games that require critical thinking

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11 Activities That Promote Critical Thinking In The Class

52 Critical Thinking Flashcards for Problem Solving

Critical thinking activities encourage individuals to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information to develop informed opinions and make reasoned decisions. Engaging in such exercises cultivates intellectual agility, fostering a deeper understanding of complex issues and honing problem-solving skills for navigating an increasingly intricate world. Through critical thinking, individuals empower themselves to challenge assumptions, uncover biases, and constructively contribute to discourse, thereby enriching both personal growth and societal progress.

Critical thinking serves as the cornerstone of effective problem-solving, enabling individuals to dissect challenges, explore diverse perspectives, and devise innovative solutions grounded in logic and evidence. For engaging problem solving activities, read our article problem solving activities that enhance student’s interest.

What is Critical Thinking?

Critical thinking is a 21st-century skill that enables a person to think rationally and logically in order to reach a plausible conclusion. A critical thinker assesses facts and figures and data objectively and determines what to believe and what not to believe. Critical thinking skills empower a person to decipher complex problems and make impartial and better decisions based on effective information.

Importance of Acquiring Critical Thinking Skills

Acquiring critical thinking skills was never as valuable as it is today because of the prevalence of the modern knowledge economy. Today, information and technology are the driving forces behind the global economy. To keep pace with ever-changing technology and new inventions, one has to be flexible enough to embrace changes swiftly.

Read our article: How to Foster Critical Thinking Skills in Students? Creative Strategies and Real-World Examples

Today critical thinking skills are one of the most sought-after skills by the companies. In fact, critical thinking skills are paramount not only for active learning and academic achievement but also for the professional career of the students. The lack of critical thinking skills catalyzes memorization of the topics without a deeper insight, egocentrism, closed-mindedness, reduced student interest in the classroom and not being able to make timely and better decisions.

Benefits of Critical Thinking Skills in Education

Certain strategies are more eloquent than others in teaching students how to think critically. Encouraging critical thinking in the class is indispensable for the learning and growth of the students. In this way, we can raise a generation of innovators and thinkers rather than followers. Some of the benefits offered by thinking critically in the classroom are given below:

It allows a student to decipher problems and think through the situations in a disciplined and systematic manner
Through a critical thinking ability, a student can comprehend the logical correlation between distinct ideas
The student is able to rethink and re-justify his beliefs and ideas based on facts and figures
Critical thinking skills make the students curious about things around them
A student who is a critical thinker is creative and always strives to come up with out of the box solutions to intricate problems
Critical thinking skills assist in the enhanced student learning experience in the classroom and prepares the students for lifelong learning and success
The critical thinking process is the foundation of new discoveries and inventions in the world of science and technology
The ability to think critically allows the students to think intellectually and enhances their presentation skills, hence they can convey their ideas and thoughts in a logical and convincing manner
Critical thinking skills make students a terrific communicator because they have logical reasons behind their ideas

Critical Thinking Lessons and Activities

11 Activities that Promote Critical Thinking in the Class

We have compiled a list of 11 activities that will facilitate you to promote critical thinking abilities in the students. We have also covered problem solving activities that enhance student’s interest in our another article. Click here to read it.

1. Worst Case Scenario

Divide students into teams and introduce each team with a hypothetical challenging scenario. Allocate minimum resources and time to each team and ask them to reach a viable conclusion using those resources. The scenarios can include situations like stranded on an island or stuck in a forest. Students will come up with creative solutions to come out from the imaginary problematic situation they are encountering. Besides encouraging students to think critically, this activity will enhance teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills of the students.

Read our article: 10 Innovative Strategies for Promoting Critical Thinking in the Classroom

2. If You Build It

It is a very flexible game that allows students to think creatively. To start this activity, divide students into groups. Give each group a limited amount of resources such as pipe cleaners, blocks, and marshmallows etc. Every group is supposed to use these resources and construct a certain item such as building, tower or a bridge in a limited time. You can use a variety of materials in the classroom to challenge the students. This activity is helpful in promoting teamwork and creative skills among the students.

It is also one of the classics which can be used in the classroom to encourage critical thinking. Print pictures of objects, animals or concepts and start by telling a unique story about the printed picture. The next student is supposed to continue the story and pass the picture to the other student and so on.

4. Keeping it Real

In this activity, you can ask students to identify a real-world problem in their schools, community or city. After the problem is recognized, students should work in teams to come up with the best possible outcome of that problem.

5. Save the Egg

Make groups of three or four in the class. Ask them to drop an egg from a certain height and think of creative ideas to save the egg from breaking. Students can come up with diverse ideas to conserve the egg like a soft-landing material or any other device. Remember that this activity can get chaotic, so select the area in the school that can be cleaned easily afterward and where there are no chances of damaging the school property.

6. Start a Debate

In this activity, the teacher can act as a facilitator and spark an interesting conversation in the class on any given topic. Give a small introductory speech on an open-ended topic. The topic can be related to current affairs, technological development or a new discovery in the field of science. Encourage students to participate in the debate by expressing their views and ideas on the topic. Conclude the debate with a viable solution or fresh ideas generated during the activity through brainstorming.

7. Create and Invent

This project-based learning activity is best for teaching in the engineering class. Divide students into groups. Present a problem to the students and ask them to build a model or simulate a product using computer animations or graphics that will solve the problem. After students are done with building models, each group is supposed to explain their proposed product to the rest of the class. The primary objective of this activity is to promote creative thinking and problem-solving skills among the students.

8. Select from Alternatives

This activity can be used in computer science, engineering or any of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) classes. Introduce a variety of alternatives such as different formulas for solving the same problem, different computer codes, product designs or distinct explanations of the same topic.

Form groups in the class and ask them to select the best alternative. Each group will then explain its chosen alternative to the rest of the class with reasonable justification of its preference. During the process, the rest of the class can participate by asking questions from the group. This activity is very helpful in nurturing logical thinking and analytical skills among the students.

9. Reading and Critiquing

Present an article from a journal related to any topic that you are teaching. Ask the students to read the article critically and evaluate strengths and weaknesses in the article. Students can write about what they think about the article, any misleading statement or biases of the author and critique it by using their own judgments.

In this way, students can challenge the fallacies and rationality of judgments in the article. Hence, they can use their own thinking to come up with novel ideas pertaining to the topic.

10. Think Pair Share

In this activity, students will come up with their own questions. Make pairs or groups in the class and ask the students to discuss the questions together. The activity will be useful if the teacher gives students a topic on which the question should be based.

For example, if the teacher is teaching biology, the questions of the students can be based on reverse osmosis, human heart, respiratory system and so on. This activity drives student engagement and supports higher-order thinking skills among students.

11. Big Paper – Silent Conversation

Silence is a great way to slow down thinking and promote deep reflection on any subject. Present a driving question to the students and divide them into groups. The students will discuss the question with their teammates and brainstorm their ideas on a big paper. After reflection and discussion, students can write their findings in silence. This is a great learning activity for students who are introverts and love to ruminate silently rather than thinking aloud.

Finally, for students with critical thinking, you can go to GS-JJ.co m to customize exclusive rewards, which not only enlivens the classroom, but also promotes the development and training of students for critical thinking.

Read our next article: 10 Innovative Strategies for Promoting Critical Thinking in the Classroom

15 Fantastic Logic and Critical Thinking Games

Games are wonderful additions to any homeschool. In fact, we typically play at least one game a day – sometimes even gameschooling for an entire day!

Not only do games bring joy and lightheartedness to the school day, they can help teach new concepts and practice old ones.

One of the most important reasons I include games in our homeschool frequently is because they are amazing for building logic and critical thinking skills!

Logic and Critical Thinking Games for Kids

This post includes affiliate links.

If you’ve read any of my blog posts about brain training , you’ll know that I place a lot of value on building logical thinking skills in kids. Luckily, games are one of the best ways to do that – and they don’t even require much effort on our part!

While almost every game has logic and critical thinking value, some games are made specifically to give those skills a workout. I’ve included 15 of my favorites here for you!

Logic and Critical Thinking Games

Think Fun Invasion of The Cow Snatchers STEM Toy and Logic Game for Boys and Girls Age 6 and Up - A Magnet Maze Logic Puzzle

Invasion of the Cow Snatchers – A creative, single player game that uses magnetic playing pieces as you maneuver a flying saucer around obstacles on a farm to beam up all the cattle.

Domino Maze – In this hands-on, single player game, you create fun domino mazes with a critical thinking twist as you set out to build based on challenge cards.

Thinking Putty Puzzle – This is another hands-on, single player game that “stretches” your thinking skills as you complete mazes with Thinking Putty.

Qwirkle – A family favorite, this game is kind of like Scrabble with shapes & colors. Your goal is to rack up as many points as possible as you work to complete symbol combinations.

Battleship – Coordinate graphing and logical thinking are required to sink all your opponent’s ships in this classic game for two players.

