games that increase critical thinking

7 Puzzles to Challenge Your Critical Thinking

Can you spot the connections and sort these items.

Posted March 5, 2015 | Reviewed by Ekua Hagan

The theme of this post is critical thinking—and the kinds of puzzles that can be constructed around it. This term is used frequently in psychology and education . There are various definitions, but the one that best suits our purpose and which is, in the end, perhaps the best, is the ability to comprehend the logical connections among ideas, words, phrases, and concepts . In the relevant scientific literature, of course, the term is used much more broadly as a framework for understanding human cognition . But in my opinion, the best way to understand things is to construct puzzles to illustrate their basic essence.

Critical thinking involves skill at recognizing a pattern in given information and especially recognizing how the information is connected to the real world. Here are a couple of very simple examples. First, consider the five words below:

• Cruise ship
• Walking on foot
• Automobile (not a race car)

Now, put them in order from the slowest to the fastest, when they are going at maximum speed. The solution, of course, is: 4-2-5-1-3.

As with all such puzzles, there might be slightly different solutions—one could claim that some automobiles go faster than cruise ships. This “indeterminacy” characterizes this kind of thinking. However, some puzzles are straightforward. For instance, what do the following five things have in common?

The answer? These are all words referring to shades of blue.

The seven puzzles below are to the ones above, though hopefully more challenging. Some involve knowledge of facts, but critical thinking is still involved in such cases because the organization of the facts according to some principle is always involved—for example, a puzzle may ask you to put five items in order of their dates of invention.

The following tongue-in-cheek definition of critical thinking by Richard W. Paul, a leading expert on critical thinking theory, says it all: “Critical thinking is thinking about your thinking while you’re thinking in order to make your thinking better.”

I. What do the following 5 things have in common?

• Orange juice

II. Put the following buildings or structures in order of height, from the shortest to the tallest.

• Typical camping tent

III. What do the following animals have in common?

IV. Put the following inventions in order from earliest to most recent.

V. What feature do the following words have in common?

• Imagination

VI. Put these bodies of water in order in terms of volume, from smallest to largest .

VII. What do the following landmasses have in common?

I. They are all drinkable liquids. II. 5-1-4-3-2 III. They all have a tail. They are also all quadrupeds. IV. To the best of my knowledge: 5-4-3-1-2 V. They start with a vowel: a, e, i, o, u VI. 4-2-1-5-3 VII. They are all peninsulas.

Marcel Danesi, Ph.D. , is a professor of semiotics and anthropology at Victoria College, University of Toronto. His books include The Puzzle Instinct and The Total Brain Workout .

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15 games that might make you smarter just by playing them

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Here at Insider Picks, we’re always looking for ways to optimize your (and our) time and purchases to get the most out of the deal.

One area of optimization that I’ve been particularly drawn to has been games that challenge you to develop your mental skills in a fun and engaging way.

Plus, it only took a summer vacation for me to feel totally out of sync on the first day back in elementary school, and as an adult, it can feel like your skills and expertise are constantly narrowing and thinning; you flex the same mental muscles at work and get better and better at a specialized job, but you stop finding new hurdles to jump over and new puzzles to solve creatively.

Games that challenge you to think differently, imagine, and solve ever-changing problems that don't allow you to get used to them and fly on autopilot are a particularly valuable use of your time: They make you happy and provide enjoyment at the same time that they sharpen your mental abilities.

Whether it’s fiddling with a Rubik’s cube or filling out Sudoku on the subway while you’re stalled, it’s a nice to constantly be improving yourself in a way that doesn’t feel tedious. If you can have fun and become more mentally dexterous, why would you not?

Below are 15 games that rely on your strategic, critical-thinking, and imaginative abilities. 

Lumosity Brain-Training App, free to download

Lumosity is a well-known name in the 'brain-training' game. It's used by over 85 million people worldwide and offers 30+ brain games to give your mind a workout. You can track your scores to see improvement over time and compare your own against the scores of other people. The ease of the app is supposed to make building a brain training habit easy. 

DOWNLOAD IOS APP ON ITUNES >>

Download ipad app on itunes >>, chinese mahjong set with compact wooden case, $72.99.

It's been observed that mahjong, regardless of the frequency of playing, produces positive improvements in cognitive performance  in persons with dementia. The study found that Mahjong is a viable option for treating dementia. If it's good that far down the line, it's very unlikely to do you any harm by playing earlier.  

BUY IT ON AMAZON >>

Hasbro scrabble crossword game, $16.99.

If you want to increase your confidence with words, quickness of thought, or just want to expand your vocabulary, the well-loved board game Scrabble is a shoe-in for the job. The ever-changing mix of words available to you in addition to those made by your opponent can sharpen your thinking and turn you into the sort of wordsmith who doesn't need to check the dictionary to see if they really did just play a real word or not. 

Sudoku: 400+ Sudoku Puzzles (Easy, Medium, Hard, Very Hard), $6.29

Sudoku is one game, like crossword puzzles and riddles, that increase neuroplasticity and make your smarter. With increased neuroplasticity, you are better able to view something from multiple angles and anticipate and understand new patterns. 

Fit Brains Trainer App by Rosetta Stone, free to download

Fit Brains Trainer has been ranked the #1 education app in over 90 countries. Rosetta Stone has created a wide selection of games that are meant to stimulate your IQ and EQ (cognitive and emotional intelligence). You can train your brain with science-based games and daily training sessions customized for you, as well as challenge the speed and focus of your memory and stimulate your emotional intelligence.

Of Course!: The Greatest Collection of Riddles & Brain Teasers For Expanding Your Mind, $9.95

Riddles are another great way to increase neuroplasticity and help your brain recognize new possibilities. Thinking creatively and dexterously to solve a word puzzle only helps you keep up with your own creativity. 

Rubik's Cube Game, $7.89

Playing with a Rubik's cube is one way to keep your brain active in a productive way. It will improve your concentration, allow your to process your own thoughts faster, and improve your hand-eye coordination at the same time that it helps improve your short-term memory.

Ultimate Mind Games: With Over 400 Puzzles, $4.90

Fun games like puzzles and crosswords are a great way to relieve stress in the moment and mitigate stress inspired by similarly challenging situations when they pop up in real-life, too. Puzzles like these help you develop critical thinking, improve your memory, enhance visual perception and also make you happy. 

Latice Board Game, Deluxe Edition, $34.99

Strategy board games like Latice help develop cognitive and spatial recognition, planning, and interpersonal skills. 

Family Classic Chess, $11.82

Chess has long been used as a game that can help bolster strategic thought and critical thinking in any age group, keeping the mind deft and nimble for older players and honing young kids to use critical skills with ease. Related or not, chess players tend to score higher on intelligence tests than do non-players. 

Monopoly Board Game, The Classic Edition, $22.15

Monopoly is a great host of real-life problems and challenges without any of the real-life stress. Flex your creativity and strategy by buying, selling, and trading across the board in contention with others. 

Ticket to Ride, $34.99

Like Monopoly, Ticket to Ride offers you the ability to make real-life applicable decisions without the pressure to ensure creativity and help you develop your mental abilities. The game enacts a cross-country train adventure in seven days with all the challenges that proposes.  There are 225 colored train cars and players have to collect cards that allow them to use the different railway routes connecting the cities across the USA. It's a $1 million prize, and it's winner-takes-all.

Codenames, $14.99

Codenames is a challenging social word game. Two Spymasters who alone know their agents' real names give one-word clues to their respective teammates in the hopes that the team will be able to correctly coordinate a list of code names to real names, all while avoiding 'the assassin.' 

Yueton Metal IQ Puzzle Set, $5.99

These metal wire puzzles are satisfying fun for anyone over 6. The Chinese Rings Puzzle is supposedly one of the oldest puzzles known, dating all the way back to 2000+ years ago. Use both your logic and creative thinking to work on the puzzles and your patience. Much like the Rubik's Cube, you'll be acting quickly with your hands in conjunction with your thought and improving a short term memory as you work. 

Sequence Game, $14.29

Sequence is "easy enough for children, challenging for adults!" 

Sequence uses, you guessed it, a sequence (creating a row of five poker-like chips on the board) to outsmart opponents. You'll learn to block opponents and employ strategy and luck as well as come up with multiple backup plans throughout the course of the game.

Snippets - The Fast Paced, Anything Goes Word Game

Snippets is a fast-paced word game. Write down as many words as you can come up with in 60 seconds that contain that round's snippet. 

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Fun critical thinking online games for adults

Critical thinking can be a difficult skill to hone, but with some practice and a fun incentive, you can be thinking deeper in no time. That’s where online games for adults come into play, challenging players to rely on their abilities to analyze, reflect, use emotional reasoning, consider multiple interpretations, and more.

Online chess, Brainstorm, Tangram puzzles, and Factorio are just a few examples of critical thinking games adults can access online. These fun games, which range from puzzle-style to number-themed and more, will test your ability to ask important questions, think of multiple possible solutions to problems, and become a generally better critical thinker.

In today’s guide, we’ll be sharing some examples of these online critical thinking games that are enjoyable to play, in addition to being enriching. Keep reading along as we explain the reasons why these games exercise the brain so well and what they entail.

Below, we explore the following:

How Online Games Improve Critical Thinking

• They call upon problem-solving skills
• They rely on evaluation
• They promote open-mindedness
• They make you reflect
• Best Online Games for Critical Thinking

Online Chess

Tangram puzzles, sudoku online, eyewire 3d puzzle game.

Some of the key parts of being a good critical thinker include the ability to problem-solve, reflect, evaluate information, and be open-minded to different perspectives. Online games can draw on these skills and strengthen them through trial and error.

They Call Upon Problem-Solving Skills

In many puzzle-style games, critical thinking is needed to figure out possible consequences of the next move or moves. For example, when completing a Sudoku puzzle online, the next number you place must avoid overlapping with the same number elsewhere in its row, column, and 9×9 cube.

This requires players to imagine different solutions to the problem (i.e. cells that a number could fit into) until the best one is achieved.

The same sort of mental ability is needed when playing online chess. Players must anticipate the possible effects of their next move, thinking ahead.

They Rely on Evaluation

Evaluation is an important part of being a critical thinker. Online critical thinking games often present a set of information that the player must identify and evaluate in order to make certain decisions.

They Promote Open-Mindedness

Sometimes, solving critical problems requires the thinker to put their self in someone else’s shoes.

When it comes to online games, the player may be challenged to think outside of their own brain by trying to imagine what their opponent might do next, given the circumstances. This is common in games like online chess.

They Make You Reflect

Online critical thinking games are also useful in teaching one the value of self-reflection. In order to think critically, you have to be able to slow down and assess (sometimes re-assess) the information you have.

This time of reflection often informs more accurate and effective answers to problems presented in games.

Online Games for Critical Thinking

Below are 7 of the best online games that you can turn to for a fun time, as well as practice in critical thinking. Keep in mind that different styles of games, whether they’re puzzles or 1v1 games, can utilize different skills in critical thinking.

Chess is one of the oldest critical thinking games that both children and adults can enjoy, and nowadays you can easily access a virtual board online. Sites like Chess.com provide free one-on-one chess games that you can play against a computer or another online player of similar skill level to you.

Online chess asks players to think multiple steps ahead, consider the opponent’s mindset, mentally evaluate the information on the board, and more.

Brainstorm is an online game that focuses on decision-making and problem-solving skills. As you progress through the game, you are presented with more challenging tasks to solve.

Some of the games involve numbers and shapes, while others present questions.

Websites such as Freegames.org have free selections of puzzle-style games such as tangrams that adults can play. Tangram puzzles go back roughly 1,000 years in human history.

They exercise your spatial reasoning skills, problem-solving skills, evaluation skills, and organizational abilities. These are fun critical thinking puzzles to try out if you aren’t as big of a fan of games using numbers and letters.

We couldn’t mention number-oriented critical thinking games without mentioning Sudoku. Many people are familiar with sudoku puzzles, as found in Sunday newspapers next to the crossword puzzle.

You can also complete sudoku puzzles online via sites such as sudoku.com. This Japanese puzzle is an intense exercise in logical skills, along with good concentration and evaluation.

Factorio is similar to Minecraft but has its own perks when it comes to critical thinking practice. You can play Factorio at GOG.com or via the Steam desktop app. It’s a management-style open world game that requires players to think carefully and organize to get optimal results.

From mining resources to building infrastructure, fighting off your enemies, and completing menial tasks like chopping down trees, you must rely heavily on logic and critical thinking skills to advance.

As its name might suggest, Spent is a game related to money-spending and budgeting. Adults may enjoy this online game, as it strengthens critical thinking skills as well as money management skills.

It’s an exercise in prioritizing and decision-making, which requires deeper thinking and reflection.

The EyeWire 3D Puzzle is essentially a way to map your own brain. Throughout the puzzle, players get to learn intricate skills and laugh at funny videos. The game is a 3D puzzle and powered by AI technology.

Final Thoughts – Online Critical Thinking Games for Adults

The above critical thinking online games for adults are both enriching and fun. From online chess to Sudoku puzzles, Spent, and more, these games exercise your ability to evaluate, analyze, reflect, use logic, and rely on other critical thinking skills.

Be sure to check them out today!

