When it comes to brain function, according to the Franklin Institute's Resources for Science Learning, a person should maximize its potential--or risk having it all go to waste. The brain is a "thinking organ," and interacting with the world through perception and action helps it grow, reports the Franklin Institute. Much like physical exercise, mental stimulation improves brain function and protects against cognitive decline. A plethora of websites are devoted to brain games and exercises. The trick is finding sites that are completely free with no hidden costs or trial periods to entice you to later register for a fee.
Brain Training 101
Brain Training 101 is a free site, but watch out for the ad flags at the top of pages that will direct you to paid sites. Brain Training offers interactive brain teasers, riddles and puzzles; visual and auditory based brain games; strategy and logic games; and speed and reflexes action games. Erin Matlock, the CEO of Brain Pages, Inc., launched the site in 2008. Matlock says the popularity of brain games stems from the the Baby Boomer generation's unprecedented focus on brain health, which led to greater media exposure and a public awareness of the benefits of brain training.
Braingle
Braingle, a free site which does allow for registration, has over 20,000 brain teasers, riddles, logic problems, quizzes and mind puzzles. Registered users submit and rank the content, but you do not need an account to play most of the games. The site has multi-player games where users can play with or against other Braingle members. Braingle also has message boards and chat rooms for its members.
Funbrain
Funbrain, part of the Family Education Network, provides brain games for children from kindergarten through eighth grade. The site has 50 interactive learning games. Children and their parents can search for age- and grade-appropriate games that build on math and reading skills. The site also has tools for parents and teachers.
The site does link to Poptropica, which is a paid site, but there are enough games for children in Funbrain for children to stay amused without paying for Poptropica, which is aimed at older children.
References
- Franklin Institute: Resources for Science Learning: The Human Brain
- Brain Training 101
- Erin Matlock; CEO of Brain Pages, Inc.; Scottsdale, Arizona
- Funbrain
