Best Puzzle Games for iPhone and iPad in 2022

problem solving games on ipad

Puzzle games are the chameleons of the gaming world. They can adopt the flair of an RPG, disguise themselves as an adventure game, and even hide in plain sight as a minimalist game. Puzzle games are always different, and they can vary from extremely complex to super simple.

A great puzzle game will keep you entertained for hours as you try (and a lot of times fail) to progress in the game. You may get frustrated, you may put down your iPhone or iPad in anger, but the game will keep you coming back for more because you sure as hell aren't going to let a game get the best of you. The sheer force of will required to continue you in a well-crafted puzzle game is something a lot of gamers have a love-hate relationship with, but there's no denying its power. Here are my top picks for the best puzzle games for iPhone and iPad.

Red's Kingdom

Monument valley.

  • Slayaway Camp

Ultra Flow 2

You must build a boat.

  • Photographs

Donut County

Lumino city.

Red's Kingdom is a perfectly crafted adventure puzzle game that has a lot of depth. The goofy but heartwarming story with its colorful characters is bound to grab your attention, and the incredibly fun gameplay never seems to go stale as the game layers in plenty of elements to surprise you at every turn.

Red's Kingdom opens the doors to its world and allows you to take non-linear paths giving you the opportunity to explore different areas and find alternate routes to hidden treasures. Although it's a puzzle game at its core, the game feels more like an action-adventure game than anything else. I can't recommend Red's Kingdom enough .

$3 - Download Now

I couldn't make a list of best puzzle games without including the super creepy puzzler The Room 3. The entire Room series is worth a download, but The Room 3 is especially fun If you enjoyed playing Myst back in the day.

The Room offers complex box-related puzzles along with an atmospheric storyline and unsettling clues to the reality behind the madness. The visuals are outstanding, and the soundtrack is just as spooky as everything else, playing The Room 3 is a full experience.

$4 - Download Now

Another puzzler with eerie visuals and a compelling tale, Monument Valley offers a variety of 3D maps to conquer — all while transporting you into a strange world of crows, block creatures, and breathtaking Escher-style landscapes.

Monument Valley has been praised by critics and player alike, earning accolades such as Apple's Game of the Year 2014 and the Apple Design Award 2014. Plus, the game has over 20,000 ratings and holds a 4.5 rating overall.

Once you're done with the original, don't miss out on the critically-acclaimed follow-up, Monument Valley 2 ($5) .

Slayaway Camp (17+)

Slayaway Camp is a morbidly funny take on the puzzle genre that tasks you with going on a killing spree, and no one you meet is safe!

You'll need to slide around each scene and murder your victims in a particular order to reach the portal to advance to the next area. With plenty of obstacles such as fire pits, open water, and cops, you'll need to be smart during your rampage.

Taking its inspiration from classic 80s horror films, the violence in this game is over-the-top, extremely fake, and incredibly funny.

A film-noir inspired comic book adventure, FRAMED is a unique puzzle game with great visuals to boot and compelling story to boot!

The story is told in comic book form with panels, but they are all jumbled up, and you'll need to put them in the right order to progress forward.

The comic book art is stunning, and all hand-crafted, and the mysterious storyline will keep you glued to the game for hours.

Once you're done with FRAMED, make sure to grab the sequel, FRAMED 2 ($5) for even more graphic novel panel puzzle solving.

The matching game that started a 2048-clone phenomenon, Threes brought smarts (and some great background music) to the puzzling genre.

Threes may be a game comprised of numbers, but you need no real mathematical skill to excel at this game — just an open mind and a penchant for thinking ahead.

Best of all, you can always find new paths to pursue, new tricks to test, and new methods for matching; the game is always different, though the numbers remain the same.

$6 - Download Now

Ultra Flow 2's simplicity is probably its greatest strength. The game has a fun and engaging soundtrack and focuses more on hand-eye coordination than serious brainpower.

That being said, it's still not easy. It's in the sweet spot: challenging enough that your mind gets a workout, but easy enough that you're never stuck on the same level for longer than a handful of cracks at it.

Free - Download Now

From Square Enix popular GO series, comes the mobile addition to the Deus Ex franchise that has everything you could want in a puzzle game.

Deus Ex GO never gets boring, as the game layers in complex systems to solve each puzzle. Defeating enemies, hacking computers, and sneaking your way around the map are just a few of the techniques you'll need to apply to be successful.

If you're a fan of Deus EX or the other games in the GO series, downloading Deus Ex GO is a no-brainer.

$5 - Download Now

If you need a game to help you relax after a long day, Prune may be the perfect puzzler for you.

Prune tasks you with cutting trees in different patterns to reach the sunlight, all while avoiding the dangers of the world around. Its minimalist design and very limited color scheme allow you to focus in on the game in a very relaxing way, making it perfect to help you unwind.

Do you ever look at your city's public transportation and think you could design it better? Well, Mini Metro will let you try to create your own subway system.

Minimalist in design but complex in its mind-boggling puzzles, Mini Metro provides hours of fun — even if for some of those hours you will be scratching your head.

You Must Build A Boat takes the classic formula of match-three and combines it with a challenging and frantic RPG, with a dash of endless runner and building.

Embark on a journey of battling monsters and getting them to join your ranks as you recruit them for your boat, which grows bigger and bigger with every conquest. Battle by matching blocks in groups of three or more to attack, defend, cast magic spells, unlock chests, and more. Watch as your boat continues to grow, and as more creatures join your ranks and offer valuable services and upgrades. And since your matches can be chained, the possibilities for huge combos can be done.

You Must Build A Boat is one of my favorite match-three RPGs ever, and it's well worth picking up. You won't regret it.

Photographs - Puzzle Stories

From the same guy who brought you YMBAB, comes a new puzzle game that focuses on the narrative. Say hello to Photographs.

Photographs is an interesting one because you'll be searching around and solving puzzles, but as you do, you'll uncover and hear a story to go along with each scene. And not only will you be immersed by the captivating stories, but the beautiful pixel art and music pair along with the narratives so perfectly.

Each story takes place in a different setting and will feature unique gameplay mechanics. And while the game is fairly short (only takes about three hours to complete), it's an experience that you need to try out.

If you like the panel puzzle concept like FRAMED, then you'll get a kick out of Gorogoa as well.

The gameplay of Gorogoa is interesting and fairly unique. You'll have several hand-drawn panels that you need to arrange and combine in order to solve the puzzles they contain. It's simple but complex at the same time. The art is also beautiful, and everything becomes animated once you figure it out. The entire concept of Gorogoa is something you've not seen before in other puzzle games, so it's definitely an experience you should check out if you're a puzzle fan.

Donut County is one of the most quirky and interesting puzzle gams you'll come across. Think of reverse Katamari Damacy.

Meet BK, the raccoon. He has a device that creates donut holes in the ground, which basically helps him steal trash in order to win stupid prizes. One day, he ends up falling into one of his own holes and finds his best friend, Mira, along with other Donut County residents, such 999 feet underground. They demand answers!

The gameplay of Donut County involves exploring the home of each character, who also have their own distinctive stories to tell. You'll move the hole around to swallow up their stuff, and the hole grows as you get more trash in it. You can combine items for fun effects, and catapult things out of the hole if needed. Sometimes you'll have to in order to solve the puzzles that await you.

It's a puzzle game, though it doesn't always feel that way. After all, you are controlling a big old hole in the ground and devouring everything that's in the way. Honestly, what else do you need in a game?

This puzzle game will help you find your groove and relax at the same time.

ELOH is a musical puzzle game that's all about finding the right position for the blocks to help guide the balls into the correct holes. As you progress through the game, the puzzles get a bit harder, but they all have one thing in common: rhythm. The blocks that you'll need to move also take on more creative shapes and forms and some can only move in a certain way. The game looks beautiful, has over 90 stages, and there's no time limits or other stress factors. Just find your rhythm and solve the puzzles. No stress or in-app purchases!

If you're into beautiful games that look as good as they play, then you must get Lumino City. It was painstakingly hand-crafted from real-life paper, cardboard, miniature lights, and motors to create a wonderful little world that we can all interact with.

Lumi's grandfather has been kidnapped from Lumino City, and it's up to you to help Lumi explore the city to find out what happened to her grandfather. The city is full of realistic puzzles that are all connected and intertwined together, and you can interact with everything through simple touch controls.

The game is a bit long in the tooth at this point, but it's still a must-have in our book.

What are your favorites?

Have a favorite puzzle game, I want to know about it! Leave a comment down below or hit me up on Twitter .

July 2019: Added more puzzle games to the list.

Master your iPhone in minutes

iMore offers spot-on advice and guidance from our team of experts, with decades of Apple device experience to lean on. Learn more with iMore!

Christine Chan

Christine Romero-Chan was formerly a Senior Editor for iMore. She has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade at a variety of websites. She is currently part of the Digital Trends team, and has been using Apple’s smartphone since the original iPhone back in 2007. While her main speciality is the iPhone, she also covers Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac when needed. When she isn’t writing about Apple, Christine can often be found at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, as she is a passholder and obsessed with all things Disney, especially Star Wars. Christine also enjoys coffee, food, photography, mechanical keyboards, and spending as much time with her new daughter as possible.

Five iPhone 15 Pro Max camera features everyone should master (and when to use them)

Give your photos the influencer treatment with this iPhone app

Apple Sports app promised star potential, but I'm benching it immediately

Most Popular

By Stephen Warwick December 28, 2023

By Stephen Warwick November 24, 2023

By Lloyd Coombes November 04, 2023

By James Bentley October 25, 2023

By James Bentley September 27, 2023

By James Bentley September 20, 2023

By Palash Volvoikar September 12, 2023

By James Bentley September 12, 2023

By James Bentley August 28, 2023

By James Bentley August 21, 2023

By James Bentley August 08, 2023

  • 2 Apple Sports app promised star potential, but I'm benching it immediately
  • 3 iPad Air has a brand new lowest-ever price
  • 4 Apple's first folding device won't be an iPhone
  • 5 Apple TV Plus space thriller Constellation divides opinion

problem solving games on ipad

iOS Hacker

Best MagSafe Tripod Mounts For iPhone

  • Accessories

How To Read Encrypted WhatsApp Message

Best gps locator apps to share location with family and friends, best iphone apps to make a cartoon avatar.

  • Zip-rar tool
  • Zip browser

Best Puzzle Games For iPhone And iPad In 2024

problem solving games on ipad

In this article, we’re going to spill the beans on the absolute best puzzle games for iPhone that will have you scratching your head, laughing out loud, and feeling like a puzzle-solving genius in no time. 

Looking to give your brain a workout while having a blast? Get ready for a mind-bending adventure packed with exciting challenges, clever solutions, and endless entertainment.

From classic jigsaw puzzles and intricate riddles to physics-based challenges and addictive gameplay, when it comes to puzzle games, iOS users are in for a treat. 

With a vast array of captivating and challenging titles available, you can indulge in hours of brain-teasing fun right at your fingertips. 

Whether you’re a seasoned puzzle enthusiast or just looking for a fun way to pass the time, these games will take you on a thrilling journey of problem-solving and strategic thinking. 

All you need to do is grab your favorite device, put on your thinking cap, and dive into the wild and wonderful world of challenging puzzle games for adults.

Best Brain Games for iPhone

From mind-bending riddles to immersive escape rooms, get ready for an engaging and interactive experience that can sharpen your problem-solving skills, boost your memory, and ignite your creativity.

So, are you ready to embark on an adventure through the world of the best puzzle games for iPhone and iPad? Buckle up, and let’s explore our top 10 picks that will keep you hooked and your neurons firing!

The objective of 2048, a popular single-player puzzle game, is to slide numbered tiles on a 4×4 grid and combine them to create a tile with the number 2048. Players must strategically move the tiles in such a way that they merge identical numbers, doubling their value with each combination, while managing the limited space to keep the game going. The game can be easily played on an iPhone or iPad offering a convenient and engaging way to enjoy this addictive puzzle game on the go.

Play 2048 at their mobile-friendly site .

2. Jigsaw Puzzles

Jigsaw Puzzles is a classic favorite among puzzle enthusiasts and one of the best puzzle games for iPhone. If you enjoy piecing together beautiful images, this is the perfect game for you. 

With a collection of 10,000 free puzzles available within the app, users have access to a vast and ever-growing selection. Furthermore, the app boasts a daily influx of new puzzles, guaranteeing an endless array of fresh challenges to captivate and engage gamers. Thus, solidifying its position as one of the best puzzle games for iPad users seeking an immersive and ever-evolving puzzle experience.

The best part? Users can create unique and customized puzzles using their own pictures. Whether it’s cherished family photos, adorable pet pictures, or captivating images sourced from the internet, the app empowers users to transform their memories into delightful puzzle experiences.

Download Jigsaw now from the App Store for free here .

3. Puzzledom

Prepare to get addicted to Puzzledom, a game that offers a collection of diverse puzzle types. The collection currently includes four popular puzzle games: Connect, Blocks, Rolling Ball, and Escape, making it one of the best puzzle games for iPhone.

Connect is a simple game where you connect dots of the same color without letting the lines cross over each other. Blocks, on the other hand, challenges you to fill the entire board with different shapes of blocks, making it a perfect logic game for brain training. 

As for Rolling Ball, it tests your path-guiding skills as you slide blocks to create a channel for the white ball to reach the endpoint. Finally, Escape, also known as Chinese Sliding-Block, tasks you with moving the red block to the exit, putting your observation skills to the test.

Engage your logical thinking and problem-solving skills as you navigate through this diverse iPad puzzle game universe.

Download Puzzledom now for free here .

In Slices, you’ll need to strategically place fruit slices on a circular board. 

Sounds delicious, doesn’t it? But beware, as the game becomes progressively trickier, requiring you to plan your moves carefully while testing your spatial awareness and strategic thinking. 

The mechanics are intuitive, allowing players of all skill levels to jump right in and start enjoying the game without any complicated instructions or steep learning curves. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a seasoned puzzle enthusiast, Slices is the best puzzle game for iPhone that offers an enjoyable gameplay experience.

The game also boasts amazing graphics and a captivating soundtrack, which further contribute to the immersive experience. We find it to be the best brain game for iPhone with a tasty blend of strategy and puzzle-solving that will leave you craving for more.

You can download Slices from the App Store here .

5. Nonogram

Nonogram is a must-try for fans of logic puzzle games for adults. 

Also known as Picross or Griddlers, this game challenges you to fill in the correct squares on a grid using numerical clues. As you conquer each challenge, it sharpens your deductive skills and uncovers beautiful pixel art. 

With its intuitive controls and hundreds of puzzles ranging from easy to brain-teasing, Nonogram promises hours of gratifying puzzling pleasure, making it one of the best puzzle games for iPhone.

The game is designed to be easy to learn, ensuring that anyone can pick it up quickly, but it presents a significant challenge to master. Once you start playing, the addictive nature of Nonogram becomes evident, making it difficult to put down.

Download Nonogram – Picture Cross from the App Store for free here .

6. Escape Room: Mystery Word

Imagine yourself trapped in a room with only clues and riddles to guide your escape. That’s the premise of Escape Room: Mystery Word. Solve puzzles, decipher cryptic messages, and unravel the mystery by guessing the correct word. 

It’s an immersive experience that will put your detective skills to the test, making it the best puzzle game for iPhone users who enjoy a good brainteaser.

As the game begins, you find yourself locked up in a mysterious room, and your objective is to escape by constantly observing, thinking, guessing, and making inferences. To win each game, all you need to do is type the correct word. 

This straightforward gameplay mechanic ensures that players of all levels can enjoy the game without feeling overwhelmed. You can explore and challenge yourself through the 300+ levels, enjoying a stress-free gaming experience with no time limits. 

If you love solving mysteries, this challenging puzzle game for adults will provide an immersive and thrilling experience.

Download Escape Room: Mystery Word for free here .

7. 4 Pics 1 Word

Can you guess the word that connects four seemingly unrelated pictures? That’s the challenge presented by 4 Pics 1 Word. With thousands of puzzles available, this game will keep you engaged while expanding your vocabulary and lateral thinking skills.

This is how it works. You are presented with four pictures, and it’s your task to identify the common word that ties them all together. 

This engaging mechanic of this puzzle game for students keeps players hooked as they strive to solve each puzzle and progress further in the game. The challenge lies in deciphering the connection between seemingly unrelated images.

One of the best puzzle games for iPhone, it will keep you entertained for hours on end without the need for registration or complicated rules.

Download 4 Pics 1 Word from the App Store here .

8.  Logo Quiz: Guess the logos

Logo Quiz is a trivia-style iPad puzzle game that tests your brand recognition abilities. Guess the logos of various companies, both famous and obscure, as you progress through multiple levels of increasing difficulty. 

Featuring over 1000 official logos, what makes it one of the best puzzle games for iPhone is its easy-to-play but hard-to-master challenges that keep players on their toes.

The logos to be guessed come from various categories such as internet, tech, fashion, food, and sports, among others. With brands from all around the world, the game offers a global perspective on logo recognition. 

Whether you’re embarking on a road trip or going camping, this game serves as your ideal companion. It offers the convenience of offline play, allowing you to enjoy it at any time and in any location, completely independent of an internet connection.

Download Logo Quiz: Guess the logos now .

9. Brain Games – Left vs Right

Sharpen your cognitive abilities with Brain Games – the best puzzle games for iPhone. It aims to stimulate both the left and right hemispheres of your brain through various challenges, including math problems, memory tests, and more. 

This puzzle game for adults offers a diverse range of 50 mini-games, grouped into six fun categories that are applicable to your day-to-day activities. 

These categories include Awareness, Adaptability, Reflex, Reasoning, Precision, and Patience. Each category targets specific cognitive skills, allowing you to train and improve various aspects of your mental capabilities.

By dedicating just 10 minutes a day to playing this game, you can enhance your cognitive abilities and effectively prepare yourself for a day full of new problems to solve. 

Download Brain Games – Left vs Right from the App Store for free here .

10. 100 PICS Quiz-Guess The Trivia

Put your general knowledge to the test with 100 PICS Quiz challenging puzzle game for adults. With over 10,000 quizzes spanning various categories, this is the ultimate app for picture guessing, brainteasers, logos, trivia, and puzzle games.

The game continually introduces new categories, keeping the content fresh and exciting. 

When you start a quiz pack, you’ll be presented with a series of pictures, and your task is to guess what they represent. The pictures can range from objects, animals, landmarks, celebrities, and much more.

By using fewer clues, you can win more coins and unlock additional quiz packs. Coins can be used for hints and to access more quiz and puzzle game packs.

Suitable for on-the-go entertainment, it can be played without Wi-Fi anytime, anywhere, making it the best puzzle game for iPhone.

Download 100 PICS Quiz-Guess The Trivia now.

11. The Moron Test: IQ Brain Games

Are you up for a challenge? The Moron Test: IQ Brain Games is a fun and quirky game that tests your intelligence and common sense through a series of absurd tasks. 

From memory challenges to reflex tests, this puzzle game for students provides a variety of brain teasers that will leave you scratching your head. 

Through tapping, twisting, and shaking your device, you’ll navigate fun and tricky mind challenges that put your wits to the test. As you master the game, you can sit back and laugh as your friends and family struggle with seemingly simple puzzles.

It is considered one of the best puzzle games for iPhone for incorporating funny characters, engaging sound effects, and catchy music to enhance the overall experience. 

But, don’t be fooled by its humorous nature; it will push your brain to its limits.

Download The Moron Test: IQ Brain Games now.

Let the Games Begin!

The world of challenging puzzle games for adults offers a treasure trove of captivating experiences for puzzle enthusiasts. 

These games provide a perfect blend of entertainment and mental stimulation, allowing players to sharpen their problem-solving skills while having a great time. 

From addictive and innovative games to challenging and thought-provoking options, there is something to cater to every puzzle lover’s taste. 

The qualities and features of these games, including engaging gameplay, diverse puzzle types, stunning graphics, and the ability to play offline, make them stand out as the best puzzle games for iPhone. 

So, whether you’re seeking a quick brain teaser or a deep immersive puzzle adventure, these games are sure to captivate and challenge your mind.

  • iPhone games
  • Puzzle games

problem solving games on ipad

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Sign Up for Our Newsletters

Related posts, best tetris style block puzzle games for iphone, best fighter jet games for iphone and ipad, best darts games for iphone and ipad, best bike racing games for iphone and ipad.

Last Updated on December 24, 2023 by Zaib Ali

Best iPad games in 2024

These are the best iPad games that take advantage of your tablet's ample screen space

iPad Air 5

• Best iPad games: Action games • Best iPad games: Adventure games • Best iPad games: Arcade games • Best iPad games: Card games • Best iPad games: Puzzle games • Best iPad games: Racing games • Best iPad games: Role-playing games • Best iPad games: Sports games • Best iPad games: Strategy games

To find the best iPad games, you've first got to identify exactly what kind of game you like to play. Because no matter the genre or the specific features that appeal to you, chances are you'll find a great offering or two in Apple's App Store.

Looking for bold graphics? You'll find them in the best iPad games. Need something challenging or stimulating? Apple offers lots of games to fit that bill. And thanks to the big screens on the best iPads , you're sure to find immersive experiences in iPad games as well.

To track down the best iPad games, we've searched across a wide variety of genres — from card-playing games to endless runners — to find titles that look great on everything from an iPad mini to an iPad Pro . That means richer graphics, more details and better touch controls than you’d get on other devices.

Don’t get us wrong — gaming’s fun on any iOS device. (Check out our picks for best iOS games to see just how fun.) And many of the best iPad games selections play just as well on Apple’s phones. In case you’ve got both devices on hand, we’ve even designated the games that play just as well on the iPhone as they do on the iPad.

But the focus here is on iPad games and the ones that make the most of your tablet. If you’re looking for fun, no matter the genre, these best iPad games are the ones to download.

Best iPad games: Action games

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

A lot of different types of games qualify for the action game genre. From platform games to shooters to side-scrollers, so long as the pace never flags and the on-screen action keeps coming at you, you’ve got a great action title on your hands. And these are the action games for the iPad that have caught our eye.

Mushroom 11

In a world that’s seen better days, a new form of life has emerged: a kind of intelligent goop. You are that goop in Mushroom 11, an oddball mix of platform game, puzzler and post-apocalyptic exploration. 

Although Mushroom 11 originated on PC, it feels tailor-made for the iPad’s touchscreen as you prod your tablet’s display to urge your goop on, occasionally splitting it apart to complete puzzles that require you to be in two places at once. It’s creative and offers great value – although you’d pay way more than $4.99 to ensure our own world doesn’t end up like this!

Download Mushroom 11 for iPad

Giant Dancing Plushies

In Giant Dancing Plushies, a $3.99 rhythm action game, terrifying aliens have invaded and are determined to stomp our world to pieces. No, hang on: cute and cuddly (but still terrifying) alien dancing plushies have invaded – and mostly seem keen on obliterating army types dead set on ending their groovy moves.

You play the plushies, moving to the beat, occasionally using Street Fighter-style special moves to unleash stuffed-toy furry fury on your angry aggressors. It’s absurd stuff and lots of fun – and you can even have the giant toys dance along to your own music collection.

Download Giant Dancing Plushies for iPad  

You’re in space. There are lots of spaceships. So of course everyone’s trying to blast each other to pieces. In this $5.99 shoot ’em up, you pilot a spaceship and get to make NEEEOOOWWWW and DAGGADAGGADAGGA noises as you swoop between asteroids and annihilate opponents.

Although Interloper provides a backstory and missions, Interloper is more exhilarating arcade fare than lengthy campaign. For mobile, this works – it’s great to dip in and out of. Neatly, it reorients itself for landscape or portrait play too.

Download Interloper for iPad  

Super Fowlst 2

Demons have broken through into our reality in Super Fowlst 2, and only you can stop them! Also, you happen to be a chicken. On the plus side, you’re a determined chicken, who arcs left or right with a tap of the screen in this free four-way scrolling arcade game.

It’s familiar stuff. Bonk enemies on the head and they vanish. Grab keys to unlock doors. Collect coins. Don’t die. But algorithmically generated level layouts keep things fresh, permanent power-ups help you get further into the game during each attempt, and bizarre boss battles keep your feathered fingers nimble.

Download Super Fowlst 2 for iPad

With its abbreviated takes on App Store classics like top-down racers, one-thumb platformers and games where a hole gulps down the landscape, Fancade almost comes across like the App Store in microcosm. For a freebie, it’s generous indeed.

Then you realize that it’s built on a construction kit and recognize the other side of the App Store – making games – is within your grasp, too. You can kick things off with pre-canned kits or a blank canvas. Want to thank the dev? Pay $0.99 for an ad-free month.

Fancade is also a great game for the iPhone.

Download Fancade for iPad

Steredenn is fairly simple, in that this $3.99 blaster merely requires you to shoot all of the things on your iPad screen. The game’s DNA has roots in classic scrolling fare like R-Type, and finds you fending off waves of baddies, before confronting huge bosses that are armed to the teeth.

The twist is that every game of Steredenn is different. Environments are semi-randomly generated. Upgrades are acquired at level’s end to complement your existing two-weapon set-up. Added to that is a layer of madcap oddness, with foes that have giant chainsaws strapped to their ships, and upgrade weapons ranging from massive stabby swords to pyrotechnic madness.

Download Steredenn for iPad

Super Cat Tales 2

Console-style platform games are a tricky proposition on mobile devices, where’s there’s no physical controls — only a slippy touchscreen. The free Super Cat Tales 2 clevely subverts the genre by reimagining it for your iPad.

There are echoes of classic console fare: chunky pixel art; secrets to find; coins to collect. But the controls simply have you press left or right, your cat automatically jumping on reaching a platform’s edge or leaping between walls like a furry ninja. You’ll fight this at first, but it’ll soon become second nature – and you’ll wonder why all mobile games aren’t made this way.

If the ads in Super Cat Tales 2 become too much, just pay $4.99 to go ad-free.

Super Cat Tales 2 is also a great game for the iPhone

Download Super Cat Tales 2 for iPad

Best iPad games: Adventure games

Sometimes you want a game that puts as much emphasis on story and atmosphere as it does toward on-screen action. The best adventure games for the iPad include chilling scenes and puzzling mysteries. You’ll find them to be satisfying additions to your tablet.

If ever there was a game made for iPad, it’s this wonderful $3.99 thriller from Simogo. After an exciting movie-like intro, you find yourself stranded on a remote island, with no idea how you got there. Your aim: escape.

