be played alone or passed around, this is a great game that your kids would love. This game scored a 4.5 out of 5-star rating on Amazon from almost two thousand verified customers with high ratings. You’re sure to be happy and to love this awesome little cube that will provide hours of fun.

Learning Benefit

  • Hand-eye coordination
  • Memorization
  • Increased dexterity

2 . Pindaloo Juggling Skill Toy w/ 2 Balls

When you first glance at this solo player activity, you make think, “what the heck is this?”. Pindaloo consists of a simple curved tube that comes with balls and discs intending to juggle the items flying into the air through the openings on each side of the tube. Sound confusing? It’s not, I promise.

However, when looking at the device, it sounds like it could quickly become very addicting. This is certainly something you will want to try. Play this game alone or as a challenge with two or more players. It’s a great tool to have a lot of fun and laughter playing something everyone will love.

And this is how it is done:

Because this activity has so few parts (unlike most board games) and is smaller, it is extremely portable and can be played in both dry and water activities. This activity is ideal for those who are nine years of age and up. However, it would not hurt those even as young as four or five years to play this game because the parts are larger.

Learning Benefit

  • Critical thinking
  • Develops focus
  • Increases fine and gross motor skills
  • Hand-eye coordination

3 . MindWare Marble Circuit

MindWare Marble Circuit is a creative yet simple brain teaser game. This game brings a whole different meaning to mazes and how to solve them. It’s an extremely challenging game that can be played by both kids and adults and will certainly challenge both of them. These types of single-player games can be done in a tournament-like fashion where each person takes a turn and whoever gets the highest score the quickest time wins. With over 50 different challenges, this multi-directional marble maze game will surely be a favorite for years to come. The solo player activity includes the game board, 64 puzzle cards, 15 multi-directional tiles, 8 steel marbles, and instructions.

If you’re looking for something that will get your mind working, this activity is worth looking into. Obviously, this Amazon favorite is worth a shot with its 4.7 out of 5-stars rating from over two hundred verified customers. Gift this item to a class or bestow as a birthday gift…but be assured you might wind up wanting to keep it for yourself.

Learning Benefit

  • Logical thinking
  • Strategy application
  • Dexterity skills
  • Analytical thinking

4 . ThinkFun Shape by Shape Creative Pattern Logic Game

The ThinkFun Shape is one that is the mast of creating one-player games. In fact, they have sold over fifty million of their multi and one-player games across the world. There is a good reason for this company is a large number of sales with their board games. These particular-player games teach children how to become familiar with geometrical shapes, but they might see you later on in a math class. This game contains 14 puzzle pieces and includes 60 different challenges for the solitaire player. These puzzles are not plain and simple and will be challenging for those who want a good challenge.

Ideally, this game is for those who are eight years and up. However, if you want to give those who are a little younger a challenge, this game would be a good option to really expand and use new and developing thinking and logic skills. The game is not ideal for tiny children as the pieces are smaller and may pose a choking hazard. On the other hand, when it comes to purchasing a game that you are sure will be a favorite in the family, this one might be it. This challenging game of logic with over 800 verified customer reviews on Amazon and scored a 4.7 out of five-star rating.

Learning Benefit

  • Logical reasoning
  • Visual perception skills
  • Cognitive development
  • Dexterity
  • Build familiarity with Geometric shape

5 . Rush Hour Traffic Jam Logic Game

Being apart of a traffic jam has never been fun until now. This board game can be played solo and will surely be challenging enough for the kid who seems to finish anything in a short period. In fact, Rush Hour Traffic Jam is loved so much that it has sold over 10 million copies worldwide. This STEM geared game has 40 different challenges that range from the utmost novice players to those who consider themselves experts. Further, this game comes with a ” game on the go” bag so that you can take this anywhere your child needs to be occupied.

This game is not rated for small children as it includes small parts that pose a choking hazard. Ideally, this game is best for those who are eight years old and up. With almost 5000 verified customer reviews, this traffic jam logic game scored a 4.8 out of five stars rating on Amazon. With numbers like that, why would you not try this one-player game? Even though this is a one-player game, it does not mean the whole family cannot enjoy you. Make it a challenge to see who can solve each problem the fastest.

