50+ Quick Play Games for Busy Homeschool Days
Homeschool days fill up fast! If you are finding it difficult to squeeze games into your busy week, you’re not alone. We know all the benefits of gameschooling, but that doesn’t mean it’s not still a challenge to find time to play games together some days.
When I’m staring down a long to-do list and Emily wants to play a game, I reach for quick play games that make it easier to say yes to connecting and learning together through play. We have put together a collection of more than 50 games we can play in 10 to 20 minutes, even with just two players. That way, I can find a few minutes for us to spend quality time together doing one of our favorite things.
If you’re searching for quick ways to add more gameschooling to your homeschool days, you don’t want to miss this list. It’s filled with games you can play when you’re short on time, even if you’re homeschooling an only child. Keep reading to get the scoop on our favorites.
Why We Love Quick Play Games
We love quick play games because they don’t require a huge time commitment. Even if I’m trying to manage my growing to-do list, I can say yes to 10 minutes playing a game together one-on-one.
Games are a meaningful way to carve out quality time together and squeeze in a little extra homeschool learning. Being able to say yes to gameschooling always makes the homeschool day more exciting and engaging.
Emily knows she can choose a game from the quick play shelf, and I’ll be able to work it in. I know these games will give us a quick connection boost without sabotaging my schedule in the process.
I won’t always have time to sit down and play Monopoly or Scrabble, but I can always squeeze in a quick round of Spot It or Mancala. That’s why we love these quick play games so much.
Our Favorite Quick Play Games
There are tons of games to choose from, and that can make it difficult to know where to begin. I’ve done the work for you and compiled a list of our favorite quick-play games you can choose from to add a little extra gameschooling fun to your busiest homeschool days.
10 to 20 Minute Games We Love
These games play in less than 20 minutes. In fact, most of them only take 10 minutes to play. Some require a little bit of adaptation, but others are short every time. They’re great for days when you don’t have a lot of time and you want to have a lot of fun.
Lots of the games you’ll find on this list are card games. They’re perfect for this category because they are often short and don’t take up much space. Here are our favorite quick card games for busy homeschool days:
Blink
Blink is one of our favorite card games! It’s just 10 minutes long and perfect for all our busy homeschool days. Players try to match the shape, count, or color on their cards to either one of two discard piles until all their cards are gone in this lightening fast game.
Brave Rats
This game has a fun Medieval Scottish theme that’s perfect for incorporating into history unit studies. It’s fast-paced and filled with giggles. The goal is to win control of the kingdom by defeating the other players’ “clans.”
Color Addict
Build critical thinking skills with this card game and learn to pay careful attention to detail. You’ll need to be very aware to get the colors right as you play cards quickly. Get rid of all your cards first to be crowned the winner.
Mayhem
This quick card game comes with fun themes that you can use to keep kids interested and engaged. If your kids love superheroes, try Marvel Mayhem. More of a Dungeons and Dragons or Lord of the Rings fan? Try Dungeon Mayhem.
Sherlock Express
If you’re reading Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, you can add some gameschooling fun with the Sherlock Express card game. The goal is to solve this whodunnit card game before your opponent.
Spot It
Spot It is perfect for players who love memory and I-Spy. There are so many fun and engaging themes to choose from, including Harry Potter, Ocean, and holiday themes. It’s sure to be a quick favorite at your house too.
UNO Express/GO
UNO is a classic, but it can also become a drawn out competition, at least at our house. UNO Express, sometimes called UNO GO, comes with fewer cards for faster gameplay. It’s all the fun of UNO without the time commitment.
Card games are great space savers and perfect for squeezing in game time on the go, but some of our favorite quick play games involve dice or other 3D pieces. Here are some of our favorite dice and board games you can enjoy in just 10 minutes:
Bananagrams Duel
Like the classic Bananagrams word game, but faster. You’ll love building words together in this quick letter tile game. Plus, it’s perfect for scenarios where you only have 2 players.
Genius Square & Genius Star
The Genius games are great for kids to play independently, or you can challenge eachother and build critical thinking skills together. We recommend Genius Square if you’re just starting out and Genius Star for a bigger challenge.
