Try using flash. It isn't free but it's the best way to design games...
Well he asked for an easy way not the best way. I wouldn't say Flash is the easiest by any means. Its more of a professional tool. Its sort of like how 3DS Max is to Google SketchUp. 3DS Max is a more professional tool that allows more detail, and better more realistic graphics, but costs a good amount of money, and has a steep learning curve for people who are new to 3D modeling, where as Google SketchUp is free, and is a lot easier to use, but doesn't allow for the best detailed graphics. In a metaphorical(and some times literal) sense its the same way between Flash and some other game making programs such as Scratch, and Game Maker. Though I'm not really sure why I am explaining all of this as you probably already know that.
As for the original question I would suggest possibly Game Maker if you really want to start learning how to make games. For a beginner its not really about starting off learning the best programs for making games, but ones that have the smallest learning curve, and build your way up. Just a bit of advice though. If you do choose Game Maker I would suggest actually learning how to code in gml once you think you know the interface well enough, so you can start learning a programming language of some sort, because every game is based off of some sort of programming language and its best to start learning one somewhere so you can understand the simple concepts of programming that stand true within every programming language(in other words learning one programming language makes it easier to learn others). I have yet to try this Scratch program, but it seems interesting as well. If you want to give that a try as well then I would say feel free to do so.
I guess I can supply links to both:
Game Maker 7.0
Scratch
Also if you want to have a look at Flash then I will give you a link to it as well:
Adobe Flash CS4