Learning Benefit

  • Develops critical thinking skills
  • Cognitive development
  • Strategy application

6 . Simon Micro Series Game

Hasbro has been putting out awesome family-friendly games for decades now. Every game they distribute brings family time, fun with one or two players, and acutely sharpens logical and reasoning skills. The game of Simon Micro is simple and ideal for the average eight-year-old all the way up to adults and can create quality family fun time playing this game and seeing who can get the highest score by bopping, pulling, or twisting to the rhythm of Simon.

These games from Hasbro are almost always highly rated and are high quality, ensuring that you can use them for years. This gamer scores a high 4.6 out of 5-stars rating from over four thousand verified customers on Amazon. With that said, you can be sure your kids will truly love this game, and I am sure it will quickly become a fan favorite not only for them but for the family.

Learning Benefit

  • Executive brain functioning skills
  • Cognitive and working memory processing
  • Problem-solving
  • Task flexibility
  • Impulse control and self-regulation

7 . SmartGames IQ Puzzler Pro

The SmartGames IQ Puzzle Pro is a fun brain-teasing game that anyone will enjoy. These single-play games consist of 120 different 2D and 3D challenges that puzzle any six-year-old minds and up to one hundred years old. Because of its compact design, this game can be toted around wherever you go, and better yet, it can also serve as an educational way to keep your child (or classroom) busy and quiet. This game also has a free application with additional features to make this single-player activity even more fun.

And here is how to play IQ Puzzle:

Out of all of the different one-player games, this one by far has the most verified customer reviews. With almost twelve thousand verified purchasers, this game racks up a 4.7 out of 5-stars rating from Amazon. If you want a great brain teaser and many challenges that will keep you and your kids from being bored, this would be a great game.

Learning Benefit

  • Concentration skills growth
  • Sensory stimulation
  • Logic and planning based
  • Cognitive growth
  • Spacial insight

8 . Neliblu Sensory Fidget Snake Cube Twist Puzzles

The Neliblu Cube Twist Puzzle is such a fun and interactive way to play and learn that players will not be able to put their snake cubes down any time soon. These little fight cube designs are great for any child who may have difficulty concentrating in class or for any child who sometimes needs to take a brain-break and focus on a different activity for a few moments. While these aren’t exactly games, these are really wonderful and fun single-player activities that help promote problem-solving skills while also exercising increased focus and attention. It’s like having a whole lot of fun in a tiny package that doesn’t make hardly any noise at all.

Watch this short video to see how to make a ball:

These little fidget toys are best played in a classroom setting or any place where a child needs a moment. Also, children with ADD/ADHD or hyper-anxiety disorders may greatly benefit from these in high-stress situations. This single-player activity has been purchased by close to two thousand verified customers on Amazon and has received a 4.4 out of 5-star rating.

While the product does not have a recommended age, I can say by the observation that these kinds of games are best played by those who are at least five years old and up. Even better is the fact that each package comes with three fidget snakes and is incredibly inexpensive. Overall, kids will love playing with these portable snake puzzles any time they want.

Learning Benefit

9 . ThinkFun Amaze

ThinkFun Amaze is a fun and interactive one-player game that will keep kids’ minds busy for a while. This game is easy to learn how to play and requires children to think about getting out of the game’s maze. Kids will search for ways to get out of sixteen different mazes successfully and will quickly become one of their favorite games to play. While this mind puzzle is designed for one player, two people could easily challenge each other to see who can solve the maze puzzle the fastest amount of time.

This game is designed for kids ages 8 and up; however, possible those ages 6 and up would also be able to use it effectively. Since there are three different difficulty levels, those younger than ages 8 and up can enjoy ThinkFun Amaze. This game is simply one hand-held maze where kids use an attached stylus to navigate. With its meager price, you could purchase several of these games for your class or home.

