Kids need to improve their brain capacity and for this, we have listed the best brain games for kids to play online as they develop but getting your child to realize this fact’s importance may be more challenging than you think. Most children prefer to be absorbed in colorful and engaging cartoons like SpongeBob, but the little educational value these shows provide may make you cringe.
Additionally, you can’t even verbally tell your kids to engage in something more intellectually productive as their cute protests may weaken your order. Fortunately, you don’t have to breathe a sigh of defeat regarding their mental development as you can still stimulate your kids’ brains through fun and interactive games.
Furthermore, this article aims to provide some of the best brain games for kids that will pique their interest in learning and improve their cognitive function. Let’s begin!
Importance of Brain Games for Kids
Before we reveal the extensive list, it’s essential to know why brain games are vital to your child’s development. These mentally tasking games stimulate the brain and compel your child to think outside the box to solve a problem, thereby raising their IQ.
Like physical exercise, the brain gets more robust, faster, and more sophisticated with every mental weight (tasks) it undertakes. Furthermore, the more your kids complete these exercises, the more they improve on areas like creativity, analytical thinking, and problem-solving.
One significant benefit of teaching them via the fun and interactive games below is that your kids will be more willing to engage in them than in reading a book or solving a formal math equation.
1. 4 Pics 1 Word
LoTUM GmbH is the company behind 4 Pics 1 word which is a word puzzle game and is available for both Android and iOS. What makes this game worth mentioning as one of the best brain games for kids online is a simple, exciting Gameplay.
Gameplay:
At each level, the game displays four pictures that all describe one word, and the objective of the player is to figure out the name through a set of letters that appear below the images.
This game is free to download from the respective stores. Also, no transactions or financial commitment is required at present. This feature is available to reduce the difficulty of the game and help your kids through challenging levels.
Additional Information
This game has the words primarily written in English, meaning your kids must have a relatively good understanding of the English language to play 4 pics 1 word.
After its launch, the game also received positive reviews as players of all ages found the challenges exciting and fulfilling. Platforms like PC Advisor gave the Android version 4/5, praising its entertainment value, but advising the developers to improve the social aspect.
Pocket-lint also featured the game and ranked it as the “App of the Day” on the 25th of February 2013. Unlike PC Advisor, Pocket-lint praised 4 Pics 1 Word for its easy Gameplay and social aspect.
Ultimately, it’s a worthwhile game that you and your kids will enjoy playing as it requires them to think outside the box and reveal the mystery word.
2. Sudoku
Sudoku, initially known as “Number Place”, requires intense logic to insert the appropriate numbers in each slot. Furthermore, this is a worthwhile option for your kids, as it improves their understanding of numbers and basic mathematics.
Gameplay
The primary objective in classic sudoku is to fill a 9×9 grid with numbers until each row, each column, and each of the nine 3×3 subgrids that compose the grid contains digits from 1 to 9. The puzzle setter provides a partially completed grid, which has a single solution for a well-posed puzzle.
For example, to effectively play the game, players must only use the numbers 1 to 9, avoid trying to guess the puzzle’s solution, and not repeat any number. Players require cross-hatching and penciling-in techniques to solve the mystery and the process of elimination as a tactic.
These rules may not make sense to you, but as you progress in the game, you’ll begin to understand, apply them, and watch your child’s reasoning improve.
Additional Information
The game currently has over 10 million downloads on the play store, and a rating of 4.6 stars, meaning nine out of ten players found the game to be worth their while. The mobile version also enables your kids to compete with their friends and other players online, creating an endless world of fun and learning.
3. Rubik’s Cube
The Rubik’s Cube, originally called the Magic Cube, is a 3-D combination puzzle, which helps your kids develop patience while solving complicated problems. Additionally, they also learn how to mentally map an object and identify an individual sections’ location without looking at the item.
Gameplay
The Rubik’s Cube puzzle’s objective is to start with a shuffled, randomized, messy configuration of the object and get the cube back to its original state, with each side being the same color. You need to rotate the faces one by one until the colors are even to accomplish this goal.