Device 6’s presentation of the world is unique, upending and blending the conventions of games and books. The paths you travel comprise the story’s narrative, within which you’ll find embedded puzzles and an increasingly meta side to the tale. It’s smart, stylish and unique – and wouldn’t work on traditional game systems.

Download Device 6 for iPad  

Initially, unmemory looks like an illustrated mystery novel, if you set your reading app to display a chapter as one long scrolling pane. You awake with blood on your hands and, well, no memory.

Everything changes a few minutes into the game, when you hear a phone ringing and remember there was one depicted further up the page. At that point, it becomes clear each chapter of the $5.99 unmemory is a network of interlinked puzzles cleverly woven into the larger narrative. Top stuff – and a superior experience on the iPad’s larger display.

Download unmemory for iPad

Best iPad games: Arcade games

Instead of riding your bike down to local arcade like you did back in the old days, your iPad becomes an arcade with these old-school offerings. Best of all, you don’t have save up your quarters to give these best iPad games a try.

Drop Wizard

Like Super Cat Tales 2 abovet, Drop Wizard evokes gaming of old but remakes it for the touchscreen. This time, there are shades of classic single-screen platformers Snow Bros. and Bubble Bobble.

Unlike the games that inspired it, this $2.99 effort is an auto-runner, with your wizard blasting magic at enemies upon landing. Those that are dazed can be booted into the air, at which point they tumble around and eventually turn into fruit, because that’s what happened in video games. It’s glorious – like a vintage arcade cabinet has been squeezed onto your iPad.

Drop Wizard is also a great game for the iPhone

Download Drop Wizard for iPad

Osmos for iPad

Arcade games tend to be fast-paced, but this $4.99 effort is ambient in nature. Osmos has you control a mote, which moves by ejecting pieces of itself. This makes the mote shrink, but it can grow by absorbing smaller motes it collides with.

This mechanic plays out across a range of arenas. Some resemble primordial soup and demand patience as you slowly conquer what surrounds you. Others find you careening around central “Attractors,” like planets orbiting a sun. The iPad’s larger screen affords you the precision you’ll need in this beguiling game.

Download Osmos for iPad

Edge is a $2.99 App Store classic that tasks you with guiding a cube around blocky isometric levels, collecting objects and trying to not fall into the deadly void. With its minimalist vibe and superb soundtrack, this iPad game offers plenty of atmosphere as you map out each level in your mind.

And you’ll need to do so if you want to gain the highest grades. They’re only dished out for people who complete levels quickly enough in Edge – no mean feat when platforms shift and move, and collectables are sneakily hidden within the landscape.

Edge is also a great game for the iPhone

Download Edge for iPad

Imagine Pac-Man. Now imagine it compressed into a three-by-three grid, and instead of ghosts chasing you, massive chunks of scenery fly around, constantly threatening to smash you to pieces. And all of that on fast-forward.

That’s the basic premise of Jumpgrid, a high-octane, pulse-pounding $2.99 twitch arcade effort. All you need to do is eat eight dots and leap into a portal. But even though each level takes mere seconds in theory, many will have you maniacally wide-eyed, desperately trying to win when your fingers fail you for the umpteenth time.

Jumpgrid is also a great game for the iPhone

Download Jumpgrid for iPad

Best iPad games: Card games

Collectible card games have gone digital, moving from the tabletop to our digital devices. And while the iPad’s big screen may seem like overkill for this genre, this entry on the best iPad games list makes the most of the expanded screen space.

Meteorfall: Krumit’s Tale

There are loads of App Store titles that mash a deck-building card game and turn-based strategy together and pack the combination into a diminutive playfield – but the $6.99 Meteorfall: Krumit’s Tale is the best. 

Its twist is a clever risk-vs.-reward mechanic. Cards are bought or discarded for extra cash. Every turn, you’ll have to weigh up whether to add to your inventory or risk facing an enemy when you’re decidedly lacking in kit. It takes a while to master, but there’s lashings of depth here if you make the time.

Meteorfall: Krumit’s Tale is also a great game for the iPhone

Download Meteorfall: Krumit’s Tale for iPad  

Best iPad games: Puzzle games

From solving riddles to unscrambling words, puzzle games are a great way to keep your mind sharp. But the best iPad games do more than just transplant puzzlers to a tablet. Point-and-click adventures become easier to control, while game makers take advantages of big screens and gameplay physics to redefine the genre on the iPad.

Love You To Bits

Old-school point-and-click mechanics benefit from a larger display, but Love You To Bits further deserves a place on your iPad due to its gorgeous, vibrant visuals.

The storyline finds the protagonist rookie space explorer’s robot friend Nova scattered across the galaxy. He has to search for her many parts and put her back together.

This $3.99 adventure is relentlessly creative, with regular pop-culture references to movies and games. Its charm and imagination will propel you through the odd logic snafu right to its heart-warming conclusion.

Download Love You To Bits for iPad

Euclidean Skies

Like Euclidean Lands , Euclidean skies finds you manipulating landscapes and buildings that impossibly float in the sky. Turrets and floors must be shifted and spun to help the hero reach her goals in this $4.99 puzzler.

Euclidean Skies is a visual treat, which combined with its tactile nature makes the game ideal fare for the iPad’s larger display. More space for fingers and eyes gives you a better chance at everything from constructing new bridges out of nowhere to defeating huge bosses by crushing them within warped chunks of levitating structures.

Download Euclidean Skies for iPad

Little Alchemy 2

Little Alchemy 2 marries science and whimsy, tasking you with creating new elements by mixing objects from your inventory. You begin with basics like air, earth, fire and water – along with the knowledge there are nearly 600 more items to discover.

Having space to experiment makes this free puzzler ideal for iPad. And although there’s a temptation to drag every new discovery on to every existing one, there is logic at the game’s core. It might not be scientifically accurate, but where else would you get a plane by merging metal with a bird?

Download Little Alchemy 2 for iPad

Baba Is You

This innovative $6.99 single-screen puzzler invites you to tear up the rule-book – or, more accurately, make your own. And we mean that in a broadly literal manner, because rules that govern object and win conditions are written out using on-screen tiles in Baba Is You.

By shoving said tiles around, you can upend everything — changing every wall into a key, for example — and determine whether objects can be pushed or are even solid. This one starts simple, but before long merrily smashes out your brains. Baba Is Brilliant, then.

Baba Is You is also a great game for the iPhone

Download Baba Is You for iPad

The Gardens Between

Time travel forms the core of this gorgeous $4.99 puzzler. Two friends unwisely touch a glowing orb and find themselves on fanciful islands constructed from their memories. The aim: to reach the top of each miniature mountain.

The path in The Gardens Between is linear, but often blocked. You must manipulate objects and time — running time backward or freezing the children while moving the scene — to progress. The visuals need an iPad’s large display to be appreciated, while the game’s tactile nature feels at home on the touchscreen rather than under the lifeless click of a PC cursor.

Download The Gardens Between for iPad

7 Billion Humans

Like its predecessor, the equally impressive Human Resource Machine , the $4.99 7 Billion Humans is simultaneously a tricky puzzler, a lightweight programming primer and a wry commentary on the future of employment.

The premise of the game is that robots do all the work, making humans feel worthless. The robots therefore have humans fill their days with mundane box-sorting challenges, directed by programming steps that you define. 

On a phone, 7 Billion Humans is fiddly. On an iPad, it’s great – funny, brain-bending and with the potential to teach you a thing or two, in more ways than you might first imagine.

Download 7 Billion Humans for iPad

Day Repeat Day

There are two sides to this intriguing $4.99 match-three effort. The puzzles in Day Repeat Day are much like Bejeweled or Candy Crush, having you make a set number of matches within a limited number of moves. But there’s a messaging center as well.

Within that, a story plays out that finds you chatting with colleagues, friends and family, attempting to navigate a work/life balance in a world that doesn’t care much for life. Take your time with this one and breathe in its details — it’s a brilliantly pitched dark satire masquerading as a casual game.

Download Day Repeat Day for iPad

Best iPad games: Racing games

Get behind the wheel — virtually, of course — as your iPad transforms in a powerful race car or a challenging course. Even better, the best racing games on the iPad make the most of the tablet’s touch interface to satisfy your need for speed.

Need for Speed Most Wanted

Too often, racing games go all-in on realism. Need for Speed Most Wanted has a different approach, echoing arcade racer OutRun 2 in having you blast along at manic speeds and drift for miles around long, sweeping bends.

The world of this $4.99 racer is much grimmer and grayer than Sega’s classic, but it’s exhilarating as you become the best street racer around, beating rivals and outrunning cops. The touchscreen controls are pitch-perfect, and the game wisely avoids the loot crate nonsense and absurdly brief races that afflict its successors.

Download Need for Speed Most Wanted for iPad  

Rush Rally Origins

Later entries in the Rush Rally series are reminiscent of console fare, with tense races and behind-the-wheel viewpoints. But this $4.99 racer for the iPad harks back to the origin of the series, playing things out from above across a range of time trials, championships and multi-car clashes. 

The vaguely retro feel (albeit with modern-era graphics) continues through to the controls, which make it a cinch to drift around corners, giving you a fighting chance against unforgiving physics and tough computer opponents.

Rush Rally Origins is also a great game for the iPhone

Download Rush Rally Origins for iPad  

Best iPad games: Role-playing games

Take on a new persona and immerse yourself in a compelling story by trying out great role-playing games — or RPGs — on the iPad. Our favorite games make the most of the iPad’s screen so that the only thing you have to contemplate is your next move.

Marvel Future Revolution

Marvel 's first open-world action RPG for mobile is right at home on your iPad, as Marvel Future Revolution puts you right in the shoes and spandex of your favorite superheroes (or as your own unique hero if that's what you prefer). Endless storylines and campaigns mean you'll keep coming back for more in this game that blends brawling with open-world exploration.

You'll appreciate how the realistic 3D graphics look on your iPad's display, and you'll enjoy the multiplayer aspect of this game. Even better, frequent updates include new playable characters and costumes tied to the MCU. The game is free to play with in-app purchases allowing you to add to your costumes and characters.

Marvel Future Revolution is also available for the iPhone.

Download Marvel Future Revolution for iPad

Book of Demons

There’s a distinctly retro vibe to Book of Demons, a $9.99 dungeon crawler, which borrows from classic titles like Diablo. But in reworking the genre for the touchscreen, this game concocts something that’s simultaneously suitable and unique. 

Pathways are limited and responses to attacks are automatic. But you can optionally direct your firepower and unleash spells, which can be upgraded over time.

With an oddball aesthetic reminiscent of papercraft, Book of Demons might not be what you’d expect – it’s more RTS than hack-and-slash – but it’s ideal iPad fodder.

Download Book of Demons for iPad  

Crying Suns

You might think you’ve had a bad morning, but the protagonist of this $8.99 strategy game has just been woken, told his empire is likely gone, and informed that he died and is in fact a clone. It must be a Monday.

In Crying Suns, you figure out what’s going on, by bossing around your crew, taking in exposition, sending commandos on missions, and blowing up enemy ships. With a more defined structure than similar games, there’s a strong narrative here; and there’s replay value in chipping away at the story in subsequent attempts — and blowing up more bad guys, obviously .

Download Crying Suns for iPad

FTL: Faster Than Light

In FTL: Faster Than Light, you’re trying to save the galaxy. Unfortunately, you’re being chased by folks dead set on your destruction. As a result, you’re constantly on guard and making life-or-death decisions in this $9.99 strategy title.

You can jump to new sectors of space, but this can land you in fraught battles. When in a scrap, you must prioritize your crew’s actions, ensuring your collective survival.

Fortunately, you can pause FTL to have a think. And during battles, the interface is ideally suited to iPad, even if you might not think that when your ship’s ablaze and you’ve no idea where your enemies are hiding.

Download FTL: Faster Than Light for iPad

Best iPad games: Sports games

Sports are better on big-screen TVs. So it stands to reason that sports games thrive on the iPad, too — especially when the games have figured out creative ways to employ touchscreen controls.

Touchgrind Skate 2

Skateboard games on consoles give you a gamepad for controlling an on-screen avatar. In contrast, Touchgrind Skate 2 (free, with in-app purchases for unlocking new locations) gets you up close and personal with your board by having you use two fingers to guide it across the iPad screen..

In effect, your digits stand in for legs, with you gently tilting them to steer and using a range of gestures in a timely manner to perform show-off stunts. It’s clever and more freeform than pseudo sequels Touchgrind BMX and Touchgrind Scooter – although they are fun, too.

Touchgrind Skate 2 is also a great game for the iPhone

Download Touchgrind Skate 2 for iPad

With modern console soccer games demanding you grab a gamepad and memorize a dizzying number of button combinations to kick a ball about, Retro Goal is a breath of fresh air. It rethinks the beautiful game for iPad, streamlining it to the important bits.

On the management side, you use your meager funds to upgrade your team. On the pitch, you control goal attempts, using gestures to perform silky smooth moves that’d leave a World Cup winner breathless. You get 10 games for free and then it’s just $0.99 to unlock the full game.

Download Retro Goal for iPad  

Best iPad Games: Strategy games

A proper plan is more than half the battle when it comes to strategy games. And these best iPad games reward you for coming up with the right plan for victory, whether in a turn-based game or conquering your opponent.

The Battle of Polytopia

You can buy full-fat Civilization for your iPad or iPhone, but it’s expensive and time consuming. If you’re lacking in funds or hours, The Battle of Polytopia gives you similar turn-based bouts of Machiavellian maneuvering in stripped-back form.

The free game limits the size of worlds and how many tribes you can battle. Buy extra tribes and things open up – but even then, technology cuts out before guns and planes arrive, keeping things manageable. Still, there remains plenty of scope for building strategies and improving your game, not least in the turn-limited score-attack mode.

The Battle of Polytopia is also a great game for the iPhone

Download The Battle of Polytopia for iPad  

Bad North: Jotunn Edition

Vikings, eh? Always wanting to be stabby and pillage-y, as you’ve discovered now they’ve found your island kingdom. Your only hope: to bravely defend your islands by commanding limited groups of soldiers.

In Bad North: Jotunn Edition, battles are automatic and rely on you using cunning strategy. Place archers up high; have pikemen take on invaders whose weapons have less range. Over time, the situation evolves, for better (new weapons) or worse (dead commanders are gone for good). 

With each island being procedurally generated, every campaign is unique, making Bad North great value at $3.99.

Download Bad North: Jotunn Edition for iPad

Far: Lone Sails

There’s a surprising serenity about the dystopian world in Far: Lone Sails, a $3.99 iPad download. It’s just you and your colossal vehicle, struggling onward across a seabed dotted with the remains of what appears to be a lost civilization.

Whether that’s the case, you won’t know for sure. Far: Lone Sails begins by telling you nothing. You must figure out yourself how to fuel, move and upgrade your vehicle. Despite the constant micro-management, it’s meditative stuff — and the iPad lets you glimpse moments of beauty in the bleak landscape that passes you by.

Far: Lone Sails is also a great download for the iPhone.

Download Far: Lone Sails for iPad

If you’ve ever got grumpy at a complex intersection and thought you could do a better job of designing one, Freeways offers your chance to prove it. This superb $2.99 ‘interchange design simulator’ gives you entry/exit points and lets you get on with it.

Arrows denote traffic flow and density and early levels merely task you with connecting the dots. Eventually, you’re mired in multi-level spaghetti junctions from hell, causing miles-long tailbacks. With the iPad’s screen acreage, you’ve at least room to draw (and re-draw) and a fighting chance of success.

Download Freeways for iPad  

Genre mash-ups have a tendency to create something compelling — not least when two gameplay types that shouldn’t meld fashion something brilliant. That’s the case with freebie Salvagette, which combines bullet-hell shoot ’em ups with turn-based strategy.

Your aim in the single-screen arena is to ram your ship into enemies, which signal their intention to fire by way of blue halos. You have endless time to plot your pathways, and yet the game becomes surprisingly tense as the screen fills with projectiles.

Download Salvagette for iPad

Get the BEST of Tom’s Guide daily right in your inbox: Sign up now!

Upgrade your life with the Tom’s Guide newsletter. Subscribe now for a daily dose of the biggest tech news, lifestyle hacks and hottest deals. Elevate your everyday with our curated analysis and be the first to know about cutting-edge gadgets.

Craig Grannell

Craig Grannell has been writing about tech for longer than he cares to remember, and spends his days surrounded by black rectangles, cables, and countless devices going DING when a notification comes in. He’s written for a bunch of magazines and websites including Tom's Guide, TechRadar, Wired, Stuff and many others, and specializes in Apple, apps, games, design and retro. At some point, he’s hoping someone will pay him a full-time wage to write about Robotron: 2084 and Bubble Bobble all day.

Apple’s first foldable could be an iPad or even a MacBook

Massive iPad sale happening now — save up to $150 on iPad Air, iPad Pro and more

Bournemouth vs Man City live stream: How to watch Premier League game online

Most Popular

By Christian de Looper January 07, 2024

By Olivia Powell December 11, 2023

By Anthony Spadafora December 10, 2023

By Jennifer Rizzuto, Jane McGuire December 08, 2023

By Frances Daniels December 04, 2023

By Frances Daniels November 25, 2023

By Frances Daniels November 23, 2023

By Kate Kozuch November 21, 2023

By Dan Cavallari November 20, 2023

By Rod Lawton November 14, 2023

By Jonathan Knoder October 25, 2023

  • 2 Wyze Cam v3 crashes below $20 in Amazon deal
  • 3 WWE Elimination Chamber 2024 live stream tonight: How to watch online, start time, card
  • 4 Memory foam vs latex: Which mattress material is best for your sleep?
  • 5 Google Gemini: Everything we know about the advanced AI model

15 Great Intelligence and Skill Games for iPhone or iPad

Playing brain games can help improve memory, logic, creativity, and problem-solving skills and prevent cognitive decline..

Best Intelligence and Skill Games for iOS

Studies have shown that playing games that stimulate your brain functions can positively affect your memory, logic, creativity, and problem-solving skills. These games can also enhance mood, reduce stress, and prevent cognitive decline. The Apple App Store offers many fun and engaging games for those looking to challenge their cognitive abilities. Whether you want to boost your IQ, test your knowledge, or have fun, there is a game for iOS devices.

This article will introduce you to 10 of iPhone or iPad’s best intelligence and skill games. These games are designed to target different aspects of your brain and challenge you at various difficulty levels. You will find games suitable for all ages and interests, from puzzles and trivia to logic and strategy . Let’s get started!

Lumosity is among the most well-known brain training apps worldwide. It is an excellent skill-developing game for iPhone and iPad, providing a fun and effective way to stimulate your brain and learn new things. The application comprises over 60 games that are developed by neuroscientists and experts, and they are designed to test your cognitive abilities.

The game centers on five core areas: memory, attention, flexibility, speed, and problem-solving. The game adjusts to your skill level and creates a customized training program. What I like most is that the game also measures progress and compares it with other players worldwide.

This hand-crafted iPhone game tests your intelligence at every level of over 200 levels it offers. The game forces you to think outside the box and challenge your common sense with a mix of puzzles, trivia, and logic. Each level has a different question or task you must solve using your creativity and wit. The game targets your lateral thinking, spatial reasoning, attention, and memory skills by presenting unexpected and tricky scenarios that require you to look beyond the obvious.

The game also features funny animations, sound effects , and hints to keep you entertained and motivated. Brain Out is a fun and addictive way to train your brain and boost your IQ.

Impulse – Brain Training is a better mental health app that can improve cognitive abilities by playing entertaining and challenging mind games. The game has over 40 games that cover various brain areas, such as memory, attention, concentration, mental maths, problem-solving, creativity, etc.

The game offers personalized workout plans based on your skill level and provides detailed feedback on the progress of your brain health and potential. Impulse – Brain Training is a scientifically proven game that can help you enhance your focus, comprehension, communication, and critical thinking skills. It is free to download and play, but users can also opt-in for a paid subscription that offers pro access for 30 brain games and hundreds of new levels.

Duolingo is a language learning game that helps you learn a new language or improve your existing one. The game consists of completing bite-sized lessons that cover various skills, such as reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The game requires you to use your memory, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation skills to progress through the levels.

Duolingo also features stories, podcasts, events, rewards, leaderboards, and more. The free version is sufficient to progress with a reward system offering gems for new challenges. It also provides various paid Duolingo options for ad-free lessons with pro features. It is a fun and effective way to learn a new language or brush up on your old one.

QuizUp is a free social trivia game for iOS devices that lets you compete with other players worldwide in real-time. The game consists of answering seven questions from a chosen topic, each with four possible answers. The game tests your general knowledge, speed, and accuracy skills by presenting you with over 1,200 topics and millions of questions. The game also features chat, forums, achievements, leaderboards, and an educational way to learn new facts and show off your smarts.

Brain It On!

Brain It On! is an engaging physics-based puzzle game where you have to draw shapes and objects on the screen to complete various tasks. To succeed in this game, you need to combine your creativity, logic, and intuition skills to find the best solution for each level. With more than 200 different challenges of varying difficulties, the game offers a stimulating environment that can help improve your spatial reasoning and problem-solving abilities. Brain It On also includes exciting features like a sandbox mode, level editor, and multiplayer mode to make your gaming experience even more enjoyable.

Chess – Play & Learn

Chess is an ageless strategy game that can enhance your cognitive abilities and mental skills. In this game, you move your pieces on an 8×8 board to capture the enemy king while defending your own. To outsmart your opponent, you need to plan ahead, think strategically, calculate your moves, and make wise decisions. The game offers hundreds of high-quality chess lessons and instructional videos created by masters to help players learn chess moves and improve their skills. Better yet, it is an incredible offline game to play against the computer.

Chess has ten different difficulty levels, ranging from beginner to grandmaster, and it also offers helpful features such as hints, undo/redo options, analysis, statistics, puzzles, and various themes. Whether you play on an iPhone or iPad, Chess is a challenging and fulfilling game that can help you improve your intelligence and logical thinking skills.

Wordscapes is a word puzzle game for iPhones and iPads that combines the elements of crossword and anagram games. The game consists of finding all the hidden words in a given set of letters by swiping them on the screen. The game tests your vocabulary, spelling, and pattern recognition skills by presenting you with thousands of levels with varying themes and difficulties. Wordscapes is a relaxing and enjoyable way to expand your word knowledge, and exercise your brain, and features daily puzzles, bonus words, coins, hints, leaderboards, trophies, backgrounds, and more.

At some point, everyone has tried to solve a Sudoku puzzle. It’s a timeless puzzle game that never loses its appeal. The game’s objective is to fill a grid with numbers ranging from 1 to 9, ensuring that no number is repeated in any row, column, or 3×3 subgrid. Sudoku challenges players to employ logical reasoning, deduction, and focus to solve puzzles that come in four difficulty levels: easy, medium, challenging, and expert. Additionally, the game provides players with hints, undo/redo options, statistics, achievements, themes, and other features. Playing Sudoku is a simple yet addictive way to keep your brain active and sharp.

Elevate is a personalized brain training program that adapts to your goals and skill level, offering more than 35 games that cover various cognitive domains, such as reading, writing, math, speaking, listening, and processing speed. The game tracks your performance and adjusts the difficulty of the games accordingly. Elevate also provides detailed feedback and insights on your strengths and weaknesses.

Apple Watch owners can play four extra mini-games and review their performance with the Elevate Dash app right from their wrists. The game has been featured as Apple Game of the Year and won multiple awards. Elevate is a scientifically proven game that can help you improve your focus, comprehension, communication, and critical thinking skills.

Peak is a brain training app with a handful of games that target various aspects of your brain. The games are divided into six categories: memory, problem-solving, language, mental agility, focus, and emotion. The app adapts to your preferences and goals and creates a customized training plan. The game’s advanced training modules are scientifically developed in collaboration with scientists and universities.

Peak also analyzes your performance and provides detailed information about your brain health and potential. It’s an innovative and interactive way to challenge yourself and enhance your cognitive abilities.

Monument Valley

Monument Valley ios game download

Monument Valley is an award-winning puzzle game that takes you on a journey through breathtaking landscapes inspired by optical illusions and impossible architecture. The game cleverly manipulates the environment to lead a silent princess named Ida through mysterious monuments that are full of secrets and surprises.

The game challenges your spatial awareness, perspective, and logic skills by presenting you with clever and creative puzzles that defy the laws of physics. The game also features a captivating soundtrack, a minimalist design, and a touching story. Monument Valley is a mesmerizing and immersive game that can stimulate your imagination and creativity.

2048 is a simple yet addictive puzzle game that can keep you hooked for hours. The game consists of sliding tiles with numbers on a 4×4 grid to merge and create more significant numbers. The game ends when you reach the 2048 tile, or no more moves are left.

The game tests your math, logic, and strategy skills by presenting increasingly complex scenarios requiring you to think ahead and optimize your moves. It also features undo/redo options, statistics, achievements, leaderboards, themes, and more. 2048 is a fun and satisfying game that can improve your mental arithmetic and problem-solving skills.

Trivia Crack

Do you enjoy testing your knowledge and competing with players around the world? Trivia Crack is a game that offers just that! With questions covering six categories, including art, science, sports, entertainment, geography, and history, you can put your skills to the test. To play, spin the wheel to select a category and correctly answer the question to earn crowns.

You can even challenge your opponent to win their crowns if you feel confident. With over 100,000 questions of varying difficulty, Trivia Crack is an excellent way to test your general knowledge, memory, and curiosity. The game also offers chat, collectible cards, power-ups, achievements, leaderboards, and more. It’s an entertaining and educational iOS game to learn new facts and show off your smarts!

Engaging in intelligence and skill-based games on your iPhone or iPad can significantly improve your brain and mental health. These games act as an enjoyable training ground for enhancing cognitive abilities by uplifting your mood, reducing stress, and preventing cognitive decline. Feel free to share your thoughts or recommendations for other brain games in the comments below.

Danica Simic

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

15 Best Local WiFi Multiplayer Games for iPhone & iPad

25 best free word games for iphone & ipad, 50 best free educational apps for iphone and ipad in 2024, 20 best architecture apps for architects & designers on iphone, ipad, 20 best beer apps: top-rated iphone beer app for beer lovers.

More from GetAndroidStuff

15 Best Auto Clicker for Android – Auto Clicker Apps No...

Recomended reading, best apps to stream videos from pc to android, adb commands for android | how to use & most popular terminal commands, 10 best virtual girlfriend app for android, the best free poker apps for android to play texas holdem, zynga and more, the best iphone applications using touch id, the best free european football/ soccer games for android.