Mastermind – Another classic game for two players, Mastermind is truly a top pick for practicing logical thinking skills as you deduce a hidden code.

FoxMind Games Zoologic Logic Puzzle Game

ZooLogic – This is such a cute single player game. You must figure out how to organize dogs, cats, and mice on puzzle cards so that no fights ensue between the animals.

Guess Who? – This is the perfect game to teach beginning critical thinking skills as you ask pertinent questions to figure out your opponent’s mystery character.

SET – Get ready to work logic skills faster than your opponents as everyone races to put together the next combination of cards based on shape, color, shading, and number.

Clue – A good, old-fashioned game of Clue is perfect for sharpening logic and critical thinking skills since the goal is to use deductive reasoning to solve the mystery before anyone else.

Cat Crimes – In this hands-on, single player logic puzzle, you place cat characters on the board based on clues you are given in order to determine which one is to blame for an oopsie that has occurred.

Codenames – While this game can be played with as few as four people, it’s great for a crowd, too. Spymasters use word clues to help their teams logically consider which cards on the table will locate friendly spy agents instead of foes.

Think Fun Rover Control Coding Board Game and STEM Toy for Boys and Girls Age 8 and Up

Rover Control – This creative, single player coding game teaches basic programming skills through critical thinking puzzles in which a rover must go through various start to finish challenges.

Rush Hour – A classic, single player game, Rush Hour utilizes logical thinking as you work to get an ice cream truck out of a rush hour traffic jam.

Rook – This four player card game is another family favorite that is won by logic and critical thinking between teammates (as well as a little luck.)

Gameschooling

There are so many wonderful games available these days! I’ve written about favorites for other subjects plenty of times. Feel free to click on any of the images below to see a different list of games.

P.S. Games make great gifts for any holiday or birthday. They also make great family gifts or for people who are hospital or homebound. Games are one the most frequent things we give when a gift is in order!

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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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Group games are ideal for developing critical-thinking skills.

The link between critical thinking and one’s education is obvious – you can’t learn well unless you think well.

Critical thinking is the ability to look at problems in new ways, to analyse how parts of a whole interact with one another and to interpret information and draw conclusions.

Critical thinking and problem-solving skills were once thought to be the domain of gifted people. Today, they are necessary for every individual and group who seeks to make sensible decisions about financial, health, civic, workplace and leisure activities.

The solutions to international concerns such as climate change and global warming require highly developed critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. These skills include the ability to effectively analyse and evaluate evidence, arguments, claims and beliefs.

Benefits of Developing Critical-Thinking Abilities

The ability to solve interesting and unfamiliar problems often leads to the development of other skills such as increased engagement, higher concentration levels and improved thought processing.

Here are a few examples of experiences that occur in many programs which may provide you with an opportunity to focus on problem-solving skills:

Forming a project team to solve an existing, yet complex problem.
Thinking of a new campaign slogan to broadcast a difficult, yet important message.
Adopting a rational, analytical and evidence-based approach to investigate a conflict.
Challenging one of your group’s long-held beliefs or practices.

Naturally, one of the most powerful (not to mention, enjoyable) ways to develop and strengthen your group’s problem-solving skills is to employ the use of fun group games.

Group Activities Which Develop Critical-Thinking Skills

The images below provide links to a sample of simple group activities which may help you develop the critical thinking and problem-solving abilities of your group, drawn from playmeo’s ever-expanding activity database .

Enjoy browsing to your heart’s content.

If you’re not yet a playmeo subscriber, join today to unlock hundreds more group games and activities just like these.

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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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Nice probably the best free brain games that i've tried, i really noticed the difference since i started doing online brain training, i wanted to find games to improve concentration and found them in braingymmer, fair amount of brain games for adults that work on my phone as well, pretty good brain games for adults, 'i like the brain training exercises, it is becoming easier for me to remember names and places etc.', what people often ask us, what is brain training.

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21 Amazing thinking games for adults | Classic brain games

Thinking games for adults is the best way to train your brain. It not only improves your intellectual capacity but also sharpens up your skills and makes you more productive.

Thinking games for adults will help you to:

It helps you in increasing your creativity and imagination.
It increases your concentration skills.
It improves your memory and information retention ability.
It builds and repairs brain cells.

It helps you in making a decision quickly. It also sharpens up your thinking process by playing with logic and challenging yourself with puzzles, games, riddles, knowledge-based games etc.

In this post we will present 21 of the best thinking games for adults , so you can see and choose which one is best for you!

1. Mind Benders

Mind Benders by Martin Gardner is a game of logic and puzzles. This game is a collection of puzzle problems that include Zen koan questions, puzzles in geometry, and magic squares.

To play this game you need to solve the problems in order starting from easy to hard. Once you are done with answering the easy ones, you can move on to the next harder ones until you have finished all of them.

Sudoku, which means “single number”, is a popular logic game. It is a Japanese puzzle of numbers in which players must fill in the blanks so that each row, column, and region contain the digits 1 to 9 and no more than four of them are used together in each row, column, or region.

3. Flip Question

This game requires you to answer the questions in a logical way, without relying on any wrong information. It is kind of a simple puzzle involving finding the right order for the numbers that are shown from 1 to 80.

4. Logic Trails

Logic Trails is a game that requires you to follow a trail of logical deductions. The basic rules are:

Be sure to not make any assumptions.
Always start with an assumption.
Weave logic from the given premises to the conclusion. What do you need more than anything else is to be sure that your answer is correct and values your ideas?

5. Hinge Puzzle

Hinge Puzzle is a classic game with a lot of challenging questions. It requires you to find the ways by which the three given figures can be connected into one figure, without lifting the puzzle apart and possibly disabling it from being completed.

6. Tower of Hanoi

Tower of Hanoi is a strategy game for 2 players who are trying to get their wooden disks on top of the tower filled with discs. One person moves the disks at a time, while the other player is trying to stop them.

7. 20 November 2012 Brain Teaser

From 20 November 2012, this puzzle will keep your brain working as it asks you to solve a riddle every time you look at it. Your mission is to find out what happened on this day by solving all kinds of riddles and puzzles.

Bamboo is a classic board game that requires you to move the tokens from start to finish in order. There will be various obstacles in the way that you must avoid in order to get your token moved. You can also use logic and help other players by giving them boosts on their way.

9. Labyrinth

This is a great strategy game that requires you to move your token by using the correct path among the colored labyrinths. You will have to start from easy ones and then move your way towards harder ones.

10. Monopoly Empire

Monopoly Empire is a fun logical game that requires you to build your empire in a realistic manner just as the original game does. The only thing is that this version requires you to build your empire from scratch.

11. Moondial

Moondial is a classic logic game that requires you to follow the instructions given to get the token through a maze of obstacles. You would have to start at easy ones and then move on to harder ones until you have completed all of them.

12. Transport

Transport is a logic game that allows you to race a vehicle in a puzzle-like scenario just like the original board game. The only difference between this version and the original one is that the puzzle will be solved with a vehicle rather than with trains.

13. Hangman’s Puzzle

This is an easy puzzle game that requires you to find out the letter that can form words from the given stack of letters, without using any letters twice in the same word. It is also great for improving your memory and attention skills.

14. The Alphabet Game

The Alphabet Game is a fun game that requires you to guess the letters by making use of your logic and knowledge. This game starts from the alphabet A and it will keep on going until you cannot guess it in any other way from any other letter. The aim is to try to guess them all!

15. Sudoku meets Asteroid

Excluding the differences in the rules, it is still a Sudoku game, you must fill up all the cells on a grid so that each row, column and region has only 1 to 9 numbers. The only difference here is that instead of using numbers 1 to 9, you will be using letters of the alphabet.

16. Letter Sequence

Letter Sequence is a fun puzzle game that requires you to identify the sequence in which the letters are given. The only difference is that they are not numbers but letters of the alphabet. This game will test your memory and attention skills as it requires you to remember them all.

17. Magic Square Puzzle

The magic square puzzle is a great thinking game that consists of square blocks filled with various letters. It will test your logical thinking skills as you have to find the square blocks that consist of some letters and use a combination of them to form a whole number.

18. Jigsaw Puzzle Fun

Like the original jigsaw puzzles, this version features over 15 different puzzles that feature animals like lions, kangaroos, sharks, dolphins, elephants and more. It requires you to put the puzzle pieces together in order so that there are no overlapping or missing pieces.

19. Alignment Game

Alignment Game is a great puzzle game that requires you to connect the dots on a grid to form various patterns. This game will test your memory and attention skills by asking you to solve the pattern without looking at the given grid.

20. Rubik’s Snake

Rubik’s Snake is another great logic game that will require you to find out a snake by rotating the blocks around it until it has become a snake again. The only thing is that this version is played with a snake instead of blocks and will test your logical thinking skills instead.

21. Wheel of Fortune

Wheel of Fortune is a logic game that requires you to match the letters on the wheel so that each letter on the wheel lands on an appropriate letter in the grid. It will test your memory and attention skills as it requires you to remember them all!

