By Robyn Wright
Games can entertain us but there are also lots of ways that games can actually help improve our brain function. Now granted, if you just play games all day and do nothing else, that’s not going to help, but taking some time to play a game can give your brain a boost through cognitive training. Here are some good examples:
Fit Brains
Fit Brains combines brain games with tracking tools to help users, of all ages, maximize and round-out brain skills in a fun way. Their games have a broad collection of personalization tools to adjust your training based on your skill level.
Cost: free and paid memberships
Compatibility: iOS, Android, Web
Mind Games
Mind Games works by exercising multiple types of cognitive skills. Your scores are tracked and you can compare your progress with their large scoring database.
Cost: free
Compatibility: iOS, Android, Windows
Brain Train Challenge
Brain Train Challenge provides a fast paced challenge within 24 mini games. The games include words, numbers, memory, logic, observation and spatial awareness.
Cost: free
Compatibility: Windows
Lumosity
Luminosity is one of the most popular brain training services online. They have over 60 million registered users worldwide. Lumosity’s games are designed to challenge core cognitive abilities. Premium members also have access to performance reports.
Cost: free and paid memberships
Compatibility: iOS, Android, Web
While the above are specific “brain training” games, playing other traditional game apps can help improve your brain as well. Look for puzzles, logic, word, memory, and the like. Playing a variety of these different types of games that make you think in different ways works to keep your brain sharp and flexible.
What are your favorite brain games?
Robyn Wright is a social media specialist and blogs on her own blog, RobynsOnlineWorld.com, as well as several other sites. Robyn has a love for family, technology, food and lots of apps!