Logo

  • Alternatives

7 Best Brain Games For iPad

This list of best brain games for iPad will help you keep your mind in tip-top shape . We’ve got an entire compilation of challenging releases that aren’t hard to learn, but difficult to master. Most of them are pretty simple in theory, but can really get your head spinning in circles. Also, we’ve made it a point to get games of different difficulty levels which are designed for a wide audience and different age groups.

1. t Chess Pro:

There’s nothing like a game of Chess to keep your mind fresh and active. Based on studies, it exercises both sides of your brain and there are various other benefits to it like better memory, higher creativity and some might say it helps improve your IQ which is still debatable. Nevertheless, it’s a fun time-consuming activity which can be taken up by almost anyone. t Chess Pro is one pretty sweet release on the App Store which delivers a rich experience for all types of players.

IKYFL Meaning

IKYFL Meaning and Context: When Not to Use It Online Or In Texts

Ntm meaning in text, snapchat and tiktok.

You can either play alone or challenge a friend. The AI here is no pushover and you’ll be able to set a custom ELO rating from 500 to 2500 for your opponent. The game also provides expert opinions and real-time analysis. And for novice players, there a tutorial eBook bundled for free.

2. Sudoku :

Sudoku is without a doubt a must-have amongst the best brain games for iPad. For those who aren’t familiar with it, the objective here is to fill up a 9×9 grid with the numbers from 1 to 9 without any repetitions. For an Apple tablet, Sudoku by Finger Arts is a pretty decent pick as it offers beautiful graphics with classic gameplay. There are two different themes available, namely classic board and a lush tile look. To win a game, you’ll need to complete the puzzle with not more than 3 errors.

And to make it more interesting, the developer has thrown in a smart point system which calculates a score based on multiple factors, Game Center achievements and leaderboards where your sequence of uninterrupted wins are put up online.

3. Fit Brains Trainer:

If you’re looking for a professional way to keep your mind active by playing casual, yet challenging games, then look no further than Fit Brains Trainer. This release comes with over 360 preloaded games which target various aspects such as memory, visuals, problem solving, processing speed and concentration. And there are various training sessions onboard as well, focused towards those specific areas.

These activities test your response time and also other skills, and an analysis is provided at the end. In these games, you won’t have to do much apart from tapping on the right answers. With the integrated performance tracker, you’ll be able to see where you stand and compare scores with others.

The simpler the game is, the tougher it actually is and Dots is one good example of that. This addition on the best brain games for iPad compilation will have you connecting dots of the same color to earn a high score. Well, it’s easier said than done. The board will continuously populate with new dots and you’ll have a time limit of 60 seconds on each run. To get a high score, you’ll need to be quick and able to identify clusters of same-color dots or use power-up.

Additionally, the developer is offering other game modes including one where there’s no limit and another that’s move-based. You’ll also be treated to local multiplayer and online leaderboard which are resetted every week.

5. Unblock Me :

Unblock Me is a simple puzzler where the objective is to find a way to get the red box out of the room. To do so, you’ll have to strategically slide different blocks around. There’s a lot to keep you busy here. With over 9,600 puzzles available, even spending a few hours a day will not be enough. Developer Kiragames has made 4 difficulty modes available and there are two gameplay options.

In challenge mode, you’ll race against the clock, while relax model will allow you to take your time and create a strategic plan. And if you happen to get stuck on a level, there’s a hint system and an undo option. The game also has unlockable achievements and it keeps track of all the puzzles you’ve solved.

6. Words With Friends HD:

Words With Friends HD is a great way to put your vocabulary to the test against friends online and this has earned it a spot amongst the recommended best brain games for iPad. This release is basically crosswords with heavy social integration. You’ll be able to chat with players during games and if you have no one to play with, the app automatically finds you an opponent. Developed by Zynga, you’ll need a Facebook account or a Games With Friends account.

Flow is a lot like Dots. The goal is to match two dots of the same color by joining them with a pipe. However, there’s a small catch involved – You can’t overlap two pipes. In the free version, you get 1,000 levels and 10 different board sizes. There are various packs available for download and different game modes such as time trial and free play.

Conclusion:

So that’s about all of the best brain games for iPad we’re going to recommend today. There are many more brain teases available on the App Store, so be sure to explore for new ones. Before we drop the curtains on this roster, do tell us which apps do you use to keep your mind active and in tip-top shape.

You Might Also Like

Is payday 2 cross-platform / crossplay in 2024 [answered], is enlisted crossplay in 2024 – the latest updates, is generation zero cross-platform / crossplay in 2024 [to a limited extent], is diablo 2 crossplay / cross-platform in 2024 [answered], is war thunder cross-platform / crossplay in 2024 [explained], trending stories.

Green Skins In CS2

Best Green Skins In CS2

Apple Vision Pro

Apple Vision Pro Headset Now Available In The US

office phone

How To Seamlessly Integrate New Technology Into Your Business

Optimize Your Business Workflow

7 Basic Approaches To Streamlining Your Business

apple logo 2

Apple Warns Amendments To UK “Snoopers’ Charter” Will Affect Users Globally

AI Human Interaction

Humans & AI Are Basically The Same Thing, Says Harvard Professor

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address

Remember Me

The 6 Best Apps to Improve Your Problem-Solving Skills

Want to improve your problem-solving skills and become more solution-oriented in your daily routine? Here are some apps to try.

Your ability to solve problems is a valuable skill you cannot do without if you want to succeed in your career, business, and life. While most people learn to solve problems primarily through exposure to challenging situations and having to find solutions almost immediately, others don't.

As such, not everyone is skilled at effective problem-solving. However, there is an easy way to improve your problem-solving skills using technology. Today, there are several fun ways to do so, including playing brain games on your mobile. Here are six game apps you can use to develop problem-solving skills while having fun.

1. Lumosity

Lumosity1-1

Lumosity is a web app that helps you improve your mental skills. It is programmed with activities that help people improve their memory, flexibility, rate of processing information, and concentration levels. Thus, Lumosity is a great tool to help you develop problem-solving capabilities.

Lumosity was launched in 2007 and had over 70 million users as of January 2015. The app is available in English, French, Spanish, and German.

Download : Lumosity for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

Happify1

Happify is a company that works to enhance personal, organizational, and healthcare effectiveness by improving the emotional health of its users.

The Happify app incorporates scientific experiments into gaming activities designed to improve resilience and mindfulness and tackle health conditions like mood disorders, depression, anxiety, severe pain, and insomnia. Thus, it is a great healthcare software platform for improving your mental and physical conditions.

Download : Happify for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

Elevate1

Launched by Elevate Labs in 2014, Elevate is a brain game app that focuses on improving its users' reading, writing, speaking, listening, and math skills. It is also one of the best android apps to help you solve math problems .

Seeing you already possess the skills mentioned above, you may wonder, is the Elevate brain training app worth your time ? The truth is, there is always room for improvement, hence, the need for you to keep developing these skills. And, as you pass each assessment in the training sessions, the difficulty level increases. This way, you can test whether your abilities are basic or strong.

Download : Elevate for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

4. Neuronation

NN1

Neuronation is a cognitive training site and app that was made public in 2011. Since then, over 10 million people have used the app. The Neuronation app focuses on improving users' cognitive abilities, such as thinking, learning, understanding, and remembering, through its specialized training activities in the program.

Although native to Germany, the app is available in over eight languages, including English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Turkish, and German. Additionally, the app enjoys widespread use, especially among German healthcare practitioners.

Download: Neuronation for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

Peak1

The Peak brain training app is designed to correct cognitive disorders with the help of short, interactive games. To get started on the Peak brain game app, you will be required to set goals on areas you want to improve, like mental processing, emotional strength, linguistic skills, recollection, concentration levels, and problem-solving.

Once you complete this stage, a virtual coach will be assigned to guide you through the program, and you will be given an assessment. Immediately after you finish each assessment, you will receive feedback based on your result.

You can start using the app for free with the basic version, but it has a limited number of daily exercises that are randomly selected. On the other hand, with the paid version, Peak Pro, you enjoy unlimited access to over 40+ exercises, alongside detailed feedback and personalized training sessions.

Download : Peak for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

6. New York Times Crossword

NYT C2

The New York Times Crossword is a daily puzzle published by the renowned New York Times magazine on their website and mobile apps. The New York Times Crossword puzzle dates back to 1942. The first puzzle was published on Sunday, 15 February 1942.

Several freelance puzzle developers generate the puzzle. The puzzle gets tougher as each day goes by in a week, so the simplest puzzles are on Mondays, and the hardest are on Saturdays. Sunday's crossword puzzle is a 21×21 square matrix, whereas the daily crossword puzzle is a 15×15 square matrix. The crossword and other free puzzle games greatly improve critical thinking, learning, and reasoning abilities.

Download : New York Times Crossword for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

Have Fun While Improving Your Problem-solving Skills

Developing cognitive abilities, emotional well-being, and problem-solving skills are no longer challenging. Thanks to these brain game apps, you can develop and improve your mental and emotional abilities more easily, faster, and while having fun.

Technology for Seniors

12 Best iPad Brain Games for Seniors

best ipad brain games for seniors

The latest technology adoption statistics show that older adults love their tablets. As a matter of fact, iPads are one of the favorite gadgets of the elderly because of their large screens, ease of use, and accessibility features for seniors.

According to a research by Pew Research Center , 44% of seniors aged 65 years and older own a tablet while 53% of 50 to 64 years old are tablet users.

Acquiring an iPad is just the beginning of the adventure. After setting up an iPad for seniors , installing some senior-friendly games and apps is important to get the most out of your new gadget.

This article shares the 12 best iPad games for seniors to unlock the true fun and mental stimulation that iPads can bring to older adults.

Do Brain Games Help The Elderly?

According to a study by NIH , brain games and puzzles help stimulate the elderly brain and help sharpen seniors’ multitasking, memory, and reasoning skills. Researchers at UC San Francisco found that video games may offset or even reverse the cognitive decline among seniors.

Playing brain games and solving puzzles can help seniors remember things like names, dates, and phone numbers. Other benefits include:

  • Improved social interaction
  • Older adults can avoid anxiety, depression, and loneliness
  • Mental stimulation to help with the negative effects of aging on senior’s brains
  • Playing brain games is one of the best therapeutic activities for seniors
  • The studies show that brain games can elevate senior’s mood by promoting the release of endorphins, the brain’s natural feel-good chemicals.

Incorporating brain games into seniors’ daily routines can offer numerous physical and mental benefits.

I have picked the following iPad memory games for seniors on the basis of excellent features, ratings, and feedback from users. Several other brain games did not make it to the list because of excessive ads and most of their features are behind a paid subscription.

1: Lumosity

problem solving games on ipad

With 100 million+ users, Lumosity is the most popular brain game for seniors on the iPad. This engaging and comprehensive app is designed to improve cognitive skills and enhance mental agility.

The 10-minute Fit Test is designed to assess users’ strengths and weaknesses through a series of initial assessments. Based on the results, the app creates a customized training program to target specific areas for improvement.

Lumosity offers a diverse collection of challenging games crafted to enhance problem-solving, attention, memory retention, processing speed, and critical thinking.

The key features of Lumosity include:

  • 40+ brain games and activities that adapt as you improve
  • Customized games that are carefully curated for you
  • Challenges for memory, speed, math, language, logic and problem-solving
  • Personalized challenges based on your training preferences and habits
  • Information and analysis to help understand your cognitive patterns

Whether you are looking to stay mentally sharp or simply enjoy solving puzzles, you will love Lumosity’s brain training activities.

One of the app’s standout features is its adaptability. It adjusts the difficulty levels based on the user’s performance.

I like Lumosity because of its intuitive interface, scientific foundation, and extensive collection of brain games and activities.

problem solving games on ipad

Peak combines entertainment and cognitive development for the elderly. It offers fun and interactive ways to enhance memory, sharpen focus and offer well-rounded brain training.

45+ games in 6 categories are carefully crafted to target specific cognitive skills.

The adaptive difficulty levels provide an optimized challenge to keep you motivated and engaged.

Here are some of the Peak features that I like the most:

  • Peak is developed with “you” in mind. The data-oriented feedback shows insights about your performance to support your growth.
  • Daily brain workouts to keep you mentally sharp
  • Skill-based workouts such as coffee break, weakest Link, Low Rank and Total Workout
  • Compete with friends and compare your scores

Versatile games and workouts make Peak one of the must-have iPad brain games for seniors. Short on time? Play Coffee Break or choose from a comprehensive suite of games.

In addition to games, the app provides brain training insights and tips, backed by scientific research.

problem solving games on ipad

Elevate is a brain training program designed in collaboration with experts in neuroscience and cognitive learning. The games are based on extensive scientific research to improve the mind’s focus, memory, processing, and speaking abilities.

90%+ users report improved vocabulary, math skills and mental sharpness after frequent use of Elevate.

“Elevate comes out ahead” in the battle of brain training apps according to CNET. Washington Post ranks Elevate games as “good for mental breaks throughout the workday”.

The key features of Elevate include:

  • Improve Critical Cognitive Skills: This app can help you improve your focus, memory, processing speed, math, and logic
  • Personalized Program: Choose between 3 to 5 games to get a personalized daily workout that includes the skills you need the most
  • Adaptive Difficulty: The adaptive difficulty progression ensures your experience is challenging

Elevate’s comprehensive set of stimulating and entertaining games will keep your mind sharp. This fun and engaging app will help you improve your focus and you will:

  • Express yourself effectively in writing
  • Become a better reader with a greater understanding and expanded vocabulary
  • Get better at comparing prices, splitting bills, calculating discounts and solving everyday math problems
  • Become better at communicating

Elevate’s short and enjoyable mini-games include activities that involve recalling, answering true/false questions, and math and logic quizzes.

If you are looking for the best iPad memory games for seniors, you will have loads of fun and brain work with Elevate at the same time.

4: Math Brain Booster Games

problem solving games on ipad

This app is seniors’ best bet for improving mathematical skills and mental agility. A wide range of math exercises and puzzles are designed to challenge and stimulate the user’s problem-solving and arithmetic skills.

The challenge is to concentrate on problem-solving and try to solve as many problems as you can, in a limited time. The variety of games focus on different areas of math.

  • Boost Modes to develop the concentration
  • Use Personal Training to customize your session
  • Use the Math Tables to not forget the basics
  • Access and correct your mistakes via the Mistakes Workout

This is an ideal brain game for seniors on the iPad who want to improve their memory and learn numbers and basic math.

I recommend this free app with no in-app purchases to improve your memory, attention, and velocity.

You will also love the “Math Hacks” feature that has tricks for lightning calculations.

5: Left vs Right

problem solving games on ipad

Left vs Right promises to keep your mind sharp after 10 minutes of daily use. 50+ mini-games boost your cognitive abilities through a series of engaging and thought-provoking challenges.

The highlights of Left vs Right include:

  • Sleek Design and User-Friendly Interface: The first feature that caught my attention is sleek and intuitive design. The visually appealing user interface made navigating through games and activities a breeze.
  • Right Level of Difficulty: If brain games are too difficult, seniors can get frustrated and not want to play. If games are too easy, there is really no point in playing. This app just has the games with the “right level of difficulty”.
  • Select Brain Workout: There are 6 fun categories to choose from. You can select the games on the basis of what you want to improve including Awareness, Adaptability, Reflex, Reasoning, Precision, and Patience.

Seniors can access the additional games after watching a short video. Give your brain a chance to get fit and stay sharp while having unlimited fun.

6: Mind Pal

problem solving games on ipad

The next of the best iPad brain games for seniors is the brain training app, Mind Pal. This app comes with 40 games to target and train the 7 cognitive areas ; Memory, Attention, Language, Math, Flexibility, Speed, and Problem-Solving.

The highlights of MindPal include:

  • More than 40 games and 1000 levels
  • A personalized daily workout based on personal goals
  • Word games to help you expand your vocabulary and writing skills
  • In-depth insights to track your performance

Although Mind Pal is free to use, many features and games are available after you upgrade to the premium training program. The premium locks 2 of the 5 games that you get every day.

Overall, Mindpal has an excellent collection of games with great instruction and qualifies to be one of the must-have iPad memory games for seniors.

problem solving games on ipad

GEIST has more than 10 million users worldwide with the promise of giving your cognitive skills a boost. The 24 challenging mind games offer unlimited fun in 720 levels . The games are designed to improve your memory, concentration, reaction, logic and mathematical skills.

Other features include:

  • 4 Mindfulness exercises to lower stress and mental balance
  • Easy-to-use interface with stunning graphics
  • Customizable: Choose the games, adjust the difficulty levels and personalized daily workouts
  • Statistics to highlight your strong areas and progress and potential for improvement

GEIST has an in-house team of neuroscientists to develop the new games. The new “GEIST Relax” feature helps you unwind with audio relaxation stories and exercises, meditative games, and other tips.

8: Mind Games

problem solving games on ipad

Mind Games offers plenty of brain games for seniors on the iPad. You get access to a variety of free games and some trial games, that can be played 3 times each.

If you are not sure where to start, Training Center picks the perfect mix of brain exercises to keep you engaged.

Some of the games include:

  • Face Memory: Memorize a group of faces to see if you can recall them
  • Math Star: Practice the basic arithmetic skills, attention to detail, and speed
  • Memory Flow: Practice learning and memory and attention to details
  • Memory Racer: Practice your processing speed and working memory
  • Attention Training Game: Exercise your speed and focus
  • Abstraction: Test your ability to differentiate abstract from concrete words
  • Speed Trivia: Test and improve your knowledge
  • Word Memory: Memorize 30 words and recognize them

Other mini-games include Divided Attention, Mental Categories, Grid Memory, Vocabulary Stars, Object Memory, and Vocabulary Power.

Mind Games opens the door to a wide range of iPad memory games for seniors. Have fun and a mental workout at the same time.

9: Brainwell

problem solving games on ipad

Brainwell is what your aging brain needs. It trains multiple areas of your brain so you can use your brain to full capacity. The games are designed to improve concentration and focus.

This app is very helpful for older adults who:

  • Struggle to remember people’s names
  • Forget birthdays, anniversaries, and addresses
  • Have difficulties recalling and remembering things from past
  • Struggle to focus on the task at hand

The 50+ scientifically designed brain training games promise a productive and happy life. The app gives you a daily challenging workout to test your logic, memory and mental skills.

The “Cognitive Games” target 6 brain areas while “Logic Games” enhance memory and improve concentration.

If you feel stuck or frustrated with a game, you can always reset and start again.

10: Neuro Nation

problem solving games on ipad

Neuro Nation is backed by research from leading neuroscientists and targets the right areas of seniors’ brains. Neuro Nation promises improved memory, attention, reasoning and speed after 15 minutes of training a day.

23 million worldwide users are using Neuro Nation to know their strengths and conquer their weaknesses.

The top reasons to give Neuro Nation a try include:

  • Effectiveness: The app has been awarded the AOK Leonardo Health Prize by the German Federal Ministry of Health because of how effective it is.
  •   Personalization: This app performs a comprehensive analysis of potentials and strengths and designs a personal training plan for you.
  • Balanced Training: With 34 exercises and 300 levels, you get a varied training session to promote your brain.

Follow your progress closely with a detailed progress analysis. Neuro Nation is one of the best iPad memory games for seniors who struggle with memory and reasoning.

problem solving games on ipad

According to a study published by the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry , the more people of over 50 years engage in games such as Sudoku, the better their brain functions.

There is enough scientific evidence to highlight the fact that games like Sudoku exercise the left side of the human brain. The left side of the brain is responsible for logic, focus, planning, math, and science-related functions.

Sudoku.com is one of the most downloaded sudoku apps on the App Store with thousands of puzzles. A fun and entertaining game that you always loved, ideal for short stimulating breaks to clear your mind.

  • Play an easier level to challenge your mind or expert mode for a real mind workout
  • Hints, auto-check and highlighted duplicates to help you when you feel stuck
  • Complete daily challenges to collect unique trophies
  • Seasonal events with unique medals

Sudoku is one of the classic iPad brain games for seniors that you can play anywhere, anytime. Join millions of players who use this app on a daily basis and have fun with thousands of puzzles that are updated regularly.

12: NYT Games

problem solving games on ipad

A study published in NEJM Evidence found that individuals with mild memory issues who did crossword puzzles showed improvement in cognition and experienced less brain shrinkage. Other studies show that crosswords are beneficial for stress relief, memory preservation, vocabulary boost, and general brain health.

The NYT Games app combines many iPad memory games for seniors in a single place. I love this app because there are no ads to interrupt the fun. 

Seniors can enjoy the following brain games in NYT Games app:

  • Crossword: Daily puzzles that are printed in The New York Times. The puzzles increase in difficulty from Monday to Saturday
  • Wordle: Play the original Wordle, created by Josh Wardle. Guess 5 letter word in 6 tries or less
  • Spelling Bee: Play the Spelling Bee to find out how many words you can make from 7 letters
  • Sudoku: Fill each 3×3 box with numbers 1-9. Do not repeat numbers in sets, rows or columns
  • The Mini Crossword: The quick play crossword puzzle that you can solve in seconds

With over 10,000 crossword puzzles and 2000 mini crosswords , you never run out of challenges. NYT Games app has Stats and Leaderboards to track your progress and compete with others.

This is the list of my favorite iPad brain games for seniors . Have fun and improve your mental health at the same time.

Related Posts

  • 5 Best Jigsaw Puzzles Apps for iPad
  • 10 Printable Brain Games for Seniors
  • Printable Crossword Puzzles for Seniors
  • 15 Word Game Apps for Seniors

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Top 8 best games that make you smarter for iPhone and iPad (iOS)

Top 8 best games that make you smarter for iPhone and iPad (iOS)

Best iOS games to train your brain

Updated on March 16, 2023  - added 1 new game, Original article by Jupiter Hadley, updated by Artur Novichenko. When it comes to games, there is a stigma that they might rot your brain, however, they can be some of the best learning tools there are! When it comes to gamifying learning, there are apps out there that literally reward you for learning and often feel more like a game than something that can make you smarter. It’s a really clever way for you to spend your free time, idly learning without putting in too much effort.

Learning games may seem like they are only for children, however, there are plenty of learning games for adults that will make you smarter, while also gamifying the experience for you to actually enjoy. Having a few games that do improve your mind is always a good idea, as you can mindlessly improve yourself while playing games.

  • Do you know what else will train your brain? Strategy games on iOS , or  best word games for iPhone and iPad (iOS)

So let's go through the top iOS games that make you smarter! 

1 Lumosity: Brain Training

Lumosity: Brain Training

Lumosity is one of those games that loads of people have heard of. It’s a daily workout for your brain, that tests problem-solving, memory, and your general thinking to solve various games and tests. There are car racing games, swiping color games and assembling different puzzles to show off how good your brain is. This game also has detailed statistics that help you understand what you might need to practice more in. It's definitely one of the iPhone games that will make you smarter in the long run.

Duolingo

Duolingo is a language learning app with over 35 different languages that you can explore and learn. Split up into small, bite-sized lessons that can be done between other tasks in your home, you can learn to read and speak various languages. There are lots of puzzle games, sentences you can link together, and speaking out loud into your microphone - with a friendly green owl supporting you as you go. Doulingo also keeps track of your streak of days learning, which is a big motivator.

3 Tricky test

Tricky test

Tricky test is a brain teasing quiz game that gives you a bunch of different puzzles, brain teasers, and games with absurd solutions to see if you are smart enough to solve them. It’s designed as a test to give you an IQ at the end, and you can even try to beat your friends IQ as well. Each of the puzzles are really unique and there is a timer, so you’ll have to think fast while you go through them!

4 Words With Friends 2

Words With Friends 2

If you are looking for a game that will increase your vocabulary and spelling, Words With Friends 2 is a scrabble-inspired game that allows you to try weekly challenges, earn badges, defeat your friends, and spell out a bunch of different words using the tiles that are placed in front of you. It’s a challenging game if you don’t have a big vocabulary, but you’ll definitely grow yours the more you play, making you smarter along the way.

5 Peak - Brain Training

Peak - Brain Training

Peak is an app that can challenge your memory, attention, math skills, problem solving ability, mental agility, language, creativity, emotional control and coordination. This app has been made in partnership with Cambridge and NYU, so it’s focus on keeping users mentally sharp is backed and researched. Through a bunch of different games, you can challenge your friends and show off how clever you really are.

6 Brain Wars

Brain Wars

The most interesting games are those in which you have to test yourself. Brain Wars is similar to Lumosity, but you are playing against real people. This game has a great number of different short tasks. After starting the game, you go through a small tutorial with a virtual opponent. During the match, you need to gain as many points as you can. Such games do not need a plot, graphics, or amazing music, because a person focuses directly on the gameplay, and everything else will distract him. Brain Wars is worth playing because it helps you develop your strengths and get rid of weaknesses.

Happify

Happify is a brain game that has scientific activities and games that are aimed at helping you overcome stress, negative thoughts, challenges in life and more. This app contains happiness journals, meditations, puzzles and more that can help center you and provide yourself with some time to grow. Though it may not make you smarter per say, Happify will help your mind grow and help you look after yourself.

Wordle!

Wordle is a puzzle game where you have to solve crosswords. You will find here many different modes, each with its own features. If you cannot find a solution right away, take your time and try your best because some of the levels are pretty complex. Moreover, you can always use a hint if you need help. With time and practice, you will become better and significantly improve your spelling skills.

Jupiter Hadley

These 15 best problem solving game apps for kids will truly make them think.

I know I'm not the only one who feels just a tad less guilty about extra screen time for my kids when they're engaged with an app that is helping them learn. Having a folder of problem-solving game apps for kids lets them exercise their minds and stretch their imaginations instead of just zoning out like they do while watching endless unboxing videos. (Although, I admit, those videos are oddly fascinating.)

Educational apps for kids aren't necessarily hard to come by and your kids likely already have a few that they love. However, these games will help kids hone in on specific problem-solving skills in various forms to keep their minds sharp and give them the chance to learn new things. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends kids engage with apps that "require more than 'pushing and swiping,'" which these 15 problem-solving game apps certainly do.

Strategy and planning are key components to solving any problem, so it is no surprise that all of these games help to make these concepts come to life for kids in a way that is fun and engaging. STEM-forward games engage physics and engineering to help kids create and invent to solve mechanical and structural problems, while traditional puzzle games allow kids to use their strategical skills to put together digital riddles.

The problem-solving power of puzzles cannot be overstated, and apps like Tozzle bring practice of this skillset right to your toddler's digital-loving fingertips. Instead of tripping over a pile of puzzles in your child's floor and risking losing critical pieces, let them explore the 40+ puzzles available on Tozzle. Designed for kids from toddler through early elementary, Tozzle's puzzles range in complexity so there is truly something for every kid.