Additional Information
The Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture Ernő Rubik invented the original Rubik Cube game in 1974. It won the 1980 German Game of the Year special award for Best Puzzle.
In January 2009, 350 million physical Rubik cubes had been sold globally, making it one of history’s most successful puzzle games.
4. Crossword
Improve your kids’ spelling and vocabulary with a crossword puzzle. This game usually takes the shape of a square or a rectangular grid, painted with white- and black-shaded squares. Crosswords are suitable for children with a reasonable understanding of the English language (seven years old) and can be played on PC or mobile.
Gameplay
This game’s objective is to fill the white squares with letters, which eventually form words or phrases, leading to the answers. The words are often written in the English language, and the answers are placed in the grid form across (left-right solution) and down (top to bottom).
The shaded squares usually separate the words and phrases, and your kid’s job is to guess the word based on the clues provided, fill the blocks with the word, and ensure all the letters fill the spaces.
Additional Information
Crossword puzzles have been around since the mid-1800s which gradually became popular as time progressed. However, they became a part of society during the early 1900s when newspapers incorporated them into their prints. Since then, several game variations have emerged due to the challenge, entertainment, and fulfillment they provided.
→ Must Read: The 13 Best Mind Games for Kids Online to Make Them Smarter!
5. Chess
If you wish to develop your child’s mathematical and logical reasoning skills, chess is the perfect game as it’s a reliable IQ Booster. This recreational game is played between two players, and it may last 10 to 30 minutes depending on your child’s ability to strategize.
Gameplay
The object of this strategy game is to checkmate your opponent, which is done by putting their king in a checkmate – a position where no move can save it from attack. It is never legal to make a move that puts or leaves one’s player in a tight spot; therefore, the constant watching of your army while trying to eradicate your enemy is both entertaining and educational.
The game is played on a board painted with two colors – usually black and white – and 16 play pieces on each color side. Note that the rules are slightly complicated to grasp, so you can teach them to your child as you go. The online version also possesses a tutorial to walk them through the learning process.
Additional Information
Naturally, the chessboard contains 16 pieces which include one king, one queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights, and eight pawns. The players are often referred to as white or black – depending on which color they represent, and proceed to eliminate the opponent’s pieces strategically.
6. Scrabble
Scrabble is a word game that can accommodate up to two to four players who place points by placing tiles on the board. In particular, the competition aims to develop your child’s understanding of the alphabet and how to combine it to form new words.
Gameplay
Two or four players play the game on a square game board. With each gamer placing a single letter tile on the board’s 15×15 grid of cells (also known as squares).
If players are able to combine words on a premium square, the points automatically multiply based on the premium cell type. Specifically, eight dark red “triple-word” squares, 17 pale red “double-word” squares, of which one, the center square (H8), is marked with a star or other symbol, 12 dark blue “triple-letter” squares, and 24 pale blue “double-letter” squares.
The game comes with a few rules, but unlike chess, they are easy to master quickly.
Additional Information
The English version of the game consists of 100 tiles, with 98 being marked with a letter and a value between one to ten. The value of each letter tile is dependent on its frequency in standard English; therefore, commonly used letter/vowels are worth one point, while less frequent letters of the alphabet are awarded larger points.
7. MoneyHunter Corp
Parents want their children to succeed and have fun no matter what they do in life. One way to help your child prepare for life is by providing them with a way to build their mental reasoning skills. Children who exercise their minds regularly are more happy, self-confident, and open to trying new things.
Money Hunter Corporation known as “MoneyHunter Corp” although based for people over the age of 16 , can be a terrific platform for children and adults to work together. Build camaraderie with your child and try your hand at winning the Owner’s Bounty with online games through this popular platform. MoneyHunter Corp’s Hunts are completely unique, so don’t over look at child’s point of view, they may see or hear something you didn’t.
8. Monopoly
Suppose you’re looking for ways to teach your children financial skills and educate them about taxation fundamentals at an early age. In that case, there’s no better way to accomplish these tasks than with the Monopoly board game online.
