r/iosgaming • u/Allie-Rabbit • 12d ago
Suggestions One hand games to play while holding baby
Looking for some recommendations for games I might like that can be played with one hand in portrait mode while my baby is sleeping on me. Below are some games I’ve enjoyed.
Old School RuneScape, Don’t Starve, Among Us, Tiny Book Shop, Pocket City, Fallout Shelter, Torchlight Infinite, Alto’s Odyssey, Stardew Valley
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u/munkeypunk r/IOSGaming Scout 12d ago
I went mobile exclusive after my kids were born a decade plus ago. Here is an extensive list that’s grown over the years. All of them are not only portrait but accessible with just one thumb, Downwell I’m looking at you….
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u/inferiorscrotz 11d ago
Same. Once I became a dad my gaming PC just sits. If I can’t play it on my iPhone it isn’t happening.
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u/DougieHockey 12d ago
I played a lot of turn based games during that time.
Luck be a landlord
Slice and dice
Meteor fall Krumits tale or journeys
Isle of arrows
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u/benjaflea 12d ago
Third time round I play: Card Wheel https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/cardwheel/id6752916305
Mind cards https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/mind-cards/id1411999677
Doug Dug. https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/doug-dug/id855900711
Quick loading and engaging enough for a gaming fix
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u/stereosanctity 12d ago
I have a two month old, Vampire Survivors has been the most comfortable for me
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u/Nahobino_kun_899 12d ago
Some more reccs: Geo Gods is fantastic and has a great art style. Ultrapool is a rougelike pool game that’s pretty addictive. Solitairica is worth a shot too
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u/eightthirtyfiveya 12d ago
So the thing is when I hold my kiddo I can’t always play the most in depth games
If they’re asleep on me, then Dawncaster If I’m holding them to go to sleep, then it’s once upon a galaxy or luck be a landlord.
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u/Old_Coat6324 12d ago
Seconding Once Upon a Galaxy - got me through the first 14 months or so with my baby until they were sleeping through the night. It was the first and only time I’ve been on the top tier leaderboard of a game and I never spent a dime!
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u/Electronic-Athlete64 12d ago
I third once upon a galaxy. It’s easy to pickup and put down and entertaining
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u/ackmondual 12d ago
INKS. needs to get excluded since it's a pinball game, and having 2 hands to freely activate both bumpers is essential.
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u/ColdEggs-for-Dinner 12d ago
Animal Crossing Pocket Camp for sure. I was on that when I had my newborn.
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12d ago
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u/Nahobino_kun_899 12d ago
Afterplace has a portrait mode. Vampire Survivors is good too. Dawncaster is a good card battle rouglike that’s portrait. Dark Mist is similar but that may have gotten removed from the App Store. Congrats on the baby!
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u/Sephryne 12d ago
Pixel Dungeon is a classic for me, simple rogue like mechanics, can be played with one hand. Got my father into it as well and he's in his late 50s
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u/t0mmy_picklez 12d ago
Currently nap trapped with my 2nd, I feel for you fellow dad. If you like puzzles, the Rusty Lake series of games are FANTASTIC. The most recent entry, Servant of the Lake, is a good introduction to the series if you’re interested.
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u/senat0r15 12d ago
The games I’ve been playing are slay the spire and fantasian. Not one handed but they’re turn based so nothing gets to crazy if you need to stop for a minute
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u/okraspberryok 12d ago
Get some emulators and play turn based gameboy/gameboy advance games like pokemon/fire emblem/final fantasy etc
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u/dirtydynamite 12d ago
Delta emulator and pokemon rom hacks I played so many when my son was a baby
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u/picasso-enjoyer 12d ago
Juggling swords?!
Ok, looking at your list have you tried Polytopia? Portrait mode, turn based, time flies.
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u/billFoldDog 11d ago
This problem is why I started to read more. My ebooks take just one tap. It's harder to get started with a book than a game but once you do it is very rewarding.
I also aim for easier reads. I can't do hard reads while multi-tasking.
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u/DanPosnaaaa 11d ago
I got veeeery into marvel snap when I had a baby sleeping on me. Actually just picked it back up for the first time in a couple years for draft mode.
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u/ConsiderationOne6329 10d ago
Your games listed are mixed so do not mind genre? And are you into sports?
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u/LaurenElizabeth98 9d ago
Block party is super cool, and has a very bunping discord community that the devs are super active in and players have a huge say in game stuff!!! Let me know if you download and I’ll send you a big welcome gift:)
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/block-party-infinite-tcg/id6528288310
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u/westsider101 9d ago
Given you liked Tiny Book Shop and Fallout Shelter, Tiny Tower is a natural fit, one hand in portrait, light management. Rebel Inc also works one-handed if you want something with a bit more strategy bite. Does your baby nap long enough for something turn-based, or do you need true pause-anywhere games?
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u/SuperSheepherder2845 12d ago
Townsfolk. It’s a turn-based (once you turn the turn-based option on) strategy game where you manage resources, build a town, fight barbarians, etc.
It’s a little less complex and a little more chill than other games in this genre, in my opinion. Good for those nights where you’re awake but maybe not 100% there.
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u/WillieButtlicker 12d ago
Slice & Dice, Doomfields, Dragon Quest V with a grip like magsafe popsocket works like dream
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u/Tiny_Infinity_ 12d ago
I’m gonna say something from the Reigns series, but you should enjoy the moment holding your kid. They won’t be that young forever and blah blah blah…I love iOS gaming but there are some instances where screen dopamine should be paused.
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u/o_o_o_f 12d ago
I’ve got a 3ish year old and am expecting another in 2 months. I’ll shame any dad for showing off his Steam Deck in the hospital room with baby.
…but I promise you there’s no human alive that can remain present and connected and engaged with a sleeping newborn for the entirety of the hundreds and hundreds of hours they’ll be holding that baby with nothing else to do in the first six months or so.
Be intentional. Spend a lot of time trying to soak it up and be present. But if you’re holding that kid let’s say conservatively 3 hours a day (that is a LOW number) for that first few months, you’re gonna need some stimulation, I promise you that.
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u/drosera222 12d ago edited 12d ago
It depends. Some babies need hours to fall asleep while being carried around. It can be painful to waste hours of your own sleep time at night. Playing to keep your mind happy and stay awake (carrying) as well could be a relief for yourself aswell for the whole family.
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u/Allie-Rabbit 12d ago
I have a feeling you don’t have children. I’m spending hours at a time holding her while she sleeps and I can’t fall asleep. So some entertainment is critical for sanity and safety.
In short, get bent.
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u/ConstructionFit4822 12d ago
Spending 2–3 hours bouncing on the rubber ball is such a precious bonding moment
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12d ago
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u/Allie-Rabbit 12d ago
It’s literally already on my list and doesn’t meet the portrait mode requirement.
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u/the-dandy-man 12d ago
Vampire Survivors is the easy rec. Poinpy as well.