If you're bored or have a bit of time to kill, perhaps when you're at work or in class, playing a web game is the perfect way to keep you entertained. To help ease the boredom, we've put together a list of the best quick web games to play online when you're sat twiddling your thumbs.

These addictive games are small and require no commitment or registration. While they're so fun you won't want to stop, they're lightweight enough that you can move on from them at a moment's notice if necessary.

Here are the best quick web games to play online when you're bored.

1. QWOP

QWOP

QWOP is a legendary web game. The goal is simple: successfully run 100 meters. Except, doing that is anything but simple, as you have to manually control the thighs and calves of the runner. Don't be surprised if it takes you a while to get off the start line, but at least you'll have a laugh doing it.

2. Entanglement

Entanglement

Entanglement is the perfect game to play when you're stressed, even if you don't like puzzle games. The goal is to create the longest path through tiles you place down. These tiles are randomly generated, but offer enough options that it isn't frustrating. Plus there's some lovely soothing background music.

3. Gridland

Gridland

Gridland is a match-three game with a twist. There are two phases: day (where you match and gather resources to build your village) and night (where you match to fight off invading monsters). Time only progresses when you make a move, so it encourages smart planning and thoughtfulness. It's extremely clever, but more importantly, a ton of fun.

Cookie Clicker

The concept of Cookie Clicker is so banal, you can only truly understand it once you start playing. The ultimate aim is to produce as many cookies as possible. You do that by clicking a cookie. That's it. You can then trade the cookies in at the store to buy power-ups to automate tasks, like a reinforced cursor or a grandma.

5. Threes

Threes

Threes is a popular mobile game that has been turned into a web game. You slide numbered tiles on a four-by-four grid to combine them into multiples of three. The aim is to earn the highest score by stacking and achieving rare tiles. Though it seems simple in concept, it's delightfully difficult to keep games going more than a few minutes until no moves remain.

6. The Wiki Game

The Wiki Game

Wikipedia is a treasure trove of interesting information. The Wiki Game makes use of the free online encyclopedia by challenging you to travel from one Wikipedia page to another by using the internal links on the page. It also times you based on how easy the challenge is.

For example, getting from the start page of The Pacific War to the end page of Sea is relatively easy. On the other hand, moving from Electric Chair to HTML is a bit trickier.

7. Line Rider

Line Rider

Line Rider is such a popular web game that it was released on the Nintendo DS and Wii. You don't need those consoles though because it can be played directly in the browser. Use your cursor to create lines, which the little figure will then ride along. Get creative as you can by drawing loops, ramps, and insane jumps.

8. The Floor Is Lava!

The Floor is Lava

The Floor Is Lava! is exactly what it sounds like: there's lethal lava below that you avoid by launching yourself towards your mouse cursor. But there are other players too, and it's a bit like bumper cars; if you hit them, you bounce back. It's tough to stay alive, but lots of fun! Each game lasts less than a minute, but you'll want to keep playing again and again.

9. Quick, Draw!

Quick, Draw!

Quick, Draw! is not only a game, but also a way of training a neural network. You are presented with a word and then get a short amount of time to doodle it. As you draw, the system will try to guess what it is based on machine learning. Your drawing will then be used to help train the machine in the future.

10. Frogger

Frogger

Frogger is a classic 1980s arcade game. It's had loads of sequels and clones through the years, but the original still holds a lot of charm. This web game is a recreation of the original. If you've never played Frogger, you need to correct that. The object is to hop your frog to the other side, avoiding traffic on the road and a hazardous river.

11. Color Pipes

color pipes

Color Pipes has plenty of levels to keep you entertained for many visits. In the game, you must pair colors together by drawing lines between them. You also need to have the entire board covered. The only problem is, if any of the lines cross then the move is invalid. Simple yet addictive.

12. Slime Volleyball

slime volleyball

Slime Volleyball is an old online game, but it stands the test of time. You can either play against the computer or a friend. You control a little blob—or slime—as you hit a ball back and forth across a net. Should the ball touch the ground on your side, it's a point to the opponent. The Slime series expanded into other sports, but volleyball remains the best.

13. Wordle

Screenshot showing a Wordle game session

Wordle is a free daily word guessing game that challenges you to guess a five-letter word in six attempts. As you guess, the tiles change color to represent how close you are to the correct word. A new word is available at midnight to keep you coming back for a slice of fun.

If you like this, you're sure to enjoy these excellent free word game apps for mobile.

14. Helicopter

Helicopter

In Helicopter, you use your mouse to control a chopper and dodge incoming obstacles. Click to let the helicopter rise, stop to let it fall. This is an endless game that speeds up and gets frantic. Since it records a score every play, it'll give you that addicting "just one more turn" feeling as you try to beat yourself.

15. A Dark Room

A Dark Room is one of the most notable clicker games because it isn't just a clicker game. It's infused with role-playing and narrative elements that elevate the experience into something greater. It starts off slow, but stick with it.

Mackerelmedia Fish

If you like the weird and wonderful, Mackerelmedia Fish is for you. It's an interactive experience that guides you through a fictional retro web. The aim of the game? Well, that's one to discover for yourself. This is a hilarious and wonderfully animated game and the less you know about it before you go in the better.

17. Sinuous

Sinuous

In Sinuous, you are your mouse cursor. Avoid the endless torrent of red dots, touch the green dots for invulnerability, and see how long you can last. The game is highly replayable and excellent for short five to ten minute bursts.

18. slither.io

slither.io

Slither.io is a fun and colorful online game where you control a snake in a neon landscape, sliding into glowing orbs to grow your length. The challenge is that you're playing against others, some of whom are longer than you. They can envelop you and become longer. Of course, you can do the same thing to smaller snakes. See how big you can get.

19. Books Tower

Books Tower

The objective of Books Tower is to stack as many books as possible without the tower topping over. Each new book glides from left to right and you need to click when you want it to drop. Time those clicks perfectly to align the books; otherwise, it's all going to come tumbling down.

20. The Jigsaw Puzzles

The Jigsaw Puzzles

The Jigsaw Puzzles is one of the best websites to play free jigsaws. It's home to thousands of free online jigsaw puzzles, from categories like animals to nature, ranging in difficulty from 50 to 150 pieces each. Perhaps not as satisfying as completing a real puzzle, but it's still an enjoyable way to spend 15 minutes.

Mobile Games to Play When You're Bored

These are some of the best quick web games to play when you're bored and want to pass the time. Chances are, you'll find them so entertaining that you'll come back to play them time and time again.

Many of these games to play when bored at work or class are also available on your mobile phone as dedicated apps. A bit of fun will always be a few taps away.