Conclusion – thinking games for adults

Playing thinking and puzzle games is not just a fun activity that the kids do. It is also a great way for adults to improve their memory, brainpower and logic skills . The best thing about these games is that they are fun to play and they require a lot of thinking as well.

These games will help you increase your IQ level by giving you the ability to make logical decisions in various situations without having to worry about the outcome. They also improve your problem-solving skills by testing and training them every time you play one of these games.

Playing these games can also help you to develop your logical reasoning and become better at making decisions in a more efficient manner. The best part about playing these games is that they are very fun!

Now that you have found out the best thinking and puzzle games for adults, it is time to try one of them and see for yourself how much your IQ has improved or how much better you have become at playing them.

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25+ Executive Function Games to Boost Brain Skills

Executive function skills are vital cognitive abilities that allow both children and adults to plan, focus attention, remember instructions, and juggle multiple tasks successfully. These functions are fundamental for success in school, work, and day-to-day life. Training these skills can be a rich and rewarding experience, and one effective method of doing so is through the use of specially designed games. These games are not only enjoyable but also serve a dual purpose: they engage players in fun activities while concurrently strengthening various aspects of executive function.

Introducing games into the development process for executive function can be especially beneficial for young learners. Games that aim to improve skills like memory, flexible thinking, and self-control can provide a solid foundation for young adults and teens as they navigate complex educational and social landscapes. For adults, games designed to bolster executive function can also provide an edge in professional environments or assist in maintaining cognitive flexibility.

Key Takeaways

Games offer an enjoyable approach to enhance executive function skills for all ages.
Consistent play can improve cognitive abilities integral to academic and personal success.
Selection and integration of appropriate games into everyday routine optimize executive function training.

** This post contains affiliate links. This means if you click a link and make a purchase we will earn a comission at no extra cost to you.

Understanding Executive Functions

Executive functions (EF) are like the CEO of your brain, directing your thoughts, actions, and emotions to help you succeed in everyday tasks and challenges. Below, you'll find a more detailed look at what these functions entail and how particular types of games can foster their development.

What Are Executive Functions?

Executive functions are a set of cognitive skills essential for controlling and managing your thoughts, actions, and emotions. They enable you to:

Plan and organize your day-to-day tasks
Prioritize what's most important
Focus your attention and avoid distractions
Remember instructions and information ( working memory )
Regulate your emotions and control impulses ( impulse control and self-control )
Adapt to new situations ( flexibility )

These skills are fundamental for academic success, social interaction, and overall independent living .

Get the FREE Executive Functions Skills List

Get the free executive function skills list to help you better identify and understand different executive function skills. You can use this list to help you identify different skill areas to work on or ones that are a strength for you or the person you are working with.

In the form below just enter your best email address so I can send it to you.

The Role of Games in EF Development

Games, especially ones designed with your EF skills in mind, can be powerful tools for strengthening these capabilities. Through gameplay, you can practice and enhance various components of executive functions, such as:

Attention: Games often require concentration and the ability to filter out distractions.
Memory: Remembering rules, strategies, and previous turns exercises your working memory.
Flexibility: Adapting to new rules or unexpected game developments helps you practice flexibility.
Impulse Control: Waiting for your turn and thinking before acting cultivates self-control and impulse regulation.

Incorporating game-based learning into your routine can support EF development in an engaging and enjoyable way. Whether you're a child or an adult, games can offer a structured environment to practice and improve these vital skills.

Types of Executive Function Games

Discovering a variety of games that challenge and enhance your executive function skills can be both fun and beneficial. Whether you prefer a tactile experience with physical pieces, the convenience of digital platforms, or the classic feel of cards and boards, there's something tailored for everyone's taste and developmental goals.

Board Games

Strategy Games: Engage in games like chess which require you to think ahead and plan your moves, effectively bolstering your problem-solving and planning abilities.
Memory Chess Game: Enhance working memory and attention to detail by recalling moves and positions in Memory Chess.
No Stress Chess: Learn chess without the pressure, which supports task initiation and flexibility in thinking as you become familiar with different pieces and their moves.
Sudoku and Pictionary: Sharpen your working memory and improve impulse control as you match numbers in Sudoku or sketch rapidly in a pressure-driven round of Pictionary.
Quiddler: This card game challenges you to create words from the letters you're dealt with, boosting your linguistic processing and strategic planning skills.

Physical Games

Jenga: Carefully removing blocks to maintain the tower's integrity in Jenga can significantly enhance your hand-eye coordination and impulse control.
Sports: Participating in team sports or activities requires the rapid execution of complex physical and mental tasks, improving your overall executive function.

Digital Games

Brain Training Apps: Utilize the convenience of your smartphone or tablet with apps designed to train different aspects of executive functioning, like inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility.
Online Puzzles: Completing digital puzzles, solving online riddles, or playing interactive strategy games can bolster your executive function skills in an entertaining and engaging way.

Games for Different Age Groups

When you're looking to boost executive functions across different age groups, choosing age-appropriate and engaging activities is key. Here’s a roundup of games that cater to various developmental stages, ensuring fun while enhancing cognitive skills.

Games for Kids

For younger children, games should focus on multipurpose activities combining fun with cognitive development. A classic choice is Simon Says , which promotes impulse control and attention. For kids who enjoy a digital approach, memory games based on a computer or tablet offer a dynamic way to improve working memory and concentration.

Hand clapping games : improve coordination and memory
Board games like Chutes and Ladders : assist in learning about consequences and encourage turn-taking

Younger Kids (Ages 3-6)

Simon Says – Focuses on attention and self-control.
Hopscotch – Improves planning and sequencing skills.
Happy Salmon – Enhances attention, speed, and the ability to switch tasks.
Feed the Woozle – Develops fine motor skills, counting, and turn-taking.
Snug as a Bug in a Rug – Encourages teamwork, problem-solving, and using strategies.
Outfoxed! – A cooperative game that develops logic and deduction.

School-Aged Kids (Ages 6-10)

Zingo – A bingo-style game that boosts language and matching skills.
Dragonwood – Enhances strategic thinking and probability evaluation.
Rush Hour –
Qwirkle – Improves strategic planning and pattern recognition.
Magic Maze – Enhances spatial awareness and cooperative problem-solving.

Executive Function Toys for Kids

Tangram Sets – Develop spatial awareness and problem-solving skills.
Bo p It! – Improves memory, motor skills, and auditory processing.
Balance Beans – Introduces logic, physics, and math in a fun way.
Color Code – Enhances visual perception, planning, and problem-solving.
Kanoodle – Builds upon spatial reasoning and critical thinking through puzzles.

Games for Teens

Teenagers will benefit from games that require strategy and planning. Consider introducing card games like spades or bridge, which necessitate foresight and adaptability. Also, video games that are more complex, involving mission completions and strategy, can help enhance their problem-solving and organizational skills.

Strategy-based video games : boost planning and problem-solving abilities
Sudoku or crossword puzzles : sharpen focus and working memory

Middle Schoolers (Ages 11-13)

Forbidden Island – Develops strategic planning and cooperative problem-solving.
Cortex Challenge – Tests memory, speed, and tactile challenges.
Suspend – A balancing game that improves strategic thinking and hand-eye coordination.
Rory's Story Cubes – Stimulates imagination and narrative skills, enhancing creative and critical thinking.
Labyrinth – Enhances planning and problem-solving abilities.
Head Rush – Helps improve social interactions and problem solving skills.

Teens (Ages 14+)

Pandemic – Encourages teamwork, strategic planning, and problem-solving.
Ultimate Werewolf – Enhances critical thinking, social cues interpretation, and strategic planning.
Spyfall – Develops questioning, critical thinking, and deductive reasoning skills.
7 Wonders – Builds upon strategic planning, resource management, and decision-making skills.
Codenames – Enhances language skills, teamwork, and strategic thinking.

Games for Young Adults

Young adults often enjoy games that challenge their intellect and social skills. Escape rooms , whether virtual or physical, encourage teamwork, strategic planning, and time management. Additionally, more complex tabletop games like Settlers of Catan can offer an enticing mix of social interaction, strategy, and critical thinking.

Escape rooms : real-life problem-solving with a fun narrative
Tabletop games : enjoy socializing while engaging in complex strategic gameplay

Games for Adults

For adults looking to enhance their executive functions, the focus may shift to activities that can be integrated into their routine. Chess , with its intricate strategy and foresight, remains a timeless choice. Online brain training platforms offer a variety of games that target specific cognitive skills and can be conveniently played during breaks or downtime.

Chess : a timeless, strategic game to enhance foresight and problem-solving
Brain training apps : personalized games to keep your cognitive skills sharp

Improving Specific Executive Functions

These games and activities are designed to sharpen critical aspects of executive functioning. By incorporating fun and challenging elements, you'll hardly notice you're giving your brain a major workout.

