Sick of solitaire? Tired of twiddling your thumbs? Don't worry; there are plenty of fun single-player games out there that you can amuse yourself with. Most of these fun games fall into a couple of categories: puzzles and electronic games.

PUZZLES

Puzzles are always a great option. Traditional jigsaw puzzles are pretty inexpensive and easy to find in stores or at garage sales. For a twist on the usual jigsaw puzzles, some puzzle kits come with a murder mystery that can only be solved through a clue that's revealed when the jigsaw puzzle is complete.

There are lots of popular puzzles beyond just the jigsaw type. You can try the daily crossword or jumble in the newspaper or buy a book of them if word puzzles are your thing. Sudoku has become very popular if you like number puzzles, plus it challenges your mind and makes the time pass quickly.

You can also get a book of brain teasers and riddles if you're up for the challenge.

ELECTRONIC GAMES

Computer games can also provide hours of fun. Many computers come with fun games like Mahjong and Minesweeper that have simple rules and challenge your mind. If you want to play something similar to solitaire but with more of a twist, try FreeCell. You might find that it's addicting, just like Minesweeper can be. Minesweeper is a game with a deceptively simple premise; there's actually quite a bit of strategy involved in clicking certain squares to avoid hidden mines.

If you have internet access, lots of websites offer free games that you can play either by yourself or against other users. There are puzzle games, trivia games, and word games of all kinds available at your fingertips. You can find online versions of your favorite board games. There are also some online versions of popular game shows. You can take quizzes to test your trivia knowledge. You can tackle a simulation game where you strategize a battle, run an organization, or form a community.

You can also play games by yourself on other electronic devices, from the latest cell phones to video game systems. These games come in every genre you can think of.

When it comes to fun single-player games, there is a plethora of low- to high-tech options available. You don't always need other people to compete against you in order to play a fun game that challenges you. Just use your imagination, and your solo game time will fly by.

Learn more about this author, M. Sparga.
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