Games that help you fall asleep

It can happen to the best of us. No matter how much we want to get to sleep or how tired we thought we were when we laid down—we’ve all had those restless nights that, well… are nothing but restless. You may have tried tossing and turning or getting up and moving around, but chances are when you really can’t sleep—you tend to reach for your phone.

Instead of diving to the ends of the internet and back or getting lost in a subreddit about your favorite TV show, why not try using a few handy dandy apps when you find that you can’t sleep. There is no denying that there is truly an app for everything, even sleepless nights. And we can help you find one that will work for you. We have created a list of the best games and programs that will help you fall asleep—and you can easily download them on your phone today. Take a look at our top picks for our favorite games and apps to help you fall asleep.

1. Harmony

Games that help you fall asleep

Harmony Relaxing Music and Puzzle Sleep App Game

Type of Game | Problem Solving
Category | Puzzle
Compatibility | Android, iOS
Sleep Game Price | $0

Harmony is a fun and relaxing game that is entertaining enough to keep your interest, yet soothing enough to help you fall asleep—then consider the game Harmony. Like the name suggests, this game is all about promoting peace, harmony and relaxation all by creating symmetric patterns and harmonic notes.

You need to recreate the mirror image of the pattern and listen to the notes that each piece of the puzzle plays as you go through this peaceful game. If you get the puzzle right, you can enjoy a nice, peaceful, harmonic melody that will really leave you feeling relaxed. It is relaxing and great for when you can’t sleep—and the best part is, it has over one thousand levels so you don’t have to worry about getting the same puzzle twice.

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2. Dream Walker

Games that help you fall asleep

Dream Walker Endless Runner Sleep App Game

Type of Game | Endless Runner Game
Category | Casual, Arcade
Compatibility | Android, iOS
Sleep Game Price | $0

The game Dream Walker is sure to have you drifting off to sleep and dreaming in no time. This game is quite simple in nature and will have you thinking so much about dream walking—you might actually fall asleep. In this game you guide the main character, Anna (a young sleepwalker) through different adventures she experiences as she dreams.

The colors are dim, the game is a simple endless runner format where you easily control where Anna turns—and it doesn’t get too difficult, even as it progresses. We also love the added touch of the soothing background music that may be just what you need to fall back into a dream state after a restless night.

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3. Antistress

Games that help you fall asleep

Antistress Relaxing Sleep App Puzzle Game

 Type of Game | Puzzle
Category | Puzzle
Compatibility | Android, iOS
Sleep Game Price | $0 ($0.99 for the quiet pack)

There are so many people who can’t sleep at night because they are dealing with a serious amount of stress. Don’t let this type of anxiety keep you up at night. Instead, try playing the game Antistress. This game was literally designed with restless sleepers in mind and it isn’t all that difficult. In fact, all you do is fidget with different items until you get tired.

Instead of getting up and messing with your own trinkets, you can play with things like a Fidget spinner, darts, blocks and light switches all in the game. It sounds a little peculiar at first, but trust us when we say it is just the mindless activity you need to finally get to sleep.

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4. Meditation Game

Games that help you fall asleep

Meditation Sleep App Game

Type of Game | Problem Solving
Category | Casual
Compatibility | Android, iOS
Sleep Game Price | $0

Meditation is a great way for anyone to naturally relax and unwind after a long day. It is also the perfect way for anyone to clear their mind and destress—which is why doing meditation before bed is a great option. This is especially true if you are someone who struggles to sleep at night because of stress. This is where the Meditation Game comes in.

This game encourages you to relax, take deep breaths in and observe your breathing patterns as you casually move your phone to collect little energy dots. This game is engaging enough to keep your interest, but simple enough that it can actually help you fall asleep. There are no ads, it has serene background music and the goal is to help you get as relaxed as possible—and it works!

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5. mySleepButton

Games that help you fall asleep

mySleepButton Sleep App Bedtime Story

Type of Game | Auditory App  
Category | Casual
Compatibility | Android, iOS
Sleep Game Price | $0

Struggling to get to sleep? Then the app mySleepButton can help. This app isn’t exactly a game, but it will help you fall asleep. Think of this app as an adult bedtime story. It was developed by an expert in cognitive science and features a soothing voice that reads to you and encourages you to imagine different things so that you fall asleep.

The name is pretty indicative of how simple the app is too. Just press the “Put Me to Sleep” button, close you eyes and the program will do the work. If you don’t want to stare at a blue light screen and are more auditory or a person, then this app is for you.