Cut The Rope

My own kids adore playing this game. The goal of the game Cut The Rope is to feed a cute little monster named Om Nom as much candy as you can. The trick though is that to feed him, you must strategically cut a rope that the candy is hanging from so that it drops in Om Nom's mouth, dodging obstacles along the way. It's actually harder than it looks and requires quite a bit of critical thinking. Best suited for kids ages 4 and up, I have played this one myself a time or two, and it is actually entertaining and engaging for adults as well.

What do you get when you combine the physics of water with puzzles? The problem-solving app Busy Water . Kids can use their critical thinking skills to use pipes, wheels, blocks, and paddles to help Archie the fish find his way out of the open water and back into his fish tank. Aimed at children ages 6 to 10, this app will help engage children's creativity, as well as stretch their cognitive ability and reasoning skills.

Laugh & Learn Shapes & Colors

These 15 best problem solving game apps for kids will engage their brains and help them learn.

Even babies and toddlers can learn through simplistic problem solving apps. Designed for babies ages 6 months and up, this app by Fisher Price features a baby and toddler-friendly design with bright colors and simple shapes to sort. Two levels of play allow babies and toddlers to learn through tapping or tilting the screen to move the shapes and hear their names.

Mystery Math Town

Older kids who could benefit from brushing up on their math skills can do exactly that while enjoying the problem-solving app Mystery Math Town . The app engages kids in a mission to help a friendly ghost rescue fireflies hidden within Mystery Math Town by using math skills like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to unlock passages and enter rooms. The app is customizable to fit your child's specific math needs, but recommended for kids aged 7 and up.

Savings Spree

As an adult, I can confidently say that money can sometimes causes big problems that must be solved. Let your kids learn how to mitigate money issues before they get their hands on the real thing with the Savings Spree app . Kids ages 7 and up can practice problem solving skills related to money by engaging in the game show-style format of this game, choosing when to spend, save, invest, or donate their virtual money.

Inventioneers

For kids who love to experiment and invent new things, the Inventioneers app allows them to do so in a digital way. Kids ages 4 and up can build with 50+ objects and tools that utilize physics and engineering to create inventions that solve problems for the three fun Inventioneers characters working within the app.

Where's My Water?

This Disney app allows your kids to practice their problem-solving skills while also bringing attention to the global issue of clean water access. In Where's My Water? players must cut through dirt and manipulate pipes to deliver clean water through a sewer system to Swampy the alligator. Additional scenarios to solve involve creating steam to power another alligator's musical instrument and clearing algae from a picky alligator's plate.

Winky Think Logic Puzzles

The logic puzzles included in the Winky Think app start out easy, but get increasingly harder as the levels progress. From matching shapes and colors, to twisting and switching objects to maneuver through puzzles, each game encourages players to use reasoning skills as they work through each level. The lower levels of the app are best suited for kids around age 5, but older kids and teens can work through the low levels quickly and be challenged through 180 levels.

Shiny Picnic

Kids can learn new skills with these 15 best problem solving game apps for kids.

The Shiny Picnic app provides engaging and fun game play for toddlers and preschoolers to practice their problem-solving skills. Kids can sort and match objects like fruits and vegetables by color, following along with the game's fun animal characters as they help the crew pack for and set up picnics.

'The Cat In The Hat' Builds That

If your kids love The Cat In The Hat , this PBS Kids app will help them hone in on problem-solving skills right alongside their favorite feisty feline. Kids can engineer their own creations to help solve dilemmas using physics and scientific concepts. Preschoolers will love this fun and easy-to-explore app set in a backyard where The Cat In the Hat and friends build tree houses, playgrounds, and more.

When you combine STEM concepts with traditional logic games, you get a game that kids can truly get lost in while learning about engineering, physics, and mechanics. Kids ages 3 to 8 can help the adorable monster creatures in the app Thinkrolls make their way through obstacle courses by manipulating objects to clear paths and trying different methods to finish the game.

Cyberchase 3D Builder

This app from PBS Kids uses geometry and three-dimensional shapes to help take traditional puzzle games to the next level. Kids ages 6 and up are tasked with using shapes to re-build the city of Botropolis after it is accidentally zapped by Delete and Buzz from the classic Cyberchase game .

The Zoombinis app is a recreation of the classic '90s computer game Logical Journey of the Zoombinis , which stars tiny blue creatures attempting to journey home. In this app, kids will solve logic puzzles that engage analyzation skills, pattern creation, and more within each level in order to unlock each additional level until the Zoombinis complete their travels and wind up back at home.

Tami's Tower

The Tami's Tower app allows kids to use their problem-solving skills to build towers that help Tami the tiger reach fruit to eat. Created by the Smithsonian Institute , the game takes basic engineering predicaments and allows kids to stretch their minds to create solutions to those problems by stacking and manipulating objects.

problem solving games on ipad

cropped-Kids-Who-Learn-Logo-transparent-1png

The Best iPad Games for Kids: Engaging Picks

Best Ipad Games For Kids

Selecting the best iPad games for kids can be a thrilling pursuit, offering a variety of digital playgrounds that cater to different interests and developmental stages. The iPad’s intuitive touchscreen and the vast selection of apps available through the App Store make it an ideal platform for child-friendly gaming. From colorful puzzles that challenge young minds to interactive storybooks that bring beloved characters to life, the options are extensive.

problem solving games on ipad

In navigating through the sea of gaming apps, parents and caregivers aim to find titles that not only entertain but also contribute positively to a child’s growth. Educational games can bolster learning, while creative apps let imagination soar. It’s important to remember that the best games are those that align with your child’s interests, encourage their creativity, and conform to your expectations of screen time and educational value.

Key Takeaways

  • A diverse selection of iPad games for kids offers both entertainment and educational benefits.
  • It’s crucial to choose games that align with a child’s interest and developmental needs.
  • Ensuring a safe and positive gaming experience requires careful selection and management of content.

Choosing the Best iPad Games for Kids

When selecting iPad games for your child, it’s crucial to find ones that are entertaining yet safe and educationally beneficial .

Factors to Consider

As you browse through the plethora of iPad game options, remember your primary goal is to find games that align with your child’s interests while contributing positively to their development. Use the following points to guide your decision:

  • Educational Value : Choose games that offer a chance to learn new skills or practice existing ones in subjects like math, language, and logic.
  • Engagement Level : Look for games that hold your child’s attention with interactive features or storylines they find compelling.
  • Safety : Ensure the game has safety features in place to protect your child’s privacy and prevent unsupervised in-app purchases.
  • Social Aspect : Consider if the game provides social interaction in a controlled environment for age-appropriate communication.
  • Content Appropriateness : The game’s content should be suitable for a child’s age without any mature themes.

Understanding Age Ratings

Age ratings provide guidance to help you determine if a game’s content is appropriate for your child’s age group. Here’s how to interpret these ratings:

  • Rated 4+ : These games contain no objectionable material and are considered suitable for all ages, including young children.
  • Rated 9+ : Games may contain mild cartoon or fantasy violence, but lack mature content, making them fitting for children aged 9 and up.
  • Rated 12+ : Such games might have infrequent mild violence, mild language, or minimal suggestive themes.
  • Rated 17+ : These are intended for adults or older teens, containing frequent mature or intense themes.

Remember, while these ratings serve as a useful guide, your personal judgment as a parent is paramount; you know your child’s sensitivity and maturity levels best. Use age ratings alongside your own discretion to make informed decisions about which iPad games to allow for your kid.

Educational Games and Learning Apps

To guide your child towards productive screen time, focus on educational games and learning apps that sharpen cognition and encourage creativity. These handpicked apps cover essential academic domains while making learning an enjoyable experience.

Math and Logic Skills

Math Bingo engages your child with fun math challenges that improve calculation skills through exciting bingo games. The game caters to different proficiency levels, ensuring a progressive learning curve in addition , subtraction , multiplication , and fractions . For honing logic and pattern recognition, Cut the Rope presents physics-based puzzles that require strategic thinking and planning.

Reading and Language Arts

Reading Eggs helps your child develop literacy skills with interactive reading activities. The app is full of colorful animations and fun characters that teach phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension. Games like Dino Tim blend learning with play to assist with recognizing colors , shapes , and basic reading skills, appropriate for young learners.

Science and Nature Discovery

Explore the solar system and the planets with Star Walk Kids —an astronomical app that makes discovering the cosmos interactive and educational. To foster a love for biology and ecology, Toca Nature allows children to create and explore virtual ecosystems, understanding the interconnectedness of different species and habitats.

Coding and Problem Solving

Developing coding skills early on can be advantageous, and apps like ScratchJr introduce programming in a visual, impactful way. Your child can create interactive stories and games while mastering the basics of coding. For older kids, Lightbot offers a series of problem-solving puzzles that teach programming logic without the need for prior coding knowledge.

Creative and Artistic Games

Engaging with creative and artistic games on the iPad can significantly enhance your child’s development in areas like creativity and sensory recognition. These games often incorporate elements of music, sounds, and a vast palette of colors to offer an enriching experience.

Music and Sound Exploration

Discovering the world of music and sound is an intuitive and fun experience on the iPad. With apps that are designed to teach basic music theory and sounds, your child can enjoy interactive compositions.

  • Toca Band : In Toca Band, your child can experiment with different sounds and instruments, understanding how they combine to create music.
  • Musical Me : This app focuses on developing your child’s understanding of rhythm, pitch, and notes through engaging games and activities.

Drawing and Coloring Tools

iPad apps that offer drawing and coloring tools encourage imagination and help improve motor skills. These apps also help children understand the relationship between colors and their creative choices.

  • Procreate for Kids : A simplified version of the professional drawing app, allowing for easy sketching with a variety of brushes and colors.
  • Coloring Book for Creative Kids : With a variety of images and an unlimited color wheel, this app ensures your child can express their artistic flair freely.

Adventure and Role-Playing Games

iPad games in the adventure and role-playing genre provide a unique blend of storytelling and interactive gameplay. You can expect to be wholly engaged with rich narratives and character development as you embark on quests and adventures.

Fantasy and Storytelling

The realm of fantasy in iPad games often transports you to worlds filled with magic, mythical beasts, and intricate plots. Games like Dragon Quest series offer a classic RPG experience, where your actions directly influence the story’s outcome. Oceanhorn thrusts you into an expansive sea where you uncover the mysteries of ancient kingdoms. The narrative depth in these games ensures you’re not just playing; you are part of the story.

Character Interaction

Interacting with game characters is not just about progressing through the story; it’s about building relationships and making choices that can affect your game’s world. Stardew Valley allows you to form connections with the townsfolk, each with a unique personality and backstory. For younger kids, Toca Life: World gives a sandbox experience where they can create and play out their stories with a wide array of characters and settings.

In your iPad adventures , you will cast spells, solve puzzles, and maybe even befriend witches or wizards. Games such as Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery let you immerse yourself in the renowned wizarding world as you interact with beloved characters and partake in your magical education. Your actions and decisions in these games are pivotal, providing a sense of accomplishment and entertainment as you shape your journey.

Puzzle and Strategy Games

Introducing puzzle and strategy games to your kids helps sharpen their logical thinking and problem-solving skills. These iPad games offer interactive and engaging ways to develop cognitive abilities through puzzles and mazes.

Classic Puzzles and Mazes

Maze games like Labo Labyrinth challenge your spatial awareness and strategic planning. You navigate through complex labyrinths, finding your way out, which exercises your problem-solving muscles.

In contrast, puzzle games such as Monument Valley provide a series of optical illusions and M.C. Escher-inspired worlds to explore. It involves manipulating the environment to guide the silent princess Ida through mesmerizing architecture, which encourages creative thinking and boosts your understanding of physics and geometry.

Memory and Matching Games

For honing memory, Memory! , a matching game, enhances your ability to recognize and remember various symbols and patterns.

Alternatively, Peak – Brain Training offers a suite of memory games designed to improve your short-term memory and attention to detail. These games often require the player to memorize sequences or locations of different objects, incrementally increasing the difficulty to sharpen memory and focus.

Action and Arcade Games

Engaging your child with action and arcade games on the iPad can offer both entertaining and skill-enhancing experiences. These games generally involve a combination of quick reflexes, eye-hand coordination, and strategy.

Fast-Paced Challenges

  • Fruit Ninja: In this vivid slicing game, you swipe your finger across the screen to slash and splatter fruit like a true ninja warrior. It’s free to download and offers a fun way to improve reaction time.
  • Crossy Road: A modern take on the classic arcade hopper, you help a character cross busy roads, train tracks, and rivers. It’s free, engaging, and adds a delightful twist to the original arcade challenge.

Coordination and Movement

These games aim to enhance your child’s coordination and movement skills through interactive gameplay:

  • Fruit Ninja: While slicing fruit, your child will learn to coordinate their movements with the fruits’ patterns.
  • Crossy Road: Successfully navigating various obstacles requires precise timing and movement, fostering better hand-eye coordination.

Game Accessibility and Inclusivity

When selecting iPad games for kids, it’s crucial to consider how games adapt to individual needs and promote inclusivity. Your choice can significantly impact how comfortably a child can play and enjoy their gaming experience.

Adjustable Difficulty Levels

Many iPad games feature adjustable difficulty settings that cater to a wide range of skill levels. Look for games that allow you to modify the challenge level to suit your child’s expertise. For example, in Toca Life World , you can engage in open-ended play with no specific goals, which is great for younger kids or those new to gaming. On the other hand, Monument Valley uses progressive challenges that increase in complexity, providing a way to gradually enhance your child’s problem-solving skills.

Assistive Features for Different Abilities

iPad games with assistive features make gaming more accessible and inclusive , breaking barriers for kids with different abilities.

  • Visual Assistance : Games like Fruit Ninja offer a color-blind mode to help players distinguish between different on-screen elements.
  • Auditory Adjustments : Titles with customizable sound settings enable children with auditory sensitivities to control their experience. For instance, in Book of Demons: Tablet Edition , you can adjust the volume or mute specific sounds.
  • Touch Accommodations : Proloquo2Go includes customizable touch controls for kids who may have fine motor challenges, allowing them to interact with the device at their own pace.

By selecting games with these inclusive features, you ensure every child has a chance to enjoy the rich world of iPad gaming.

Managing In-App Purchases and Ads

In the vibrant world of iPad games, staying informed about managing in-app purchases and ads is crucial for a safe and enjoyable experience for children.

Navigating the App Store

When you explore the App Store on iOS, look for games with clear labels about in-app purchases or free trials. Typically, educational apps provide detailed descriptions. Before downloading an app, review its cost structure by tapping on the game’s page to see if it offers a free trial or contains in-app purchases.

  • Free Trials : Be aware that they may automatically convert to a paid subscription at the end of the trial period.
  • In-App Purchases : Look for a section titled “In-App Purchases” near the app’s price or Get button to understand potential extra costs.

Setting Parental Controls

iOS devices allow parents to exercise greater control over their child’s iPad use, including monitoring in-app purchases and exposure to ads.

  • Go to Settings > Screen Time .
  • Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions . Enter your passcode if prompted.
  • Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases .
  • Set In-app Purchases to Don’t Allow .
  • Still within Content & Privacy Restrictions , scroll to the Advertising section.
  • Toggle Limit Ad Tracking to reduce targeted ads on your child’s device.

Note : Utilizing these settings can help prevent unintended purchases and limit the type of ads your children see while playing games on their iPad.

Games Recommended by Experts

Experts from various fields including technology-focused websites like iMore and Apple experts have rigorously evaluated numerous games, providing you with a distilled list of highly recommended iPad games for kids. These games are praised for their balance of educational content, entertainment value, and user engagement.

Critic Reviews

Critics have shared their perspectives with detailed analyses, focusing on the design, user interface, and educational potential of each game. iMore has precisely identified these games based on accurate assessment methods and deep understanding of what engages and educates children effectively.

Parent and Educator Suggestions

Parents and educators have provided first-hand recommendations, placing emphasis on games that deliver substantial educational content alongside fun. The collective suggestions reflect a careful consideration of a child’s developmental needs and cognitive abilities, consolidating the value of each game from a real-world application standpoint.

Games for Kids on the Go

problem solving games on ipad

Selecting the right iPad games for your children can transform travel time into an engaging journey . The best games are those that are captivating and easily accessible, ensuring your child’s entertainment even while moving.

Travel-Friendly Options

Simple Touch Controls : Games like Toca Boca series are excellent for travel because they feature intuitive touch controls that are easy for young children to understand. Also, Fruit Ninja is a good choice as it only requires swipes across the screen to play.

Engaging but Not Overstimulating: Quiet, engaging games like Monument Valley keep your child entertained without being too noisy for public spaces. Stardew Valley is another game that offers a calm, immersive farming experience that’s perfect for longer trips.

Offline Availability

No Internet Needed : Ensure that games like Minecraft: Pocket Edition or Plants vs. Zombies are fully downloaded before your trip. They don’t require an internet connection to play once installed.

Check Before Traveling: It’s essential to verify which games will work without Wi-Fi. Apple Arcade offers games such as Sonic Racing and Crossy Road Castle that once downloaded, don’t need an internet connection. Open each game app and check its offline capabilities before you leave.

Remember, when selecting games for your child’s iPad , consider the length of your trip and the storage capacity of the device. Ensure that the chosen games are appropriate for your child’s age and can be played without continuous internet connectivity.

Extending Play Beyond the Screen

problem solving games on ipad

Digital games are engaging, but it’s important to balance screen time with tangible play and real-world experiences that can stimulate your child’s development in different ways.

Tangible Toys and Gadgets

To blend the digital and physical worlds, consider integrating Augmented Reality (AR) toys into your child’s play. For instance, Osmo offers a range of interactive games where players use actual pieces to solve puzzles and challenges that appear on the iPad screen. LEGO Boost is another innovative toy that combines classic LEGO building with coding; kids can construct their own robots and bring them to life via an iPad app.

By incorporating such toys into iPad play, you not only limit screen time but also provide a tactile experience that enhances focus and promotes physical interaction with real-world objects.

Real-World Activities and Ideas

Incorporating activities that take your child outside into nature is a perfect way to extend play beyond the screen. Encourage your kids to engage in a scavenger hunt using a list of items to find outdoors, which can be an extension from an iPad game they love. For instance, if they enjoy a game about animals, challenge them to find certain types, colors, or number of leaves, which directly connects with their in-game experiences.

Another approach is facilitating physical games that improve fitness and cognitive skills. Set up an obstacle course mimicking a favorite iPad game’s theme. Your child can role-play through physical challenges, translating digital skills into the physical world and reinforcing the game’s concepts through action.

By doing this, you give your child’s gaming experience a new dimension and support the development of a well-rounded set of skills.

Keeping Up with New Releases

problem solving games on ipad

The landscape of iPad games for kids is continually evolving, with new releases and updates that showcase the latest technology in gaming. To ensure your young ones always have fresh and engaging content, it’s important to keep track of these developments.

Following Updates and Sequels

Staying Informed :

  • Subscribe to developer newsletters to receive news on game updates directly.
  • Set up alerts in the App Store for your favorite games to get notified about new sequels.

Game Series Follow-up :

  • Keep an eye on popular franchises, as they often release sequels and expansions.
  • Check game forums and social media channels for the latest announcements on sequels.

Discovering New Trends

Exploring Game Categories :

  • Regularly explore the “New Games” and “Trending” sections in the App Store.
  • Notice which games are featured as they often reflect new and popular gaming trends.

Leveraging Social Platforms :

  • Follow gaming influencers and YouTube channels that showcase new games.
  • Join Facebook groups and online communities to discuss and discover new game releases.

Ensuring a Safe Gaming Environment

problem solving games on ipad

When allowing your son or daughter to play iPad games, it’s crucial to prioritize safety and appropriate content. By implementing online safety measures and content filters, you can create a protected gaming space.

Online Safety Measures

It is essential to control who can contact your child within a game to maintain a secure online environment. Use Parental Controls to restrict in-game chats, friend requests, and public profiles. Here’s a concise table to guide you:

Always check a game’s age rating before allowing your child to download it, ensuring that it’s suitable for their maturity level.

Kid-Friendly Content Filters

Your device’s settings can help filter out inappropriate content. Set up content restrictions on your iPad based on age ratings to ensure games downloaded are child-appropriate. Here’s how to configure these settings effectively:

  • Navigate to ‘Settings’ on your iPad.
  • Tap ‘Screen Time’ and then ‘Content & Privacy Restrictions’.
  • Enable ‘Content & Privacy Restrictions’ and enter a passcode.
  • Under ‘Allowed Apps’, select ‘Content Restrictions’.
  • Choose the appropriate age filter under ‘Apps’.

By being mindful of content filters and the age rating system, you can help ensure the games your son or daughter plays are enjoyable and safe.

Integrating Gaming with Education

Gaming on your iPad can be not only entertaining but also a powerful tool for learning. Children can engage with core subjects like math and science through interactive experiences that adapt to their learning pace.

STEM and Interactive Learning

Interactive learning games fortify your child’s understanding of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) concepts. For example, the app Lightbot : Code Hour offers an engaging introduction to programming with puzzles that teach the basics of coding logic without the convoluted text-based code.

Apps to Consider:

  • DragonBox series: Learn algebra and geometry through fun and intuitive games.
  • Swift Playgrounds : Immerse in real coding challenges to create interactive stories and games.

Homework Helpers and School Readiness

Educational apps can be effective homework helpers, reinforcing lessons learned in school . For reading and math readiness, apps like Khan Academy Kids provide a personalized learning experience. They cover a range of topics from letter recognition to early arithmetic, making them suitable for pre-school and elementary school students.

Reading and Math Apps:

  • Endless Alphabet : Build vocabulary with animated puzzles and interactive word games.
  • Epic! : Offers a vast library of books for various reading levels to improve literacy.

Incorporating these educational iPad games into your daily routine can make learning a more dynamic and enjoyable journey for your children.

problem solving games on ipad

Your journey through the world of iPad games for children has hopefully been informative. The options are numerous, catering to various interests and developmental stages. The highlighted selections demonstrate a balance between fun and education, ensuring these digital playgrounds contribute positively to your child’s growth.

  • Educational Value : Games such as Endless Alphabet and DragonBox series reinforce your child’s learning.
  • Creative Development : Toca Boca games encourage creativity and imaginative play.
  • Problem Solving : Titles such as Monument Valley challenge young minds with puzzles.

Age Appropriateness is a key factor when choosing a game. Always consider the content and complexity in relation to your child’s age and skills.

Remember these points when deciding:

  • Check age ratings and reviews
  • Monitor screen time
  • Engage in gameplay with your child when possible

Invest in quality games that promote a healthy, educational, and entertaining digital experience for your child. With mindful selection and active participation, these iPad games can be a beneficial part of your child’s daily routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

problem solving games on ipad

When it comes to keeping your kids engaged and learning, the right iPad games can make all the difference. From educational apps that make learning fun to multiplayer games that are safe for children, iPad offers a variety of options to suit different interests and age groups.

What are some popular educational games for kids on the iPad?

Toca Boca’s suite of games, including Toca Kitchen and Toca Hair Salon, offer creative and interactive environments for exploration and learning. Another favorite is Endless Alphabet, which helps children expand their vocabulary through playful puzzles and animations.

Which multiplayer games on the iPad are suitable for children to play together?

Minecraft is a well-known game that encourages creativity and collaboration among kids. Super Mario Run and Fruit Ninja also offer multiplayer modes that are not only fun but are designed to be family-friendly.

Can you recommend free iPad games that are appropriate for children aged 5 to 10?

PBS Kids Games feature a collection of free games that are both educational and entertaining, perfect for this age group. Lego Games also often have free options available that allow kids to build and play in Lego-themed worlds.

What are the highest-rated iPad games for kids in different age groups such as 7, 8, and 9 year olds?

For 7-year-olds, consider the highly rated game Teach Your Monster to Read, which makes phonics and reading fun. For 8-year-olds, DragonBox Numbers can make learning math enjoyable, and for 9-year-olds, the adventure-based game The Oregon Trail is a well-regarded choice for its blend of history and strategy.

How can I find fun and engaging iPad games for a 6-year-old?

Look for games with simple interfaces and engaging stories, such as Wild Kratts World Adventure, which offers a combination of science education and interactive play, or the adventurous puzzle-solving game, Pajama Sam: No Need to Hide When It’s Dark Outside.

What are the features to look for in a child-friendly iPad game?

When selecting iPad games for your child, focus on those with intuitive controls, age-appropriate content, and the absence of in-app purchases. Educational value and the inclusion of positive reinforcement can also enhance the gaming experience for younger users.

Best Las Vegas Hotel For Kids

Kids Who Learn

You may also like.

Best Online Games For Kids

The Best Online Games for Kids: Safe and Fun Picks for All Ages

Best Roblox Games For Kids

The Best Roblox Games for Kids: Top Picks for Play

Best Free Games For Kids

The Best Free Games for Kids: Top Picks for Fun

Best Apple Arcade Games For Kids

The Best Apple Arcade Games for Kids: Top Picks

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Join Our Newsletter!

Hey there, Awesome Parents and Curious Kids! 🌟 Ready to dive into a world of fun, learning, and excitement? Join our KidsWhoLearn Newsletter! Subscribe to our newsletter and get a weekly dose of joy, including:

  • 🎨 Creative Crafts and DIYs
  • 📚 Exciting Learning Tips & Resources
  • 🍎 Healthy Snacks and Fun Recipes
  • 🎉 Monthly Giveaways and Surprises!

Plus, a special welcome gift awaits! 🎁

Boomer Buyer Guides

10 of the Best iPad Mind Games to Keep Your Brain Sharp

Ipad Memory Games

Chances are you’ve been told that you should be playing games and doing puzzles to keep your mind sharp as you age. Baby boomers have a variety of choices right at their fingertips. Playing games improves memory , reasoning ability and motor skills. There are a variety of games and apps to choose from, with many free options for budget-minded seniors. It has never been so easy to exercise your brain and have fun at the same time.

What's In This Article?

You no longer have an excuse to avoid games since you can play them anywhere, anytime with your iPad, iPhone or any brand of tablet. Below are 10 favorites for you to consider.

Elevate-Brain-Training Ipad Games

Elevate Brain Training

Elevate challenges players with daily activities designed to improve cognitive skills such as reading, math, listening, writing and speaking. This personalized brain training program measures and tracks progress made in areas like speed to complete tasks, memory and concentration levels.

There are different games to keep boomers stimulated. One goal of this iOS app is to provide ongoing challenges that ensure the user is encouraged to improve performance.

Blek Ipad Games 10 Of The Best Ipad Mind Games To Keep Your Brain Sharp

Blek is a popular game featuring intricate puzzles manipulated by touch screens and art. Players are challenged to create patterns to advance in the game. While this game sounds a bit simple, it has proven to have a steady following of players. Blek is available at the Apple store.

Cognifit 10 Of The Best Ipad Mind Games To Keep Your Brain Sharp

CogniFit Brain Training

This iOS app was designed by neuroscientists to improve cognitive functioning. There are intelligence games, memory puzzles, and educational challenges offered by CogniFit. Users have fun while working on a variety of games. User performance is tracked so that users can compare their scores with other players.

This simple, easy-to-use free app is appropriate for anyone including the elderly. It can be used to identify and evaluate cognitive weaknesses that need to be addressed.

Framed 10 Of The Best Ipad Mind Games To Keep Your Brain Sharp

If puzzles and narrative game play are something you enjoy, then Framed is the game for you. Framed allows players to control the story’s events by organizing comic book panels to help your character escape from the villains intent on doing them harm.

Brainhq 10 Of The Best Ipad Mind Games To Keep Your Brain Sharp

This app is specifically designed to train your brain. BrainHQ directs users to solve specific problems. Recognized as having high standards, this app is designed to exercise your brain for improved brain health.

Civilization Vi 10 Of The Best Ipad Mind Games To Keep Your Brain Sharp

Civilization VI

This game challenges players on many levels to control a nation. Players are tasked with the same responsibilities of world leaders throughout time to manage resources, and fight off the threat of enemies to build a civilization. This is available for free at the Apple store.

Fit Brain Trainer 10 Of The Best Ipad Mind Games To Keep Your Brain Sharp

Fit Brain Trainer

This free app is designed to improve IQ scores. With more than 360 games to choose from, boomers are sure to find something that suits their taste. Neuroscientists created these games based on research findings about ways to improve memory, concentration levels, and emotional cognitive skills. Performance data allows baby boomers to select and assess the difficulty of specific challenges as a way to personalize the app to target individual needs. Unlike many apps, this one focuses on mood improvement and positive thinking.

Braincurls 10 Of The Best Ipad Mind Games To Keep Your Brain Sharp

This is a free website that offers a variety of games that are accessible for building brain power. There are logic questions that test your ability to clearly arrive at answers after careful contemplation. There are also math questions to keep those skills sharp.

Personal Zen 10 Of The Best Ipad Mind Games To Keep Your Brain Sharp

Personal Zen

Mental health has a huge impact on brain health. Personal Zen offers a unique approach to reducing anxiety and stress to support optimal cognitive functioning. Based on 20 years of neuroscience research, Personal Zen has proven to be a long-term mental health solution that helps address the anxiety that often increases as boomers age.

This free iOS app is simple and appeals to all age groups.

Brainscape 10 Of The Best Ipad Mind Games To Keep Your Brain Sharp

Brainscape works as a tool for helping baby boomers focus and streamline their thoughts. As a customized app, it aids users in making flashcards they can use in subjects that interest them. Brainscape recognizes that boomers aren’t all the same and need study tools that work for them.

Solitaire Bliss

Solitaire Bliss is the ultimate card game destination. Not only can you play solitaire, you can play over 25 different card games, from multiplayer ones like Spades to single player games like FreeCell. You can create an account to track personal records, and customize game play. You can also  play Solitaire Bliss online . 

Euchre.com  is the ultimate destination for Euchre enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive online platform for the classic card game. With a wide array of euchre variations to choose from, players can enjoy their preferred style of gameplay. The website also hosts thrilling online tournaments, providing a competitive environment for players to test their skills and compete against others. Euchre goes beyond gameplay, incorporating robust social features that allow players to connect, making new friends, and engaging in lively discussions. Additionally, the platform offers an invite and play with friends option, allowing users to challenge their buddies to exciting matches. With multiplatform support and free access, Euchre is accessible to players on iOS, Android devices, and any web browser, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience for all Euchre lovers.

Armed with an iPad, baby boomers can access apps and websites that can keep their brain active and sharp. Many of the apps described above were designed by neuroscientists for the purpose of improving cognitive functioning. By combining fun activities with mental challenges in the form of puzzles and games, seniors can take a proactive approach to improve their memory and problem-solving abilities.

Discover what your mind can do

Exercise memory, flexibility, and more with the world’s most popular brain training program..

No purchase necessary

You care about your brain. We do, too.

Train the skills that matter to you most.

Memory. Processing Speed. Problem Solving. Lumosity targets these cognitive skills and more.

Scientific rigor, made fun

Lumosity takes tasks from the lab and turns them into fun games. We interpret your scores to offer actionable feedback and rich insights into your cognition.

Daily exercise for your mind

Work out with a fresh set of games each day to keep you challenged. Detailed progress tracking helps maintain your brain training habit.

Brain training tailored to you

No matter your age or skill level, Lumosity knows that all brains are different, and our program adapts to your unique strengths and weaknesses.

Science. That feels like games.

Our scientists take tasks from the lab and adapt them into easy-to-learn brain games., 14 years, 100 million members.

4.7 rating on iOS App Store

"I am surprised and delighted by your games. I appreciate the variety and multiplicity of games and the feeling of personalization. The daily workouts are welcome, more fun than push ups, and they make my day go even better."

Mary , New Jersey

"I really like this app. Lots of great games and it comes with tutorials that help you understand the game. I love the Insights I receive every time I train. It's also nice that I get to choose what to play."

Rashmi , California

Researching the efficacy of Lumosity

What we did

Lumos Labs conducted a randomized study of Lumosity brain training and published the results in a peer-reviewed research journal.

In it, half of the 4,715 participants who completed the study trained five days per week, for fifteen minutes each day on Lumosity while the other half did online crossword puzzles as an active control.

What we found

After 10 weeks, Lumosity users improved more than the control group on our assessments of working memory, short term memory, processing speed, problem solving, fluid reasoning, and overall cognitive function.

These results are promising, but more research is needed to determine the connection between improved assessment scores and everyday tasks in participants' lives.

Next questions

Future research should address the risk of inadvertent experimenter bias and the risk of attrition bias in this study, as both the Lumosity and crossword groups had approximately 50% attrition rate. As with all scientific research, there is also a risk of publication bias.

Download Figment

Build a creative practice by experimenting with music, art, writing and more. download our newest app, figment, to jumpstart your creativity with new daily activities., introducing lumosity mind, lumosity mind includes mindfulness sessions on the topics of relaxation, focus, and sleep—designed by the experts at lumosity., start your free training program.

problem solving games on ipad

  • Cryptocurrency
  • Cloud Computing
  • Data Science
  • IoT – Internet of Things
  • ML & AI
  • Programming
  • Single-Board Computer

The 10 Best Brain Games for iPhone/iOS and iPad

Mehedi Hasan

Memory gets dull with aging, not for all, but it’s a common thing for most people. It does not mean that the brain got weakened; you can always strengthen your brain power with a few exercises of your brain’s cognitive processes. You can do that easily on your iPhone or iPad. AppStore is filled with lots of self improvising brain games for iPhone. A lot of those games use certified methods for brain training in their game environment. You will get a suitable one for free, some might require paid subscriptions, but these games are beneficial for improving your brain power and memory over time.

Best Brain Games for iPhone/iOS

Brains games will always be exciting only if you have good logical thinking ability. However, we have tried a lot of brain games for iOS already. Some of them are quite compatible. We also found some games that are very much creative and unique.

And we tried to list them together so that you get to learn all these best brain games in one place. You may not like all of them. To find the most appropriate one for you, it’s better to check their short details we have attached in the list.

1. Lumosity: Brain Training

Lumosity: Brain Training

You need to use your logical thinking, scientific explaining capability, and brain to solve all these puzzles. All these science-based games are designed in a way that will improve your memory, attention, cognitive skill, flexibility, speed, and problem-solving ability.

Important Features

  • You can begin the game with a free 10-minute test that will help you test your baseline score.
  • There will be more than 40 different games to try.
  • This game will show your performance with a detailed report.
  • This game is integrated with the most popular languages, so you don’t have to play it in English.
  • You are allowed to make a personalized set of games from a collection of different games.

Pros: It is developing day by day. So, you will get new features and tests regularly.

Cons: The customer support of this game is not very active, according to some users.

2. Left vs. Right

Left vs Right

However, you will find lots of games with different categories here. Using the colorblind mode, you can play a unique game too.

  • There will be 6 different categories of games designed to test different IQ skills.
  • In total, there will be 51 games in different categories.
  • You can play this game for free, but for the premium subscription, you have to pay.
  • It will show your score history and analyze your performance.
  • After winning levels, you can collect tokens and use them to unlock some of the premium levels.

Pros: There is a special category for the strength level called “just right challenge”.

3. Brain Dots

Brain Dots

You have to be aware of the power of gravity. Neither the dots will stay straight nor the lines you will draw. So, you have to use your brains to find the appropriate line placement and draw it.

  • This game is good to improve your flexibility in thinking.
  • You can collect over 25 different types of pens with a variety of colors and sizes.
  • You can share your achievements on different social media.
  • More than 3 million stages have already been created for this game. So, there is no way you can be disappointed by the number of levels.
  • It has a twist of elements of riddle and “Escape the Room” features that make it even more exciting.

Pros: This game is good for players of any age.

Cons: Commercials in the levels irritate some of the users.

4. Peak – Brain Training

Peak - Brain Training

You can choose whichever you love to try first. The insights into your performance will show your level of mental strength and IQ. So, you can test your ability with this game very easily.

  • There are more than 45 different funny and reward-winning games.
  • 6 different categories of games are developed to boost your brainpower.
  • Coffee break is a type of game that you can try to relax.
  • Some kill based workouts will be there, including Weakest Link, Low Rank, etc.
  • This multiplayer brain game for iOS lets you compete with your friends.

Pros: This game provides you with an opportunity to join the advanced Training modules to develop a collaboration with university students and scientists.

Cons: Fullscreen 30-second commercials ruin the interest of some players.

5. Clockwork Brain Training | Memory & Attention Game

Clockwork Brain Training

  • The background of this game is decorated with ancient elements and wallpapers.
  • More than 17 challenging mind games will be there to sharpen your memory.
  • You can collect tokens to unlock new gaming modes.
  • When things seem very difficult for you, you can get hints from some powerful Petbots.
  • If you want to get some rough and tough levels, you try the difficult Insane rounds.

Pros: This game views weekly and monthly graphs to show your progression in your performance.

6. Tricky Test 2™: Genius Brain?

Tricky Test 2™: Genius Brain?

I don’t think it will be very easy to play. You can’t use your mechanical gaming strength or physical power to win, but your intelligence and brain will only work to get the absurd solutions to these puzzles.

  • This game will set a timer to solve puzzles in the given time. So, you have to be careful while thinking about the solution.
  • You will get around 111 puzzles and brain teasers that you can solve only in 120 minutes.
  • You can boost your mathematical analytic ability by playing “Find Out if You’re a Genius″.
  • “Test Your Friends Mode” is another tricky level that you can use to challenge your friends.
  • You can’t answer the puzzles and teasers accurately if you don’t think out of the box.

Pros: This game is developed for playing with family members and friends.

7. The Moron Test: IQ Brain Games

The Moron Test: IQ Brain Games

  • There are 6 different levels full of challenging mind games.
  • Over a hundred games are available in different categories.
  • There are tons of funny characters, and the music is also very entertaining.
  • This game shows a global leaderboard and achievement lists.
  • You can try memory games, knowledge games, trivia games, and logic games.

Pros: Shape puzzles are the most entertaining and challenging part of this game.

Cons: Some players think it a little bit easier and suggest it for the kids and teenagers.

8. 100 Logic Games – Time Killers

100 Logic Games - Time Killers, brain games for iPhone

It includes hundreds of minigames containing sudoku, puzzles, matching, and other brain exercising tasks. This game is free to play and requires an in-app purchase for having an ad-free environment.

  • Offers around ten thousand levels for puzzle games.
  • Includes a pinch-zoom function for puzzles.
  • You can take notes within the game while solving complex puzzles.
  • It offers very swift and snappy operations and includes timed hints facilities.
  • You can check the progression conditions for all the mini-games individually.
  • Includes supportive puzzles and problem-solving games dedicated to brain stimulation.

Pros: It integrates Game Center facilities with leaderboards access. You will like its automatic saving facilities and super-fast responsiveness.

Cons: Some users faced sudden loading issues while playing for a long time.

9. IQ Test: Brain Cognitive Games

The Moron Test: IQ Brain Games

This game uses the Culture-free testing method by R. Cattell. The interface is very smooth, and you will love the responsiveness of the whole ecosystem.

  • Offers professional grade tasting methods for reliable IQ tests.
  • You can test the intelligence level of your friends and family members.
  • As it provides 100 percent certified test results, this will surely boost your self-esteem as you know about your real IQ level.
  • It offers functions that let you know your intellectual age.
  • Allows advanced comparison systems, and users can find out about celebrities who are similar or close to their IQ level.

Pros: It is free to download and widely accessible. The results are provided in numbers that are highly comprehensible.

Cons: Some users did not like the process of paid access to useful features.

10. Brain Training

Brain Training

It is equipped with Game Center facilities, so the players will be able to check leaderboards. Don’t wait; get ready to compete with your friends, and reach different milestones of the game.

  • Covers all the aptitudes such as logic, word knowledge, math, music, memory, puzzles, concentration levels, spatial, etc.
  • Offers daily tests with different difficulty levels.
  • You will be able to check the improvement ratios of your IQ by giving tests every day.
  • Includes lots of challenging puzzles to solve and regular IQ exams of four different types.
  • This game is suitable for people of all ages and offers challenging tasks that require operations from both the left and right sides of the brain.

Pros: It provides test results with full details and suggestions for possible improvements. The game interface and overall navigation system are very snappy and smooth.

Cons: Some players found the game too hard to solve.

Our Recommendation

It is the toughest part today to fewer the list of recommendations. You must see that all these 10 best brain games for your iPad and iPhone are near to be equally challenging and exciting. However, Brain Training and Lumosity are the hardest games among them. If you don’t like to try them and plan to spend your time with less attention, try The Moron Test or Brain Dots.

And if we think rationally, no prioritizing level of hardness, the Left vs. Right will be the best for you. If you spend a few minutes checking the details, I think you have already got your answer.

Finally, Insights

You have now learned about the best brain games for iPhone/iOS and iPad. If you really wish to improve your IQ and mental strength, then these games are a must-have for you. They are scientifically tested to do so. That’s why I suggest not to spend your time on silly games that will do nothing but to make you addicted and try these brain teasers. After trying one, please share how you are doing with that. Your experience will motivate others to try the game. Thank you for your endless support.

Mehedi Hasan

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

You May Like It!

The 15 earth science or geoscience software for linux, pidgin chat client: get all your accounts in one im app, how to take screenshot on chromebook, how to install arc and arc dark theme in your linux distros, trending now, top 10 best barbie games to cherish your love for a barbie doll, top 10 best song identifier apps to find your favorite songs, top 10 best authenticator apps you should use for the safest log-in, top 10 best sleep apps for apple watch to track your sleep habit, 10 best psp rpg games to play on your psp today, 10 best detective games for pc | test your investigative skills, 10 best monster hunter like games for rpg lovers, 10 best puzzle games for iphone (ios), 18 best workout and fitness apps for iphone (ios), 10 best remote desktop apps for mac | access mac remotely.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Stay connected

Newsletter signup, editors' pick, 8 best whiteboard apps for linux: useful for teachers & project planners, everything you need to know about the linux file system, 20 best linux remote desktop clients (fast & secure).

Copyright © 2024 | All Rights Reserved. Ubuntu is a registered trademark of Canonical Ltd.

  • For Parents
  • For Educators
  • Our Work and Impact

Or browse by category:

  • Movie Reviews
  • Best Movie Lists
  • Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More

Common Sense Selections for Movies

problem solving games on ipad

50 Modern Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12

problem solving games on ipad

  • Best TV Lists
  • Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More
  • Common Sense Selections for TV
  • Video Reviews of TV Shows

problem solving games on ipad

Best Kids' Shows on Disney+

problem solving games on ipad

Best Kids' TV Shows on Netflix

  • Book Reviews
  • Best Book Lists
  • Common Sense Selections for Books

problem solving games on ipad

8 Tips for Getting Kids Hooked on Books

problem solving games on ipad

50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12

  • Game Reviews
  • Best Game Lists

Common Sense Selections for Games

  • Video Reviews of Games

problem solving games on ipad

Nintendo Switch Games for Family Fun

problem solving games on ipad

  • Podcast Reviews
  • Best Podcast Lists

Common Sense Selections for Podcasts

problem solving games on ipad

Parents' Guide to Podcasts

problem solving games on ipad

  • App Reviews
  • Best App Lists

problem solving games on ipad

Social Networking for Teens

problem solving games on ipad

Gun-Free Action Game Apps

problem solving games on ipad

Reviews for AI Apps and Tools

  • YouTube Channel Reviews
  • YouTube Kids Channels by Topic

problem solving games on ipad

Parents' Ultimate Guide to YouTube Kids

problem solving games on ipad

YouTube Kids Channels for Gamers

  • Preschoolers (2-4)
  • Little Kids (5-7)
  • Big Kids (8-9)
  • Pre-Teens (10-12)
  • Teens (13+)
  • Screen Time
  • Social Media
  • Online Safety
  • Identity and Community

problem solving games on ipad

Explaining the News to Our Kids

  • Family Tech Planners
  • Digital Skills
  • All Articles
  • Latino Culture
  • Black Voices
  • Asian Stories
  • Native Narratives
  • LGBTQ+ Pride
  • Best of Diverse Representation List

problem solving games on ipad

Celebrating Black History Month

problem solving games on ipad

Movies and TV Shows with Arab Leads

problem solving games on ipad

Celebrate Hip-Hop's 50th Anniversary

"best of" lists.

Get age-appropriate ideas and inspiration for every interest:

  • Best Movies for Kids
  • Best TV for Kids
  • Best Streaming Picks for Kids
  • Best Games for Kids
  • Best Apps for Kids
  • Best Books for Kids
  • Best Podcasts for Kids
  • Best Websites for Kids
  • Best for Character Development for Kids
  • Best for Diversity for Kids
  • Best for Learning for Kids

Games That Help Kids Think Critically

When gamers pick up a controller, they're frequently placed in the role of the hero or the protagonist that always wins. But that doesn't always challenge them to think critically or examine all sides of a situation rationally. In fact, what can help some incredible games and apps stand out from other titles is that they don't simply ask kids for RIGHT or WRONG answers. Instead, they encourage them to experiment and consider the shades of gray in problems. Players interested in testing their emotional responses may want to check out our list of the Best Empathy Games, Apps, and Websites as well.

Tozzle - Toddler's favorite puzzle Poster Image

Tozzle - Toddler's favorite puzzle

Drag-and-drop shape puzzles made especially for toddlers.

Montessori Geometry - Recognize and learn shapes Poster Image

Montessori Geometry - Recognize and learn shapes

Amazing starter geometry app is fun and comprehensive.

BoxBoy! + BoxGirl! Poster Image

BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!

Think outside the box with this charming, fun puzzler.

Busy Water Poster Image

Solve and create puzzles that gush with STEM learning.

Super Mario Maker 2 Poster Image

Super Mario Maker 2

Fun, accessible editing tools expose kids to game design.

The Last Campfire Poster Image

The Last Campfire

Utterly charming, brilliantly made puzzle game.

Mini Metro Poster Image

Mass transit simulator is simple, marvelous, hard to master.

Mystery Math Town Poster Image

Mystery Math Town

Great math practice with fun story, entertaining characters.

Savings Spree Poster Image

Savings Spree

Kids learn financial literacy through game-show action.

biped Poster Image

Co-op puzzler is violence-free and promotes teamwork.

BrainPOP Featured Movie Poster Image

BrainPOP Featured Movie

Daily films from educational group provide tons of learning.

Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics Poster Image

Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics

Collection of classics promotes friendly social experiences.

Good Job! Poster Image

Office-themed puzzler rewards creative and logical thinking.

Lumines Remastered Poster Image

Lumines Remastered

Classic puzzle game buzzes with new immersive play feature.

Maggie's Earth Adventures Poster Image

Maggie's Earth Adventures

Save the planet with these terrific learning activities.

Moving Out Poster Image

Fun co-op sim is appropriate for all ages, skill levels.

Roundguard Poster Image

Clever pinball-esque puzzler has a bit of mild combat.

The Path of Motus Poster Image

The Path of Motus

Adventure tackles bullying with positivity and mild combat.

Untitled Goose Game Poster Image

Untitled Goose Game

Don't let your goose get cooked in feathered fun puzzler.

Wiseland Poster Image

Journey to explore big questions only gets you so far.

Other great lists from our editors

  • Learning Tools for Out-of-the-Box Thinkers
  • Apps and Websites with Lots of Problem-Solving
  • Free Educational Apps, Games, and Websites
  • Here's the Secret to Raising a Safe, Smart Kid
  • How to Raise a Lifelong Learner

Maths Tips From Maths Insider

Quick tips and practical advice to help you guide your child to maths success.

  • Maths Insider Amazon Store
  • Free FB Group

16 Cool iPad Math Apps (That Your Child Might Actually Love!)

1   mathmateer – $0.99.

This rocket themed math app appeals to the most basic instinct in kids, which is usually not to learn maths, but is to collect stuff and build stuff. Of course it covers the essential 4 operations but also covers topics such as telling the time, money, shapes and even square roots. Kids get to build a rocket which is powered by a realistic physics engine and launch their rocket into space to answer questions and collect maths objects. Designed for kids aged 4-12 years old, there’s plenty of maths (and rocket building) in this app to keep kids usefully occupied for many hours.

2 ArithmeTick Math Flash Cards – Free

ArithmeTick lacks the cool graphics of other apps, but it’s strangely addictive and gets the job done. This app has 5 difficulty levels from easy to Einstein and gives kids flash card style training for each of the 4 basic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division.) What works well are the timed challenges which offer points and additional time for correct answers.

3 Mathemagics – Mental Math Tricks – $1.99

With nearly 2000 4.5 star reviews, this mental maths trainer app is a good choice for older children (and adults) who want to go beyond basic arithmetic and become mathematicians. Presented in a notebook style, with clear explanations of how to perform these mental maths tricks along with a practice mode allowing you to perfect your maths tricks.

4 Kids Ace Math – Free

A nice maths app for kids aged 3 and up. Kids Ace Math features kid (if not adult) friendly graphics and nice visualizations to help little ones see the visual representations of the 4 basic operations. What’s good about this app is that the settings can be adjusted to your child’s ability allowing the app to grow with your child.

5 Math Bingo – $0.99

This universal app (purchase once and use on both your iPhone and iPad) can be played in one of 3 difficulty levels, with up to 5 profiles (handy if you have more than on child), using any of the 8 avatars and features bug prizes. The brightly rendered bingo card concept with animated bugs adds a level of interest to this 4 operations game.

 6  Math Puppy – Free

The cute animated puppy, bright graphics and upbeat music make this bingo math challenge game engaging for little ones. Basic subtraction is included in the free version, with addition, multiplication and division challenges available through in-app purchase.

7  Math Drills Lite- Free

8  team umizoomi math – $4.99.

The high quality production of the audio and graphics, as well as the use of Nick Jr’s UmiZoomi characters, explain the high price point of this app. Featuring maths ideas ranging from counting to addition/ subtraction and number lines, this preschool game is a firm favorite with my 3 year old. Games are leveled, and designed to increase in difficulty. Appropriate hints are provided to support your child as they practice and build their maths skills.

9  Intro to Math by Montessorium – $4.99

This beautifully designed app uses classic Montessori methods to teach maths basics such as number recognition, sequence, and spatial relationships. It even introduces odd and even numbers. Montessori resources such as number rods and sandpaper letters are reinvented for the digital age to provide a rich learning experience for preschoolers. This app also features language support for 7 different languages.

10  Teach Me – 1st Grade – $0.99

Although  not exclusively a maths app, Teach Me – 1st Grade deserves a mention here for the way it manages to engage children. My 5 year old proclaimed that he didn’t need to go to school after playing with the Kindergarten version of this game over several weeks. Taking advantage of children’s desire to be like grown-up’s and buy things, the various themed stores offer stickers that kids can buy using coins they earn during game play. The handwriting recognition engine helps to reinforce number formation and addition and subtraction are taught from and to 20.

11  Math Evolve – $1.99

Math Evolve’s graphically rich “Story Mode” mixes the usual 4 operations maths practice with classic arcade-style gameplay, creating a true synergy between learning and play. Players embark on epic math adventure across three unique environments: microscopic, ocean, and space. The app’s “Practice Mode” can be used  to provide customizable math practice. Works on both the iPhone and the iPad with one purchase.

12  Motion Math Zoom – Free

 Motion Math Zoom’s zoomable, stretchable number line is missing some numbers – it’s up to your child to put the numbers back where they belong. What works really well is that the game uses concrete objects to represent abstract numbers: from dinosaurs in the thousands down to amoebae in the thousandths. Fun animal animations and sound effects help school children master the number line, and get a real feel for how big (or small) numbers really are. The first 6 levels are free, and a further 18 levels can be accessed with an in-app purchase.

13  Doodle Numbers HD – Free

An addictive and simple family number game, Doodle Numbers HD offers plenty of arithmetic practice.  Why spend time mindlessly matching coloured shapes when with this game you can clear the game board by matching numbers based on the rules given at each level. Scoring a consistent 4.5 stars from nearly 1000 reviews, this  app makes arithmetic a fun family activity!

14  Super 7 – $0.99

A favorite in our house, it’s easy to dismiss Super 7 as being a simple maths game as the numbered discs slowly float onto the screen. However minutes later as you’re frantically working out addition sums with numbers (including negative numbers), while making sure certain increasingly fast floating discs don’t touch each other, you’ll realize that both your mental maths and your reaction skills have undergone some targeted training. 4.5 stars from over 8000 ratings says it all.

15  Brain Tuner 2 Pro – $0.99

This brain training maths app takes addition, subtraction, multiplication and division questions and turns them into a challenging math game for adults and children. In each of the 5 game modes, players earn “brain cells” as they answer questions. There’s a game center and a multiplayer mode where players can play over the internet.