Enhancing Working Memory

Your working memory is like a mental sticky note, holding onto information temporarily for processing. To give it a boost, try engaging in card games like Uno or Memory. Board games such as chess also challenge you to keep track of various pieces and potential moves, thereby enhancing your memory retention.

Boosting Cognitive Flexibility

Cognitive flexibility allows you to switch between different concepts or adapt to new rules. Games that require you to alter strategies, like Settlers of Catan, can really exercise this skill. Puzzles that change patterns or require multistep problem-solving also push the limits of your mental agility.

Strengthening Inhibitory Control

Inhibitory control is your ability to suppress impulses and resist distractions. To strengthen this aspect of executive function, activities that require patience and a steady pace, such as the classic game Simon Says , are beneficial. Practicing meditation or mindfulness exercises can also enhance your ability to maintain focus and attention without yielding to interruptions.

Games Encouraging Social Interaction

A group of diverse individuals engage in lively conversation while playing executive function games, fostering social interaction and cognitive development

Playing games with others can significantly bolster your social interaction skills . You'll enjoy the camaraderie that comes with team-based activities and the creativity unleashed through role-playing games, both of which are fantastic for developing language and empathy .

Team-Based Games

Scrabble : This classic word game is more than just a test of your vocabulary. When played in teams, Scrabble encourages you to strategize and communicate with your partner to come up with the most point-scoring word combinations.

Snake Oil : In this imaginative party game, you work with teammates to create and pitch wacky products to different customers. It's a delightful way to practice persuasion and quick thinking while interacting and laughing with others.

Role-Playing Games

Role-playing games (RPGs) are a unique blend of storytelling and strategy, inviting you to step into a character's shoes and explore different personalities and outcomes. These games are not only engaging, but they're also a playground for social and language skills growth.

When you engage in RPGs, you navigate complex social scenarios that require understanding and empathy. Negotiating, problem-solving, and character development are all part of the process, making every session a rich experience in human interaction.

Executive Functioning Through Play

When you integrate play into learning, it can transform the process into a more engaging and effective experience. Let's dive into how fun and games can enhance your executive functioning skills without feeling like work.

Learning Through Fun

Games are a fantastic way to strengthen executive functions (EF) such as flexible thinking and impulse control—key components that allow you to manage and direct your cognitive processes. By participating in carefully chosen activities, you get the chance to practice these skills in a low-stress environment. Consider games that challenge your working memory or require complex problem-solving, as they can be particularly beneficial. For example, playing a board game like chess encourages you to plan and strategize, thereby training your brain to focus and think ahead.

The Relationship Between Play and EF

The connection between play and executive function is rooted in the idea that your brain learns best when you're engaged and free from distraction. Engaging, play-based activities encourage the development of EF skills by offering a safe space for you to experiment and learn from trial and error. Whether it's during infancy or adolescence, the practice of these skills through play can lead to improvements in task initiation, organization, and emotional control. By playing, you're not just having fun; you're carving out neural pathways that facilitate lifelong learning and adaptability.

Games and Academic Skills

When you think of sharpening your academic skills, games might not be the first tool that comes to mind. However, strategic games can enhance your math, reasoning, and language abilities in an engaging and entertaining way.

Math and Logic Games

Math and logic games are a fun route to boost your problem-solving skills. These games often require quick thinking and a strategic approach to patterns and numbers. Sudoku is a classic example that challenges you to fill a 9×9 grid with digits so that each column, row, and section contain the numbers between 1 to 9. Playing Sudoku can improve your number comprehension and logic skills.

Another engaging game that combines math skills with critical thinking is KenKen , which pushes the envelope a bit further by including basic arithmetic operations within a similar grid-based structure. This not only hones your numerical skills but also reinforces your operational understanding.

Tower of Hanoi
Minesweeper

Language and Word Games

Language and word games not only improve your vocabulary but also strengthen your reasoning and problem-solving skills. Scrabble is a timeless game where your ability to spot language patterns and use strategic tile placements can lead to victory. This game demands you to make the most out of limited resources (your letter tiles) to score points and outmaneuver your opponents.

If you're looking to boost your word recognition and spelling skills, give Boggle a try. It's a fast-paced game where you search for words in a jumble of letters and get points based on word length. The clock is ticking, so your brain is constantly engaged, looking for the next word.

Crossword Puzzles
Bananagrams
Word Search Puzzles

Incorporating Games into Routine

Integrating games into your daily routine can significantly enhance executive function skills. These structured playtimes serve not only as practice for cognitive growth but also as joyful moments for students, families, and therapy participants.

Games in the Classroom

In your classroom, starting the day with a morning meeting that includes short games can boost attention and set a positive tone. For example, you can use board games that require strategic thinking to foster skills like planning and impulse control. Teachers can pick games that align with the day's lessons, turning potentially monotonous reviews into engaging exercises. Consider designating a “Game Friday” where your class can look forward to practicing executive functions through collaborative play.

Family Game Night

At home, parents can reinforce executive function skills by organizing a family game night . Make it a routine event—perhaps every Wednesday—to play games that require memory or quick decision-making. This not only strengthens family bonds but also continuously and playfully engages skills like emotional control and flexibility in thinking. Choose games that would appeal to all family members to ensure everyone's participation and practice .

Executive Function Family Games

Dixit – Stimulates creativity and abstract thinking.
Karuba – Enhances strategic planning and decision-making in a fun, family setting.
Beat The Parents – A family trivia game that encourages knowledge sharing and bonding.
Telestrations – Improves communication, creativity, and laughter in a family setting.
Cooperative Board Games (e.g., Forbidden Desert) – Encourages teamwork, strategic planning, and problem-solving.

Therapy Through Games

Using games in therapy sessions is both effective and enjoyable. If you're a therapist, incorporating tabletop games can help clients work on tasks like emotional regulation and problem-solving. Create a regular book of games that target different executive skills, allowing your clients to choose and empowering them to take charge of their growth. This personal involvement maximizes the therapeutic benefits and keeps the routine fresh and engaging.

Occupational Therapy Executive Function Games

Traffic Jam – Improves problem-solving, sequencing, and collaborative skills.
Memory and Sequencing Games – Such as “Simon” to enhance auditory processing and working memory.
Dexterity Games (e.g., Operation) – Develops fine motor skills, focus, and patience.

Selecting the Right Games

A hand reaches for a game labeled "Executive Function Games" among a selection of other games on a shelf

Choosing the right games to enhance executive function is key to effective skill building. Your selections should align with the skill areas you want to improve, such as focus, flexibility, planning, memory, and abstract thinking.

Considerations for Game Selection

When you're picking out games to improve executive functions, think about the specific skills you are aiming to support. For instance, a strategy game might boost planning and flexibility, while a memory chess game could enhance your working memory and strategic planning abilities.

Skill relevance : Ensure the game challenges the executive function skills you want to develop.
Age appropriateness : Select games that are suitable for the age and maturity level of the players.
Engagement factor : A game should be enjoyable to keep you engaged and willing to play repeatedly.

Look for games that require a combination of skills. A game that needs planning , focus , and abstract thinking will offer a comprehensive brain workout as opposed to a game that targets a single skill.

Adapting Games for Different Needs

Every individual's needs and abilities are unique, and games may require some adaptation to be most effective.

Adjust rules : Simplify or modify game rules to make them more accessible or challenging.
Use support tools : Implementing tools like timers or visual aids can make it easier for players to keep track of the game and stay engaged.

Remember, the goal is to provide a supportive environment where you can develop executive function skills without getting discouraged. The flexibility of a game to adapt to your needs is crucial for maintaining motivation and progress.

Strategies for Optimizing EF Games

To effectively enhance executive function (EF) skills through games, it's crucial to have targeted strategies and regularly measure progress. These approaches enable you to maximize the benefits of practice through careful planning and prioritizing, fostering problem-solving abilities, and strengthening self-monitoring skills.

Creating a Game Plan

Creating a game plan involves identifying the specific EF skills you aim to improve, such as planning, task initiation, and perseverance. Begin by selecting games known to foster these skills. For example, collaborative games can effectively build skills like critical thinking and working memory .

Next, integrate these games into a routine to encourage consistent practice . Consider the following steps:

Identify which EF skills you or your students need to develop.
Choose games based on their potential to improve these targeted skills. Collaborative games , for example, can aid in critical thinking.
Set clear goals for each gaming session, aligning them with the desired outcomes.
Allocate specific time periods for playing these games to ensure regular engagement.

Measuring Progress

After establishing a game plan, measuring progress is key to understanding the effectiveness of the games on EF skills. Self-monitoring and metacognition are vital components of this process.

Consider using a progress chart or journal to track:

Dates and durations of game sessions.
EF skills practiced in each session.
Observable improvements, such as enhanced problem-solving abilities or increased perseverance in tasks.

Through these tracking methods, you will see patterns emerge that could inform future planning and prioritizing . By assessing progress and making adjustments to the game plan as necessary, you can ensure that the chosen games are serving their intended purpose and adjust your approaches to optimize cognitive skill development.