Gameplay
The game’s objective is for players to own property (land) and become the game’s richest player. The rules are easy to comprehend as they are taught as you download the app store’s game.
On each player’s turn, they roll the dice and move their avatar clockwise around the board’s edge across several spaces that are equivalent to the sum of the dice they rolled. If their avatar lands on an asset that no player owns, they may purchase it at a price indicated on the board.
However, if they land on another player’s property, they must pay the owner the rent that is listed on the property. This method enables other players to siphon money from their opponents and become superior in terms of wealth.
Additional Information
The game ends if the player owes more money to the bank or another player and cannot repay their debt despite selling their buildings, properties, and other assets. The player is then considered bankrupt, and everything they own is transferred to the player they owe.
Alternatively, if the player owes the bank money, the assets are transferred to the virtual firm and given up for auction, bought by other players.
9. Maze
Improve your child’s Cognitive skills by playing this game as the problematic and complicated routes are bound to keep your kid both interested and educated. This game is a path or a collection of diverse ways that eventually point to one goal which the player must locate to complete the maze.
Gameplay
The primary goal for the player is to find the maze’s exit by following different routes from start to the finish. Unlike real mazes, the mobile version allows you to see the entire maze at once and navigate easily.
In order to remain fair and entertaining, most maxes contain no loop, enabling you to monitor your progress and not end up in the same location multiple times. The game naturally builds your child’s sense of direction, place, and quick reasoning.
Additional Information
The routes and walls in a maze are usually fixed, but the walls and paths can change in some variations. These labyrinths are still categorized as mazes or tour puzzles and are always fun for children to play with.
10. Jigsaw Puzzles
Improve your child’s visual-spatial skills and IQ level with a jigsaw puzzle as this game is a tiling puzzle that requires the players to assemble oddly shaped pieces. Naturally, each player’s portion is a part of a bigger image, which, when compiled, produces a complete picture.
Gameplay
As previously stated, the goal is for the players to gradually create a picture by interlocking their pieces one after the other. Unlike physical puzzles, virtual ones let you choose the difficulty based on the age of your child.
Afterward, begin the game by showing the puzzle a complete picture to your child, ensuring they memorize it before playing. You can also show it to them whenever they get confused and need a reminder.
You may also include a timer to increase the tension, however, ensure the time is fair as it may stress the child and remove the fun.
Additions information
The typical images on most jigsaw puzzles are scenes from buildings, nature, castles, and mountains. However, you can also customize your photo into a jigsaw puzzle or play with one that catches your child’s attention.
11. Riddles
For centuries, Riddles have been one of the best brain games for kids irrespective of age. It forces children to connect pieces and develop what the Riddle giver has in mind with the little information given. It’s an effective way for them to develop their thinking skills excellently.
Gameplay
The objective of a Riddle game is to correctly answer as many questions as possible, Some questions may be obvious to answer: for example, what has 13 hearts but no organs? Answer: a deck of cards. At the same time, others may be slightly trickier but still entertaining to answer.
One factor that makes this brain game for kids online a worthwhile option is that it gives your child a sense of fulfillment whenever they successfully answer a riddle.
Additional Information
People often avoid riddles because the answer may be any complicated word from the English dictionary, which is too much of a mental hassle to undertake. Fortunately, Riddles employ different rules to keep the game exciting and make your answer as general as possible.
12. Word Search
Amongst the numerous brain games for kids, a word maze is one that most people enjoy. Besides teaching your child how to pronounce words correctly, they get to learn new words in the process while feeling relaxed and fulfilled.
Gameplay
The objective of this game is to identify a variety of words hidden on a grid. Once each word has been located, the player circles them on the grid, and they are struck out from the available list of nouns.
A standard method for discovering all the words is to scan through the puzzle from left to right and look for the first letter that matches the provided words on the list. After identifying the letter, check the following notes to see if they form a word on the list.
Additional Information
These games often appear behind newspapers and cereal boxes and are a great source of entertainment for children. Besides that fact, a word maze helps with your child’s spelling, memory, problem-solving skills, vocabulary, and a host of other things. It’s the perfect game for your child.