16  Math Ninja HD – $1.99

Combining cool video game play with maths means that kids won’t realize how much math they’re actually doing while playing Math Ninja. You can customize the game to focus on particular operations and number ranges while your child defends themselves against Tomato-San, who is building a robotic army to steal their tasty math treasure!

Which maths iPad apps have worked well for your child? Tell me in the comments below!

For more cool math apps check out the following posts:

The 16 Best iPhone and iPad Math Apps for Preschoolers

7 iPad Apps to Help Your Child Crush Their Times Tables

Questimate! – Quite Possibly the Coolest Math iPad App!

Is Thinkster Math a Real Alternative to Kumon?

Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.

37 thoughts on “ 16 Cool iPad Math Apps (That Your Child Might Actually Love!) ”

I would add Operation Math to the list for older kids.

Operation Math does look cool! From the description,”Dr. Odd is on a global quest to eliminate the world’s even numbers. And it’s your job to stop him, by seeking out his secret bases, destroying his menacing mainframes and making the world a safer place for math”

Looks like a fun way for older kids to review basic operations. Thanks Tina for sharing!

Hi Caroline Mukisa. It’s helpful for me. Because i’m developing a website about Math Apps. My website have cool math apps, and i’ll update apps in your topic :). Thank You! This is my Website: http://www.coolmath-apps.com How do you feel about it?

That’s an excellent list. I find it hard to find maths apps for older ppl, but I did see this one called Maths vs Martians (link below, not sure if I’m allowed to post it, but you can find it on the Apple AppStore). I played it to improve my maths, and found it really great fun. You have to think really fast sometimes, so it must be doing some good in my brain! Great fun firing guns at martians.

That’s an excellent list. I find it hard to find maths apps for older ppl, but I did see this one called Maths vs Martians (link below, not sure if I’m allowed to post it, but you can find it on the Apple AppStore). I played it to improve my maths, and found it really great fun. You have to think really fast sometimes, so it must be doing some good in my brain! Great fun firing guns at martians. http://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/maths-vs-martians/id525915335?mt=8

Splash Math apps. They are available for grade 1 to grade 5 and are aligned to common core standards.

Math Pentagon apps deserve a mention too. I teach a group of 5 students. My kids love practicing problems on iPad. They don’t stop even during their breaks! :) There are a variety of worksheets to choose from, mainly for grades 4 and up, and I can assign them to my students. It’s almost like we can do without paper – as it’s just not worksheets on iPad, it’s also reports and a whole lot of other things. We have been avid users of their Math!!! app; now we’ve decided to switch to Math Pro!!! . I jus discovered that has much more specialized worksheets.

Summed Up is my first iPad app that I had developed to help kids with their basic addition facts to 20. Well worth a try, but I am a bit biased. Go check it out.

Yes, these apps sound rather interesting, don’t they? A lot of us, in this day and age, spend quite a bit of time online, or at least, gazing at a screen. Now, one can make that pastime quite educational. This the one time parents won’t stop children from jumping at the iPad the moment they’re home from school. Maths in a fun way is one way of ensuring that kids don’t play rubbishy games that involve shooting, gore, war, killing and so on.

“Smart Toddler School Pro++” apple app– This all in one or kindergarten prep app provides everything about upper, lower case letters, numbers, colors, shapes, counting and provides good listening and learning.  The child will have the opportunity to learn to write, counting, colors, and advanced shapes. 

I think you’ll love Mathtopia. It’s new… a fun math facts game that is both addictive and works!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mathtopia/id569333308?mt=8

I hope it makes your next list.

I also really like “Numbler”. It’s a crossword type game like Scrabble or Words with Friends, but using numbers instead of letters.

https://itunes.apple.com/app/numbler-math-game/id569515022?mt=8

A really fun and engaging way for kids to improve their algebra, computation, and critical thinking.

DynaMult and DynaPlus are 2 math apps designed to provide multiplication and addition practice in the context of engaging space games. Navigation for the student’s space ship is accomplished by using multiplication of signed numbers in DynaMult, and by using addition of signed numbers in DynaPlus.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dynamult/id561485938?mt=8

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dynaplus-for-ipad/id584461109?mt=8

Please check these out!

Hi Nikki thanks for the comment. It’s great to get feedback and know that the info is helping families across Cape Town! If you find any other good free outings be sure to come back and leave a comment!

We all know the importance of teaching mental strategies to our kids. Check out the Apple app SLAM DUNK MATHS MENTAL STRATEGIES. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/slam-dunk-maths/id559701686?ls=1&mt=8 Slam Dunk Maths is the most fun you’ll have learning how to calculate in your head. Students love it because of the built in motivation – they get to slam dunk at the end of each topic. Teachers love it because, at last, an app is written which focuses on MATHS MENTAL STRATEGIES! Covering the curriculum from Prep to Year 7, each topic focuses on one strategy only.

Try “Math Up” the first basic Math addition and Subtraction. It will help your child to prctice math skill.

Math Gnomes a fun new iOS app that teaches math.

We’ve just developed a new exciting app for the iPhone & iPad. Would you be interested in reviewing it? You can check it out at: http://www.mometrixgames.com/mathgnomes/

or link directly to the iTunes store at:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/math-gnomes/id591417429?mt=8

Math Gnomes features:

Three-dimensional adaptive learning technology – the game continually adjusts both speed and problem difficulty level to match skill levels, and also relatively adjusts game speed for problem difficulty. Includes over one million addition, subtraction, multiplication and division problems. The game screen functions as a whiteboard for more difficult multi-step problems. Users simply write with their fingers to conduct advanced operations such as long division, three digit addition and two digit multiplication. The whiteboard is automatically cleared after each problem. Customize which types of problems show. Want to work on multiplication only? Just change your settings. One purchase, multiple users. If you have multiple children who may want to use the game, this is great because you buy one copy and each child has his or her own gnome, with custom name, problem type settings, rewards / scoring. Includes both the high-definition iPad version and iPhone/Touch functionality with one purchase, an incredible value. Maintains a history, which can be emailed, of the last 1000 problems presented for each user, noting incorrect answers, enabling parents or educators to zero in on trouble spots for learners.

I’d like to introduce one more math game: “Cryptarithms”: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cryptarithms/id609736978?ls=1&mt=8

The only abilities required by “Cryptarithms” are to sum numbers and perform logical reasoning. This kind of puzzles has become popular in the first half of XXth century in Europe. Solving the cryptarithm “send+more=money” was an intellectual challenge thrown by english mathmetician Henry Ernest Dudeney. As well as today. This application is to encourage you to meet the challenge in any of 6 languages. Solve them all.

Hi! Check out our App Math Bugs for practising numeracy and our number system, while creating fun bugs! https://itunes.apple.com/app/id583921623

Try MysteryMath, it’s new but it involves coloring as well. There are three “stages.” One were they can color anything they wish to, one that is color by number, and one were you need to solve math facts. It also keeps adults entertained!

Sorry, I forgot the URL

MysteryMath: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mysterymath/id610993145?ls=1&mt=8

Check out myBlee: http://myblee.info The lessons are clear and easy to follow. My daughter loves that she can write her answers with her finger.

“Mathematis” – An educational app for kids that makes learning mental math fun!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mathematis/id640272611?mt=8

Check out Spell Pop! https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spell-pop/id648964388?ls=1&mt=8

Try this one also for your kids. It’s Jazzy World Tour. It will teach your kids music all over the world with different culture. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/jazzy-world-tour-free-musical/id574909527?mt=8

Great list!

My vote goes to Tinct, found it under educational apps. Well designed for adults, but equally my kid enjoys it too. Seems to fit the bill for players of any age.

https://itunes.apple.com/app/tinct/id651433354?mt=8

My vote goes to Doodle number HD that offers a plenty of arithmetic practice for the kids. This apps make a arithmetic fun for my family activity.

Check out our new Base 10 app on the iTunes app store. We bring a whole new level of fun and engagement to base 10 blocks with cute characters and animations. iGet Math: Base 10 allows kids to explore math without the typical math drill format. It’s also a great classroom tool – it feels like a game, but is flexible enough for any teacher to use to demonstrate or reinforce basic addition and subtraction concepts. Download it from the iTunes app store (for iPad): https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iget-math-base10/id824021388?ls=1&mt=8

My kids love Heli Math. It’s flappy bird meets math problems. They are so good at it and I can barely get the hand-eye coordination and problem solving to work together!

If you are teacher, I want to suggest “Math up K” to use in classroom. The educational design teaches the way information is presented in a traditional math book at school. Student more interesting in effect when they try to counting numbers.

Another fun app you can add to the educational game list is Candy Andy – Munching Numbers.

It is a fun math based game where the rules determine how you eliminate candy pieces from the board – be careful, the rules get more challenging as time goes on.

Join Andy in his journey down the yellow street of sesame to eat all the candies! Do you like brain teasers, brain games, and math games like sudoku? Do you have a analytical and logical mind hungering for problem solving games? This is the perfect number puzzle game for you. Challenging for avid puzzlers, yet easy to learn for the casual gamer.

It is available for FREE at Google Play – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.digiskygames.candyandy3

You can also download it for FREE in the iOS App Store – https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/candy-andy-munching-numbers/id901238950?mt=8

You should try out Little Math Adventure. It is fun game and difficulty is automatically adjusted so the kids stay challenged and motivated

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/little-math-adventure/id889658967?mt=8

I am surprised that there so many Math apps available, maybe I was not looking enough. SimpleK12

Thanks for giving me more great ideas to try. I’ve used so many things on my iPad with my fourth graders it is ridiculous. The one thing that is the biggest problem is that some kids just don’t take the time to practice and memorize math facts at home.

Try this app, Mathball.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mathball-eck/id982008428?ls=1&mt=8

https://www.facebook.com/mathball?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Sum Fun is a great number puzzle game. Interesting games take a few minutes to play each: https://appsto.re/us/86RUW.i

Comments are closed.

  • Social Calendar [New]
  • Browse Team Building Experiences

Problem Solving Games, Activities & Exercises for Adults

Here is our list of the best problem solving games, activities and exercises for adults.

Problem solving games are activities that require players to use critical thinking skills to solve puzzles. Example activities include escape rooms, Sudoku, and murder mysteries. The purpose of these exercises is to sharpen reasoning and decision-making skills in group settings and to do team building with employees.

These activities are a subset of remote team games , found in problem solving books , and are similar to team puzzles , team building brain teasers and team riddles .

problem-solving-games

This article contains:

  • team building problem solving activities for employees
  • free problem solving games for adults
  • virtual problem solving activities for students
  • group problem solving activities
  • problem solving team builders

Here we go!

List of problem solving games & activities

From word and number puzzles to role-playing games, here is a list of inexpensive and free problem solving team builders that help groups practice the art of critical thinking and compromise.

1. Espionage! (Team Favorite)

espionage banner

For an exciting game of social deduction, check out Espionage! This thrilling experience will put your team’s wits and instincts to the test.

Espionage! offers the following:

  • a 90-minute session led by an experienced host
  • undercover teams of agents and spies
  • challenging puzzles, tasks, and maneuvers
  • team conversations to help uncover secret identities

The best part is we will bring all the necessary game materials to your preferred location. If you are interested in boosting communication and critical-thinking skills within your team, then consider Espionage!

Learn more about Espionage!

2. Art Heist: The Vanishing of Van Gogh (Hosted)

problem solving games on ipad

You can turn your team into skilled detectives with Art Heist: The Vanishing of Van Gogh! In this captivating mystery, participants will locate the stolen artwork, The Bedroom .

Key features of this experience include:

  • a 90-minute adventure led by a world-class host
  • detailed puzzles, clues, and mysteries to unravel
  • trails of evidence and hidden secrets
  • group discussions to find the art

Additionally, you can include a cocktail kit to spice up your event. Through Art Heist, you will enhance your team’s ingenuity and problem-solving skills!

Learn more about Art Heist: The Vanishing of Van Gogh .

Want some free team building tools?

$49 value (100% free).

  • 100+ fully tested icebreaker questions
  • 24+ themed Bingo generators
  • 5+ PDFs (including the 8% Rule)
  • 2024 team building calendar
  • and more...

Tool Box

Enter your email for instant access

3. War of the Wizards (Popular)

war of the wizards banner

With War of the Wizards, teams roleplay as minions of powerful wizards to vanquish forces of evil. Participants will play thrilling games and go on a quest to restore harmony to the realm!

War of the Wizards offers the following:

  • a 90-minute journey guided by a distinguished host
  • immersive storytelling that transports players into a magical realm
  • engaging activities like world-building, role-playing games, and storytelling
  • opportunities for forming alliances, facing challenges, and going on quests

Through the power of imagination and teamwork, your team can overcome tasks and participate in an epic fantasy battle. To improve communication and bonds, include War of the Wizards in your agenda!

Learn more about War of the Wizards .

Sudoku is one of the most popular free problem solving games for adults. The objective of this game is to fill each box of a 9×9 grid so that every row, column, and letter contains each number from one to nine. The puzzle makes a great team challenge. To play Sudoku on Zoom, screen share the game board. Then, turn on the annotation features. Using the add text functions, participants can fill in the numbers on the grid.

We made a starter puzzle you can use in your next meeting or virtual team bonding session:

Sudoku game-board

Here are more online Sudoku puzzles .

5. Crossword puzzles

Crossword puzzles are word games that ask players to fill in words based on clues. Words interconnect, and players must think critically about the surrounding words to select the right phrase for the space.

You can use an online crossword puzzle maker to create a custom puzzle. Here are a few themes you may want to consider:

  • teammates’ tastes and interests
  • company knowledge and history
  • industry terms and trends

Or, create a miscellaneous puzzle just for fun.

We made a sample puzzle you can use for your game:

free crossword template

To complete puzzles during online meetings, you can use the share screen function and add text through annotations.

Or, subscribers can play the New York Times’ daily crossword puzzle virtually . Dictionary.com also offers a free daily online crossword puzzle .

Check out more vocabulary games .

6. Online Escape Rooms

Escape rooms are timed games that get groups working together to solve puzzles. Traditionally, players enter a locked room and must complete all puzzles in an hour or two to unlock the door. However, groups can also play escape rooms online.

Digital escape rooms typically come in one of two forms: in a Zoom room and led by a host, or in a choose-your-own adventure format via Google Forms or websites. To play escape rooms virtually, enter a video meeting and follow the prompts, or screen share the Google Form and work out the puzzles together.

Check out our full list of online escape rooms .

7. Murder Mysteries

Murder Mysteries are story-based games that ask players to take on the roles of suspects or detectives while trying to identify a killer. These games often involve reading lines from a script, searching for clues, and occasionally solving puzzles to get hints.

These games make participants pay attention to conversations, analyze other characters’ behavior, and search for hidden meaning in the script. Players must use their powers of observation and logic to unravel the mystery.

Check out our list of Zoom murder mystery games .

8. Treasure Hunts

Treasure hunts are scavenger hunts with intention. While virtual scavenger hunts often ask players to collect random items, treasure hunts require participants to locate clues that lead to other prompts and hints. The game typically ends with players finding a treasure or solving a mystery, sometimes both.

The treasure hunt can have a specific theme such as secret agent missions or a hunt for pirate treasure, or you can run a more general hunt. Teammates can either compete simultaneously via Zoom call, or can play the hunt on an app individually and compete to beat each other’s scores.

Check out our list of treasure hunt apps .

9. Poem or story challenge

Most team building problem solving activities for employees revolve around science, math, and logic. Poem/story challenges rely on writing skills and are sure to appeal to the language lovers on your team.

Each player receives a limited word bank to use to create a story or poem. Then, players have a few minutes to craft their pieces. Afterward, everyone reads out or screen shares their creations.

Here are a few word challenge activities you can do remotely:

  • Found poems or stories : Participants make poems or stories out of words they find by visiting websites, searching emails, glancing out the window, or taking a walk or drive around the neighborhood.
  • Random word generators : Teammates use a random word generator to populate a word bank, and must use each word in the poem or story.
  • Poetry magnets : Group members make poems using poetry magnets. You can send poetry magnet sets to employees and assemble the verses on a cookie pan during a Zoom call. Or, teammates can play with poetry magnets online .
  • Page poems: Participants receive one page of a book or magazine, and must make a poem or story by blocking out other words so only the chosen text remains visible. This activity is part storytelling, part art, since story crafters can illustrate the pages as part of the design.
  • Ransom note stories or poems : Players cut out letters from magazines and must form new words to make poems and stories. Or, players can receive a mix of random letters, form words, and run the text through a ransom note generator .

These activities are suitable for teams and individual players.

10. Moral challenge

Some problems are ethical rather than factual. Moral judgment plays just as important a role in the decision-making process as technical prowess. Players can flex their moral problem-solving skills by tackling ethical dilemmas or social puzzles.

Here are some social problem solving games online:

  • Moral machine
  • Scruples – the game of moral dilemmas
  • Morality play

To play these games, either download the apps, or pull up the website and then screen share the prompts. These games are best played when discussed as a group, because the more belief systems and opinions, the harder an issue is to resolve. These exercises provide practice for real-life conflict resolution.

You can find similar challenges on our list of online personality tests .

11. Frostbite

Frostbite is a group game that hones team leaders’ communication skills while sharpening teammates’ listening and cooperation skills. The premise behind the game is that a group of explorers gets caught in a snowstorm and must build a shelter. Frostbite has paralyzed the leaders’ hands and snow-blinded the rest of the team. The leader must give the team instructions to build a tent that can resist arctic winds.

To play Frostbite, each teammate wears a blindfold. Then, the leader gives directions. Once the structures are complete, players turn on a fan to test whether tents can withstand the wind.

Frostbite is usually an in-person game, however you can also play virtually. In the remote version of the game, teammates construct tents out of cards and tape, while the leader surveys the scene on screen.

This exercise demonstrates the challenges of leading remotely, as teams need to operate with minimal oversight or supervisor observation. Therefore, instructions need to be clear and direct to be effective.

Check out more team building games .

12. Virtual Hackathons

Hackathons are events where participants have a set amount of time to design and pitch a new product or solution. This type of event originated in the programming world and is often used to create new apps, however you can apply the game to any industry or school subject.

Virtual hackathons are online versions of the event. Teams enter the competition, then work with each other via virtual meeting software or remote work communication platforms to design the solution. At the end of the competition, teams pitch ideas to a panel of judges and a winner is decided.

To run a virtual hackathon, first announce the theme of the event and collect sign-ups. So that no teams work ahead, hint at the general idea of the issue, and only explain the precise problem when the event begins. Then, give teams anywhere from a few hours to a few days to complete the project.

Discover more virtual hackathon ideas .

13. Improv games

Improv games are excellent problem solving activities. These exercises force participants to think and respond quickly to keep scenes moving in a logical and entertaining way.

Here are some good problem solving improv games:

Banned words : Performers cannot say certain words. Scene partners will conceive of situations that encourage the actors to use those words, and the actors must find alternatives, such as using synonyms or taking the scene in a new direction.

Scenes from a chat : Audience gives a suggestion for a scene, and players act the scene out. Though it’s a fictional and often ridiculous scenario, actors must react to the situation and solve the problem in order for the scene to end.

Miracle cure : Miracle cure is a quick-moving exercise that follows a simple format. One player declares, “I have a problem.” Another player responds, “I have a….[random object.]” The first player then replies, “great! I can use the [random object] to….” and describes how they will solve the problem.

Check out more problem-solving improv games .

14. Spaghetti Tower

The spaghetti tower is a classic team building game. Participants gather uncooked spaghetti and marshmallows, and must construct the tallest freestanding tower.

During the in-person version, players must construct one tall freestanding tower. However, for the virtual version of the game, players construct individual towers. You can send groups to breakout rooms for the build, then reconvene in the main room for judging. Teams are judged on three main factors: number of towers, height, and uniformity.

This version of the game not only tests the structural integrity of the tower, but also consistency and quality control. This exercise teaches teams to align and collaborate remotely, and produce a consistent product even when far apart.

15. What Would You Do?

What Would You Do? is a simple situational game that challenges participants to react to different circumstances. To play this game, read prompts one by one, and then ask participants to respond with gameplans. You can use the polling or raise hand feature to vote for the best option.

Here are some problem solving scenarios for adults or kids to use in the game:

  • Zombies attack and you have to find a place to hide.
  • You are at the zoo and the animals escape. Which one do you try to corral back into the pen first?
  • After waiting in line for hours, someone cuts in front of you last minute. The person appears to be visually and hearing impaired, and doesn’t notice your protests. An official announces that due to diminishing supply, this individual will be the last in line to be served.
  • You are eating a meal with important clients and/or your partner’s parents, and you want to impress. The individuals make you a dish that does not fit within your dietary restrictions, but you do not speak the same language and cannot explain why you do not want to eat.
  • An imposter has infiltrated the organization, who looks, speaks, and behaves exactly like you. How do you convince your peers that you are the original?

For similar dilemmas, check out this list of Would You Rather? questions.

16. Desert Island Survival

Desert Island Survival is a game that challenges players to prioritize. The premise is that players have been stranded on an island, and must decide what order to perform survival steps.

Here are the possible actions:

  • Set up shelter
  • Explore the island
  • Try to signal for help
  • Make weapons for self-defense
  • Build a raft to escape the island
  • Start a fire
  • Choose a group leader
  • Search for other survivors

All group members must agree on the order of the steps. Players should explain the reasoning for the order of each step while ranking the actions.

Another version of the game involves players receiving a list of 15 to 20 items, and selecting five or so to bring to the island. You can also vary the location of the game, substituting remote islands for destinations like outer space or the distant past.

17. Choose Your Own Adventure

Choose Your Own Adventure stories enable readers to determine the outcome of the story by making decisions. Each action has a consequence that takes the tale in a different direction. Participants can try to guess how the story may unfold by talking through the different choices. When completing the activity in a group setting, the majority of the team must agree on an action before moving forward in the story.

There are a few ways to facilitate these activities online:

  • Play an online role playing video game
  • Watch an interactive movie like Black Mirror: Bandersnatch
  • Read from a Choose Your Own Adventure book on Zoom
  • Click through a Choose Your Own Adventure platform
  • Create your own story using a Google Form

Whichever way you choose to do the exercise, you can use the screen share feature in your virtual meeting software so that listeners can more easily follow along.

18. MacGyver

MacGyver is a show where the hero escapes sticky situations by improvising tools out of unlikely materials. For example, in one episode the hero makes a telescope out of a newspaper, magnifying lens, and a watch crystal.

To play MacGyver, you can either list three to five objects participants can use, or challenge players to use items that are within arms reach.

Simply state a desired end result, such as “a way to open a locked door,” or “a getaway vehicle,” and then ask teams to explain what they will build and how they will build it. To make the activity more collaborative, you can give teams five or ten minutes in breakout rooms to strategize and design a prototype.

19. Dungeons & Dragons

Dungeons & Dragons is a roleplaying game where players pretend to be magical figures and creatures. One player serves as the dungeon master, who guides the game, while the other players pick characters and make decisions to move the story forward. Upon choosing a course of action, players roll a twenty-sided die to determine whether or not the plan succeeds. The game is story-based, the possibilities are nearly limitless, and truly creative problem solving options arise. Also, since gameplay is mostly verbal, Dungeons & Dragons is an easy activity to do over Zoom.

Here are the basic rules for Dungeons & Dragons .

20. Pandemic

Pandemic is a game that pits players against the forces of nature in a race to contain and control disease outbreaks. At the beginning of the game, each player receives a role such as containment specialist or operations expert. Participants must carry out the duties of their roles by choosing appropriate actions. Pandemic is a great game for groups because each team member has a clear part to play, and players must collaborate and work together instead of competing against each other.

To play the game online, you can use a Pandemic game app , or talk through the exercise while one attendee moves and displays pieces on the board.

Note: The subject of this game might hit too close to home for some players, considering recent history. You can find games with similar mechanics that deal with different subject matter, such as Forbidden Island.

Check out more team building board games .

21. Model UN

Model UN is one of the best virtual problem solving activities for students. This exercise casts participants in the role of international diplomats who must negotiate to solve realistic problems. Each player assumes the role of a country ambassador and must form alliances and propose solutions to solve crises.

Here are some sample Model UN scenarios:

  • Human rights violation by powerful country
  • Food shortage
  • Disease epidemic
  • Technology privacy violations
  • Civil war branching into surrounding countries
  • Natural disasters

Depending on the size of the group, participants either take on the part of an entire government of a country, or play a certain role within the government. To carry out the activity on Zoom, players can take turns giving speeches, message other countries privately via the chat, meet in breakout rooms to form alliances or have more intimate discussions, and use the polling feature to vote on propositions.

If politics does not resonate with your group, then you can alter the exercise by applying the same activity structure to a different theme, such as the Justice League, movie characters, business board members, or reality TV stars.

The main purpose of the exercise is to research, talk through problems, and compromise. As long as these elements are present, then the specifics of the setup do not matter.

There are many types of problem solving activities for adults. You can do online problem solving games, which require a different skill set than in-person problem solving. For instance, communication must be much clearer and more abundant when group members are far apart and unable to demonstrate or pick up physical cues.

Though many problem solving games include props and in-person elements, there are many games you can play together online. These exercises work well as educational tools as well as team bonding accelerators. Upon completion, participants are likely to feel a sense of accomplishment and increased confidence. These games are also great practice for real life conflict resolution, creative thinking and team building.

Next check out this list of connection games , this collection of crime-solving games , and this post with conflict resolution games .

We also have a list of the best decision making books and a list of team building problems for work .

FAQ: Problem solving activities

Here are common answers to questions about group problem solving activities.

What are problem solving games?

Problem solving games are challenges that ask players to think critically and use logic to overcome issues or answer riddles. Examples include sudoku, murder mysteries, and spaghetti towers. These games are also known as “problem solving exercises”, “problem and solution games” and “group problem solving activities.”

What are the best problem solving games for groups?

The best problem solving games for groups include online escape rooms, moral challenges, and improv games.

What are some good problem solving team building activities for students?

Some good problem solving activities for students include crossword puzzles, choose your own adventure stories, and model UN.

How do you play problem solving games online?

The best way to play problem solving games online is to join a video call meeting to talk through the issue. Using the screen sharing and digital whiteboard features helps participants visualize the problem more clearly. Breakout rooms give teams the chance to discuss the issue more intimately.

Author avatar

Author: Angela Robinson

Marketing Coordinator at teambuilding.com. Team building content expert. Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses.

Get our free team building tool box

$49 value at no cost. may as well check it out.

The 6 Best 3D Brain Teaser Puzzles for Handheld Challenges and Spatial Problem Solving

From board game Kanoodle to cast-iron playthings.