Enhancing Cognitive Skills Through Engaging Game Play

In the quest for enriching activities that not only entertain but also stimulate the mind, brain games stand out as a premier choice. These games, designed to challenge and develop various cognitive abilities, offer a fun game experience that's both rewarding and intellectually stimulating. Whether you're facilitating game play in small groups or planning a solo challenge, the benefits of engaging in brain games extend far beyond mere entertainment.

The Power of Problem Solving in Game Play

One of the core advantages of incorporating brain games into your routine is the emphasis on problem solving. These games often present scenarios that require critical thinking, logic, and creativity to navigate. Through game play, participants are not just having fun; they're actively enhancing their problem-solving skills, applying logic to overcome obstacles, and learning to think several steps ahead.

Brain Games for Small Groups: A Pathway to Collaborative Thinking

For small groups, brain games offer a unique opportunity to foster teamwork and collaborative problem-solving skills. In a group setting, individuals must communicate effectively, share strategies, and sometimes negotiate to advance in the game. This type of game play promotes social skills and emotional intelligence, as participants learn to work together towards a common goal, all while enjoying a fun game that challenges their intellect.

Selecting the Right Brain Games for Your Group

When choosing brain games for small groups, consider the interests and age ranges of the participants to ensure the game is engaging and appropriately challenging for everyone involved. Look for games that encourage strategic thinking, memory enhancement, and flexibility in thinking. The goal is to find a fun game that not only captivates the players but also promotes meaningful cognitive engagement.

The Benefits of Regular Game Play

Incorporating brain games into your regular routine can have lasting benefits on cognitive health. Regular game play can improve attention to detail, enhance memory, and even slow down cognitive decline. Moreover, in the context of small groups, these games can strengthen relationships, build communication skills, and create a sense of community among players.

In conclusion, brain games offer a dynamic and engaging way to enhance cognitive skills through fun game play. Whether in small groups or individually, these games challenge the mind, promote problem solving, and provide a meaningful, enjoyable experience for all ages. By integrating these games into your educational or leisure activities, you're not just providing entertainment; you're fostering an environment where learning and fun go hand in hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, you'll find targeted questions and answers to help you understand how games can be used to enhance executive functioning skills for different ages and needs.

What board games are beneficial for enhancing executive functioning skills?

Board games like chess and checkers require strategic planning, while games like Settlers of Catan demand resource management and flexibility, all of which can improve your executive functions. The OT Toolbox offers suggestions on various executive function games that can aid in developing these crucial skills.

Can adults improve their executive functioning with specific activities, and which are most effective?

Yes, adults can enhance their executive functions through activities such as brain teasers, memory games, and strategy-based games. Puzzles such as Sudoku or engaging in a new hobby that requires learning skills can also be effective.

How do video games impact the development of executive functions?

Certain video games that demand quick decision-making, problem-solving, and strategic planning can have a positive impact on executive function development. However, it is important to choose games that are challenging yet age-appropriate to ensure progress in these skills.

Which online resources offer free games designed to improve executive functioning?

Websites like Edutopia provide insights on how games can help students develop executive function skills. They often list free games and activities that are both educational and engaging.

What are some engaging executive function tasks that can appeal to high school students?

High school students often enjoy tasks that involve real-world scenarios and collaborative problem-solving. Project-based learning and simulation games which can be found on websites like Edutopia can significantly appeal to this age group.

Are there any executive function exercises tailored for the developmental needs of 7- to 12-year-olds?

Yes, there are many games designed for this age group that target executive functions, such as memory matching games, Simon Says, or obstacle courses that combine physical activity with mental challenges. The Pathway 2 Success suggests enjoyable games, including BLURT , which can improve self-control and cognitive flexibility.

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Hi, I'm Sara!

I’m a former occupational therapist with a doctorate, now embracing the rewarding journey of homeschooling my children and raising a neurodivergent child. My younger autistic brother was my inspiration to dive into occupational therapy and dedicate my life to teaching life skills and finding meaningful activities for individuals.

This passion now fuels my mission to use neurodiversity-affirming strategies to support others in homeschooling and life skills development.

At Learning for a Purpose, I strive to create a space where we can explore the beauty of neurodiversity together. Through my blog, I share insights, resources, and strategies aimed at helping neurodivergent individuals thrive in their own unique ways. Whether it’s homeschooling tips, life skills tools, or just a place to find understanding and support, I hope to make a difference in your journey.

I’m also excited to invite you to join the Neurodivergent Life Skills Toolbox Membership . This is a special community designed to empower you and your loved ones with practical tools and strategies for everyday life. Here, we embrace each individual's strengths, celebrate our differences, and learn from each other.

Thank you for being here. Together, we can create a world where every person feels valued, understood, and equipped to pursue their passions. Let’s embark on this journey together.

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Best Brain Games

There is nothing worthwhile doing when you are bored to death, than to occupy your mind with games that will make you think, think, think!

Brain exercises are just as important as physical exercises. Solving mental problems through logical thinking sets our minds to be always on the go. While playing and thinking, brainwaves are in full power, thus awakening dead brain cells!

In the modern world, we can play brain games not only through board games and physical games we play but also online! There are a lot of apps we can download on our phones and computers that will let us play the best games for our sleepy brains.

We have prepared a list of the best brain games that will definitely rejuvenate your brain and sharpen it!

This game was released last March 9, 2014, and was designed by Italian web developer Gabriele Cirulli. This is a single-player game that is all about addition and numbers. To date, it has more than 17 million downloads and millions of active users! Not only that, but it also has more than 120,000 5-star ratings!

It is fun and addictive to the point that even if you already reach the objective of obtaining a tile with a value of 2048, you still can’t stop playing! Everyone really enjoys a simple number puzzle which is still tricky.

How to play 2048

The object of the game is to slide together adjacent slides with the same values. Sliding them together adds value to the tiles. The ultimate goal is to obtain a tile with the value 2048, hence the name of the game.

You can still continue to play and increase the value until there are no more valid moves. Meaning, there are no empty spaces and no adjacent tiles with the same value. When this happens, the game ends!

So what are you waiting for? Follow this link and have some 2048 fun! Play 2048 now!

10. Four Pics, One Word

This game was released last February 4, 2013, by its publisher, Lotum GmbH. This is a simple word game that needs concentration and a vast vocabulary. All you need to do is download the game apps then start playing. By just reading its title, you will already have an idea on how to play this.

4 Pics, 1 Word a hit game that has 250,000,000 players worldwide! There is no need for registration fees and there are no complicated rules. What’s more, is that this game is available in nine (9) languages to cater to its growing number of players. In October 2020, 70,000 people downloaded its app.

Countless puzzles ranging from easy to tricky are waiting for you! New puzzles are added continuously for endless word fun! Find out what it is about this game that makes everyone so hooked and join the fun now!

How to play Four Pics, One Word

“A picture is worth a thousand words”, so goes the old English adage. For each round, this game will give you four words (which translates to four thousands!). Using your wits, your concentration, and your vocabulary, you need to find the common thing about the four pictures and use that to find the correct word.

Your hint would be the number of letters represented by the number of empty boxes below the four pictures. If the game gets too hard and you’re out of ideas, you can click the hint or help button that will give you a free letter!

9. Treasure Hunt

Treasure hunting is a game that involves physically searching for a treasure by following a series of clues and sometimes riddles to ultimately find the treasure or objects. It is also known as scavenger hunt which is a game wherein organizers give the players a list of objects to look for and collect. Players must complete the list or find the treasure, without purchasing them, of course!

Treasure hunting or scavenger hunting was more popularized during the 1930’s in the elite New York Society. Currently, it is played worldwide during school activities, campings, and even during holidays and parties. You may be familiar with Egg Hunting during the Easter season wherein participants look for hidden eggs. Some people also hide goodies during Halloween and have the kids find them to replace the traditional trick-or-treating.

How to play Treasure Hunt

A game like this needs to be very organized. Organizers must prepare a series of clues. Some use riddles to add a dramatic effect to the hunt. They will give the participants the first clue which will lead to the next clue, and so on, so forth. The clues have to be very smart, precise yet not so obvious so the participants will have to really concentrate and think in order to decipher the clues.

🤓 Suggested read: Brain Games For Adults 🧠

You can play this game by teams. You can use teamwork, resourcefulness and wits to finish the hunt and find the treasure. Like any other game, it would be much more exciting if a nice prize awaits the winner at the end of the hunt or race. The organizers can declare the treasure, itself, as the prize!

8. Crossword Puzzles

Crossword puzzles are word searching games which usually take the form of a square or rectangle grid. There will be clues for each word and you will just have to follow the legends in order to complete the puzzle. Crossword puzzles are usually found at the back of most newspapers as a sort of entertainment to readers. There are also various books that are filled with crossword puzzles that you can complete.

Of course in the modern world of technology, there is no need for newspapers and books, as long as you are connected to the internet. With just one click, you can download loads of gaming apps that will give you unlimited crossword puzzles to solve to your heart’s desire!

How to play Crossword Puzzles

To play this game, all you need to do is use your logic and vocabulary to decipher each word that each clue is pertaining to. The words are literally connected to each other in the puzzle itself. The direction of each word could be diagonal, across (left to right) or downwards. Follow the instructions and legends properly.

👉 Suggested read: Brain Games Apps

The more words you correctly find, the more clues you answer, you will find that it’s easier to complete the puzzle. This is because you can already see some of the letters that will give you hints for the next words you need to find!

7. Rubik’s Cube

Puzzle lovers just adore this 3D puzzle that was invented in 1974 by Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture Ernő Rubik. It was originally a toy called “Magic cube” and was first distributed by Ideal Toy Corp. six years after it was invented.

Since it hit the shelves in Budapest in 1980, there is a record of 350,000,000 Rubik’s cubes sold to date! This game also launched its own competition. As of now the fastest “cuber” in the world is Yusheng Du who finished the puzzle at a record-breaking 3.47 seconds! He beat Feliks Zemdegs by 0.75 seconds. According to most people it is the best puzzle game and the best-selling toy in the world.

It doesn’t stop there because solving the Rubik’s cube is very good in activating your brain cells and improves your brain’s cognitive mapping skills!

How to play Rubik’s Cube

There are 26 cubelets in each Rubik’s cube. To solve it, you need to twist the cubes and make sure to solve each face of the cube. Meaning, you should be able to to start with some randomized, shuffled, messy configuration of the cube and, by rotating the faces, get back to the original solved pattern with each side being a single color.

There are 40,320 ways to solve the puzzle of the Rubik’s cube. At first you will be content to just solve it but as you get better and better, you will want to improve on your speed. You just need to familiarize yourself with the patterns and figure out the fastest way to solve the puzzle! Can’t wait to play Rubik’s cube? Follow this link and start the fun NOW! Play Rubik’s Cube Now!

6. Murder Mystery Games

As the name suggests, this game is all about solving a crime and finding out who the killer is. There are a lot of games that solves murder mystery. Right now, you can find numerous variations online. They can be scripted or turn-based games that work by releasing information over the course of the game. As the game progresses, each character learns something new about the plot and their involvement.

You can play a character, search for clues, study all the evidence, solve the crime, uncover the murderer. Playing this type of game is a truly original way to entertain friends, family and people you work with.

Not only that, murder mystery games also improves your reasoning skills, logic, deductive reasoning and your gutts and instinct! You might someday grow up to be the next Sherlock Holmes!

How to play Murder Mystery Games

Murder Mystery games usually start with a story plot that explains the scenario. The players randomly pick a card or piece of paper that will give them their roles to play. Among all of you, there will be at least one killer. The group can decide what the killer should do to be able to make a kill. You can all agree that winking on someone can kill that person. Those who are killed will be out of the game.

Among the players, there will be at least one detective who should catch the killer. Given a certain time, the killer can do his or her killings. The detective should catch the killer before time runs out or before everyone gets killed.

This is just one example of a murder mystery game. You can add to the rules and make it more exciting! The more players, the better!

5. Bookworm Adventures

This word puzzle video game revolves around the adventures of Lex, an actual and literal bookworm, in the Great Library. It was invented by Popcom and it has three books namely Oedipus Lex, Arabian Knight and Lexonomicon! This game has 5 different modes: Adventure Mode, Arena, Mini-games, Tome of Knowledge, and Clips and Giggles. It will introduce you to about 150 enemies. Each book has a boss battle which you should conquer in order to proceed to the next book.

This is mainly a very fun word game that has awesome graphics. Your strategy, logic and vocabulary are tested while playing this game as you maneuver each move that Lex will make.

How to play Bookworm Adventures

In each level, you will be given your set of turns to fight back against your enemy. In order to make your move, just form a word using your given set of letters. The longer the word, the bigger the move, and the more points will be deducted from your opponent!

A little tip, give your longer words first before time runs out and your opponent has made big blows on you that could diminish your health and lives.

Defense of the Ancients (DotA) is a multiplayer online battle arena mode for the video game Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and its expansion, The Frozen Throne. It is a series of strategy video games developed and published by Valve. Everyday, millions of players worldwide join the battle as one of over a hundred different heroes.

This game will test your knowledge of the game, strategies and techniques in order to outwit, overpower and defeat your opponents in the game!

How to play DotA

First of all, you need to familiarize yourself with the plot of the game and its heroes, character strengths and capabilities and how to activate them. You’ll need to know the use of items and how to access said items. Play the tutorial. For many, DotA is already considered an online sport. You wouldn’t play a sport with a bunch of strangers without knowing how it works.

You can find a coach or play against game bots. If you want to avoid criticism, play the artificial intelligence bots. AIs tend to be very aggressive so you will be in for a challenge. There are in-game guides that you can use, too. They are not rulebooks but they can be your starting point so that you will know your heroes’ abilities and you can test stuff.

🤓 Suggested read: Fun Brain Games 🧠

Above all DotA is about teamwork, strategy, camaraderie and wisdom. You need to train, study and master your skills then you can try working it out with your teammates.

3. Scrabble

Scrabble is a classic and very known word game worldwide. It is played on a board of 15x15 squares. The game is played and sold in 121 countries and is in more than 30 languages worldwide. As one of the best-selling classic games, more than 150,000,000 scrabble sets have been sold to date.

This stimulating game has entertained friends and families during pastime and a third of the families in the US owns a scrabble set per household. This game tests one’s vocabulary and strategy as your words must be carefully placed in order to block an opponent’s move and earn more points for you.

How to play Scrabble

The goal and objective of the game is to earn the most points by forming words using the letters on the tiles given to you. Each letter/tile has a corresponding number of points to it. The game contains 100 tiles, 98 of which are marked with a letter and a point value ranging from 1 to 10. There are also two blank tiles with zero points but can be used as a wildcard letter by the players (meaning they decided on what letter it stands for).

The words must be read across (left to right) or downwards. The words must also be found in a standard English dictionary for it to be valid. Some of the squares on the board are premium squares because once they are used, they could triple or double the points on the letter or word for which it has been used on.

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Scrabble is played by two to four players. Each player will draw seven tiles and will keep refilling their set of seven tiles until all tiles are drawn. Each player will have his or her turn to form a word on the board, the next player should connect his word to the words on the board.

The game ends when one player manages to use all of his tiles. You each tally and total your scores (minus the points of your unused tiles) and the player with the most points wins!

Another classic board game, chess is all about strategy. It is played by millions worldwide and has recently been the main sport attraction of the recently released hit Netflix show, The Queen’s Gambit (named after a famous chess opening).

Chess players are known to be those people who can win battles. Their minds can predict the next moves of the opponent and can block those moves before they can even say “checkmate!”. It might be a very complicated game but once you learn it, your brain will be exercised in ways you could never imagine.

How to play Chess

This game is played between two players. A play has no hidden information. Everything is laid out on the board. Each player begins with 16 pieces: one king, one queen, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, and eight pawns. Each piece type moves differently. The most powerful is the queen and the least powerful is the pawn.

The object of the game is to checkmate the opponent’s king by cornering it under an inescapable threat of capture. To this end, a player’s pieces are used to attack and capture the opponent’s pieces, all at the same time supporting one another.

During the game, play typically involves the exchange of pieces for the opponent’s similar pieces. It also involves finding and commandeering opportunities to trade at your benefit or to get a better position in the game.

Other than checkmate, a player wins the game if the opponent resigns, or when time runs out. There are also instances wherein a game will end in a draw.

Sudoku, meaning “single number”, is a numerical puzzle which was introduced by the Japanese Nikoli in the newspaper Monthly Nikolist in April 1984. At first, it was called “Sūji wa dokushin ni kagiru” which literally means “the digits must be single”. Later it was shortened to Sudoku by Maki Kaji.

Studies show that playing sudoku can do wonders to a part of human cognition called our working memory. They say that older people who play sudoku tend to improve their working memory compared to those who don’t.

Play Sudoku online

How to play Sudoku

The objective of a game of Sudoku is to fill a 9×9 grid with digits wherein each column, each row, and each of the nine 3×3 subgrids that compose the grid contains all of the nine single digits which are 1 to 9. When you think about it, it may seem easy at first but as you progress into the game, you’ll realize that it is tricky.

It is when you are almost done that you finally notice the mistakes you make and you will need to retrace your steps. Sudoku requires patience, focus, and strategy. When you get the hang of it, it is actually a very fun game that will give your memory the boost it needs!

In playing these games, you need to remember that with each level or round you finish, win or lose, is a step closer to improving yourself. Playing these brain games will enhance your memory, logic, critical thinking, strategy, vocabulary, and more cognitive skills that you don’t even know about. Other than that, you are also improving your self-confidence which is very important for self-development.

What are you waiting for? Gather your friends and family for a brain game night that you will forever cherish!

