Relax and unwind: 7 games to help you fall asleep

At the end of a long day, a cozy distraction can really help you decompress and unwind. Before you shut off the screens and turn out the lights, a calming game can be the perfect way to unwind before a good night’s sleep. These titles are slow-paced and soothing, letting you focus on simple tasks, fun characters, and colorful puzzles.

Mistplay is a top choice for upgrading your bedtime routine. With an extensive library of relaxing titles¹, it’s easier than ever to decompress after a long day. And whichever “go to sleep” game you pick, you can rest easy knowing that your time will be well spent. While you’re playing games, you’ll earn points you can redeem for tangible rewards, like a Starbucks gift card for your morning coffee run.

In this guide, discover the best games to help you fall asleep and the ways Mistplay makes your downtime even more rewarding.

Why games help you fall asleep

Many users use games to relax and fall asleep. A 2024 study published in ScienceDirect found that gaming and sleep may have positive links. According to the paper, playing relaxing video games may boost rest quality in terms of continuity, stability, and organization if correctly applied. Researchers say they may even recommend gaming as a way to improve sleep.

Most “sleepy” titles help people unwind with calming music, soothing visuals, and repetitive, simple gameplay. Many of these options are puzzle games, which also give you a light challenge to use any leftover mental energy you have at the end of the day so you aren’t tossing and turning. 

7 games on Mistplay that can help you fall asleep

Mistplay’s expansive selection of titles covers so many genres, from immersive story games to methodical puzzle games. If you’re looking for a relaxing, sleepy game, start with these top picks.

1. Hello Town: Merge & Story

Hello Town: Merge & Story is a cozy merge game featuring cute, anime-style characters and simple gameplay. You’ll play as Jisoo, a new real estate employee who must merge items and restore old buildings — accumulating decorations and meeting friendly neighbors along the way. It has so many elements of a good relaxing game: a soothing soundtrack, satisfying gameplay loops, and zero ads (nothing to disrupt your stress-relieving flow state). 

2. Alice’s Mergeland

Alice’s Mergeland mixes up the merge genre with an adventure befitting the classic story. As you combine colorful items, like top hats and gems, you’ll meet a zany cast of characters, acquire new outfits for Alice, and upgrade your own little fantasy world. The delightfully weird characters and pleasant, calming music are just the thing for drifting off into your own dreamland.

3. Cooking World Restaurant Game

Cooking World Restaurant Game is for users who want a blend of relaxation and mental stimulation before going to sleep. Travel around the world, dishing out vibrant dishes like fresh tacos and steaming french fries. This cooking game offers a forgiving challenge that’s fun without frustration. You’ll serve customers, handle orders, and solve kitchen incidents, all with a few taps, providing a sense of control that’s cathartic after a hectic day. 

4. Love & Pies

Love & Pies is a popular merge game that follows the culinary adventures of young divorcee Amelia as she rebuilds her mother’s ruined cafe. There’s an intriguing mystery, lots of baking, and a love story to sweep you off your feet. It’s a quaint, cozy game with a wholesome story that the developers add to every week, meaning there’s always more to look forward to. If you’re someone who likes to read before bed, but you aren’t quite ready to turn the screen off for the night, this game is like a romantic mystery novel with an interactive bonus.

5. Happy Color

Happy Color is a paint-by-numbers game featuring 40,000+ images you can color. There’s something meditative about gradually filling in an image with color, and this game recreates that experience perfectly. There’s something for everyone, too. Dive into the expansive library, and color images from plenty of categories, whether you pick nature scenes or fun Disney characters. Just use the intuitive search bar to narrow your choices.

As a neat bonus, the developers occasionally hold events where you paint special pictures for a charity. The more you paint, the more they donate.

6. Blossom Sort

Blossom Sort is a unique puzzle game where you arrange flowers to create stunning bouquets. Merge roses, lilies, and peonies, earning flower coins you can exchange for decorations to personalize your house. This game is visually simple and tranquil, without flashy animations that could keep you awake. Plus, the calming music and organization sounds are satisfying and relaxing.

7. Solitaire: Classic Card Games

Solitaire is the ideal game that’s helped people relax since the late 18th century. You’ll find a few versions of Solitaire on Mistplay, but the classic version is a great “going to bed” game. It follows predictable, familiar rules and features personalization — like custom difficulty and unique card packs — to keep things interesting. Solitaire: Classic Card Games is minimalist, with subtle yet satisfying sound effects that keep you flipping and rearranging cards until you’re ready for sleep.

How to earn rewards as you relax with Mistplay

Mistplay is an excellent way to turn every sleepy session into real gift cards. You earn rewards simply for playing games you launch through the app. As you complete objectives, play for certain lengths of time, and string together streaks, you’ll earn points. After you stack up a collection, exchange them for gift cards to popular stores and eateries like Target, Amazon, and Chipotle. You can also add to your regular fun by participating in exciting sweepstakes. Check the Events tab of the Mistplay app, follow entry instructions, and get a chance to win gift cards, cash prizes, and vacation packages.

Turn your nightly wind-down into a rewarding routine with Mistplay

Making games part of your bedtime routine can provide a bit of relaxing me-time that helps wash away the day's worries. If you often find yourself with racing thoughts or leftover energy just before bed, these titles can be a calming outlet. Try these ones out, and if you’re looking for more, Mistplay has you covered.

Mistplay’s curated feed delivers games that match your preferences so you never have to go searching for the perfect pick before bed. Find a new favorite or play your tried and true classics . Tuck in for the night, rest assured that your downtime went to good use. A little win at the end of the day can be just the thing for a peaceful night’s rest.

Download Mistplay on iOS and Android, and stack up rewards just for having fun.

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‍¹Games mentioned are for illustrative purposes, and selection may vary per region.