13. Blue Block
If you find it challenging to keep your child forced to do a particular task, Blue Block can help you sharpen his focus. Consequently, this mobile game has an engaging backstory to keep your child glued to the screen and focused on getting to the next level.
Gameplay
Blue Block’s goal is simple, and that goal is to free the Blue Dragon by reconfiguring individual blocks to enable it to reach the exit quickly. Unlike other games with warriors and combat, Blue Block teaches children that brute force and chaos isn’t always the best option and the correct application of logic can make their actions effortless.
Additional Information
The game features precisely 6050 unique puzzles to keep your child’s brain in motion, and you can adjust the difficulty to suit their age, enabling them to play without overwhelming their minds. Additionally, the game’s graphics are stunning, ensuring your kids stay immersed, and the hours of Gameplay will keep them hooked for a long time.
14. Bug Bash
Here’s a game that will teach your child how to recognize objects, assess their composition and create patterns with them. Bug Bash is a web game, meaning that you run it from your browser and not in an installed application. You can also play it on a personal computer or smartphone.
Gameplay
Bug Bash has a simple Gameplay, which is quite similar to candy crush. The player simply matches three bugs in a row to clear them. The player also gets fun facts about bugs along the way. As the levels progress, they become increasingly difficult; however, they’re designed for children, meaning they’ll never get harder than necessary.
Additional Information
National Geographic has an excellent reputation for providing top-quality content on a plethora of subjects, with Bug Bash being no exception. Similarly, their entertainment platform provides more fun games for children on matters like space, science, wildlife, cultures, and many more. You can also find educational videos and useful resources for your kids.
→ Must Read: The 13 Best Brain Games for Adults to Play Online in 2022!
15. Pig Pile
Your kids will gain a good sense of balance, as well as understanding cause and effect. Instead of passively hacking at enemies, they get to think about their actions and analyze their decisions.
Gameplay
The game takes place in a farm setting and the goal is to eliminate the objects in the pile to safely land the pig on the wooden platform. Players accomplish this goal by tapping on the objects, causing them to disappear until there’s nothing between the pig and the platform.
Additional Information
This game requires no download on Android or iOS since it runs on a website; therefore, you can run the game on your laptop, tablet, or smartphone, and watch your child develop a sense of equilibrium.
16. Parts of Speech Quest
If your kids struggle with identifying the different parts of speech, this game will help them remember. It’s designed by ABCYA and has an interactive interface that’s easy to learn in a heartbeat.
Gameplay
The game comes with a story, which involves a terrible dragon that attacks the kingdom of Lingua and only an Adjectives Master can end the chaos. The Gameplay requires the player to battle opponents with nothing but their knowledge of adjectives. Players will need to identify which words are adjectives In order to pass the first level.
It’s the appropriate game for your child if they’re enthusiastic about learning English.
Additional Information
The easy navigation makes this game designed for preschoolers. Upon visiting the website, the player is asked to choose their current school grade, which regulates the level’s difficulty. Parts of Speech Quest is free to play and requires no mobile download whatsoever.
Ultimately, the virtual games listed above are some of the best brain games for kids online and are guaranteed to sharpen your child’s mathematical skills, logical reasoning, and understanding of language. For this reason, feel free to choose any of the vanes as any one of them will develop your child and give them the cognitive function they deserve.
FAQ
1. Which game is best for brain development?
Multiple games exist specifically to improve your child’s thinking skills and understanding of nature and their language. However, each of them comes with difficulties, making them appropriate for children within a specific age range.
Below are some of the best brain developing games for kids:
- Puzzle
- Sudoku
- Blue block
- Color master
- Brain fitness
- Lumosity
- Word Search
- Maze
- Hide and seek
- Riddles
- Scrabble
2. How do you train children’s brains?
Today’s society prioritizes an individual’s ability to memorize and reason effectively as it enables them to navigate their surroundings and contribute to their environment. It’s a pleasant fact that our memories aren’t fixed like our bones and can be improved upon.
Below are some tips to help you speed up your child’s mental development without overwhelming them.
