There’s something about a rainy Sunday afternoon that brings out the chaos in our house. The board games are always missing at least one key piece (usually thanks to the dog), and attempts to do some wholesome baking together somehow end in flour on the ceiling and one child crying because suddenly they have decided that they hate banana bread. So when we find something that keeps both Lauren and Lewis entertained and doesn’t involve me pretending to be a professional referee, I consider it a minor miracle.
A Hidden Gem of Free Kids’ Games
Lately, our secret weapon has been a little online gem: the kids games at culinaryschools.org/kids-games. I know – it sounds like it might just be games about food (which, to be fair, my snack-obsessed children were fully on board with). But it’s actually a huge, categorised treasure trove of kid-friendly online games, from logic puzzles to arcade-style challenges and everything in between.
And yes, I’ve played a few myself. For “research purposes”, of course.
Game Pick 1: Papa’s Donuteria
Lauren is currently obsessed with Papa’s Donuteria, and I can see why. It’s part cooking game, part time-management challenge, and just the right amount of chaos. You’re put in charge of running a donut shop, taking orders, frying dough, and decorating donuts to match increasingly detailed customer requests. It really keeps you on your toes.
You can see from the above screenshot that my decorating skills are about as good in-game as they are in real life!
It’s surprisingly addictive and gave Lauren a real sense of accomplishment when she started getting five-star reviews. What surprised me most about Papa’s Donuteria is just how educational it actually is, in a sneaky, fun kind of way. Lauren’s learning to follow multi-step instructions, manage time under pressure, and prioritise tasks (all while keeping fictional customers happy with their donuts!). It also encourages attention to detail, as she needs to match specific orders precisely, from the frying time to the exact sprinkles on top. It’s basically a crash course in multitasking and customer service… which, let’s be honest, are skills most of us don’t properly master until adulthood.
Game Pick 2: Liquid Sort
Lewis, on the other hand, is a science guy. He loves nothing more than making potions in the bathtub (don’t ask me about the time I forgot to hide my expensive Olaplex shampoo…). As such, when I stumbled upon the game Liquid Sort, I knew he would love it. It’s a logic puzzle game where you have to pour coloured liquids between test tubes until each one holds just a single colour. It starts off simple but gets tricky fast in that wonderfully satisfying, “just one more level” way.
Liquid Sort is one of those games that looks simple at first, but it’s actually a brilliant little brain workout. Lewis has to plan several steps ahead, think logically, and use trial and error to figure out the best way to separate the colours without getting stuck. It’s a fantastic way to practise problem-solving and strategic thinking, all disguised as a colourful, satisfying puzzle game. I love that he’s having fun while genuinely developing those critical thinking muscles (and staying quiet for more than five minutes whilst also not wasting my £30 shampoo…. bonus!).
Why I Love These Games
What I love about these games is that they’re engaging without being overstimulating. Many are free of ads, and even the ones that do include them keep them neatly off to the side. It’s the sort of screen time I can feel good about, especially since a lot of the games involve memory skills, logic, pattern recognition, or time management.
More Than Just Kids’ Games
The site has games for every mood: brain teasers, arcade challenges, sports games, and yes, plenty of culinary-themed ones too. There’s even a Mahjong section, which I’ve bookmarked for a quiet cup-of-tea moment once everyone’s back at school.
So if you’re looking for something to keep the kids entertained for 20 quiet minutes that won’t make you cringe every time you glance at the screen, give it a look. You might just find yourself playing too.
