Finding Playful Breaks That Actually Work: My New Go-To Casual Games

Hi everyone,

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you already know this about me: when my days get packed with teaching, planning, and writing, I need tiny pockets of joy to reset my brain. Recently, I stumbled onto something surprisingly refreshing—and yes, unexpectedly addictive.

A few weeks ago, a friend casually messaged me saying, “You should try this site—I’ve been playing some of their games and they’re actually good.” She was talking about a collection of online games on culinaryschools.org. I’ll admit, I didn’t jump in right away. I’m pretty selective with web games because so many are packed with ads or feel like quick sugar hits—fun for a moment, then totally forgettable.

But I finally gave the site a chance… and ended up playing longer than I’m willing to confess.

Why I Ended Up Staying Longer Than Expected

One thing I appreciated right away is how easy it is to navigate. Instead of one massive page of endless scrolling, the games are organized into categories that actually make sense. So depending on your mood, you can jump straight into:

• 🧠 Brain games: logic puzzles, card games, mahjong

• 🕹️ Arcade games: platformers, running games, match-3, cross-the-road types

• ⚽ Sports games: soccer, golf, basketball, and more

As someone who uses short breaks to reset between tasks, I loved having the option to choose a “mental snack” that suited how I was feeling in the moment.

The Games I Personally Tried (and Actually Enjoyed)

I want to be honest: I really did play these before writing about them, and some of them were genuinely delightful.

🎨 Tower of Colors: Island Edition

Simple, colorful, and oddly therapeutic. It’s the kind of game that lets your brain switch off in the most satisfying way. Perfect after a long day of teaching.

🍨 Papa’s Freezeria

This one pulled me in the longest. A time-management, ice-cream-building game where you try to juggle customer orders—way more fun than I expected. Beware: you might become irrationally invested.

🚗 Drift Boss

This game gave me the classic “just one more try” feeling. It looks easy but requires spot-on timing, which kept me coming back again and again.

🍰 Merge Cakes

A cosy merge game that rewards you with cute new items as you level up. Chill, simple, and perfect for winding down.

Who These Games Are Good For

Something I didn’t expect: not all the games are kid-only. Some absolutely are, but others are surprisingly challenging or strategic—nice options for adults who want a quick mental escape.

These games work well for:

• Teachers looking for brain breaks or early-finisher activities

• Parents who want safe, simple games for kids

• Anyone who enjoys easy, relaxing browser-friendly fun

• People like me who need small, joyful pauses between responsibilities

I’m glad my friend nudged me to try the site. It’s refreshing, clean, and has enough variety to keep things interesting—without feeling overwhelming. If you’re curious or just need a fun little break during the day, browsing their game categories is honestly worth it.

Here’s where you can explore: culinaryschools.org/kids-games/

And if you want to jump straight into the ones I enjoyed most:

• Tower of Colors: Island Edition

• Papa’s Freezeria

• Drift Boss

• Merge Cakes

If you end up trying any, message me and tell me which one hooked you!

Have fun,

 

Subscribe to JUST THE TIP OF AN ICEBERG 

Check Related Links:

NBDB Sends Off PH delegation to the World’s Largest Book Fair

 

The National Book Development Board (NBDB) rolled out a spirited send-off for more than 100 Filipino publishers, authors, illustrators, and creatives bound for the 2025 Frankfurt Book Fair (FBM), happening from October 15 to 19, where the Philippines takes the spotlight as its Guest of Honour (GoH).

 The evening celebration, held at the 2025 Manila International Book Fair at the SMX Convention Center on September 11, brought together the country’s diverse delegation for networking and a toast to this historic moment in global publishing.

 

Guests at the send-off were given an exclusive first look at the Philippine Pavilion – a 2,300 square-meter cultural space featuring daily author talks, installations, performances, and more than 65 interdisciplinary programs highlighting Philippine literature and creativity.

 

“The National Book Development is here to ensure that all of you are ready to present our books to the world,” said NBDB Executive Director and Philippines as Guest of Honour (PhlGoH) Project Co-Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade. “Because when we step into Frankfurt, we bring not just our stories and books, but also the diverse voices and imaginations of the Filipino people. This is our chance to show the world that the Philippines’ creative industries are worth investing in.”

 

At the Frankfurt Book Fair, the world’s largest, oldest, and most prestigious book fair and rights marketplace where the global “who’s who” in publishing gathers annually, the Philippine delegation will showcase the richness of Philippine publishing, spanning contemporary and speculative fiction, poetry, children’s literature, nonfiction, and graphic novels and comics.

 

This historic milestone is made possible through the collaboration of the NBDB, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda.

 

As Guest of Honour, the Philippines will enjoy unprecedented visibility at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025, opening doors to translation deals, international rights trading, cultural exchanges, and global readership growth.

 

Festive yet forward-looking, the send-off marked the culmination of years of preparation, and the start of an extraordinary journey as the Philippines takes its boldest leap yet onto the biggest global stage for books and ideas.

 

To learn more about the National Book Development Board and its upcoming activities, visit books.gov.ph, and follow the NBDB through its social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X.

Subscribe to JUST THE TIP OF AN ICEBERG 

 Check Related Links:

Happy Fiesta Cagayan de Oro

This is another year that we are not home again.. So over the weekend, we saw each other, my sister and I and had our lunch remeniscent of fiesta..

This was my food.. 

And some more.. hahaha.. that's for sharing...

of course with my lovely companion... my sestra... 

And since we will be commemorating World Suicide Prevention Day come September 10, I have prepared the ribbons in advance as soon as I got home.. 

 

Subscribe to JUST THE TIP OF AN ICEBERG 

Check Related Links:

Back again..

Hello world. It's been a while. So many things happened that led to the hiatus of this blog. Been busy. And lately, I have thought of finding the core of my being while I await the start of the next academic year... 

Travelled and saw family, spent time, though short with them, and came back to the apartment to overhaul my life ---- 

Binged on Netflix horror movies. Watched the rain as it poured daily, and felt the strong wind everytime I am in both balconies, front and back, as I tended to the needs of my plants, and my adopted ones (left temporarily by colleagues until they return). Oh and TikTok.. 

And then poetry flowed.. and yet, there is this gnawing pain of injustice and fear of what lies ahead.. 

Of course, I have my online courses in between those.. hahaha

So until when I am able to keep writing, we'll never know.. but know that I am just here.. and I will write as often as I am able to..

Will be sharing my 2025 collection of poems in the next posts.. it may be a backtrack as it will start in January's posts.. 

Till then.. 

Subscribe to JUST THE TIP OF AN ICEBERG 

Check Related Links: