The 12 best brain games for adults to train memory and focus

Your body and mind work together to help you function. Why exercise one and not the other?

Brain games are workouts for your mind that stretch your soft skills, improve cognitive function, and boost mental fitness. You might already play some without realizing it, like completing a crossword on the way to work or spending a Sunday morning relaxing with a newspaper.

With so many puzzles and brain games for adults out there, it can be hard to tell which will work for you. Here are 12 favorites to sharpen your mind, build new skills, and strengthen others.

What’s brain training?

Brain training uses mental fitness activities to help your mind function better. These exercises include number games like Sudoku, word games like crosswords or Scrabble, and even full training programs like Lumosity. They stretch your individual soft skills like critical thinking and logic. Similar to how muscles become stronger with regular physical exercise, strengthening your cognitive skills takes consistent practice, and brain games are just one way to do so. 

Training your brain creates more connections between neurons, contributing to neuroplasticity. This helps your brain learn and adapt, improving cognition and even easing pain. Continuous learning, like picking up a new language, practicing a professional skill, or expanding your social network through mentorship, are just a few ways to boost neuroplasticity. 

Fun brain games do the same thing, just on a smaller scale. They give you the chance to stretch your cognitive function without the commitment or effort of in-depth learning, which makes them perfect for busy people. You can practice on your commute, lunch break, or weekend off to keep your mind active. 

4 benefits of brain training games

Playing brain games isn’t just entertaining. It can strengthen your cognitive agility and help you control your mind. Here are four benefits of practicing brain games and concentration exercises in your free time: 

1. Improve brain function

A study of the cognitive training game Lumosity found that after three weeks of daily 15-minute play, test subjects saw improvements in attention, processing speed, visual memory, and executive functions. These results mean that you need less than two hours per week of practice to assist brain functions like memory and focus.

2. Strengthen memory

According to a 2022 study published in NEJM Evidence, people experiencing mild memory problems saw improved cognition and less brain shrinkage after eight weeks of completing crosswords. The results suggest that crosswords could even become a treatment option for people with memory problems after more research occurs, and that similar games requiring recall from clues could offer the same benefits.

3. Reduce dementia risk

A study from Cambridge University found that reading, playing checkers, and doing jigsaw puzzles throughout life are associated with a significant reduction in dementia. That’s because those activities promote complex patterns of mental activity, preventing potential decline later in life.

4. Increase attention levels and logic skills

Studies of university mathematics students found that play was more effective than traditional teaching approaches in learning and decision-making. The study showed that games help people learn critical thinking processes. Rather than simply looking for answers, students could think ahead and evaluate possible outcomes to make better decisions.

The limitations of brain training games 

Although brain puzzles and mind games encourage your brain to adapt and thrive, they aren’t a magic fix to make your brain work at 100%. A review from Scientific American says that research about brain games is overall inconsistent, though the general impacts of training your brain are promising. Doing a crossword once in a while won’t improve your mental fitness. But, like physical exercise, consistency and long-term practice of brain exercises are key to a long-lasting positive impact on brain fitness, according to a review from Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. The review found that potential improvements you find from games will be skill-specific. 

As you get better at a logic game, you may see improvements in your problem-solving skills. But that doesn’t mean you get better at thinking in general. You’ll need to practice a game that targets other areas to improve them. It’s best to think of playing brain games as just one tool to become smarter. 

Don’t forget to pair brain training with attention to the rest of your health. Without nutrition and exercise, your brain can’t perform its best. Complement your training with physical exercise, a balanced diet, and healthy social connections to feel the full impact of your cognitive growth. 

12 best brain games for adults

With so many brain teasers, puzzles, and word games, the right games for you can be hard to narrow down. Here are 12 great options to try, including plenty of free brain games for adults:

1. Sudoku

Sudoku is a popular logic-based number puzzle that originated in Japan. The goal is to fill a 9x9 grid with numbers so that each row, column, and 3x3 square contains the numbers 1–9. To complete the puzzle, you have to flex your working memory and critical thinking skills to think ahead of the consequences of each number. 

Playing Sudoku often, even for a short time, could pay off later on. Studies of older adults have found links between higher cognitive function and playing number games daily. 

Sudoku is a great free brain game for adults that you can play online or on an app. You can also buy a paper booklet or look for the puzzle in your newspaper. Just be sure to play with a pencil, should you need to move some numbers around. 

2. Lumosity

Lumosity is a platform with a wide collection of games that test your cognitive function. Scientists built the games to focus on brain training and mental fitness, with specific options for individual skills like attention, flexibility, and problem-solving. 

You can play up to three games per day for free or choose a paid subscription service — $11.99 per month — for more gameplay from the app or web. Whichever plan you opt for, Lumosity tracks your progress and adjusts to your difficulty level to encourage skill growth. 

3. Peak 

Like circuit training for your mind, Peak challenges you with short, intense mental workouts that test memory, mental agility, and focus. If you have a competitive spirit, you can measure yourself up against other players and boost your motivation. 

Peak is app-only, available on iOS and Android. It’s free to use, although the subscription service provides more tailored workouts and performance insights to help you reach your goals. It’s one of the best brain games online if you’re ready to commit to learning on a regular basis.

4. Crosswords

Diving into a crossword puzzle invites you to tap into your long-term memory for vocabulary and general knowledge. But beyond a workout for your memory, crossword puzzles stimulate your logical reasoning, asking you to consider word count, available letters, and clues to find the right answer. 

You can find daily crosswords in most newspapers, like The New York Times, or use a dedicated app to practice on your phone. 

5. Brainwell

Brainwell is another brain trainer with an algorithm that builds you a personal workout plan, targeting everything from memory to language with games from neuroscientists. Beyond gameplay, Brainwell provides feedback on your performance, letting you pinpoint new areas for improvement. 

Another app-only service, you can begin with a free trial and level up to a subscription starting at $1.99. Then you gain access to more features, like challenging friends and family to compete. 

6. Chess

This two-player tactical game has been the subject of books, movies, and television series, so it needs little introduction. Chess requires you to predict and assess risks, potentially activating your flow state. It encourages divergent and creative thinking and can improve your memory skills, giving you the chance to build relationships with opponents along the way.

You can invest in a physical board to play with a partner or find chess online or in your app store. There are even online courses to help you improve your chess skills.

7. Cognifit 

CogniFit is a digital healthcare company that provides comprehensive cognitive measurement and enhancement tools. The experience begins with a brain test to assess your cognitive well-being and identify strengths and weaknesses, including concentration, hand-eye coordination, and memorization. Based on the results, the program gives you a personalized brain training regimen. 

Although the platform has a basic free version, diving deeper requires a monthly premium subscription that begins at $19.99. More specific cognitive tests cost $49.99 each. It’s available on iOS and Android. 

8. SET 

SET is a fast-paced card game where players identify patterns among cards from the deck. Each one displays symbols that vary by number, color, shading, and shape. The goal is to find sets of three identical or different cards. The card game is a fun way to practice pattern recognition, quick decision-making, and short-term memory. Set isn't exactly a memorization technique but it is a great way to keep your mind sharp.

There is a digital app available on iOS and Android, but you can buy a physical card set to play live with friends or loved ones from major toy retailers. 

9. Scrabble

This classic word game is more than a test of your vocabulary. By placing words on the board strategically, you challenge your critical thinking, recall, and spatial reasoning. Whether you practice with friends on a traditional board or compete online with a digital version, Scrabble is a great way to boost both your linguistics and strategic thinking. 

10. Trivia

Any kind of trivia is an excellent memory game for adults, requiring you to stretch your long-term recall and look for connections between seemingly unrelated facts. Platforms and games like Trivia Crack, Jeopardy, and Sporcle are great ways to play independently from your phone or desktop. 

An after-office trivia night or icebreaker is a great way to encourage fun learning with coworkers while bonding as a team. And if you live in a city, you can likely find a local cafe or bar near you that hosts trivia nights.

11. Portal

For old-school video game fans, Portal is a single-player narrative game that involves puzzles and physics. To get through the game, you must use spatial awareness, logic, and creative problem-solving to portal through one environment to the next. The game is available on the Steam network and compatible with Mac and Windows. 

12. Elevate

Elevate is a brain training app that began as an SAT and language learning service, which explains its focus on developing practical soft and hard skills. In addition to cognitive function, you can improve written communication, speaking, and math. 

Elevate is a great resource for professionals who want to fine-tune their granular skills. Games are very specific, letting you target everything from proper comma use to learning to calculate percentages. You can try it out for free on iOS and Android, with extra features available with in-app purchases.

Use your time wisely

Brain games for adults are a fun way to pass the time and keep your mind sharp. Explore these 12 options, download your favorite to your phone, or carry a booklet wherever you go. 

To sustain your goals, coaching is another enriching, hands-on way to improve your personal and professional development. You can further identify and work on your strengths and weaknesses while setting tangible goals to help you grow.