Looking for a comprehensive list of word games to challenge your mind, boost your vocabulary, or just have some fun? You’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re a puzzle lover, a student, a teacher, or simply someone who enjoys playing with words, this curated list has something for everyone.

From classic board games to digital word challenges, here is a list of word games that are both fun and brain-boosting.

 1. Scrabble 

A classic word game where players create words on a game board using letter tiles, each with a point value. The longer or more complex the word, the higher the score!  Play Scrabble 
How to Play: Players use letter tiles to create words on a game board. Each letter has a point value, and you score based on the word’s total value plus any bonus squares you use on the board. 
Benefit of the Game: Improves spelling, strategic thinking, and vocabulary.

2. Boggle 

Shake up the letter cubes and race to find as many words as possible before the timer runs out. Great for quick thinking and vocabulary building.  Play Boggle 
How to Play: Shake the cube to mix up 16 letter dice. Set a timer and try to find as many words as you can by connecting adjacent letters. Words must be at least three letters long.
Benefit of the Game: Enhances quick thinking and word recognition under pressure.

3. Wordle 

The wildly popular online game where players guess a five-letter word in six tries or less. A simple but addictive entry in any list of word games.   Play Wordle 
How to Play: You have six tries to guess a five-letter word. After each guess, you get color-coded feedback on whether your letters are correct and in the right position.
Benefit of the Game: Boosts deductive reasoning and vocabulary skills in a short daily challenge.

 4. Words With Friends 

Similar to Scrabble, this app-based game lets you compete with friends in real-time or asynchronously. A modern take on a timeless favorite.  Play Words With Friends
How to Play: Similar to Scrabble, but played on a digital app. You compete with friends to build words on a shared board and earn the highest score.
Benefit of the Game: Encourages social interaction and vocabulary development through fun competition.

 5. Crossword Puzzles 

Found in newspapers, apps, and books, crosswords challenge your general knowledge and word association skills. A must-have in any list of word games. Play Crossword Puzzles
How to Play: Fill in a grid with words based on given clues. The words intersect each other horizontally and vertically.
Benefit of the Game: Improves general knowledge, spelling, and problem-solving skills.

 6. Hangman 

A classic pen-and-paper game where players guess letters to solve a hidden word before the stick figure gets “hanged.” Great for all ages!   Play Hangman
How to Play: One player thinks of a word, and the other guesses letters one at a time. Each incorrect guess brings the drawing of a stick figure closer to completion. The goal is to guess the word before the drawing is finished.
Benefit of the Game: Reinforces spelling and logic skills in a fun and visual way.

7. Word Search 

Find hidden words in a grid of letters. Themes can vary from animals and food to advanced vocabulary and foreign languages.  Play Word Search
How to Play: Find hidden words in a grid of letters. Words can run in any direction—horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
Benefit of the Game: Increases focus, visual scanning ability, and spelling accuracy.

 8. Spelling Bee (NYT or Classroom Versions) 

In this game, players are given a set of letters and must create as many words as possible, always including a required center letter. A great brain workout.  Play Spelling Bee
How to Play: Players are given seven letters and must form as many words as possible, always using the center letter. There’s usually a “pangram” (a word using all the letters) hidden in the mix.
Benefit of the Game: Expands vocabulary and spelling precision while encouraging creative thinking.

9. Unscramble Games  (Unscrabbled)

Players are given scrambled letters and must form words as quickly as possible. Perfect for boosting vocabulary and spelling skills. Looking for a fun way to play? 

Check out Unscrabbled – a new free addictive word game where players create words on a 8x8 board using letter tiles, each with a point value to get an average word value. The longer the word, the higher the score times the average word value! As you unscramble words in the 8x8 grid the letter tiles of the formed words you find drop out and the tiles above fall into place. 

How to Play: You’re given a set of jumbled letters and must quickly rearrange them to form correct words. Often timed, these games reward speed and accuracy.  
Benefit of the Game: Boosts pattern recognition and speed reading skills.

 10. Codenames 

A party word game where two teams compete to guess words based on clever one-word clues. A fun blend of wordplay and strategy.  Play Codenames
How to Play: Two teams compete to guess their words on a grid using one-word clues given by a teammate (the “spymaster”). Avoid guessing the opposing team’s words or the dreaded assassin word!
Benefit of the Game: Improves lateral thinking, communication, and vocabulary under pressure.

 11. Ghost 

A verbal game where players take turns adding letters to a growing word fragment without completing a valid word. Tricky and entertaining!  Play Ghost
How to Play: Players take turns adding letters to a growing word fragment. The goal is not to complete a valid word. If you do, you lose the round. You also must be able to prove the fragment could become a real word.
Benefit of the Game: Strengthens vocabulary and teaches advanced word structure knowledge.

 12. Balderdash 

Create believable definitions for obscure words and fool your friends into thinking yours is the real one. A hilarious and creative word game.  Play Balderdash
How to Play: Players make up fake definitions for obscure words, and one player reads all definitions (including the correct one). Everyone guesses which is real.
Benefit of the Game: Encourages creativity, bluffing skills, and expands rare word knowledge.

13. NYT Connections 

A daily brain teaser from The New York Times where you group words into themed categories. It looks simple but can be surprisingly tricky—great for fans of lateral thinking and logic puzzles.  Play Connections
How to Play: You’re given 16 seemingly unrelated words and must group them into four sets of four words that share a common theme or category (e.g., “types of fruit” or “words that can follow ‘star’”).
Benefit of the Game: Sharpen pattern recognition and lateral thinking as you make unexpected connections between words. 

14. Squaredle 

A swipe-based word puzzle game that’s like a mix of Boggle and Wordscapes. You’ll search for words by connecting letters in all directions on a square grid, with extra points for finding the special “spangram” words. Play Squaredle
How to Play: Squaredle gives you a square grid of letters. Swipe to connect adjacent letters (up, down, sideways, and diagonally) to form words of three or more letters. The goal is to find all valid words, including at least one “spangram” that spans across the board.
Benefit of the Game: Improves vocabulary, pattern recognition, and spatial navigation skills in a fun, gamified interface. 

 Why Play Word Games? 

This list of word games isn’t just for entertainment—word games can help improve:
• Spelling and grammar skills
• Vocabulary and word recognition
• Memory and cognitive abilities
• Problem-solving and critical thinking
• Social interaction (many word games are multiplayer!)

Final Thoughts on This List of Word Games 

Whether you enjoy traditional board games, app-based word puzzles, or fast-paced party games, this list of word games offers endless options to keep your brain engaged and your language skills sharp. 

Looking to try something new? Bookmark this post and challenge yourself to try a new word game each week!