6 classic board games to play online with family

Family game nights don't need a cupboard full of boxes anymore. The games most Indian families grew up with, from Ludo on the back of an old board to a carrom match that ran until dinner, all work well on a single phone or tablet passed around the table. Here are six classics, who each one suits best, and how to play them free in your browser without downloading anything.

1. Ludo: best for 3 or 4 players

Ludo is the family game in India for a reason. It is easy enough for a six-year-old, but there are real choices on every roll: which token to bring out, when to capture, when to sit safe on a star. Captures cause loud reactions, which is half the fun.

• Players: 2 to 4. Any colour can be the computer if someone is missing.
• Game length: 20 to 40 minutes with four players.
• Good for: mixed ages, festivals, long afternoons.

Play Ludo free · How to play Ludo with friends on one phone

2. Snakes and Ladders: best for young children

There are no decisions in Snakes and Ladders, so the youngest player has exactly the same chance as everyone else. It is also counting practice in disguise: children count every square as their token moves. Choose the "Any roll" start so nobody waits for a 6.

• Players: 2 to 4.
• Game length: 10 to 20 minutes.
• Good for: children aged 3 to 7 and their grandparents.

Play Snakes and Ladders free · Playing Snakes and Ladders with kids

3. Carrom: best for two players who like a challenge

Carrom is the most skilful game on this list. Every shot is about angle and strength, and covering the red queen at the right moment can decide a board. On a phone you drag back from the striker and let go, like a catapult, so there is no sore finger at the end of the evening.

• Players: 2 on one device, or 1 against the computer.
• Game length: 5 to 15 minutes a board.
• Good for: siblings, cousins and anyone competitive.

Play Carrom free · Carrom rules explained

4. Chess: best for a quiet game for two

Chess has no luck at all, which makes it perfect for a parent and child who want to think together, or two adults after dinner. Beginners can learn against the computer on Easy and use Hint when stuck, then move up to playing each other.

• Players: 2 on one device, or 1 against the computer on Easy, Medium or Hard.
• Game length: 10 to 40 minutes.
• Good for: children from about age 6 who enjoy puzzles, and adults.

Play Chess free · Chess rules for beginners

5. Tic Tac Toe: best for a two-minute game

Tic Tac Toe, which many Indian children call zero kata, is the quickest game here. A round takes a minute, so it fits in while dinner is being served or the car is stuck at a signal. Young players learn to look ahead: can I win, must I block?

• Players: 2 on one device, or 1 against the computer.
• Game length: 1 to 2 minutes a round.
• Good for: short breaks and children learning to plan.

Play Tic Tac Toe free · How to win at Tic Tac Toe

6. 2048: best for taking turns on one score

2048 is a one-player puzzle, but it works surprisingly well as a family challenge. Pass the phone around, give each person five minutes, and see who gets the highest score. The best score is saved on the device, so the record stays on the fridge, so to speak, until someone beats it.

• Players: 1 at a time, any number taking turns.
• Game length: 5 to 20 minutes.
• Good for: teenagers and adults who like numbers.

Play 2048 free · How to win at 2048: tips and strategy

Which game should we pick?

• Little children in the group: Snakes and Ladders.
• Four people, mixed ages: Ludo.
• Two people who want a real contest: Carrom or Chess.
• Only a few minutes: Tic Tac Toe.
• Everyone wants to compete but on their own turn: 2048 high-score challenge.

Tips for game night on one phone

• Lay the phone flat in the middle of the table so everyone can see the board. A tablet is even better for four players.
• Turn the sound on. Dice rolls, captures and wins all have their own sounds, so everyone notices what happened.
• Don't worry about interruptions. Every game is saved after each move. If someone needs to take a call, close the page and carry on later.
• Agree on the rules first. Every family has house rules. The guides above explain the rules each game uses, so there is nothing to argue about.

All six games are free, need no download and no account, and work in Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox on any phone, tablet or computer.