[PC] Games that will push critical thinking from gamingsuggestions

10 Engaging Online Games To Test Your Critical Thinking Skills

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10 Engaging Online Games To Test Your Critical Thinking Skills

Last Updated on October 4, 2023 by Editorial Team

To define it in very simple terms, critical thinking refers to the overall analysis of all the facts and figures you have at your disposal and using them in an organized way to make a judgment or a decision.  There are a lot of interactive ways that can help develop your critical thinking abilities. However, what better way to do it than playing games and having fun? 

Conventional learning methods mainly demand a longer attention span which is at times difficult for young individuals. In such cases, using online games to ace the skill can be a wise choice. This post includes a list of ten online critical thinking games to develop critical thinking skills while keeping you focused and occupied in learning new things.  

Online games to improve your critical thinking ability

Various game developers have launched games that require the player to use their deep critical thinking skills in order to play and win. From matching numbers to presenting the player with real-life situations, these online critical thinking games come in myriad forms. 

1. Spent 

The first game on the list is Spent, based on the concept of budgeting and the various challenges one has to face in day-to-day life. While playing the game, the player will face multiple difficult scenarios and has to make crucial decisions that will directly impact their income (in the game). The kind of problems and challenges that you will face while playing the game include:

• Issues related to your health concern
• Getting correctly educated
• Trying your best to provide the basic amenities for the members of your family

This game will get one’s mind racing as it requires making quick and critical decisions that will have an impact on the growth of the decision-making process. This game plays with planning, summarizing, decision-making, and information-synthesizing skills. In addition, they get to learn about poverty, unemployment, the Affordable Care Act, etc.  

2. Air Traffic Controller Game 

As the name might suggest, the air traffic controller is an online simulation game that lets a player direct and guide various aircraft on the ground, on runways, and via the medium of controlled airspace. The main purposes of the game are to manage a popular airport, ensure there are no delays in the landing or the take-off process, and see to it that there are no collisions. 

In short, the player is responsible for maintaining the air traffic of that particular airport. In addition, the game also offers three levels of difficulty. At level one or Gate 1, the player needs to manage one airstrip where the difficulty level is very low. Once they are comfortable with the first one, they can move on to the second and third levels to stimulate their critical thinking skills. 

3. Sudoku 

Sudoku is a familiar and common game. The game is based on the concepts of basic logical thinking and a combinational number placement puzzle where a player needs to fill a 9×9 grid with digits ranging from 1 to 9. But the catch is that they need to fill in the blanks so that all of the columns, rows, and nine 3×3 subblocks present within the 9×9 grid contain all the digits, as mentioned earlier. 

For example, if a player places ‘1’ in the first block of the first row, they cannot put it anywhere in that row and column again. They must use numbers 2-9 to complete that specific row and column. The game (or puzzle) requires one to stimulate their brain in a manner that involves their critical thinking skills and enables them to think logically while taking aid from numerical skills. 

4. Good Game Empire

Similar to various other RPG and strategy games you will find online, Good Game Empire is based on an MMO strategy style, and the setting of the game is in Medieval times. The central theme of this game is that you need to build a thriving empire worldwide.

But, you will start the game with only a castle to your name, and you have to develop and make your empire strategically and fight opposing nations. This game pushes you to think critically and expand your strategic ideals to the best extent to make your empire spread throughout the world. The game will also offer you various choices from which you would need to select the option that works the best for you. 

5. Chess 

Chess is one of the board games played across the globe that requires analytical skills . There are always two players in this game, and the primary objective of the game is to capture the opponent’s king. However, it is not as simple as it sounds. White and black checkered board (64 squares) with different pieces (each piece symbolizes different positions like King, Rook, Bishop, Queen, Pawn, and Knight) arranged on it in specific positions- this is what a player gets on the screen while they choose to play chess. They can move one piece at a time, and each piece has a set pattern of movements that they must follow. 

The same applies to the opponent too. Using specially designed and designated moves, the players are supposed to check their opponents (also known as Checkmate) and capture their king to win the game. It needs the players to practice critical thinking, for one cannot randomly move pieces and win the game. Well-calculated moves and timely yet quick decisions are what they need. Thus, chess highly stimulates the players’ brains, allowing them to think critically.  

6. Minecraft 

The objective of the game is to freely explore the Minecraft world, explore infinite possibilities, and create new setups. Starting from building a block to making an entire city as they see fit, one can do it all in this game. This game allows you to freely exercise your imaginative and creative side of the brain. 