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6. Orbia

Games that help you fall asleep

Orbia Sleep App Game

Type of Game | Character-Driven Arcade Game
Category | Arcade
Compatibility | Android, iOS
Sleep Game Price | $0

Orbia is a popular app among people who are looking for a relaxing program that will help them drift off to sleep at night. We love that this game is super minimalistic but still fun enough to keep you reminiscing about your old days playing arcade games with your friends.

It has some tranquil soothing background music and is the perfect balance between slightly mindless and slightly addicting that will keep you entertained during the night. Next time, you have too much on your mind to get to sleep—try to hop around as one of these cute fur balls, and your restlessness will be cured.

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7. Tiles Hop

Games that help you fall asleep

Tiles Hop Sleep App Game

Type of Game | Puzzle  
Category | Music
Compatibility | Android, iOS
Sleep Game Price | $0

If you are looking for a game that is relatively mindless and will help you unwind after a long day—then consider Tiles Hop. The key to this game is linking the right music to it—and lucky for you, you can choose any song in your library. Just sync to your favorite music player and this game lets you hop from tile to tile to the beat of the song you are playing.

The game is simple, the colors are tranquil and if you put a nice, mellow slow song on with the program, you may find yourself falling asleep before you make it through many levels at all.

SHOP TILES HOP

8. The Celestial Tree

Games that help you fall asleep

The Celestial Tree Sleep App Game

Type of Game | Simulation
Category | Casual
Compatibility | Android, iOS
Sleep Game Price | $0

Looking for a new app to add to your pre-bedtime rotation? Then consider The Celestial Tree. This game is simple, you just casually interact with a soothing nature background as you grow a tree and unlock new levels and quests. You can even earn points for new, soothing background music.

All you need to do is click the screen—there isn’t much interaction require at all. Instead you can relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature as you click through this game. It sounds so simple, but when you are up in the middle of the night, you will love the laid-back relaxing mood of this game.

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9. SpinTree

Games that help you fall asleep

SpinTree Sleep App Tree Growing Game

Type of Game | Problem Solving
Category | Casual, Arcade, Puzzle
Compatibility | Android, iOS
Sleep Game Price | $0

Looking for a new app to add to your rotation? Then give SpinTree a try. This app is super simple, and doesn’t come with the most advanced premise, or the most sophisticated graphics… but that is what makes it great for trying to sleep on a restless night.

The concept is very simple—you click on little energy stars on the screen to encourage your tree to go. Trust us, it is very easy. You can play without the sound, if you are trying to not make any noise—or you can enjoy the soothing forest noises and guitar sounds that play in the background. They may actually be what puts you to sleep with this simple nature-inspired game.

SHOP SPINTREE

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10. Artbook Story

Games that help you fall asleep

Artbook Story Sleep App Jigsaw Puzzle Game

Type of Game | Jigsaw Puzzle
Category | Puzzle
Compatibility | Android
Sleep Game Price | $0

There are so many apps out there that can help you relax after a long day at the office—and Artbook Story is one of them. This is a casual jigsaw puzzle game that encourages you to use little 3D pieces to create renderings of images from your favorite storybook games—such as the Tortoise and the Hair. The polygon art pieces are really interesting and are bolstered by some great graphics.

However, our favorite feature is that these puzzles are simple enough for you to do without much extra thought and the game has some really relaxing classical music playing in the background that will definitely have you feeling relaxed and ready to drift off after a long night.

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11. Okay?

Games that help you fall asleep

Okay Sleep App Game

Type of Game | Mindless Puzzle  
Category | Casual
Compatibility | Android, iOS
Sleep Game Price | Donations Suggested

Don’t let the questionable name fool you—Okay? is a simple game that many people love. The premise of the game is really quite simple—your goal is to go from level to level and make sure that the little ball you control touches every white item on the screen. Sounds simple, right?

Well, there are obstacles that can get in your way that make it a bit more challenging. We love that the ball also plays a nice little note from a tune when you play the ball correctly. This game will never feel dull either—as there are a lot of different levels and other players can design and add their own levels as well, meaning there is always something new, even if you stay up multiple nights in a row playing Okay?

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12. Stack

Games that help you fall asleep

Block Stacking Sleep App Game

Type of Game | Problem Solving
Category | Casual, Arcade, Puzzle
Compatibility | Android, iOS
Sleep Game Price | $0

Stack is another one of those simple games that is easy enough to help you fall asleep—but still interesting enough to keep you wanting to play it every time you struggle to drift off. The premise is easy. Just stack blocks around to create the highest tower possible until, well you fail.