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5 Board Games to Develop Critical Thinking Skills

board games to improve your critical thinking skills

Do you know why board games are called that way? It’s because you only play them when you’re bored .

Lousy puns aside, board games have come a long way from being just lowly time passers. Board games can be as simple as token-and-dice races to as complex as world building, role-playing sessions. But did you know that board games can give more than just fun and entertainment? Did you know that they can make you smarter?

Brief Evolution of Board Games

Board games or tabletop games have been around since 3500 BC, and are as many as there are cultures in the world. Board games have been found buried with the ancient pharaohs of Egypt. There are ancient books in Iran and China that talk about in-depth rules and descriptions of board games. Chess, a game enjoyed by many all over the world, originally came from India. Backgammon, a game still enjoyed today, has been played since 5,000 years ago in Mesopotamia.

People still enjoy these games even today, which proves the staying power of tabletop games. You might think that because technology has paved the way for more advanced and visually appealing games, casual tabletop games would’ve died out. But actually, board games have been gaining steady traction since 2010 . This is because the internet has actually made it easier to promote and sell board games. Unlike before, you’d need to walk through a toy shop to see board games. Now you can just search for them online. You can buy them with a click and have them delivered to your doorstep.

Not Just for the Bored

Tabletop games continue to be popular because of a number of reasons. For one thing, they’re mostly meant to be played with others on a face-to-face setting. This means board games naturally build camaraderie and friendly competition. In fact, chess is one of Armenia’s national sports , and Scrabble is a huge deal in Nigeria .

Aside from giving enjoyment, many board games can also enhance or train the brain. It’s true that some board games are simple and require pure luck or chance to win. However, many games will need some level of physical or mental skill.

This is where the “brain training” can actually happen. As you play the games over and over, your mind must learn the skills needed to win the game. Chess and Clue, for example, are great games for training logic and problem-solving. Boggle and Scrabble on the other hand can improve language and memory. And then, some board games improve critical thinking skills.

Critical thinking is the analyzation of information to make a decision or judgment. There are many skills associated with the critical thinking, but the six core ones are:

Interpretation – This skill is the ability to recognize information and understanding them by putting them into categories and giving them meaning. An example is when you see a leaky faucet and recognize it as a problem.
Analysis – This skill helps you examine the information or ideas and deciding which course or courses of action to make. An example of analytical thinking is deciding to fix the leaky faucet while also putting a basin to collect the dripping water while you get to work.
Evaluation – This skill is useful when you need to weigh different options or approaches and decide on the best one. An example would be evaluating whether fixing the same leaky faucet or replacing it with a new one would be better.
Inference – This skill is used when you draw patterns or connections from abstract elements so you can draw reasonable hypotheses or conclusions. An example would be deducing that the leak in the faucet is caused by a worn O ring after observing the source of the leak.
Explanation – This skill involves communicating the justification behind the decision. An example would be explaining how you deduced the worn O ring because the leak stems from the handle and not the spout.
Self-regulation – This critical thinking skill involves sensing your own lapse in judgment and taking steps to correcting yourself.

These six cores often work with each other in quick succession to display critical thinking as a whole.

Brain Games

But could board games really enhance your critical thinking skills? Yes, they can . In fact, some institutions encourage the use and play of certain board games rather than casual handheld games.

Now, if you’d like to get in on the action, you’ll be happy to know that it’s easy to get mind-enhancing board games. Here are 5 that you should check out:

Mancala has been around for thousands of years. There are several variations of Mancala found in Africa and Middle East and Southeast Asia. Players select a hole or pit, and then place a counter (known as “seed” but commonly uses beads) taken from the selected pit in to each of the pits they will pass as they make their move around the board. Players often attempt to capture the other’s seeds. The one with the most seeds in their storage at the end of the game wins.

Mancala develops mathematical skills, as well as the ability to think and plan ahead.

Also known as Settlers of Catan, is a multiplayer board game. Designed by Klaus Teuber, Catan trains players how to strategize.

Players begin with two settlements and two roads. The goal is to build the most successful and effective civilization of all. Players will roll dice to get the resources they need to build their empire—stone, brick, lumber, and the like.

Catan develops communication, strategy, and inference. Players can trade for resources they need, which needs communication. They will also learn to strategize and plan ahead based on their assumptions on what the others players’ immediate goals are, based on their actions.

Bonus: Catan has several spin-off board games, such as A Game of Thrones and Star Trek .

3. Quoridor

Quoridor is an abstract strategy game that can be played by 2-4 people. Mirko Marchesi designed the game and Gigamic Games published it.

The object of the game is simple: players must move their token from one end of the board to the other. However, here’s where the challenge and strategy come into play. Instead of moving your piece, you can opt to place a wall to block the path of your opponent’s instead.

Quoridor is a Mensa Mind Game awardee, and with good reason. It’s simple, but its trial-and-error playthrough can lead to hundreds of unique gameplays. This board game develops adaptability, inference, logic, and the ability to plan ahead.

4. Pandemic

Pandemic is a bit different from other board games. While most of tabletop games will have players compete against each other, Pandemic will have players cooperate with each other to achieve a common goal.

Designed by Matt Leacock and published by Z-Man Games, Pandemic can be played by 2-4 people. Players will be randomly given one of these roles: medic, dispatcher, operations expert, scientist, and researcher, and will have four actions per turn. Players must all work together to stop four diseases from spreading and becoming a pandemic.

This board game develops problem-solving skills, cooperation, and teamwork. Pandemic is a great way to enhance your evaluation and explanation skills.

Pandemic has several expansions and editions, including On the Brink , which includes a fifth player.

Lastly, no list about mind-enhancing board games will be complete without chess. This classic game from India has been around for centuries, and will be probably be around for centuries more. Chess has been ported into several digital platforms, and has even been modified into fantasy and fiction (such as wizard’s chess in Harry Potter ).

Chess is played by 2 people. The goal is to capture the opponent’s king. Each player has a set of pieces, either black or white. Each set has the same number and kind of piece, including knights, pawns, bishops, rooks, and a king and queen. Each piece has a unique way of moving and capture, and players must manipulate one per turn until they can checkmate the opponent’s king.

Chess develops focus, concentration, logic, inference, and evaluation. In competitions, moves are marked for time, so players will be trained to think fast. Chess has thousands of combinations of moves and playthroughs, which will also enhance players’ creativity and adaptability.

Chess has many variants. For example, a hexagonal chess board exists. The board has three cell colors, and each player has three sets of bishops. Another variant is the 3-player chess , which also uses a hexagonal board. However, the board and set pieces have the same standard colors and numbers. The board for the 3-player chess converges in the middle.

Learning While Having Fun

Who says board games are only for children? The wide varieties of board games available will assure you that you can find one that you can enjoy at any age. The best part? You also get to give your brain a workout while having fun with family and friends.

Today’s modern technology has paved the way for solo games and casual time-wasters. Much of the beauty of playing with a real person has been lost. It’s nice to try playing board games every once in a while to bring back the dying skill of interpersonal communication and socialization. Why not give these a try?

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Parents & Teachers

How Video Games Can Help Children Develop Critical Thinking Skills

To relax and kill time, video games have become a popular pastime. The impact of video games on children’s cognitive development, especially in the area of critical thinking, has been debated for some time. In this article, we’ll look at the ways in which kids can benefit from playing video games that encourage them to think critically.

A Definition of Critical Thinking.

The ability to reason logically and make sound decisions based on evidence is known as critical thinking. It’s a key ability for solving problems and making choices in life. Children who learn to think critically will be better able to handle challenges and make wise decisions as adults.

Why and how video games can help you think critically

Playing video games can be a great way to exercise one’s critical thinking skills because of the environment they present. In order to advance through the game, players often have to use their critical thinking skills to solve puzzles, choose appropriate strategies, and evaluate data. Having these abilities is crucial for improving one’s critical thinking.

Some concrete examples of how video games can foster analytical thinking in kids are as follows:

First, the ability to think critically and creatively is fostered by the problem-solving nature of many video games. Players will need to utilize critical thinking abilities like analysis, evaluation, and synthesis to overcome challenges.

Second, the ability to make good decisions is essential in video games because players are frequently given multiple paths to take with varying outcomes. Players need to think analytically about the consequences of their actions in order to make the most informed decisions.

Third, strategy: to succeed in many games, you’ll need to come up with and put into action a plan. Planning, prioritizing, and analyzing the available resources are all examples of critical thinking skills that will be needed.

Fourth, the ability to analyze and make sense of complex situations is essential in the gaming industry. To be successful, players need to employ critical thinking skills and dissect these systems.

Gaining proficiency in critical thinking has many advantages.

There are many positive outcomes for a child’s academic and social development when they acquire critical thinking skills through gaming. Some examples are as follows:

Students who are able to think critically about their schoolwork and grasp difficult concepts at a younger age perform better in school.