Learning Benefit

  • Logic-based
  • Analytical thinking
  • Deductive reasoning skills

10 . SmartGames Color Code Cognitive Skill-Building Puzzle Game

This single-player game of color coding and puzzles will be something your young child will love to play with over and over again. With over 100 different color and shape challenges, playing this game will never get boring. This one-player card gamer comes with 18 transparent puzzle pieces to use with the many different challenges. Ideally, this game is for kids 5 years old and up. Overall, if you want a game that keeps a kid’s mind going, this is the one for you.

The complex puzzles and challenges with the transparent puzzle pieces are not suitable for children under three due to choking hazards. In particular, this game focuses on using logic and deductive reasoning skills to help the child strengthen they are cognitive development in these respects. Developing cognitively at an early age will better help children acquire other skills such as reading and mathematics.

In this video, you will see how to play this coding puzzle game.

Learning Benefit

  • Cognitive development and problem-solving
  • Logic-based
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Concentration skill

11 . Osmo – Coding Starter Kit for iPad

While this isn’t technically a board game or playing cards, this is a cool game that will challenge and grow your young learner(s). Designed for kids ages 5 through 10 and up, Osmo is a coding learning game that connects in hand learning pieces with an iPad application. This great thinking game will be sure to become a household or classroom favorite and can be played alone. It doesn’t matter what level your child is at; Osmo has beginner-level applications ap to advanced.

Watch the short introduction of Osmo:

This game is great because your iPad does not need to be connected to wifi for this to work properly. Further, Osmo has real-time audio and video-time feedback that allows your child to learn as though they have a live coding instructor. With a whopping 4.7 out of 5-stars rating from over five hundred verified Amazon customers, you can be sure that your kids will not only enjoy this activity but will also have at a time learning coding.

Learning Benefit

  • Logical reasoning
  • Fundamentals of coding
  • Critical thinking and creative problem solving
  • Music creation and pattern recognition
  • Cognitive development

12 . Foldology – Origami Puzzle Game

Have you ever seen those cool Origami birds or whatever super complicated animal that people seem to know how to fold? This type of activity for kids is challenging and allows them to learn how to do something beneficial and exercise different brain abilities. With over one hundred different challenges, Foldology is a single-player challenge that exercises origami skills starting with the beginner level all the pert.

Foldology is designed to be a one-person activity, but it is also a design that it can be played with a partner. This activity is designed for those ages 10 and up and would make a great gift to give for a birthday. As a parent and teacher, you will love that this activity is small and compact and can easily be stored or taken with you.

Learning Benefit

  • Teaches visual and spacial ability
  • Improves dexterity skills
  • Teaches critical thinking and challenges cognitive ability
  • Logical reasoning skills enhanced

13 . Game Head Catcher Game for Kids

The Game Head Catcher Game for Kids is such a fun and funny game that any child will enjoy. This single-player game is one that can be enjoyed by children ages three and up. Your child or student will love the challenge of throwing one or both of the balls up in the air and trying to catch them on top of their head. Every game comes with the target cap that has Velcro strips attached as well as two softballs.

If you are teaching your child from home and you don’t know of a good brain break that will help them get off of their rear and onto their feet, what could be more fun than trying to catch a ball on your head? Each section of the cap has a place for different point values, so kids can add up their scores and continue to try and beat their own personal best scores. This game is extremely inexpensive and would be reasonable enough to purchase several for a class. On the other hand, if you are looking for a great gift item, this would be a simple one that they would love.

Learning Benefit

  • Promotes healthy and active lifestyle
  • Promotes hand-eye coordination skills
  • Allows for healthy play and fun solo play
  • Encourages counting and keeping track of the score for personal best

Final Thoughts

While many people scoff at one-player games, they miss out entirely on the fun of challenging themselves. These games provide invaluable ways to sharpen mental ability while keeping kids quiet and engaged. As a parent and a teacher, that word “quiet” is incredibly enticing. Each of these games is easy to play, easy to tote around, and easy to store anywhere. None of them take up a significant amount of space and can be played almost anywhere. We hope we have given you all kinds of fun ideas to make your class or home a lot more fun.