The game is simple. The graphics are basic but interesting and it doesn’t require too much extra thinking—making it a great option when you are only half awake in the middle of the night and don’t feel like using your brain. No matter what the reason for wanting to play stack, this is a super simple game that is sure to occupy those restless nights.

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13. Sheep Sleep

Games that help you fall asleep

Sheep Sleep App Counting Game

 Type of Game | Action
Category | Arcade
Compatibility | Android
Sleep Game Price | $0

Now you can take counting sheep to a new digital form with Sheep Sleep. This game is a fun play on the old suggestion of “counting sheep until you fall asleep.” In this game, you are a sleeping kid who needs to count the sheep that float over his bed, in order to stay asleep. The goal is to make sure that the kid doesn’t wake up. This can mess with your mind a little bit, especially if it is your goal to actually get to sleep—but it is a very fun game for when you can’t drift off.

One of our favorite features? It even has a “sleep mode” that is purposefully more relaxed. In this version of the game, you just count the sheep in the room until you fall asleep instead!

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14. Hexagon Block Puzzle

Games that help you fall asleep

Hexagon Block Puzzle Sleep App Game

Type of Game | Problem Solving
Category | Puzzle
Compatibility | Android, iOS
Sleep Game Price | $0

Puzzle games are a great way to help you get your mind off of the stress of the day and get ready to unwind for sleep. This is why so many people love Hexagon Block Puzzle. This puzzle is a lot like Tetris, only it uses different hexagon pieces, instead of the traditional shapes.

Not everyone needs a completely mindless game when they are trying to get to sleep at night. There are many people who benefit from something that is a little more challenging and that encourages them to use logic. If you need to wear out your brain to get back to sleep in the middle of the night—then this Hexagon Block Puzzle game is for you.

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15. Easy Sleep Game 

Games that help you fall asleep

Easy Sleep App Game

Type of Game | Sleep Game
Category | Casual
Compatibility | Android, iOS
Sleep Game Price | $0

As the name of this app suggests—Easy Sleep Game is a great activity that will have anyone easily getting ready for bed. According to the app, you just need to play for about five minutes in order to get to sleep. There are different levels ranging from Easy to Hard, and you can even choose your own background music to help you fall asleep.

Everything about the game, from the graphics, to the premise is all about relaxation and all about making your sleepy. If you are looking for something mindless that will have you thinking about nothing at all until you drift off—then give the Easy Sleep Game a try, to see if it makes sleeping easy for you.

SHOP EASY SLEEP GAME

Try These Sleep Apps That Will Help You Get Some Zzz’s

If you are looking for a new game or sleep app to help you get ready for bed—take a look at our list above. There are so many great programs out there that can be super helpful for anyone who needs to destress and unwind after a long day. Whether you prefer guided meditations, easy activities or stress-relieving games, there is an app on the list for everyone.

Games that help you fall asleep

Jessica Lauren is Founder, contributing Author and Owner of Citrus Sleep. Citrus Sleep is an online publication that highlights brands, sleep products, women’s fashion, subscription services and ideas creating positive social change and promoting a healthy lifestyle. After spending nearly a decade working in PR and marketing for several brands and startups, Jessica knows what truly drives conversions, sold-out launches and guest posts.

Follow Jessica at @jessicalaurencs | Jessica Lauren

What games can make you sleepy?

Best 15 Sleep App Games to Help You Fall Asleep.
Harmony. Harmony Relaxing Music and Puzzle Sleep App Game. ... .
Dream Walker. Dream Walker Endless Runner Sleep App Game. ... .
Antistress. Antistress Relaxing Sleep App Puzzle Game. ... .
Meditation Game. Meditation Sleep App Game. ... .
mySleepButton. ... .
Orbia. ... .
Tiles Hop. ... .
The Celestial Tree..

Do games help you sleep?

The sleep latency with video games was shorter than without video games (11.4 and 23 minutes, respectively). Result suggests that there is no significant difference in sleep efficiency with and without video games. However, sleep latency decreased, and REM increased with video games.

What to play before sleeping?

Sheep sleep is free on the Play Store..
Play Sheep Sleep (Android ).
Play Antistress (Android | iOS).
Play Orbia (Android | iOS).
Play Tile Hop (Android | iOS).
Play SpinTree (Android | iOS).
Play Stack (Android | iOS).
Play Harmony (Android | iOS).
Play Okay? ( Android | iOS).

How do I make myself fall asleep ASAP?

Reducing caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol intake. Avoiding electronic devices in the leadup to bedtime. Ensuring that you have a quiet, dark, and comfortably cool sleep environment free of distractions. Keeping naps to 30 minutes or less (and not too close to bedtime).