Enhanced Personal Decision-Making: Children who practice critical thinking grow up to make better choices about their health, safety, and relationships.

Children who practice critical thinking grow up to be better problem solvers in all walks of life, from their personal relationships to their careers.

Children who learn to think critically are more likely to grow up to be creative problem solvers because they have the tools to think outside the box.

In conclusion, video games can be a great way for kids to exercise their brains and learn to think critically. Children can learn to handle difficult situations and make educated decisions by practicing problem solving, decision making, strategy, and analytical thinking. Video games can be a fun and effective way for children to develop critical thinking skills, so parents and teachers should think about incorporating them into their children’s learning experiences.

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Most Anticipated 2021 Video Games to Boost Critical Thinking & Reflective Learning Skills

Soft skills are of huge importance in the modern world. If you want to be ambitious, learn fast, beat competitors, and generally succeed in this world, two crucial skills you are always going to need are critical thinking and reflective learning.

Why is that? Well, it might have something to do with the fact that more and more people are struggling with finding their passion, dream job, and similar choices in life. Critical thinking and learning from your past experiences efficiently can help improve this situation. There is much to explore in this field and there are tons of critical thinking topics to use as perfect examples to learn from. Checking out what professional essays on critical thinking have to say about the matter is the perfect way to learn and start on the right track.

Another amazing way to improve these skills is through video games. The ones listed here are some of the best upcoming games that you can expect in 2021. They are highly addictive, perfect for enhancing the mentioned skills, and a great way to have fun.

Humankind is one of the most anticipated games of 2021, at least for fans of the strategy genre. Taking a page out of Civilization’s book, this game focuses on building your own civilization, and controlling the way in which it develops. You can choose to improve the civilization’s education by building a school or try to live out your imperialistic dreams by investing in military research. You will have to make a lot of strategic decisions , and your critical thinking skills will be put to the test. But if you aren’t very good at first, don’t be discouraged, as with time, you will find that this game will be very beneficial for your critical thinking and reflective learning skills. I get excited just writing about it, and so should you, or your brain, at least.

Surviving the Aftermath

Surviving the Aftermath is not one of the most talked-about upcoming Xbox games, but it certainly looks like it has a lot of potential, so it’s fair that we write about it, especially since we’re talking about games that can boost your brain capabilities. Thinking about a tutor you hate, or sitting in class in college, can sometimes make you wish the world ended. Well, with Surviving the Aftermath, your wish is granted, and you are responsible to lead a group of colonists in an effort to save humankind. We could write an entire essay on all that this game has to offer, but for now, let’s just say that your brain will have to be focused at all times, as you will have to make split-second decisions that will not only challenge you but also improve your decision making, especially when you get to see the consequences of those decisions, which can sometimes be fatal for humanity.

Age of Empires 4

This is easily one of the most popular upcoming games for 2021 as the legendary Age of Empires series will finally be continued. Unlike Humankind, where you get to develop your entire civilization from scratch, from finding a settlement to becoming an academic superpower, in Age of Empires, your goal is to gather resources and build a powerful nation, with the added twist of having an enemy trying to do the same and destroy you. This kind of pressure will require you to use every last brain cell, as every small mistake can be devastating for your prosperous nation. But excitement is not the only thing that people get out of playing Age of Empires as many players have stated that playing the game has significantly improved their decision-making, problem-solving skills, and reflective learning skills.

With all of these brain-enhancing games coming out in 2021, you can feel better about yourself about missing that physics lesson that one time, as you can make it up by playing one of these games that we mentioned. Maybe if you’re still a student, you can even stop going to classes altogether, and play them the entire day. Just kidding, of course, stay in school!

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11 Activities That Promote Critical Thinking In The Class
6. Start a Debate. In this activity, the teacher can act as a facilitator and spark an interesting conversation in the class on any given topic. Give a small introductory speech on an open-ended topic. The topic can be related to current affairs, technological development or a new discovery in the field of science.
10 Team-Building Games That Promote Critical Thinking
Another classic team-building game. Arrange some sort of obstacle course and divide students into teams. Students take turns navigating the 'minefield' while blindfolded, with only their teammates to guide them. You can also require students to only use certain words or clues to make it challenging or content-area specific.
15 Fantastic Logic and Critical Thinking Games
Battleship - Coordinate graphing and logical thinking are required to sink all your opponent's ships in this classic game for two players. Mastermind - Another classic game for two players, Mastermind is truly a top pick for practicing logical thinking skills as you deduce a hidden code. ZooLogic - This is such a cute single player game.
Games for Building Critical-Thinking Skills
Little Alchemy 2. Flex alchemical muscles in amusing, discovery-based puzzler. Bottom Line: This amusing puzzle game encourages creativity, perseverance, and systems thinking, and with creative integration it can build interest in math, science, history, and literature. Grades: 6-12. Price:
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Problem-solving games are an excellent way to foster critical thinking skills. These games require players to analyze complex situations, think creatively, and come up with innovative solutions. By engaging in problem-solving games, individuals can develop their analytical skills and enhance their ability to think critically. These games often ...
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Critical thinking skills help us solve problems, make good decisions, and understand the consequences of our actions. In this blog, we discuss five of our favorite games to improve critical thinking skills and sharpen the mind. 1. Chess. Chess is the most widely played board game of all time. Your goal in chess is to get a checkmate by getting ...
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MentalUP offers 150+ critical thinking games besides attention, concentration, logic, language, visual intelligence, and memory games! 🚀 . The best part of the multi-awarded app is all these gamified exercises are developed by pedagogues, academicians, and game designers. 🎓🙌. That's why kids enjoy playing these games a lot; meanwhile ...
10 Engaging Online Games To Test Your Critical Thinking Skills
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.
BrainGymmer: Brain training games for all cognitive skills!
Brain training games for all cognitive skills. Your brain has an enormous range of abilities, which can be divided in five major cognitive skills. Our brain games challenge you to exercise these skills. All brain games are based on trusted psychological tasks and tests. So use our free brain games to improve your memory, attention, thinking ...
21 Amazing thinking games for adults
In this post we will present 21 of the best thinking games for adults, so you can see and choose which one is best for you! 1. Mind Benders. Mind Benders by Martin Gardner is a game of logic and puzzles. This game is a collection of puzzle problems that include Zen koan questions, puzzles in geometry, and magic squares.
25+ Executive Function Games to Boost Brain Skills
Kanoodle - Builds upon spatial reasoning and critical thinking through puzzles. Games for Teens. Teenagers will benefit from games that require strategy and planning. Consider introducing card games like spades or bridge, which necessitate foresight and adaptability. Also, video games that are more complex, involving mission completions and ...
Best Brain Games: Train your Brain
In playing these games, you need to remember that with each level or round you finish, win or lose, is a step closer to improving yourself. Playing these brain games will enhance your memory, logic, critical thinking, strategy, vocabulary, and more cognitive skills that you don't even know about. Other than that, you are also improving your ...
5 Board Games to Develop Critical Thinking Skills
This board game develops problem-solving skills, cooperation, and teamwork. Pandemic is a great way to enhance your evaluation and explanation skills. Pandemic has several expansions and editions, including On the Brink, which includes a fifth player. 2. Chess.
Building Critical Thinking Skills Through Puzzle Games
2. Logical Reasoning. Logical reasoning is an essential aspect of critical thinking. Puzzle games, such as sudoku or logic puzzles, require players to think logically and make deductions based on available information. These games train the mind to analyze patterns, make connections, and draw logical conclusions.
How Video Games Can Help Children Develop Critical Thinking Skills
First, the ability to think critically and creatively is fostered by the problem-solving nature of many video games. Players will need to utilize critical thinking abilities like analysis, evaluation, and synthesis to overcome challenges. Second, the ability to make good decisions is essential in video games because players are frequently given ...
Strategy Games for Boosting Critical Thinking
Strategy games are an excellent tool for boosting critical thinking skills. They require players to think ahead, consider multiple possibilities, and make decisions based on their analysis. These games provide a fun and engaging way to develop and improve critical thinking abilities, making them a valuable addition to any game collection.
4 Games That Can Improve Your Critical Thinking Skills
The classic computer game about numbers and bombs, Minesweeper is a great way to teach yourself to analyze a board and think carefully before making your move. The object of the game is to clear the board of deadly mines by deducing where each mine is placed. By left-clicking a square on the board, you will be given numbers that will indicate ...
Exploring Strategy Games: The Perfect Hobby for Critical Thinkers
Strategy games often require players to remember different aspects of the game, such as rules, opponent moves, and strategies. Regularly exercising memory in this way can improve both short-term and long-term memory. Problem Solving and Critical Thinking. As previously mentioned, strategy games promote problem-solving skills and critical thinking.
Most Anticipated 2021 Video Games to Boost Critical Thinking
Checking out what professional essays on critical thinking have to say about the matter is the perfect way to learn and start on the right track. Another amazing way to improve these skills is through video games. The ones listed here are some of the best upcoming games that you can expect in 2021.