<p>We all know that one of the best way to keep our minds active is to engage in cognitive challenges. Over the years, I have come across several online games that I feel give me a daily challenge. Right now, my daily routine includes: Crossword Puzzle, Quick Cross, Up and Down Words, 7 Little Words, and Word Round Up. Some of them are easier than others; some I challenge myself with time limitations. The latest one I started playing is 7 Little Words, and it made me realize how easy some of the other puzzles I’m doing are. But some days, I come across one of these puzzles that stump me pretty good when usually, I can finish in a couple of minutes. Many times I take a first glance at a puzzle and think, “I’m SOL on this one because I don’t know any of the answers,” but then I stare at it long enough that some answers slowly come to me. So then I realize it’s a good thing to do, to challenge my mind.</p>
<p>I’m horrible with math puzzles, although I know a lot of people love Sudoku. So I’ve stayed away from those. I also don’t do anything like Words With Friends, although both my daughters play. I guess I prefer the games that are just me playing, and no interaction with other people. I would love to hear about any other word games that might be out there that I don’t know about.</p>
<p>I occasionally play on ‘Crazy Brain’. It’s a free app and it ranges in games that are easy to difficult. They also categorize the games into speed, memory, focus, flexibility and math games so you can choose between the different ‘brain exercises’.</p>
<p>@Deborah T - I’ve never played Mahjong before. I’d have NO idea where to start! Besides math, short-term memory is probably my least strongest trait.</p>
<p>Here’s one that has Bugs Bunny (some things about the cartoons from days of yore are sort of politically incorrect now…). I haven’t played it in a while. Basically you look for two matching tiles on edges and click on each of them. Choose another pair and do same. Keep going.</p>
<p>I like the puzzle app on my ipad. You can make it easy (few pieces) or hard. I actually bought the upgrade after I finished all of the free puzzles. I almost never buy apps! I learned to like sudoku…the app I have has levels so I was able to baby step into the harder puzzles. For word games, I like Ruzzle. </p>
<p>teri, I was a late-comer to Mahjong. It’s fun, especially if you find a “pretty” set. If you have Windows 8, their game has cool music and sound effects, and you can change themes. Also on Windows 8, I don’t know if Taptiles is good for the brain, but it’s fun.</p>
<p>Luminosity got a stamp of approval from my son’s psychiatrist. He said they used research results to come up with their program. I have played the games in the past and enjoyed them. I need to remind my son to get back on there! (Research has shown it can really help people with schizophrenia.)</p>
<p>Bluzz Trivial Minds. You can play by yourself or against others. You can challenge random people or people you know. </p>
<p>To me, Sudoku is not a math game. It uses numbers but there is no addition, subtraction, multiplication or division involved. You may as well use 10 letters or colors. </p>
<p>@teriwtt – Re: Seven Little Words. We discovered that game while touring colleges spring of my son’s Jr year. Older son had been playing for a while, and he introduced to the rest of us. It became our great time killer while driving, sitting in hotels after dinner, etc. Ended up purchasing additional games once the free ones were exhausted. The addiction faded away shortly after returning to real life. I had forgotten about the game completely.</p>
<p>My H plays Scrabble on his phone whenever he has any waiting/downtime. He plays against the computer as opposed to against other people.</p>
<p>I play Scrabble on line with a friend and dh. (It’s easier than having a board out.) I do the Jumble and Cryptoquote in the daily paper. (I got bored with Sudoku.) I do Kenken in the New York Times Fri, Sat and Sun. (the days we get the paper). </p>
<p>I play real mah jongg, not the online versions which really are not like mah jongg at all. </p>
<p>I play Scrabble online with friends. I have about 10 games going at once. We stopped playing WWF as most of us prefer the real scrabble board. </p>
<p>I do they NYT crossword puzzle - I usually finish Monday-Wednesday & Sunday. Gets too hard for me to finish Thursday, Friday & Saturday. Saturday is by far the hardest, imo, and I’m lucky to get 1/4 done. </p>
<p>I enjoy Words With Friends, although IMO it’s really Scrabble Lite since you can try combinations of letters to see if they make a word before submitting them. It’s funny, because I’ve noticed that some really great Scrabble players are not always such high scorers in WWF and vice versa. It does take some strategy to block and predict the move of your opponent and you do learn new words every day. The new WWF has a dictionary feature that is nice. </p>
<p>Emily, I agree, online mah jongg is entirely different than playing mah jongg at a table with three other people and the annual card of hands. I like both ways. :)</p>
<p>^ The online Scrabble also lets you try combo of letter and will not allow you to play something that is not a word - so there is no challenges like when you play on real board. </p>
<p>I just prefer the standard Scrabble board versus the WWF board. </p>
<p>I learn new words every day, too and some of them are just stabs in the dark by me! </p>