I’m a classic solitaire gal through and through. It’s the only resident gaming app on my phone and probably only ever will be. Sometimes I do like to mix it up with free games at Solitaire.org that I can play online. There are an assortment of card games, logic puzzles and word games to choose from.

The History of Solitaire

The website has a little blurb about the history of solitaire that is really interesting. Solitaire’s origins date back to the 1700’s in northern Europe where it was referred to as a game called, “patience.” If you are an avid solitaire player you know that patience is definitely required! In Scandinavian countries it was called, cabale which means secret knowledge.

In 1990, Microsoft Windows included a free version of solitaire on their desktop computers. This shift from playing cards to a computer game made the game grow in popularity. This is how I really started getting into solitaire, because I was a 90’s baby and I got my first desktop computer in 1998.

The most fascinating thing to me about solitaire’s history is that the way the cards are laid out in the game is almost identical to a tarot card spread. The earliest version of tarot emerged in Italy in 1425. Solitaire was heavily influenced by fortune tellers that read tarot cards.

Apparently in the 1800’s solitaire was used as a form of fortune telling, whether or not a game “came out” indicated whether or not the players desire would come true. Keep that in mind the next time you win the game!

Hidden Objects

I’m always looking for online games to play with my son that are educational. The hidden objects game is great for focus, improving visual perception and attention to detail. The game objective is to find the missing objects or numbers. My 4-year-old son loves this game. You can choose from a variety of settings, including: kitchen, circus, castle, garden, pirate, etc. I really like the garden. When you find the object, a new one appears. We can play this game for hours.

Benefits of Word Games

Doing crosswords has memory boosting benefits, especially for older people. Studies suggest that crosswords reduce cognitive decline by improving memory and focus. Some evidence claims that they help prevent dementia.

I haven’t picked up a physical newspaper in a few years but I used to grab the metro rag when I took the subway and flip to the back to my horoscope and the daily crossword. I really miss doing crosswords. Solitaire.org has daily crosswords that are printable, which is a bonus if you own a printer. I like doing it on the computer though, because when you get the right answer, the letters turn green. When your answer is wrong they turn red. I love that instant when you know the right answer before you type it in. I can rarely finish a crossword by myself, but it’s a fun way to pass the time and work your memory muscles.