The game is an ideal option for students to practice math concepts and give them the experience of how those concepts are used in our day-to-day lives. Players critically analyze situations and draw conclusions all the while building and planning the entire city. The game not only offers the experience of endless fun but also helps individuals to use and practice their critical thinking abilities.

7. Brainstorm 

Critical thinking is all about making decisions based on analytical observation and this game allows individuals to brainstorm and find answers to challenging questions. In this game, the players need to answer questions that come on the screen by choosing the correct answer from the given options. The game starts from a basic level named “Newborn.” Answering all questions enables the player to move to the next level. For example, this Newborn level has 18 questions. 

A maximum of four players can join and compete with each other to complete small tasks and objectives ahead of every other player. The players would need to push their brains to their limits which means that this game will stimulate their brains and let them exercise critical thinking skills. In addition, this will allow them to improve their decision-making process. 

8. 2048 game

2048 is a sliding puzzle video game where the primary objective is to slide the numbered tiles within the puzzle setting until the players have combined them to form a tile with the number 2048.  Even though it sounds easy, the game requires one to think before moving a single tile as it could determine the outcome. One needs to actively think of the moves ahead of making to ensure a proper flow of movements. This game is ideal for stimulating one’s brain and keeping it on its toes. 

9. Unolingo 

Unolingo is an online crossword puzzle game where you need to fill in a 10×10 puzzle box. The player needs to fill the boxes by placing the words and letters precisely and completing the puzzle. Unlike a regular crossword puzzle, there are no clues as to which letter the player should put in to make a complete word. 

They can ask for a hint but that will add 30 seconds to the elapsed time. Clicking on the “Solve” tab will show the solved puzzle. This game requires the players to think more critically and stimulate their brains further. It is a fun alternative to regular crossword puzzles and will keep a player occupied for longer as they have to think more critically as to what letter to put and what word to make. 

10. Tangram puzzle 

The Tangram puzzle is a fun game that helps one to exercise their brain. There are seven geometrical shapes in the game. Each level comes with a diagram where the players need to position the shapes such that it matches the diagram. There is a provision to rotate the shapes and place them wherever the player sees fit. 

There will be 25 puzzles to solve with these seven shapes.  The faster the player solves the puzzle, the faster they get access to the next puzzle. It requires creative and critical thinking for they have to recognize which shape will fit which part of the puzzle. Also, how to rotate it to match the puzzle needs deep thinking. It pushes the player to think creatively and use their critical thinking skills.

Critical thinking refers to understanding a piece of information, analyzing it, applying it to practical application, combining the information with other prior knowledge to draw conclusions, etc. Critical thinking is essential in all aspects of life, personal or professional.

These online games can help an individual use them in practical scenarios and draw effective conclusions. The games mentioned above help one to think critically and also to keep their brain active by stimulating it to its limit. These enjoyable games will keep a player occupied for longer, allowing them to explore and learn new things freely.

An engineer, Maths expert, Online Tutor and animal rights activist. In more than 5+ years of my online teaching experience, I closely worked with many students struggling with dyscalculia and dyslexia. With the years passing, I learned that not much effort being put into the awareness of this learning disorder. Students with dyscalculia often misunderstood for having  just a simple math fear. This is still an underresearched and understudied subject. I am also the founder of  Smartynote -‘The notepad app for dyslexia’, 

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10 Best Brain Games to Keep Your Mind Sharp

Playing mind games is a no-brainer

 Mark Stibich, PhD, FIDSA, is a behavior change expert with experience helping individuals make lasting lifestyle improvements.

Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk,  "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time.

Aaron Johnson is a fact checker and expert on qualitative research design and methodology. 

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Happy Neuron

Brain age concentration training, my brain trainer.

People of all ages use brain-training games to improve mental functioning and prevent brain aging . Backing them up is research showing that brain-training games may help improve attention levels, memory, response time, logic skills, and other measures of cognitive function if played over a long timespan.

The brain is just like a muscle - it thrives on exercise! As a neurologist, I'm thrilled by the incredible potential of brain games to help people flex their mental muscles, activating underused brain circuits to sharpen cognition and skills like focus, speed, and memory.

From pen-and-paper Sudoku and crosswords to specialized brain training apps, options for brain games are plentiful. To give your brain a workout while having fun, try these games and activities that may improve your mental focus and fitness.

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Sudoku is a number placement game that relies on short-term memory. To complete a Sudoku puzzle, you have to look ahead and follow trails of consequences—if you put a 6 in this box, that one must be an 8 and this one a 4, and so on. This type of planning helps improve short-term memory and concentration.