3d brain teasers

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

At Popular Mechanics , we’ve got an office full of curious puzzlers and calculated tinkerers. So, to find out which puzzles are worth spending that precious mental energy (and money) on, we called some in, dropped them off in a common space, and Slacked some colleagues to help put them together. If you’re a puzzle fiend and love to get your brain working, below are the ones that most impressed our resident nerds.

Game on and check our picks for the best retro gaming consoles , board games for families , and beginner gaming PCs .

The Best 3D Brain Teaser Puzzles

  • Best Overall: Educational Insights Kanoodle
  • Best Upgrade: Craighill Tycho Puzzle
  • Best Hanayama: Bepuzzled Labyrinth Hanayama
  • Best for Kids: Uncommon Goods T-Rex 3D Puzzle Building Kit
  • Best 3D Puzzle: Original 3D Crystal Puzzles Grand Castle Deluxe

What to Consider

Types of puzzles.

Brain teaser puzzles cover a broad range, from multi-piece posers you take apart and reassemble to 3D jigsaws.

Multi-piece puzzles are either lock-based (which involve pulling apart and putting together geometric shapes via turning, clicking, maneuvering, or shimmying each piece) or spatial (which involve organizing and arranging items based on color, shape, or both).

Japanese puzzle maker Hanayama is one of the most popular brands in this space, specializing in handheld cast-iron pieces that require unlocking and removing pieces from one another and putting them back together. Hanayama rates its puzzles using difficulty levels 1 to 6, with higher numbers indicating more difficulty. Of course, these are subjective ratings, but after testing a few, we believe the higher-end Hanayama puzzles involve creative problem-solving that the average person finds difficult.

While traditional 2D jigsaw puzzles are assembled on flat surfaces and resemble a box art image, 3D jigsaws are slightly more challenging. They require spatial awareness—a.k.a., an understanding of how things fit together in space—and actual instructions. Sometimes, the pieces are lettered or numbered. But, like most puzzles, you can kick it into hard mode by tossing those instructions.

Are you someone who enjoys reassembling puzzles? If not, stick to something simple that doubles as a display once it’s complete. Logic puzzles from Hanayama aren’t always the best to show off on a shelf or desktop, but higher-end pieces from Craighill are practically made for showing off. 3D jigsaw puzzles are similar to regular jigsaw puzzles—you likely won’t remember where all the pieces go if you disassemble and reassemble it several months apart.

How We Tested

“Brain teaser” is a bit subjective, but we settled on products that enhance and stimulate spatial reasoning skills, critical thinking, and logic—with a healthy dose of fun. We only focused on puzzles that involve pulling pieces apart and putting them together, playing with colors, and tinkering.

We researched popular puzzle brands and landed on a few major ones: BePuzzled, Hanayama, and Kanoodle-maker Educational Insights. We ignored any products that looked flimsy or cheap. We also avoided any wooden puzzles, as their difficulties are hard to gauge, they’re mostly geared toward children, and, frankly, they remind us of that peg game from Cracker Barrel —also cheap. Lastly, for the sake of brevity, we avoided anything that seemed like a multi-pack overkill , focusing on quality instead of quantity.

BePuzzled, Hanayama, Uncommon Goods, and Educational Insights sent various puzzles for us to try out in our offices. I emptied each box onto a table and told my colleagues, “Hey, come over here and work on these while I watch you tinker.” Through two weeks of work-time breaks, lunch hours, and random communal puzzling sprees, we gauged each puzzle below on effort (How hard is this to figure out? How much time is this taking?), difficulty (How many people did it take to solve?), value (Would we do this puzzle again?), and material (Is it plastic or metal?).

Although we typically keep a 2D puzzle on the table for screen breaks, the puzzlers at Popular Mechanics found that the best 3D puzzles were the straightforward ones that needed little to no explanation. Anything that felt the most enticing to pick up and play, either due to visual attraction or office gossip/word of mouth, topped our final list.

Educational Insights Kanoodle 3D Brain Teaser Puzzle

Kanoodle 3D Brain Teaser Puzzle

Kanoodle recently became a TikTok sensation , and after spending hours tinkering with it at the office, picking up games over breakfast, and watching colleagues play it, I can see why: It’s highly addictive. Holistically, it’s got everything I want in a brain teaser puzzle—it’s colorful, pocket-sized, easy to learn, super stimulating, and it makes me feel like a genius when I solve it.

Kanoodle’s goal is simple, but it always proves challenging. The board has 48 spaces, 12 uniquely shaped, color-connected beads, and a booklet of 200 puzzles, sorted in numerical order from easiest to hardest. To play, pick a puzzle from the booklet and set your pieces on the board according to the puzzle’s design. After setup, you’ll notice you have pieces left over. The goal is to fit those pieces on your board without moving the design you just laid out.

It’s comparable to clearing lines in Tetris, except instead of clearing lines, your prize is being able to shut your Kanoodle case. There are also a few pages of 3D puzzles, which involve stacking play pieces on top of each other.

Educational Insights claims Kanoodle expands spatial reasoning skills and enhances critical thinking. Several resources for children with autism recommend Kanoodle for developing fine motor skills, including National Autism Resources and Therapy Shoppe .

“It’s a fun, engaging way to develop problem-solving skills,” says Digital Content Producer Amber Joglar , who spent hours playing this at her desk instead of working (sorry, Amber). “The puzzles get more challenging and involved as you move through levels, and it’s a nice way to get a brain break that doesn’t involve screen time.”

The game is excellent for ages 7 and up, and we especially recommend it for adults looking for a non-screen activity . (It’s helped me calm down on more demanding days.) Its clamshell, pocket-sized packaging makes it easy to travel with and, as evidenced by my office mates, it’s easy to learn and play with others. We simply can’t get enough of this game.

Original 3D Crystal Puzzles Grand Castle Deluxe 3D Brain Teaser Puzzle

Grand Castle Deluxe 3D Brain Teaser Puzzle

If this looks annoying to put together, you’ll be happy to know that it very much is. And if you like that sort of challenge, the Grand Castle Deluxe is a frustrating yet satisfying build—the total opposite of the cardboard T-Rex. Rather than slide its parts into place, you assemble this puzzle by correctly stacking and interlocking its 105 transparent plastic pieces. Each piece has tiny (hard to read, due to its clear plastic) letters that correspond to others… somehow . Frankly, we don’t even know if we’re doing it right—it doesn’t come with instructions, and after visiting a URL on the back of the box, its PDF instructions aren’t quite helpful, either.

Its rigor isn’t solely due to a lack of instructions but also its design—every piece looks the same, even if they’re in different shapes. After unboxing and dumping each plastic bag full of pieces out on a table, we had a hard time figuring out where even to start.

It’s not impossible, though. Producer Barry Knoblach took a long while to lay out the pieces and assess the situation. “As someone who prefers finishing puzzles instead of seeing how long they take to complete, I was frustrated when I eventually got stuck,” he says. “The castle’s spires are especially difficult, and no directions came with the box. The puzzle is fun once you get the hang of it, but lack of clarity on its parts knocks my rating of it down.”

Bepuzzled Hanayama Labyrinth Metal 3D Brain Teaser Puzzle

Hanayama Labyrinth Metal 3D Brain Teaser Puzzle

The objective of this two-piece puzzle is simple: Remove both rings and put them back together. It’s not as easy as it looks. A nub on each end of the horseshoe-like ring marked “Laby” prevents the two rings from pulling away from each other, while both sides of the other ring present two different labyrinths. You must guide the nubs on one ring through the mazes on the other ring, and try not to hit any dead ends on the way.

I tinkered with this Hanayama-branded brainteaser for 20 minutes before giving up. Meanwhile, one of my colleagues fiddled with it for two hours only to get nowhere. Our Assistant Reviews Editor, Adam Schram , successfully pulled both rings apart by feeling his way through the maze while talking and keeping his mind occupied on other things—and in 10 minutes, no less.

The puzzle has a great weight to it. And while it’s made of metal, unlike Craighill’s pieces, it doesn’t stink of it. Both pieces feel like solid cast iron, lending a pleasing tactility and heft. The brand says this puzzle has a difficulty level of 5 for “experts,” but your mileage may vary if you’re anything like Schram.

We also tested the Hanayama Infinity puzzle , in which users pull out bearings from a seemingly invincible figure-8 loop. Staff Photographer Trevor Raab figured it out in less than 10 minutes despite its level 6 difficulty. We do like its design quite a lot, though.

Uncommon Goods T-Rex 3D Puzzle Building Kit

T-Rex 3D Puzzle Building Kit

Not so much a brain teaser as it is a 3D puzzle, this T-Rex 3D puzzle-building kit is still a mild head-scratcher. It takes the traditional 2D puzzle and changes it into a layered pile of 3D cardboard, where you slide pieces into slots to make a shape. It has 72 numbered, precut pieces you pop out of place and attach to each other. The box says it’ll take 60 minutes to complete, but Raab assembled it solo in less than 30.

Because of its easy difficulty level and unique 3D build, we highly recommend this for children learning spatial awareness. It’s also a great art project when complete, as a simple paint job would make this pop in a bedroom or on a desktop. Although it’s made of cardboard, its pieces are sturdy and it doesn’t feel cheap.

Uncommon Goods 540 Colors 3D Brain Teaser Puzzle

540 Colors 3D Brain Teaser Puzzle

Probably our favorite puzzle to look at and assemble as a group, this sphere is a blast. It has 540 pieces and cycles through a rainbow ombre gradient, transitioning from red to pink to orange to yellow as you spin it. Each plastic piece is slightly curved, and they’re all satisfying to slot together. The finished puzzle sits on top of a plastic pedestal to display.

Four of us assembled this in less than two hours, separating the pieces by color and then attempting to link each bright hue with its washed-out transitional pieces. It’s remarkably sturdy when put into place, and it’s fun to assemble a puzzle in a shape that should, theoretically, be smooth.

The only problem we had with it was its transitional colors. It was difficult to tell which faded, white-washed pieces fit where, as some color differences were hard to make out. The transitions between each colored area isn’t as smooth as we’d like. Piece placement definitely benefits from a second opinion and a flashlight.

Craighill Tycho 3D Brain Teaser Puzzle

Tycho 3D Brain Teaser Puzzle

The Tycho puzzle is hefty and beautiful, with eight interlocking stainless steel and brass components. You spin it on a countertop to break it apart, then reassemble it by sliding pieces in place. In its core is a hidden cavity that can hold a surprise—large enough for a tiny fortune-cookie-sized message, really—and it’s got a solid weight of nearly 2 pounds . It’s a tough cube puzzle that feels brutalist by design.

We’ve been passing this cube around in the office to see who can assemble it the fastest, and a group of four colleagues got it in less than 30 minutes, though it took lots of tinkering and talking through to reassemble. Many love its weight and feel, and several (myself included) say it looks mesmerizing on a shelf or countertop. It’s definitely a statement piece in a way, maybe establishing authority on a boss’s desk or classiness on a mantle at home.

It also stinks like coins. After toying with the puzzle, the combination of brass and steel had our hands smelling like pennies. If you prefer your puzzles scentless, this may not be for you. It’s also relatively expensive due to its craftsmanship and heavy materials.

We also tried the very similar Tetra puzzle from Craighill, which was as big of a hit in our offices as the Tycho. Though we prefer the Tycho due to its eight-piece makeup (rather than the Tetra’s four), we still enjoyed it. It’s $98—less than the Tycho and still hardy enough to make a statement.

Headshot of Kevin Cortez

Kevin Cortez is an editor for Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics covering reviews. A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he’s an expert in men’s style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He most recently worked as the Style Editor for Reviewed, a top product recommendation site owned by USA TODAY. He also helped with the launch of WSJ's Buy Side commerce vertical, and has covered the music and podcast industries for Mass Appeal, Genius, Vulture, Leafly, Input, and The A.V. Club. Equally passionate about leisure as he is his penmanship, Kevin dedicates his spare time to graphic novels, birding, making cold brew, and taking long, meandering walks.

.css-cuqpxl:before{padding-right:0.3125rem;content:'//';display:inline;} Toys .css-xtujxj:before{padding-left:0.3125rem;content:'//';display:inline;}

robot toy robotics for kids

The 11 Best Nerf Guns

lego storage bag

The Best Lego Building Accessories

a toy and a toy figurine on a white surface

Black Friday Lego Deals 2023: Save on Every Set

best electric rideon cars for kids

The Best Kids’ Electric Cars

best rc toys

The Best Remote Control Toys

lego advent calendars 2023

The Best Lego Advent Calendars for 2023

marvel infinity gauntlet lego set, prime day deal

Post-Amazon Prime Day Lego Deals 2023

rc boat

The Best RC Boats for Racing and Sailing

best remote control cars traxxas

The Best Remote Control Cars for Kids and Adults

best lego tables

The 7 Best Lego Tables for Storage and Play

educational toy

The 20 Best Educational Toys for Kids

  • GTA 5 Cheats
  • Print on a Chromebook
  • Nothing Phone 2 Review
  • Best YouTube TV Alternatives
  • Asus ROG Ally vs. Steam Deck
  • Gameshare on Nintendo Switch

The most common iPad problems, and how to fix them

Tyler Lacoma

Apple’s iPad remains one of the best tablets on the market. Apple has sold well over 350 million worldwide, and there are currently a number of different models to choose from. While these tablets are certainly well-engineered pieces of digital machinery, they are not immune to a few snags and glitches. We've taken a look at some of the most prevalent iPad problems in an attempt to find workable solutions for them. Sometimes it will take more than a simple reset to get your iPad back in working order.

Problem: There are dead or stuck pixels on the iPad

Problem: the latest ipados isn’t installing on my ipad, problem: frozen screen, issue: ipad won’t turn on, glitch: itunes or finder doesn’t recognize ipad, problem: ipad won’t charge, issue: ipad won’t connect to wi-fi, glitch: ipad is running slow, problem: cellular data connection dropping, issue: ipad is randomly crashing, problem: your ipad battery is charging very slowly, problem: the apple pencil isn't working with my ipad, problem: your ipad is stuck in bootloops, what you need.

You may also want to take a look at our suggestions for the best iPad cases and the best iPad games .

It can be frustrating if a pixel isn’t working on your iPad. You’ll first notice this as an unresponsive dot on the display that doesn’t change, or stays black no matter what happens. Sometimes there may be more than one pixel like this.

Possible solutions

  • If the pixel still lights up but is simply stuck or never goes to the right color, you can try manually fixing it yourself. Wrap your thumb in a clean cloth and apply gentle, firm pressure to the area of the display with the pixel, slowly moving your thumb as you do so. Sometimes this can help fix any issues the panel is experiencing.
  • Flashing bright, changing colors can also help reset a pixel. You can plenty of Pixel Fix videos on YouTube to run at full screen to help with this, or even find an app that does the same thing.
  • If the pixel is permanently dark no matter what you do, it’s dead. You cannot fix a dead pixel. If it’s a minor issue and not distracting, you can leave it. But it’s a good idea to take your iPad into an Apple Store and ask about a display replacement.

Eager to get the latest iOS/iPadOS updates and all the new features offered? You may discover that your iPad is obstinately refusing to download the update, even if it says it will or if it was scheduled to update at a specific time. Fortunately, this is usually due to not meeting specific requirements needed to update, not a permanent flaw on your iPad.

  • Double check to make sure your iPad is compatible with the latest versions of iPadOS. Check out our list of iPadOS 15 compatible devices and iPadOS 16 compatible devices .
  • Make sure your iPad battery has at least a 50% charge. To be safe, it’s a good idea to just plug your iPad in before you start a big update.
  • Make sure you are not using a cellular data connection for your internet. The iPad will not start such a big download when on a data connection to avoid using up cell data.
  • Check that Low Power Mode is turned off. If it’s accidentally enabled, the update probably won’t work.
  • Disable your VPN if you are using one. While you can whitelist sites on many VPNs, that doesn’t really work for downloading a software update straight from Apple, so disable it for this change, and turn it back on afterward.

You may find from time to time that your iPad screen freezes and remains unresponsive to your touch. It’s a common complaint at Apple’s support forum . The most likely culprit is a specific app, but it’s not always easy to identify which one. If it happens repeatedly, take note of what you have running and try uninstalling it to see if that solves the problem permanently. Whatever the cause, your immediate solutions to a frozen iPad screen are the same.

  • Try restarting your device first by pressing and holding the Power button until you see “slide to power off” on the screen, and then slide to power off. Press and hold the same button to turn it back on. You’ll know it worked when you see the Apple logo.
  • If the screen isn’t responding, you might need to force restart the device in which case you should press and hold the Power button and the Home button at the same time for around 10 seconds. You’ll know it worked when the Apple logo appears. For newer iPads without the Home button, press and quickly release the Volume Up button, press and quickly release the Volume Down button, and then press and hold the Power button until the device restarts.
  • If it stubbornly refuses to react to a restart or reset, then you’ll need to try a restore. Plug it into your computer using the cable provided. Load up iTunes on the computer, select your iPad, choose the Summary tab, and hit the Restore iPad button. This will erase your content, so you may prefer to choose Restore Backup on the Summary tab. Bear in mind that you’ll lose anything you haven’t backed up.

It’s a nightmare with any electronic device when it refuses to turn on at all. Don’t assume the worst, though, it may prove easy to revive. This is another common post in the Apple support forum .

  • Try holding down the Power button and the Home button together until you see the Apple logo. For newer iPads without the Home button, press and quickly release the Volume up button, press and quickly release the Volume down button, and then press and hold the Power button until the device restarts.
  • Maybe the battery is just empty. Plug the iPad into the wall charger using the original cable and charger that came in the box and wait an hour before trying the first step again.
  • If your iPad turns on but gets stuck during startup, then plug it into your computer with iTunes running and repeat step one, except this time, don't let go of the buttons when you see the Apple logo, keep holding them until you see the recovery mode screen. You should get the option to Restore or Update . Choose Update and it will try to reinstall iOS without wiping your data.
  • If none of this works, then it's time to contact Apple or drop into an Apple Store if you're able to.

Some people have reported issues with plugging the iPad into the computer and booting up iTunes only to find that the iPad isn’t there. If iTunes or Finder isn’t recognizing your iPad then you can try a few things to solve the problem.

  • Check the battery icon on the iPad when you plug it into your computer. If it has a lightning bolt on it to denote charging or it says Not charging next to it then you know the port and the cable are working and you can move to the next solution. If it doesn’t, then try another port. If that doesn’t work, then try another cable.
  • (If you are running MacOS Catalina you can skip this as you'll be using Finder to interface with your iPad.) Make sure you have the latest version of iTunes. If it’s on a PC then go to Help and then select Check for updates . If it’s on a Mac then hit the iTunes tab and select Check for updates . If you have the latest version or updating makes no difference, try the next solution.
  • Turn the iPad off. Turn the computer off. Turn them both back on again and plug the iPad back in. If you see a Trust this computer alert, unlock your device and tap Trust .
  • Still no joy? Take a look at Apple's support article for further suggestions on how to fix this glitch.

If you find that your iPad won’t charge when you plug it into a power adapter, there are a couple of possible reasons. If it doesn’t charge when you plug it into the computer, it may just be the port you are using, try the power adapter instead. You can see whether the USB port on your computer is charging it or not by looking at the battery icon on the iPad. If it is charging, you’ll see the lightning symbol; if not, it will say Not charging next to it. Some computer ports can’t provide enough juice to charge the iPad, and it will always charge more slowly via the computer, even if it does work.

  • You want to check if it’s the cable or power adapter itself so, if possible, try the cable and power adapter with another compatible device, or try a different power adapter and cable.
  • It's always worth rebooting your iPad to see if that helps.
  • Some people report success after turning on Airplane mode, so it's worth a try.
  • If the cable or power adapter is not the problem and nothing else has worked, then there could be a fault with the iPad and you’ll need to contact Apple, contact the retailer where you bought it, go into an Apple Store, or take it to a third party repair shop as the culprit could be a damaged battery, or a damaged charge port, both of which are repairable.

A lot of people have trouble connecting to Wi-Fi networks with their iPads. Before you start serious troubleshooting, you should check Settings > Wi-Fi on the iPad and make sure that it is turned on. It’s also worth making sure that Wi-Fi is accessible on another device.

  • There’s a reason IT departments the world over tell everyone to turn a device off and on again as a first troubleshooting step — because it so often works. Try turning off your iPad and router and then turn them both on again and wait a few seconds before trying to reconnect.
  • Try telling the iPad to forget the network in Settings by tapping the network name and selecting forget. Turn the iPad off and on again and then reconnect to the network and re-enter the details as necessary. You can also try Settings > General > Reset > Reset network settings .
  • Make sure you have the latest iOS software by going to Settings > General > Software update . You should plug your iPad into the power adapter before updating. Older iPads can be updated via iTunes on the Summary tab via the Check for update option.
  • If your iPad still won’t connect then it’s worth checking with your ISP for help or advice. The problem could be related to your specific router. You might want to update the firmware or change the channel.
  • If nothing so far has worked, then you may consider trying to connect to a different Wi-Fi network with your iPad just to test if it works. If not, then it's time to contact Apple for further help.

If you find that your iPad is not its usual zippy self and you are experiencing some lag when you navigate, you can try a couple of fixes. You may just have too many things running.

  • Double-tap the Home button and swipe up on each open app or game to close it. If you have a newer iPad without the Home button, then swipe up from the bottom of the Home screen and pause slightly in the middle of the screen to open the recently used apps list.
  • You could also just reset the iPad by holding down the Power button and the Home button simultaneously for 10 seconds. For newer iPads without the Home button, press and quickly release the Volume up button, press and quickly release the Volume down button, and then press and hold the Power button until the device restarts.
  • You really need at least 2GB of free space for smooth operation, so take a look in Settings > General > iPad storage and check. You may need to delete some files or uninstall some apps. Some apps take up more and more space over time, so it can even be worth uninstalling and then reinstalling an app to clear it. You may also consider going to Settings > Safari and tapping Clear history and Website data , then Clear history and Data to clear out your cache, but this will also log you out of websites you've signed into.
  • As a last resort, you might try a factory reset . This will wipe everything though, so make sure you back up first. If you do a factory reset, test the iPad without restoring a backup just to see if it runs any better. If you subsequently restore a backup and it slows down again, then you'll know the issue is with something in the backup.

Quite a few iPad owners have been complaining about cellular data connections dropping frequently. Obviously, this will be seriously influenced by how good the coverage is in your area. If you have good coverage on the same network with your phone, but the iPad is struggling, you could try a couple of things. First, check in Settings > General > Cellular and make sure it’s on. You could also try a restart. If it continues to be a problem, go through the steps below.

  • Make sure you have up-to-date carrier settings in Settings > General > About .
  • Check that you have the latest iOS software by going to Settings > General > Software update .
  • Remove the SIM card and put it back in again.
  • You can also try Settings > General > Reset > Reset network settings .
  • Some people have found success by disabling LTE in Settings > Cellular data > Enable LTE .
  • If none of that works, a factory reset might be worth trying, just make sure you back up first.
  • If you’re still having problems, it’s time to contact your carrier’s support or visit an Apple Store for more help.

A lot of iPad owners suffer from random crashes where an app spontaneously closes or the iPad suddenly restarts. You might find that this is a bigger issue on older iPads. You can try a few different things to alleviate the problem. It is quite likely to be related to specific apps, so take note of what you were doing when it crashes and see if a pattern emerges over time.

  • Press and hold the Power button and then slide to power off. Press and hold the button to turn it on again. You could also reset by pressing and holding the Power button and the Home button at the same time for 10 seconds. For newer iPads without Home buttons, press and quickly release the Volume up button, press and quickly release the Volume down button, and then press and hold the Power button until the device restarts. Neither of these solutions is liable to affect a permanent fix, but it may offer some relief.
  • Connect to Wi-Fi and go to Settings > General > Software update to ensure that your iPad has the latest software. If there’s an update available then download it and install it.
  • Open the App Store and select Updates and then update all of your apps.
  • If your crashes are occurring in Safari specifically then try going to Settings > Safari and tap Clear history and website data , then Clear history and data . Note this will log you out of websites that you're logged into.
  • If you’re still having problems then try wiping the iPad with a factory reset and restoring it.
  • If none of the above has worked for you then try contacting Apple. If you’re able to reproduce the crash and you can take it into an Apple Store to show them, then you will be able to get some help.

When everything is running as it usually should, your iPad should take about three hours to recharge. If you own an older model, it still would only take about four hours, at a maximum. That said, many users report that it takes much longer for their iPad to recharge fully. We have a couple of tips to try and speed up the charging process.

  • Make sure your iPad is updated. Infamously, iPadOS 13 caused these types of battery charging issues for many users. If it's an issue with iPadOS, you can't do much except live with it until Apple improves the software and releases a new version.
  • Check your ports and connectors. Look for any signs of damage, grime that's blocking ports, or anything else that may be interrupting the connection. If you aren't sure, try to find another compatible charging cable and switch it out to see if this makes a difference. Do not use an off-brand cable or charger to charge your iPad! If you are using one, stop right away and switch to a version straight from Apple.
  • Make sure your iPad isn't trying to do a lot when you are charging it. Disconnect from Wi-Fi and Bluetooth or put it into Airplane mode first. Don't use your iPad when it's charging, and see how much this helps.
  • Always remember to make sure that your iPad isn't put in a particularly hot or cold place. This can damage the battery and cause long-term problems that can't really be fixed without a full replacement.

We completely understand how frustrating this issue can be, mainly because you likely bought the Pencil to pair specifically with your iPad. We have several solutions to try out to get the two working together again.

  • Make sure you have the right Apple Pencil and iPad. Compatibility issues do exist. We have a full Apple Pencil compatibility guide , and certain Apple Pencil and iPad combinations simply won't work. Also, if you have an iPad Air 2 or earlier model, the Pencil won't be able to work with your screen at all, although some third-party stylus models could work for you. We know, it's confusing. But it's important to find out what Pencil and iPad model you have to see if they can work together.
  • Restart your iPad and try again. When you restart, take a look at Settings and Bluetooth to make sure your Bluetooth is turned on. If you already see the Pencil as a recognized device in the Bluetooth settings, then select the information icon, and choose Forget this Device . Then try reconnecting.
  • Make sure the Pencil is charged. It's obvious, but this problem really does happen a lot.