Kanoodle Head to Head
This game can be noisy, and it might not be the best game to play in the car. The pieces make noise and roll. However, Kanoodle is a great brain teaser for quick play together on a busy homeschool day.
Mancala
Mancala is an ancient board game that originated in Africa. If you’re looking for ways to combine gameschooling and geography, it’s a fantastic choice. This game is easily learned, but takes time to master the strategy, keeping kids invested for a long time to come.
No Thanks
We really enjoy No Thanks, but it requires 3 players, so we have to save this game for times when we can all play together. However, it’s a nice option for a quick family game night. Randomly removing cards from the deck keeps it exciting, no matter how many times you play.
Roll For It
Roll For It is a quick dice game that’s easy to learn and fun to play. This game combines cards and colorful dice with luck and quick decisions. The player who gets to 40 points first wins.
Trash Pandas
This game is hilarious! Trash pandas, aka raccoons, are pushing their luck as they dig through the trash in a race to grab the most valuable cards first. Can you outwit your opponents?
Some of our favorite games are easy to adapt to fit any situation. These games wouldn’t be quick without a few rule modifications, but they’re easy to adjust. Here are our favorites:
Anomia
Anomia is fast, silly, and loud! You’ll race to shout answers that fit categories before your opponent does. You might need to pick a set number of cards to play to keep this game short, but it’s tons of fun and easy to adapt for busy homeschool days.
Avocado Smash
Avocado Smash is a hilarious card game where players quickly match numbers and shout “Smash!” at exactly the right moment to win. For a quick game, deal fewer cards so rounds are shorter.
Ghost Blitz & Ghost Blitz 2
These games test observation skills and critical thinking. Players race to grab the correct object before anyone else can. Using a smaller deck or setting a timer for lightning-fast rounds is an easy way to speed it up.
Skyjo
Skyjo is one of our favorite card-flipping games. The goal is to end with the fewest points. It can be adapted for quick play by playing with smaller decks or making a rule that you’re only going to play a set number of rounds.
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
If you’re playing with only a few people, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza can go on for quite a while. One way we speed up this card game is by only playing through the stack once.
Quick Games to Play in 20 to 30 Minutes
Maybe you have a bit more time and you’d really like a quick play game that you can squeeze into 30 minutes or less. After all, so much learning can happen in a 30 minute window! Here are our favorite board and card games to enjoy together in half an hour or less:
5 Alive
5 Alive moves quickly! You’ll work to stay under 21 without losing all your lives in this mental math card game that feels a little bit like Blackjack. The rounds are quick, so it’s the perfect win for a busy homeschool day.
Adsumudi
Adsumudi is one of my favorites! It’s a clever math card game where you race to make equations that equal the target number. A full game runs about 20 minutes, making it a fun way to sneak in math practice.
Brain Wave Games
Brain Wave offers quick, 15–30 minute card games that sneak in memory and critical thinking skills. They’re fun, portable, and perfect for homeschool brain breaks. We really like Astute Goose and Wise Whale.
Break the Code
Break the Code is a deductive thinking game where players guess the secret code. The rounds are fast, so you can play in just 15-20 minutes.
Cobra Paw
Cobra Paw is a grab-and-go game where players race to snatch the correct cards before others. Quick reflexes and sharp eyes make it fun and frantic, perfect for family game night!
Deduckto
Deduckto combines memory and strategy as players collect matching cards to score points. It’s simple to learn and quick to play. If you’re learning with our Spy Academy Unit Study, you should definitely try this game.
Dragon Slayer
Dragon Slayer is a fast fantasy adventure where players battle dragons and collect treasures. Rounds are quick, so you can enjoy heroics and strategy without committing a full afternoon to gameplay with your fantasy-loving kiddos.
Exploding or Zombie Kittens
We love both Exploding Kittens and the newer Zombie Kittens. These are hilarious card games! You’ll laugh out loud as you avoid “exploding” using quirky kitten powers to help you stay alive.
Farting Frenchies
Farting Frenchies is a lighthearted, wacky card game where players match sounds and actions. It’s quick, silly, and guaranteed to get everyone laughing, making it perfect for a short play break. Don’t like Frenchies? There are variations for other adorable dog breeds, too.
