Minesweeper (video game) facts for kids

A game of Minesweeper

Minesweeper is a fun strategy game that often comes with Microsoft computer operating systems. You can also find it on many other computer systems and desktop setups.

The main goal of the game is to clear a "minefield" without clicking on any hidden mines. When you click on a square, one of two things happens:

• If you click on a mine, the game ends!
• If you click on an empty square, the game continues. A number might appear on that square. This number tells you how many mines are touching that square (including diagonally). These numbers are super helpful because they give you clues about where the mines are hidden.

You win the game when you have clicked on every single square that does not contain a mine. It's like a puzzle where you use logic to find the safe spots!

How to Play Minesweeper

Playing Minesweeper is simple, but winning takes some smart thinking!

Starting a Game

When you start a new game, you'll see a grid of squares. All the squares are covered up. Your first click is usually safe and won't hit a mine. This first click often reveals a few empty squares or a number.

Using the Numbers

The numbers are your best friends in Minesweeper.

• A square with the number 1 means there is exactly one mine touching that square.
• A square with the number 2 means two mines are touching it, and so on.
• If a square is empty (no number), it means no mines are touching it. When you click an empty square, it often opens up a large area of other empty squares around it.

Marking Mines

Once you figure out where a mine is, you can "flag" it. To do this, you usually right-click on the square. This places a flag icon on it. Flagging mines helps you remember where they are so you don't accidentally click them. It also helps you keep track of how many mines you've found.

Winning the Game

To win, you need to uncover all the squares that don't have mines. You don't need to flag every single mine to win, but it helps! The game ends when all safe squares are revealed.

Different Ways to Play

Minesweeper has been around for a long time, and people have made many different versions of it. Some versions change the shape of the playing field, while others add new rules.

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  Online, non rectangular

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  3D versions let you play on a cube.

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  Some games use hexagons instead of squares.

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  Others use triangles!

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  Some versions look like old computer text games.

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  Some versions try to avoid "guessing" situations.

Images for kids

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  A won expert game of KMines, a free and open-source version of Minesweeper.

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  A similar puzzle called Tentaizu.

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  This shows multiple mines in cells.