Some of the best games for iPad on the App Store are Subway Surfers, Block Blast, Magic Tiles 3 and a handful of jigsaw, sudoku and cooking games. All nine here are free to download, every one but Water Sort Puzzle lists in-app purchases, and age ratings run from 4+ to 13+.
An iPad's big screen changes which games feel good. Puzzles get room to breathe, rhythm games give your fingers more space, and fast games like Subway Surfers look far better than they do on a phone.
I picked nine popular games that list iPad support and read each App Store listing for the developer, download size, age rating, in-app purchases and any offline wording. They're in no particular order.
The downloads run from 210.4 MB to 705.7 MB, so it's worth checking your free storage before you install several at once.
Size, age rating and offline notes for each
| Game | Developer | App Store size | Age rating | In-app purchases | Offline wording on the listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subway Surfers | Sybo Games ApS | 413.6 MB | 9+ | Yes | No offline claim on the listing |
| Block Blast！ | ARETIS LIMITED | 210.4 MB | 13+ | Yes | No offline claim on the listing |
| Jigsaw Puzzles - Puzzle Games | Easybrain Ltd | 256.4 MB | 13+ | Yes | No offline claim on the listing |
| Magic Tiles 3™: Piano Game | Amanotes Pte Ltd | 705.7 MB | 4+ | Yes | 'Download songs to play offline.' |
| Jigsawscapes® - Jigsaw Puzzles | OAKEVER GAMES PTE. LTD. | 286 MB | 4+ | Yes | 'Play anytime and anywhere, even offline' |
| Magic Jigsaw Puzzles - Games | XIMAD, Inc. | 440.3 MB | 13+ | Yes | No offline claim on the listing |
| Cooking Fever: Restaurant Game | Nordcurrent UAB | 275.3 MB | 9+ | Yes | No offline claim on the listing |
| Water Sort Puzzle | IEC GLOBAL PTY LTD | 281.9 MB | 13+ | No | 'Fully playable as a water sort offline color game' |
| Sudoku - Brain Puzzle Games | OAKEVER GAMES PTE. LTD. | 557.7 MB | 9+ | Yes | 'Full Offline Support' |
Nine iPad games for the big screen
Subway Surfers
Sybo's endless runner has you dashing along the tracks with Jake, Tricky and Fresh, swiping to dodge trains and escape the grumpy Guard. It's rated 9+ and weighs 413.6 MB.
Block Blast！
A block puzzle from ARETIS where you fit shapes onto the grid and clear them away, with fresh daily challenges. At 210.4 MB it's the smallest download here, and it's rated 13+.
Jigsaw Puzzles - Puzzle Games
Easybrain's jigsaw app offers a big library of HD pictures and keeps things simple, with no points to chase. On an iPad screen the pieces are far easier to handle than on a phone.
Magic Tiles 3™: Piano Game
Tap the tiles in time with songs across pop, rap, EDM, jazz and more. The listing says you can download songs to play offline, it's rated 4+, and at 705.7 MB it's the largest here.
Jigsawscapes® - Jigsaw Puzzles
OAKEVER GAMES' jigsaw app is rated 4+ and says you can play anytime and anywhere, even offline. It's a good one to load up before a flight.
Magic Jigsaw Puzzles - Games
XIMAD's long-running jigsaw game has a large library of HD pictures, free daily jigsaws and an online community. It's rated 13+.
Cooking Fever: Restaurant Game
As the name says, Nordcurrent's game is a restaurant cooking game, and it's rated 9+ with in-app purchases. It weighs 275.3 MB.
Water Sort Puzzle
Pour coloured water between glasses until each one holds a single colour. It's the only game here with no in-app purchases, and the listing says it's fully playable offline.
Sudoku - Brain Puzzle Games
OAKEVER GAMES' sudoku app has puzzles across several difficulty levels and lists full offline support. It's rated 9+ and takes 557.7 MB.
Why a bigger screen suits these games
Jigsaws are the clearest case. On a phone, the pieces are fiddly and half your time goes on zooming; on an iPad you can see the whole picture and still pick out the edges. Jigsaw Puzzles, Jigsawscapes and Magic Jigsaw Puzzles all benefit.
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Rhythm games like Magic Tiles 3 give you wider lanes to hit, and puzzle games like Block Blast and Water Sort Puzzle are easier to read at a glance. Cooking Fever's busy kitchen simply looks better with more room.
Age ratings for a shared family iPad
- 4+: Magic Tiles 3 and Jigsawscapes.
- 9+: Subway Surfers, Cooking Fever and Sudoku - Brain Puzzle Games.
- 13+: Block Blast, Jigsaw Puzzles, Magic Jigsaw Puzzles and Water Sort Puzzle.
A 13+ rating on a puzzle game can be a surprise. The App Store shows what sits behind each rating on the listing, so tap through before you decide. If the iPad is shared, Screen Time lets you set a content limit by age.
Storage and downloads before a trip
Four listings here mention offline play: Magic Tiles 3, Jigsawscapes, Water Sort Puzzle and Sudoku - Brain Puzzle Games. Open each one on Wi-Fi first, then try it in aeroplane mode so you know it works before you leave.
If you're packing a tablet for children, my guide to free offline games for kids that survive a long flight covers more travel-friendly choices.
And if storage is tight, these free offline car parking games for tablets are far smaller downloads than anything on this page.
When you'd rather play together
Most iPad games are built for one person holding the screen. For two people on the sofa, a console with two controllers often works better, and my list of two player games for the PS4 is a good place to start.
Frequently asked questions
Are these iPad games free?
Yes. All nine are free to download from the App Store. Eight list in-app purchases; Water Sort Puzzle doesn't.
Which iPad games work offline?
Magic Tiles 3, Jigsawscapes, Water Sort Puzzle and Sudoku - Brain Puzzle Games all mention offline play on their listings.
Which iPad games suit younger children?
Magic Tiles 3 and Jigsawscapes are rated 4+, and Subway Surfers, Cooking Fever and Sudoku - Brain Puzzle Games are rated 9+.
Which iPad game is the smallest download?
Block Blast, at 210.4 MB. Jigsaw Puzzles and Cooking Fever are also among the lighter installs here.
How much storage do these games need?
From 210.4 MB for Block Blast to 705.7 MB for Magic Tiles 3, before any extra downloads inside the game.
Why is a puzzle game rated 13+?
The App Store shows the reasons behind each age rating on the listing. Tap through to read them before you decide.
