The connection between mentally stimulating activities and brain health is well-established in scientific research. Games, in particular, offer an enjoyable way to challenge the brain while potentially reducing the risk of cognitive decline. This guide explores the best games for supporting cognitive health based on current research.
The Science Behind Games and Brain Health
Multiple studies have demonstrated the connection between game-playing and cognitive health. A 2019 study in JAMA Neurology found that older adults who engaged in games had slower rates of cognitive decline. Research from the Rush Memory and Aging Project showed that mentally stimulating activities were associated with reduced dementia risk. The ACTIVE study demonstrated that certain types of cognitive training can have lasting benefits for years after the training ends.
Games benefit the brain by strengthening neural connections, improving blood flow to brain regions, enhancing cognitive reserve (the brain's resilience against damage), providing social engagement opportunities, and reducing stress and depression that can harm brain health.
Board Games and Card Games
Chess
Chess is one of the most studied games for cognitive benefits. It requires strategic planning and forward thinking, exercises working memory, develops pattern recognition, and improves concentration. A study in The New England Journal of Medicine found that playing chess was associated with a reduced risk of dementia.
Getting started with chess is accessible at any age. Learn basic rules online or at a local chess club, start with shorter games, play against opponents at similar skill levels, and consider computer chess programs that adjust difficulty to your level.
Bridge
This classic card game offers multiple cognitive benefits. It combines memory, strategy, and probability in ways few other games do. Playing bridge requires communication with partners and provides strong social engagement. The game involves continuous learning and improvement over time. Studies have shown that bridge players maintain cognitive function better than non-players, with benefits including improved memory and reasoning skills.
Scrabble and Word Games
Word games exercise language-related brain regions, strengthen vocabulary and language skills, require strategic thinking about word placement and point maximization, challenge working memory, and can be played socially or alone. Options include classic Scrabble, Words with Friends (the digital version), Bananagrams, and Boggle.
Mahjong
This tile-based game is popular worldwide for good reason. It requires pattern recognition and memory, involves strategic decision-making, and is typically played in social settings that add connection to the cognitive benefits. Studies in Chinese elderly populations have shown associations between mahjong playing and better cognitive performance.
Puzzle Games
Jigsaw Puzzles
Simple yet effective for brain health, jigsaw puzzles exercise visual-spatial reasoning, require attention to detail, provide a sense of accomplishment upon completion, and can be done alone or with others. Start with 300-500 pieces, choose images of personal interest, set up a dedicated puzzle area, and consider puzzle mats for storage if you want to work on a puzzle over multiple sessions.
Sudoku
These number-based puzzles challenge logical thinking. Sudoku develops logical reasoning, improves concentration, exercises working memory, and offers scalable difficulty for all levels. Begin with easy 4x4 or 6x6 grids, progress to standard 9x9 puzzles, and try variations like Killer Sudoku for added challenge once you've mastered the basics.
Crossword Puzzles
Crossword puzzles have decades of research support as a classic brain exercise. They challenge vocabulary and general knowledge, exercise memory retrieval, provide daily mental challenge, and are available at all difficulty levels. The Bronx Aging Study found that crossword puzzle engagement was associated with delayed onset of memory decline.
Digital Brain Training Games
Structured Brain Training Apps
Modern apps offer scientifically designed cognitive exercises. Look for evidence-based exercise design, adaptive difficulty that adjusts to your performance, multiple cognitive domains targeted, progress tracking, and a user-friendly interface—especially important for seniors.
Effective apps include memory training games, attention and processing speed exercises, problem-solving challenges, and language and word games. SilverMind offers brain training specifically designed for seniors, with exercises that adapt to individual ability levels and track progress over time.
Video Games
Even commercial video games can offer cognitive benefits. Strategy games like Age of Empires and Civilization exercise planning and resource management. Puzzle games like Portal and Tetris challenge problem-solving. Action games, in moderation, may improve processing speed. Studies have shown that certain video games can improve attention, processing speed, and even memory in older adults.
Social Games
Trivia Games
Games that test knowledge offer multiple benefits. They exercise memory retrieval, encourage learning new information, are typically played in groups that add social benefits, and are fun and engaging. Options include Trivial Pursuit, Jeopardy! board game, trivia nights at local venues, and online trivia games.
Party Games
Social games that get people thinking include Pictionary (visual and creative thinking), Charades (memory and creativity), Taboo (language and word finding), and Codenames (strategic thinking and associations). The combination of cognitive challenge and social interaction makes these games particularly valuable.
Physical Games with Cognitive Benefits
Table Tennis (Ping Pong)
Table tennis combines physical activity with cognitive engagement. It improves hand-eye coordination, requires quick decision-making, provides cardiovascular exercise, and is social and enjoyable. Studies in Japan have shown that table tennis may help prevent dementia more effectively than other forms of exercise, possibly because it combines physical and mental challenge so intensively.
Dancing Games
Dancing combines physical movement with memory work. Learning dance steps exercises memory, physical movement benefits the brain, social dancing adds engagement, and music provides additional cognitive benefits. Dance video games can make this accessible even for those without dance partners.
Golf
Golf combines physical and mental challenge across multiple domains. It requires strategic planning for each hole, involves mathematical calculation of distance and club selection, provides moderate physical exercise through walking the course, and offers social opportunities during play.
Creating a Game-Playing Routine
Tips for Success
Rotate activities so different games challenge different cognitive skills. Increase difficulty gradually as you improve. Make it social since games with others provide additional benefits beyond the cognitive exercise itself. Stay consistent because regular practice is more important than long sessions. Choose enjoyable games because you're more likely to stick with activities you genuinely like.
Special Considerations
For those with early cognitive decline, choose simpler versions of games, focus on familiar games, be patient and supportive, celebrate participation over winning, and adapt rules as needed to maintain engagement without frustration.
For caregivers, play games together when possible to combine quality time with cognitive exercise. Track which games are most engaging. Don't force participation. Make games a social activity and use them as a tool for meaningful connection.
The Bigger Picture
While games are valuable for brain health, they work best as part of a comprehensive approach. Physical exercise of at least 150 minutes per week of moderate activity supports brain health directly. A healthy diet following Mediterranean or MIND diet patterns provides nutrients the brain needs. Quality sleep of 7-8 hours per night allows the brain to consolidate memories and clear toxins. Social connection through regular meaningful interactions protects against isolation-related decline. Health management of blood pressure, diabetes, and other conditions reduces vascular risk to the brain.
Games are not a guaranteed prevention for dementia, but they offer an enjoyable, accessible way to support cognitive health while adding fun and social connection to daily life.
Research & References
- Association of Playing Games with Reduced Risk of Cognitive Decline - International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
- Board Games and Dementia Risk: The PAQUID Cohort Study - BMJ Research
- The Bronx Aging Study: Cognitive Activities and Dementia - New England Journal of Medicine
- Video Games and Cognitive Enhancement in Older Adults - Nature
- Bridge Playing and Cognitive Function - Journals of Gerontology
- Chess and Cognitive Function in Aging - Frontiers in Psychology