- Reduce the unnecessary stress associated with learning
- Play memory games
- Train them to enjoy reading books and solving problems
- Teach them to create stories in their head and possibly write them down
- Anchor your child’s new memories with items or activities that they’ll never forget
- Talk with them about their past and expectations for the future.
- Play card games together
Remember that these suggestions depend on your child’s age and should be used throughout their childhood.
3. What games are suitable for 7-year-olds?
As previously stated, certain games are more effective than others, depending on the child’s age. At age seven, the brain hasn’t developed to undertake complex tasks and should be subject to simpler ones.
Some of the best games that 7-year olds may enjoy are:
- Bike riding – leaving the house to learn navigation and proper control of the body.
- Theatre play – improve their social skills by exposing them to an audience.
- Hike – experience nature and develop a sense of curiosity and appreciation.
- Sewing – combine their motor skills with their sense of art to create something unique.
- Rattlesnake tag – develops a sense of direction and location.
- Charades – enhance their brain activity and teach them how to be skilled guessers.
- Egg on a spoon race – teaches that patience and steady effort is a virtue.
Ultimately, these games aim to improve their motor skills. On the same note, it will build up the ability to analyze a situation and execute the best action. As they progress in fun, their efforts will become more refined as they try new ones to increase efficiency.
4. What games can a 12-year-old play?
Typical teenager behavior, always bored and in need of excitement. 12-year-olds are upcoming teenagers and often exhibit the same attitudes. Keeping them entertained and mentally developed is a difficult task. Fortunately, these tips below can help you.
- What Am I Eating? – let them taste multiple meals and guess what their names are.
- Murder in the Dark – a detective game for kids to solve a murder mystery.
- Paper Aeroplane Race – have your kid and their friend race paper planes.
- Play Alphabet Chat – challenge them to speak without using words beginning with a particular letter.
- Sock wars – split the kids into two groups and have them fill their opponent’s territory with socks before the time expires.
- Balloon Ping-pong – Play ping pong with a balloon and paper.
Keep your child’s brain growing, entertained and use up the extra energy they possess by playing the above activities.
5. How do I keep my seven-year-old entertained?
TV shows for kids are undoubtedly entertaining, but nowadays, most of them fail to convey useful lessons to your child. If you wish to cut their screen time and expose them to something more engaging and educational, this list is for you.
- Let them make their own cartoon.
- Let them assist you during house chores
- Overcome boredom with an idea box
- Give them a seemingly important task
- Create a treasure hunt and a map
- Build a fort
- Play verbal games
- Create messy art together
- Perform a safe science experiment together
6. How do I know if my child is intelligent?
At some point in time, every parent hopes their offspring will become a genius. But knowing your child’s mental capacity may be difficult; fortunately, there are some signs to observe that indicate their intelligence.
These include:
- Early reading skills
- A retentive memory
- A healthy sense of humor
- Curiosity
- Sets high standard
- Interest in music (optional)
- Holds conversation with adults
Remember that your kid may still be a genius if they don’t exhibit most of these criteria. The true meaning of intelligence is understanding reality, concepts and manipulating them in one’s favor.
7. What can kids do when they are bored?
Children stuck indoors with you due to certain conditions beyond your control, gradually leads to boredom in the absence of emotional stimulants. If you need ways to keep them entertained, the list below can help you out.
- Create a jar containing papers with activities on them then ask your kids to draw three and perform the tasks.
- Build a fort of blankets and pillows
- Create an indoor obstacle course
- Perform a puppet show with socks
- Write letters
- Have your kids invent imaginary pets and mythical creatures
- Do a tea party
- Play dress up
Conclusion
These games and tips will surely give your child’s brain the boost it needs to function correctly within our society.
If your child lags in comparison with his classmates as well as their academics, it may be time to introduce some brain games to help improve their future. The lag may also be due to the excessive consumption of movies and/or video games with no intellectual value.
While movies, cartoons, and video games are excellent entertainment sources, children (especially young children) should not consume them excessively. Even if your child’s academic performance seems fair, try to introduce these brain games frequently as they will significantly help boost their success.