A bootloop is when your device gets stuck in a cycle of turning off and turning back on; The iPad continues repeating that over and over again on a seemingly endless loop. We’ve found that these frustrating cycles tend to result from a bug in whatever app you were last trying to use. That said, there could also be a couple of other factors causing the bootloop. We have several recommendations to try out to stop the looping before you take your iPad to the Apple Store for help.

Possible solutions * Wait for an update. Unfortunately, bootloops are often caused by bugs in specific apps or the iPad’s current operating system. In that situation, you just need to wait for an app or OS update to be released. A recent example of this happened in June 2020, when a version of iPad iOS caused iPads to bootloop unexpectedly while working, usually around a minute or so after starting up. Apple doesn’t waste a second when it comes to releasing patches for these problems. Just keep an eye out for new updates. * Force a manual restart, or “soft reset,” and see if it solve the problem. A manual reset is a powerful troubleshooting tool. To start the reboot, hold the Power and Home buttons down for about 10 seconds simultaneously. You don’t have to count it down; you’ll see when the reboot has started because the Apple logo will appear on the screen. Some newer iPads don’t have a Home button. For those devices, press and quickly release the Volume up button, press and quickly release the Volume down button, and then press and hold the Power button until the device restarts. If this doesn’t work, you may need to force a factory reset, unfortunately. Before resetting anything, though, may sure you back up all of your important data. * Go into recovery mode. This feature prevents bootloops and opens the door for your iPad to fully update if your device is stuck in an infinite bootloop. Apple has a full guide , but to explain it briefly — connect your iPad to a computer; then press and release the Volume up button, the Volume down button, the Top button, and then hold the Top button as your iPad restarts. If this is completed correctly, your iPad will reboot into recovery mode. If your device has a Home button, hold the Home and Top buttons simultaneously. Continue holding them until you see that recovery screen.

Editors' Recommendations

  • iPad weekend sale: Save on the iPad Air, iPad Mini, and iPad Pro
  • What is Wi-Fi calling, and how does it work?
  • How to reset your iPhone, restart it, and wipe your data
  • How to hide apps on your iPhone
  • How to send a voice message on your iPhone
  • How-To Guides

Tyler Lacoma

There's no print screen button on your iPhone, but you can take a screenshot on an iPhone with just a couple of button presses. It doesn't matter if you have the iPhone 8, iPhone 15, or any other model of iPhone — they can all do this. Using screenshots is a perfect way to share problems with smartphone updates, funny things you see on websites, or that weird text you just got. All you need to know is what the right buttons are, which we'll cover here, alongside a few techniques to spruce up your iPhone screenshotting game.

Believe it or not, finding files you’ve downloaded on your iPhone or Android phone can be tougher than you think. Even the best smartphones can quickly become a handheld electronic briefcase. Along with the apps you need to get you through your day, it’s packed with photos, videos, files, and other media. While it’s all too easy to download a photo or a restaurant menu to your mobile device, when it comes to actually finding where downloads reside on your phone, the opposite is true. It can be difficult to find a particular file amid heaps of other folders.

The iPad's major benefit is its larger screen and extreme portability. Just like your laptop or desktop computer, you can split your screen into discrete windows for different tasks. Not sure how to do this, or need a refresher? Here's how to enable split-screen mode on iPadOS 17.

Apple Arcade for Apple Vision Pro takes players into a new dimension with 12 unique spatial games and more than 250 titles to enjoy with stunning clarity

A collage of artwork representing Wylde Flowers, Angry Birds, stitch., WHAT THE GOLF?, and Super Fruit Ninja.

Super Fruit Ninja by Halfbrick Studios

Synth Riders by Kluge Interactive

Wylde Flowers by Studio Drydock Pty Ltd

WHAT THE GOLF? by Triband

LEGO Builder’s Journey by LEGO

stitch. by Lykke Studios

Coming Soon for Apple Vision Pro

  • Alto’s Odyssey: The Lost City by Land & Sea/Snowman — Join Alto and his friends on an endless sandboarding journey to find The Lost City and unearth the secrets hidden within as Alto’s mysterious world intersects with the player’s room.
  • Gibbon: Beyond the Trees by Broken Rules — Embark on a beautiful, heartfelt adventure where a family of gibbons finds themselves lost in a dangerous world beyond their understanding. Players will experience free-flowing dynamic movement based on the way real gibbons swing through the trees.
  • Spire Blast by Orbital Knight — Mysterious towers of all shapes and sizes have risen all over the kingdom and are appearing in the player’s room. With an ever-hungry dragon companion, players will walk around the towers to line up their best shots and use their wits and skills to collapse them and emerge victorious.

A still from Spire Blast.

Experience Apple Arcade Favorites with a New Perspective

  • Apple Arcade is available for $6.99 (U.S.) per month with a one-month free trial. Customers who purchase a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV receive three months of Apple Arcade for free. 1
  • Apple Arcade is part of Apple One ’s Individual ( $19.95 U.S.), Family ( $25.95 U.S.), and Premier ( $37.95 U.S.) monthly plans, with a one-month free trial. 2
  • Arcade Originals are playable across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro. App Store Greats are available on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro.
  • An Apple Arcade subscription gives a family of up to six unlimited access to all the games in its catalog.
  • Availability for the 200+ titles across devices varies based on hardware and software compatibility. Some content may not be available in all areas.

Text of this article

February 15, 2024

Apple Arcade opens up an extraordinary catalog of games for players to enjoy on Apple Vision Pro, a revolutionary new spatial computer that transforms how people work, collaborate, connect, relive memories, and enjoy entertainment. Spatial games built specifically for Arcade on Apple Vision Pro unlock amazing new gameplay opportunities by blending digital content with the physical world. visionOS delivers powerful spatial experiences with a brand-new three-dimensional user interface and input system controlled entirely by a user’s eyes, hands, and voice. Players are able to slice apples with their hands as their living room transforms into their very own dojo in Super Fruit Ninja, tee up the perfect shot as they move freely around a quirky golf course right in their home in WHAT THE GOLF?, escape into a mesmerizing audiovisual experience in Synth Riders , and so much more.

“This is just the beginning of a new era in gaming, with players being fully immersed in stunning game worlds and interacting with games in their physical environment in amazing new ways,” said Alex Rofman, Apple’s senior director of Apple Arcade. “We’re leading the way in offering players unique spatial games on Apple Arcade that are only possible on Apple Vision Pro, and we’re excited to bring even more magical spatial gaming experiences to our customers soon.”

“We’ve designed Game Room to provide the most authentic digital game night to date, with gaming experiences that are practically indistinguishable from their real-world counterparts,” said Tommy Palm, Resolution Games’ CEO and founder. “By reproducing classic gaming pieces that players can interact with in new ways, from playing cards to pawns, we’re excited to be able to showcase the incredible capability of Apple Vision Pro to deliver lifelike immersion in real-wold environments.”

Spatial games available now on Apple Arcade include Game Room, WHAT THE GOLF?, Cut the Rope 3, Jetpack Joyride 2, Patterned, Illustrated, Wylde Flowers, stitch., Synth Riders, LEGO Builder’s Journey, Bloons TD 6+, and Super Fruit Ninja.

Players are immersed in a new world of fruit-slicing fun as they cut up fruit with their hands, throw ninja stars, backhand bombs, and train in the powerful art of juice jitsu.

Turning the space around the player into a retro-futuristic world, this reimagined hit spatial rhythm game will have players catching notes with their hands, riding the rails, and dodging obstacles in the game’s brand-new audio-reactive spatial environment with dynamic visuals custom-built specifically for Apple Vision Pro.

In this cozy life and farming sim with a witchy twist, players can tend their garden and cast spells right in their living room, in addition to exploring the friendly town of Fairhaven and its charming voice-acted cast of characters.

A physics-based golf parody, this indie hit is fully designed for laughs in spatial gaming as players golf with horses, cars, houses, planets, and other extremely normal things. Mini-golf courses appear in the physical space, allowing for players to freely move around to tee up the perfect shot.

In this aesthetic and atmospheric geometric puzzle game set in a completely LEGO brick-based environment, players can pick up, twirl, and place LEGO bricks with their fingers as they solve puzzles brick by brick to progress through levels interconnected via subtle narrative storytelling.

Thread embroidered puzzles on a 3D hoop in stitch., a beautiful and calming puzzle game, featuring a realistic embroidery engine that allows players to enjoy the feel of playing with real embroidery thread on Apple Vision Pro.

“We’ve rebuilt our beloved rhythm game Synth Riders for Apple Vision Pro from the ground up to deliver an even more immersive experience,” said Arturo Perez, Kluge Interactive’s CEO. “For the first time, players will interact with the notes and rails with unique hand tracking and interactive effects that let them feel the music in a whole new way as they lose themselves in the ‘flow state’ of a perfect combination of movement, visuals, and music.”

Players on Apple Vision Pro can expect more great content, with exciting spatial games coming soon, including Alto’s Odyssey: The Lost City, Gibbon: Beyond the Trees, and Spire Blast. Players will soar above windswept dunes in a fantastical place far from home, dive into an immersive jungle with a family of gibbons, and collapse vibrant towers of all shapes and sizes that appear in their physical space in a fun physics-based puzzle game.

Players can also experience their favorite Arcade games designed for iPhone and iPad in an all-new way — 250+ titles available now to enjoy on the incredible Apple Vision Pro display, with no ads or in-app purchases. Hits like Sonic Dream Team , Sneaky Sasquatch , Disney Dreamlight Valley Arcade Edition , and TMNT: Splintered Fate come to life for players to enjoy on a screen as large as they want, with incredible audio and support for popular game controllers. New games and content updates are added monthly for players to find their next favorite titles.

Pricing and Availability

  • This offer is available to new subscribers only. One subscription covers one Family Sharing group. The offer is good for three months after eligible device activation. The plan automatically renews until canceled. Restrictions and other terms apply.
  • The Apple One free trial includes only services that are not currently used through a free trial or a subscription. The plan automatically renews after the trial until canceled. Restrictions and other terms apply.

Press Contacts

Peter Nguyen

[email protected]

Jennifer Tam

[email protected]

Apple Media Helpline

[email protected]

Images in this article

Cart

  • SUGGESTED TOPICS
  • The Magazine
  • Newsletters
  • Managing Yourself
  • Managing Teams
  • Work-life Balance
  • The Big Idea
  • Data & Visuals
  • Reading Lists
  • Case Selections
  • HBR Learning
  • Topic Feeds
  • Account Settings
  • Email Preferences

How Co-Leaders Succeed

  • David Lancefield

problem solving games on ipad

Seven strategies for performing this role with integrity, intelligence, and positivity.

Co-leadership, where an executive, department, or team leadership role is shared, can result in more creative and strategic problem solving and wiser decision making. But it can also lead to unhealthy game playing in the pursuit of dominance and positioning for the next role, resulting in organizational misalignment, inertia, and confusion. It doesn’t have to be this way. You don’t have to become a political animal who spends their days looking to outmaneuver their co-leader. Instead, perform this role with integrity, canniness, and positivity, recognizing that it will feel uncomfortable at times. These seven strategies will increase your chances of making your co-leadership a success.

We often associate leadership with an individual, but there are situations where the top positions are shared — along with the responsibilities, decisions, and accountability that comes with them. A lot of focus has been on the ups and downs of high-profile co-CEOs and co-founders — think Salesforce, Netflix, Goldman Sachs , Oracle, SAP, and Warby Parker . But co-leadership is also practiced within business units, divisions, and projects, especially after acquisitions, when there’s a perceived need for representation of both groups.

problem solving games on ipad

  • David Lancefield is a  catalyst, strategist, and coach  for leaders. He’s advised more than 40 CEOs and hundreds of executives, was a senior partner at Strategy&, and is a guest lecturer at the London Business School. Find him on LinkedIn (@davidclancefield) or at  davidlancefield.com , where you can sign up for his free “Mastering Big Moments”  workbook .

Partner Center

More From Forbes

New ios 17.3 update warning issued to all iphone users.

  • Share to Facebook
  • Share to Twitter
  • Share to Linkedin

Details have emerged about one of the issues fixed in iOS 17.3, tracked as CVE-2024-23204 and ... [+] reported by security outfit Bitdefender.

Apple’s iOS 17.3 launched a month ago and many security-conscious iPhone users have already upgraded to the latest software. But many more cautious iPhone users prefer to wait to update their device, in case any bugs are introduced.

In the case of iOS 17.3, waiting really isn’t a good idea, because some of the security flaws patched in the upgrade are being exploited in real-life attacks.

Now, with iOS 17.4 set to arrive in a matter of days, details have emerged about one of the issues fixed in iOS 17.3, tracked as CVE-2024-23204 and reported by Jubaer Alnazi, a researcher at security outfit Bitdefender.

“Apple's Shortcuts application, designed to enhance user automation, can inadvertently become a potential vector for privacy breaches,” Alnazi wrote in a blog describing the nature of the vulnerability, its potential impact, and recommended mitigation measures.

What Is CVE-2024-23204 And How Bad Is It?

Fixed in iOS 17.3, CVE-2024-23204 is an issue in Apple’s Shortcuts that could allow an attacker to access sensitive data with certain actions without prompting the user.

The issue was addressed with additional permissions checks, according to Apple’s support page detailing the iOS 17.3 fixes. Reported to the iPhone maker by Alnazi ( @h33tjubaer ), the flaw has been given a CVSS score of 7.5. It came alongside another CVE, CVE-2024-23203.

What To Watch This Weekend: New TV Shows And Movies To Stream On Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime And More

Wwe smackdown results: winners and grades before elimination chamber 2024, the 26 best mattress sales and deals to shop this weekend.

The issue affects macOS and iOS devices running versions prior to macOS Sonoma 14.3 and versions prior to iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3, respectively.

Shortcuts is a visual scripting application developed by Apple and provided on its iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS operating systems. It allows users to share with others—but it’s this flexibility that makes the vulnerability risky.

This is because users can unknowingly import shortcuts that might exploit CVE-2024-23204. “With Shortcuts being a widely used feature for efficient task management, the vulnerability raises concerns about the inadvertent dissemination of malicious shortcuts through diverse sharing platforms,” Alnazi explained.

And for CVE-2024-23204 it was possible to craft a Shortcuts file that would be able to bypass Transparency, Consent and Control (TCC), a security framework in Apple's macOS and iOS that governs access to sensitive user data and system resources by applications. “TCC ensures that apps explicitly request permission from the user before accessing certain data or functionalities, enhancing user privacy and security,” Alnazi wrote.

In his blog and via a video, he demonstrated how an iPhone user could install a malicious shortcut.

So should you be worried? If you use Shortcuts, obviously yes, but otherwise, it’s more important to cover yourself for the already-exploited iPhone flaws fixed in iOS 17.3.

Even if you do use Shortcuts, Sean Wright, head of application security at Featurespace says the issue is relatively difficult to exploit. ““To successfully attack a user, you need them to explicitly install the malicious Shortcut. While not impossible, it’s just another barrier that an attacker would have to overcome. It’s great to see this fixed, and it’s certainly an interesting vulnerability, but I think the likelihood of an attack being successful would be rather limited.”

So what should you do to avoid this issue? The answer is pretty simple—if you haven’t already, update now to iOS 17.3, which’ll mean installing the latest software, iOS 17.3.1 . Bitdefender mirrors this advice, saying iPhone users should update their macOS, ipadOS and watchOS devices to the latest versions now.

In addition, exercise caution when executing shortcuts from untrusted sources and regularly check for security updates and patches from Apple.

Kate O'Flaherty

  • Editorial Standards
  • Reprints & Permissions

Screw Puzzle : Match & Unbolt 4+

Designed for ipad, screenshots, description.

A Twisting Adventure in Puzzle Mastery! Overview: - Dive into the captivating world of "Screw Puzzle: Match & Unbolt," where casual gaming meets strategic puzzle-solving! - Perfect for puzzle enthusiasts, this portrait-mode mobile game combines the simplicity of tap control with the challenge of match-3 mechanics, offering an engaging and relaxing experience for players of all ages. Gameplay: - Your journey in "Screw Puzzle: Match & Unbolt" begins with a unique challenge: disassemble various items ranging from playful toys to intricate machinery. - With each level, uncover new items, each presenting its own set of screws and parts. - Your task? Remove screws tactically and place them in the screw grid to create match-3 combos. Features: - Engaging in disassembly and match-3 gameplay - Tap, remove screws, and strategize your next move. - Strategic grid-based screw matching - Varied items, each with unique disassembly puzzles. - Increasing difficulty with each advanced level. - Aim for complete item disassembly for progression. Why Play? "Screw Puzzle: Match & Unbolt" stands out in the casual puzzle genre for its unique blend of disassembly and match-3 mechanics, which combine simple yet addictive gameplay with strategic depth​. - Get your fingers ready for the ultimate match-3 mechanic experience. Download 'Screw Puzzle: Match & Unbolt' and start your screw-matching journey now!

App Privacy

The developer, GameYogi , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Used to Track You

The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:

  • Identifiers

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

  • Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

  • App Support
  • Privacy Policy

More By This Developer

Sticker Puzzle - Coloring Book

Mystery Expert: Detective RPG

Sky Jumpers

Passenger Pioneer

StickShow.io

Hyper Stickman Run

IMAGES

  1. Buy Osmo

    problem solving games on ipad

  2. Osmo

    problem solving games on ipad

  3. Problem Solving in Numeracy on the iPad from Mr P (",)

    problem solving games on ipad

  4. Thinkrolls 2 kids logic app iPad iPhone Android Kindle Fire

    problem solving games on ipad

  5. ABA Problem Solving Game

    problem solving games on ipad

  6. iPad app: ABA Problem Solving Game--Healthy Habits

    problem solving games on ipad

VIDEO

  1. Puzzle solving Games Maths shorts #shorts #games #puzzle

  2. How to solve this problem #game #shorts #viral

  3. Brain puzzle #5

  4. My Old iPad Games Go Unnecessarily Hard (and some don't)

  5. Find The Difference

  6. His #ipad got destroyed and bent 🥲 He couldn’t play games #shorts #apple #iphone #samsung #android

COMMENTS

  1. Top 25 best puzzle games for iPhone and iPad (iOS)

    | Dec 20, 2023 iOS 25 essential iOS puzzle games to start your collection Updated on April 19, 2023 - re-checked the list. This genre is right at the heart of the mobile gaming experience. Therefore, we decided to create a list of the best iOS puzzle games for iPhones and iPads!

  2. Best Puzzle Games for iPhone and iPad in 2022

    Red's Kingdom The Room 3 Monument Valley Slayaway Camp FRAMED Threes Ultra Flow 2 Deus Ex GO Prune Mini Metro You Must Build A Boat Photographs Gorogoa

  3. Best Puzzle Games For iPhone And iPad In 2024

    1.11 11. The Moron Test: IQ Brain Games Best Brain Games for iPhone From mind-bending riddles to immersive escape rooms, get ready for an engaging and interactive experience that can sharpen your problem-solving skills, boost your memory, and ignite your creativity.

  4. 10 Mobile Games to Keep Your Mind Sharp

    7. Xperica HD. Raising intelligence isn't a matter of rote memorization - true genius comes through experimentation and discovery. One of the most fascinating mobile games in the market is ...

  5. Best iPad games in 2024

    Best iPad Games by Category. • Best iPad games: Action games. • Best iPad games: Adventure games. • Best iPad games: Arcade games. • Best iPad games: Card games. • Best iPad games ...

  6. ‎Puzzle Quest

    Experience the thrill of solving complex puzzles while boosting your cognitive skills, teamwork, and collaboration. PuzzleQuest is not just a game; it is a powerful tool that will sharpen your mind and elevate your problem-solving abilities to new heights. Don't let your memory hold you back any longer.

  7. 15 Great Intelligence and Skill Games for iPhone or iPad

    Lumosity Price: Free/ IAP from $11.99 - $59.99 Lumosity is among the most well-known brain training apps worldwide. It is an excellent skill-developing game for iPhone and iPad, providing a fun and effective way to stimulate your brain and learn new things.

  8. ‎Prysm Game on the App Store

    Download Prysm Game and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. ‎Win Big with Your Intelligence in Prysm Dive into a world of puzzle games and trivia challenges where your critical thinking and creativity unlock real world rewards. Prysm offers a unique blend of puzzles, riddles, and brain teasers, designed to test your problem-solving ...

  9. Delete Choices, Tricky Puzzle 9+

    ‎Welcome to Delete Choices, Tricky Puzzle, the ultimate brain-teasing delete puzzle game that will put your logic and problem-solving skills to the test! Get ready to embark on an exciting journey through challenging levels where you'll need to think strategically and act fast to conquer each puzzle.…

  10. 7 Best Brain Games For IPad

    6. Words With Friends HD: Words With Friends HD is a great way to put your vocabulary to the test against friends online and this has earned it a spot amongst the recommended best brain games for ...

  11. The 6 Best Apps to Improve Your Problem-Solving Skills

    1. Lumosity Lumosity is a web app that helps you improve your mental skills. It is programmed with activities that help people improve their memory, flexibility, rate of processing information, and concentration levels. Thus, Lumosity is a great tool to help you develop problem-solving capabilities.

  12. 12 Best iPad Brain Games for Seniors

    1: Lumosity With 100 million+ users, Lumosity is the most popular brain game for seniors on the iPad. This engaging and comprehensive app is designed to improve cognitive skills and enhance mental agility. The 10-minute Fit Test is designed to assess users' strengths and weaknesses through a series of initial assessments.

  13. Top 8 best games that make you smarter for iPhone and iPad (iOS)

    Top 7 mobile games like Little Nightmares Having a few games that do improve your mind is always a good idea, as you can mindlessly improve yourself while playing games

  14. 15 Best Problem-Solving Game Apps For Kids

    1 Tozzle The problem-solving power of puzzles cannot be overstated, and apps like Tozzle bring practice of this skillset right to your toddler's digital-loving fingertips. Instead of tripping...

  15. The Best iPad Games for Kids: Engaging Picks

    Use the following points to guide your decision: Educational Value: Choose games that offer a chance to learn new skills or practice existing ones in subjects like math, language, and logic. Engagement Level: Look for games that hold your child's attention with interactive features or storylines they find compelling.

  16. 18 Best iPad Apps for Kids to Keep Them Engaged

    Dumb Ways JR Boffo's Breakfast is a fun and educational game designed for young children. The game features Boffo the Clown, who needs help preparing breakfast for his circus friends. The app is great for sparking kids' cognitive skills, such as attention, memory, and problem solving, by presenting children with fun and engaging challenges ...

  17. 10 of the Best iPad Mind Games to Keep Your Brain Sharp

    BrainHQ This app is specifically designed to train your brain. BrainHQ directs users to solve specific problems. Recognized as having high standards, this app is designed to exercise your brain for improved brain health. Find Out The Best Ways to Elevate Brain Health. Click Here Civilization VI

  18. Lumosity Brain Training: Challenge & Improve Your Mind

    After 10 weeks, Lumosity users improved more than the control group on our assessments of working memory, short term memory, processing speed, problem solving, fluid reasoning, and overall cognitive function. These results are promising, but more research is needed to determine the connection between improved assessment scores and everyday ...

  19. Thinkrolls 1: Puzzles for Kids 4+

    iPad Boost your child's brain power and intelligence! Thinkrolls is an award-winning logic puzzle game that helps young kids develop reasoning and problem solving skills through a delightful and engaging gameplay. Get it now and let your little geniuses amaze you with their mental abilities and logic skills! ________________________________

  20. The 10 Best Brain Games for iPhone/iOS and iPad

    1. Lumosity: Brain Training Lumos Lab brings an amazing way to check your IQ and to train your brain activity. Lumosity is a mind game for iPhone that basically transforms cognitive and neuropsychological tasks into exciting games. So, it is not just a game, but the storage of a good number of mini-games.

  21. Games That Help Kids Think Critically

    BoxBoy! + BoxGirl! age 6+ Think outside the box with this charming, fun puzzler. Platforms: Nintendo Switch (2019) See full review APP Busy Water age 6+ Solve and create puzzles that gush with STEM learning. Devices: iPhone iPod Touch iPad See full review GAME Super Mario Maker 2 age 6+ Fun, accessible editing tools expose kids to game design.

  22. 16 Cool iPad Math Apps (That Your Child Might Actually Love!)

    If your iPad is drowning under the weight of mindlessly fun physics games or poor quality educational apps, then check out this list of 16 maths iPad apps that are actually both educational and great fun! 1 Mathmateer - $0.99

  23. Problem Solving Games, Activities & Exercises for Adults

    4. Sudoku. Sudoku is one of the most popular free problem solving games for adults. The objective of this game is to fill each box of a 9×9 grid so that every row, column, and letter contains each number from one to nine. The puzzle makes a great team challenge. To play Sudoku on Zoom, screen share the game board.

  24. The 6 Best 3D Brain Teaser Puzzles in 2024

    The best 3D brain teaser puzzles require logic and spatial awareness to make an exciting game of skill. ... The 6 Best 3D Brain Teaser Puzzles for Handheld Challenges and Spatial Problem Solving.

  25. The most common iPad problems, and how to fix them

    30 minutes What You Need Apple iPad You may also want to take a look at our suggestions for the best iPad cases and the best iPad games. Andy Boxall/Digital Trends / . Problem: There are...

  26. ‎Slice Fractions on the App Store

    Download Slice Fractions and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. ‎This award-winning, problem-solving game is an incredibly fun way to learn fractions. Thanks to the game's research-proven effectiveness, kids get a head start at school while having fun with fundamental math concepts. Wow!

  27. Apple Arcade takes players into a new dimension with spatial gaming

    New games and content updates are added monthly for players to find their next favorite titles. Pricing and Availability. Apple Arcade is available for $6.99 (U.S.) per month with a one-month free trial. Customers who purchase a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV receive three months of Apple Arcade for free. 1

  28. How Co-Leaders Succeed

    Co-leadership, where an executive, department, or team leadership role is shared, can result in more creative and strategic problem solving and wiser decision making. But it can also lead to ...

  29. New iOS 17.3 Update Warning Issued To All iPhone Users

    Now, with iOS 17.4 set to arrive in a matter of days, details have emerged about one of the issues fixed in iOS 17.3, tracked as CVE-2024-23204 and reported by Jubaer Alnazi, a researcher at ...

  30. ‎Screw Puzzle : Match & Unbolt on the App Store

    - Dive into the captivating world of "Screw Puzzle: Match & Unbolt," where casual gaming meets strategic puzzle-solving! - Perfect for puzzle enthusiasts, this portrait-mode mobile game combines the simplicity of tap control with the challenge of match-3 mechanics, offering an engaging and relaxing experience for players of all ages. Gameplay: