Explore Cognitive Games by Skill
Discover games that train different brain areas.
Memory Games
Play through a collection of games designed to put your recollection to the test.
Speed Games
Challenge yourself with a variety of games that target your processing speed.
Attention Games
Train attention with games that challenge your ability to focus and resist distractions.
Flexibility Games
Practice your ability to quickly switch between tasks in this collection of brain games.
Problem Solving Games
Flex your Planning, Spatial Reasoning, and Logical Reasoning skills with these games.
Word Games
Practice your prose with games targeting Vocabulary, Reading Comprehension, and more.
Math Games
Divide and conquer your way through a variety of Math challenges.
What Are Cognitive Games?
Cognitive games are short, interactive activities that get you thinking — remembering a pattern, switching between tasks, solving a puzzle, or simply trying to stay focused for a moment. They borrow ideas from psychology, but they’re designed to feel approachable and fun, not academic. Think of them as the modern version of brain teasers. Only now, instead of pen and paper, you can play them right on your phone or laptop whenever you’ve got a few spare minutes.
Why Play Cognitive Games?
Cognitive games are short, varied, and easy to slip into your day — the kind of thing you can play between meetings or while you’re waiting for your coffee. Over time, you’ll notice the way they challenge different thinking skills like memory, attention, and reasoning — the same ones you use every day, just in a more playful way.
Train Focus & Attention
Some games ask you to tune out distractions and stay on one task. You might be tracking shapes, following movement, or noticing tiny changes on the screen — simple, focused play that tests how well you can stay locked in.
Use Logic & Reasoning
If you love puzzles, this is where you’ll spend most of your time. These games ask you to plan a few steps ahead, connect clues, or figure out how one small change affects everything else.
Exercise Flexibility
Every now and then, the rules shift mid-game or the goal changes suddenly. These games keep you adapting as you go — a light way to practice staying flexible when things don’t go quite as planned.
Speed & Reaction Time
Fast-paced games bring a bit of excitement. You react, decide, and respond in seconds, testing how your mind handles a little time pressure without overthinking it.
Get a Mental Reset
Sometimes you don’t need a challenge — just a break. A few quiet minutes with a simple game can help clear your head and reset your focus before you move on with your day.
How to Play Cognitive Games
Don’t overthink it. Just pick something that looks interesting and give it a try. Ten or fifteen minutes a day is plenty — enough to make it a small part of your routine without feeling like work. If you’re using Lumosity, your games adjust as you go, so the difficulty changes naturally. And if you like seeing progress, the Lumosity Performance Index (LPI) tracks how your scores evolve across different areas over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best cognitive games online?
Some of the most popular cognitive games online include logic puzzles, memory challenges, and attention-based tasks. Platforms like Lumosity, Elevate, and Peak all offer interactive games that adapt to your level and keep things interesting.
Why do people play cognitive games?
Cognitive games make you actively think and exercise your brain. Whether it’s remembering patterns, making quick choices, or staying focused, these games give your mind something engaging to do.
Are there cognitive games for memory?
Yes. Lumosity includes games that work on skills like Working Memory, Spatial Recall, and Pattern Recognition — giving you different ways to practice remembering information.
Are cognitive games suitable for all ages?
Absolutely. Cognitive games are made for everyone — from students to lifelong learners. Games on Lumosity automatically adjust to your ability level as you play, so the challenge always feels right.
Are there word-based cognitive games?
Yes. Word-based games focus on things like verbal fluency, recognition, and recall. They’re perfect if you enjoy language-based puzzles and want to test your vocabulary.
Cognitive Games by Lumosity
Lumosity’s cognitive games are created by scientists and designers working at the intersection of research and play. Each game is built to challenge core skills through short, focused experiences that adapt to your level.
Research-Inspired Design
Each brain training game is crafted using principles from cognitive psychology and informed by research on how we think, focus, and remember.
Personalized Training
Our adaptive algorithm adjusts challenge levels based on your performance—keeping your training engaging, targeted, and appropriately challenging.
Targeted Practice
Focus on specific cognitive areas like Memory, Attention, Speed, and Problem-Solving through games curated for you.