For today’s Top 10 Tuesday, we wanted to share a list of the top 10 brain games to keep your mind sharp.

It is always good to take a break from your normal routine and challenge your brain. These games also teach you about how your brain works.

Top 10 Brain Games:

1.  The Stroop Test - The Stroop test is used in neuropsychological evaluations to measure mental vitality and flexibility, since performing well requires strong attention and self-regulation capability.

2.   Basketball Attention Experiment – This experiment shows that it is possible to see something without observing it. This explains why traffic accidents occur when a driver “looked but failed to see”.  Count how many times the basketball is passed.  For the correct answer see below.

3.  Towers of Hanoi – This is a classic planning puzzle, good for our Frontal Lobes and executive functions. This game is frequently used in neuropsychological evaluations.

4.  The Senses Challenge – A series of 20 timed puzzles put together by the BBC. It should take you about 10 minutes or less to complete.

5.  Inside and Outside – This test evaluates your divided attention skills.  This is a virtual illusion that proves the limits of our perception.

6.  Blind Spot – Count the number of times that the letter F appears in the following sentence:
“Finished files are the result of years of scientific study combined with the experience of years”.  
How many did you find? Check the solution and explanation.

7.  The Empty Triangle – How smart are you? This puzzle was featured in the Mensa publication “Number Puzzles for Math Geniuses”.

8. What do You See? – This image is an example of an ambiguous illusion — a picture or object that requires perceptual switching between the alternative interpretations of figure and ground. And although you may be able to switch back and forth to see one image or the other, your eyes will not let you see both at the same time.

9.  Shadows and Squares – Which one is darker? This is less obvious than it may appear.

10.  Brain Workout for Your Frontal Lobes – Your frontal lobes are home to your executive functions, including pattern recognition. Here’s a puzzle to challenge your ability to uncover a pattern.

Answer to The Basket Ball Experiment – The real point of this experiment is the questions, “Did you see the gorilla?”  Take another look at the video if you missed it.

Which one do you enjoy the most?

Be Free!