The Best Single Player Games for Your Homeschool
Games are an amazing way to learn and have fun—but what if you’re homeschooling an only child, have a kid who wants to play when others don’t, or you just need something quiet and screen-free for solo time?
That’s where single-player games come in—and they’ve saved our homeschool more times than I can count.
These logic-boosting, brain-building, solo-friendly games are perfect for:
- Only children
- Kids who thrive on independent play
- Quiet time activities
- Strewing
- Carschooling
- Giving mom a well-deserved break
And the best part? Most of these games come with multiple levels of challenges that grow with your child—making them a great investment in both fun and learning.
Why One-Player Games Are a Homeschool Essential
Here’s why single-player games are a go-to resource in our homeschool:
- Build logic and critical thinking
- Offer multiple levels of difficulty for extended use and growth
- Encourage problem-solving and spatial reasoning
- Perfect for carschooling and travel
- Ideal for strewing and self-directed exploration
- Quiet, screen-free downtime that still feels productive
Many of these games are even fun for me to play alongside Emily. They’re versatile enough to challenge both of us, which makes them a great way to connect without needing a full-on family game session.
Our Favorite One-Player Games for Independent Learning
Ready to stock your shelf with engaging solo games? Here’s a curated list of our most-loved one-player logic and puzzle games:
ThinkFun Rush Hour Traffic Jam BrainThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run BrainThinkFun Cat Crimes Brain Game andEducational Insights BrainBolt – Brain TeaserEducational Insights Kanoodle | Brain TwistingThinkFun Brain Fitness Solitaire Chess LogicSimon Micro Series Game, SingleThinkFun Color Cube Sudoku – Fun,Hasbro Gaming Bop It! Micro SeriesThinkFun Shape by Shape Creative PatternSmartGames Jump in’, a Cognitive Skill-BuildingThinkFun AmazeThink Fun Invasion of The CowThinkFun Fifteen Puzzle – Classic PuzzleSmartGames Temple Trap Cognitive Skill-Building TravelSmartGames IQ Twist, a Travel GameEducational Insights Kanoodle Genius | BrainCat Stax The Purrfect Packing PuzzleThinkFun Roller Coaster Challenge STEM ToyThinkFun Clue Master Logic Game andMindware – Q-bitzEducational Insights Kanoodle Duplexity, Puzzle Challenges,SmartGames IQ XOXO, a Travel GameThinkFun Hoppers Logic Game – TeachesThinkFun Balance Beans Math Game ForThinkFun Minecraft Magnetic Travel Puzzle LogicThink Fun Tipover,40 Challenge CardsThink Fun Lunar Landing Logic GameSmartGames Camelot Jr. Wooden Cognitive Skill-BuildingSmartGames Smart Farmer Board Game, aSmartGames Atlantis Escape; a 3D Path-BuildingSmartGames Color Code Cognitive Skill-Building PuzzleSmartGames Little Red Riding Hood DeluxeSmartGames Three Little Piggies – DeluxeSmartGames Squirrels Go Nuts Skill BuildingSmartGames Temple Connection Board Game, aSmartGames Trucky 3 Wooden Skill-Building PuzzleSmartGames Bunny Peek a BooSmartGames Jump in’, a Cognitive Skill-BuildingSmartGames Jump in’, a Cognitive Skill-BuildingSmartGames Penguins Parade Skill-Building Magnetic Travel
Want to browse even more? Check out our full collection of single-player games.
Real-Life Uses for One-Player Games
Still not sure when to use them? Here’s how we regularly use one-player games in our homeschool:
- Morning Basket Time: Perfect for independent play while I work 1-on-1 with Emily
- Strewing Invitations: Leave out a puzzle game to spark curiosity
- Quiet Time: A productive and screen-free option for afternoon downtime
- Carschooling: Compact and travel-friendly for road trips and errands
- Mom Breaks: Let’s be honest—sometimes you just need 20 quiet minutes and a cup of coffee
Ready to Add More Independent Fun to Your Homeschool?
Single-player games have been a game-changer (pun totally intended) in our homeschool journey—especially for downtime, travel, and those moments when solo learning is just what we need.
💬 What’s your favorite one-player game? I’d love to hear what your kids enjoy most!