Kingdomino
This board game is full of math and strategy! It’s a quick tile-laying game where players build kingdoms by matching terrain. It’s quick to learn, but you’ll play hundreds of times, perfecting your strategy each time.
Monopoly Deal
Monopoly is out of the question on busy homeschool days, or is it? You can say yes with a Monopoly Deal card game. It’s all the fun of the board game in about twenty minutes.
Museum Suspects
This is a logic game where players hunt for the thief among paintings and suspects. Quick rounds make it easy to play between homeschool subjects or household chores.
One Two Many Rabbits
We’re quickly falling in love with One Two Many Rabbits. Simple mechanics and short rounds make it perfect for sneaking in math skills like counting and matching.
Pass the Pandas
Another quick play game we really like is Pass the Pandas. Pass cards and collect sets quickly between school subjects or on a busy homeschool day when you want to add in gameplay without time commitment.
Point Salad
Point Salad is a strategic card game where players collect cards to maximize points in multiple ways. With rounds that last about 20 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick break.
Qwixx Mixx
Qwixx uses dice in a fast-paced, strategic way. Players must make quick decisions while keeping an eye on multiple scoring options. It’s a fun, brain-boosting game that keeps everyone engaged from start to finish.
Rack-O
Rack-O is an old favorite. It’s an easy way to squeeze in math skills practice, and it never stops being a fun, competitive game to play together. Simple to learn but satisfying to master, it’s a great, quick-thinking game for the whole family.
Sleeping Queens
Another old favorite is Sleeping Queens. Recently, it’s been more difficult to find this card game. If you see it, definitely scoop it up! It’s a whimsical game where players awaken queens and outwit opponents. With clever card powers and playful strategy, it’s easy to get hooked.
Splurt
Splurt challenges players to think fast and shout out answers before time runs out. It’s silly, energetic, full of laughter, and an excellent way to sneak in language arts skills practice.
Strike the Dice Game
Strike the Dice Game blends luck and strategy with colorful dice rolls. Players must make snap decisions to win, keeping their focus sharp. It’s lively, tactile, and impossible not to love!
Super Meow
Super Meow is all about matching cats and powers in a frantic race. Quick thinking and a little luck keep the game exciting, and the silly theme guarantees a good time for everyone.
Ticket to Ride
The original Ticket to Ride game is fantastic, but it’s definitely longer than 20 minutes. Still, you can enjoy all the fun with a smaller city version of Ticket to Ride. We especially love New York, Paris, London, and San Francisco. These are great for geography and history gameschooling.
Timeline Twist
Timeline Twist is a fast-paced card game that challenges players’ knowledge of history. Players place events in the correct order, and the mix of strategy and luck keeps each round exciting. It’s perfect for sneaking in a quick history lesson.
Tsuro
Tsuro is a beautifully simple path-building game where players guide their stones along winding tiles. The goal is to stay on the board while outmaneuvering others. This game can be long if you have lots of players, but we only have 2-3, so it moves quickly for us.
Yahtzee
Yahtzee is Kevin’s favorite, and it’s the game that started it all for us. Fast, familiar, and competitive in a friendly way, it’s a go-to when we want a quick, fun challenge together.
Need a game you can play with only 2 players? We understand. Sometimes you need your kids to be able to play without you. Or perhaps, like us, you’re homeschooling an only and you need a game that doesn’t have to wait for someone else to be home. Some of our favorites include A Little Wordy, Aqualin, Blokus Duo, Boop, Donuts, Mythicals, Patchwork Express, and Quatro.
How to Add More Games to Your Homeschool Days
So how can you possibly squeeze more games into your busiest days? We want to encourage you even on the most stressful days. You can squeeze in a little 10-minute game before bed or play during lunch, whatever makes sense.
There are lots of ways to build in more gameschooling when you’re short on time. Check out our Guide to Gameschooling for more tips on how to get started, how to make it work when you’re busy, and discover more of our favorite games to play together.
Do you have a favorite game that didn’t make our list? Share it with us in the comments. We’re always looking for fun new games to play, and we can’t wait to read about your top choices!