You can play Sudoku online, on an app, or on paper. Look for a regular Sudoku in your newspaper, buy a book with a collection of puzzles, or download a free app for your phone or tablet.

Sudoku puzzles are available in varying degrees of difficulty. When you're starting out, play the easy games until you learn the rules. If you're playing on paper, use a pencil!

Lumosity is one of the most established brain training and mental fitness programs. You can sign up for a free account to play three games per day, or choose the subscription service for more offerings. Either way, you can keep track of your results and improvement.

One recent study showed that participants who played Lumosity's exercises for 15 minutes a day at least seven days a week for three weeks experienced improved attention and motor speed. You can use Lumosity via their website or download the Lumosity app on iOS and Android. Lumosity also has a meditation and mindfulness app called Lumosity Mind.

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Crosswords are a classic brain trainer, accessing not only verbal language but memory from many dimensions of knowledge. There are many ways to do crossword puzzles, both online and off. If you receive a daily newspaper, you'll almost always get a crossword there. Or pick up a book of crosswords specifically suited to your skill level and interests.

You will also find many options for crossword puzzles online or via free or inexpensive apps. The AARP website offers a daily crossword that's free to everyone, whether or not you're a member of the group.

Elevate's games center on reading, writing, speaking, and math, and you can customize your training to focus on whichever areas you prefer. As with most other brain games, you can track your progress to see how your skills are improving.

You'll need to download an app to play Elevate 's 35 (and counting) different brain-training games, which have a strongly educational feel. It's free (with in-app purchases) and both iOS and Android versions have tens of thousands of five-star reviews.

Peak is another app-only option (available for iOS and Android) that provides brain games to help you work on focus, memory, problem-solving, mental agility, and more cognitive functions. If you're a competitive person, you might be motivated by seeing how you perform against other users. The app is free to use, but an inexpensive subscription unlocks more features.

Happy Neuron divides its games and activities into five critical brain areas: memory, attention, language, executive functions, and visual/spatial. Like Lumosity, it personalizes the training to fit you, tracks your progress, and the games are based on scientific research.

You must pay a monthly subscription fee to use the site, and its simplified app version is available for Android users only. Happy Neuron does, however, offer a free trial offer so you can see if you like the approach.

Claiming to have the world's largest collection of brain teasers, Braingle's free website provides more than 15,000 puzzles, games, and other brain teasers as well as an online community of enthusiasts. You can even create your own puzzles to give your brain a super workout. Braingle has a wide variety of offerings, including optical illusions, codes and ciphers, and trivia quizzes.

Queendom has thousands of personality tests and surveys. It also has an extensive collection of "brain tools"—including logic, verbal, spatial, and math puzzles; trivia quizzes; and aptitude tests—for you to exercise and test your brain. If you'd like to save results and scores, you'll need a free account. Some tests give you only snapshot results for free, and charge a fee for full reports.

Brain Age: Concentration Training / Nintendo Life

Brain Age Concentration Training is a brain training and mental fitness system for the Nintendo 3DS system. It includes a huge number of games to hone your concentration, memory, calculation, and other brain skills. It's fun, portable, and challenging. Brain Age is also available for the Nintendo Wii U, but not for the Switch, Nintendo's most up-to-date gaming system.

My Brain Trainer calls itself an online "brain gym." It is similar in format to, although less stylish than, Lumosity and Happy Neuron. It's also less expensive; a three-month subscription costs the same as a month on the other services. The annual subscription is an even bigger savings. You can try a challenge for free as well.

This website is full of games, puzzles, and other challenges designed to improve your mental fitness. The website recommends 10 minutes of brain training twice a day for the best effects. It also has a basic training program that claims to improve your mental speed.

This web-based puzzle game from The New York Times exploded in popularity in early 2022 and now counts millions of users worldwide. The premise is simple: Users get six tries to guess a five-letter word. Wordle's combination of problem-solving challenges and easy-to-use interface makes for a satisfying mental workout.

Keep in Mind

Remember, brain training isn't limited to games and puzzles; staying socially engaged, maintaining creative hobbies, and even working out can help to flex your brain and improve cognitive functioning. Find what feels good and works for you.

Make brain training a daily habit and build the mental reserves to delay cognitive decline!

Al-Thaqib A, Al-Sultan F, Al-Zahrani A, et al. Brain training games enhance cognitive function in healthy subjects .  Med Sci Monit Basic Res . 2018;24:63-69. doi:10.12659%2FMSMBR.909022