Best Games for Memory
Written by: Liza Gresko, Mom and PR Specialist at Moss Tucker Group
If someone asked, could you recall your spouse’s phone number or the street address of a family member without checking your phone?
In our increasingly digital age, we rely less and less upon our core memory skills and more upon the crutch of digital information. Why memorize a phone number if you can quickly access it in your contacts list?
Well, beyond the importance of remembering crucial information in case of emergencies, it’s crucial for us to continue to train our brains to focus, concentrate and retain information. With constant screen time, multitasking and rapid information intake, people’s attention spans and mental acuity can be negatively impacted. It’s a concern that crosses all ages and stages.
Whether you’re helping your child learn foundational focus skills or looking to keep your own brain sharp, games for memory offer an enjoyable, engaging way to train your mind.
At SimplyFun, we believe that play is one of the most effective ways to foster learning, and our collection of games for memory are designed to support growing brains, curious learners, and lifelong thinkers.
In this post, we’ll explore why games for memory and concentration are essential at every age, and how they contribute to cognitive development.
Memory games are so much more than just fun entertainment! They tap into core cognitive functions such as short-term recall, sequencing, spatial awareness, and working memory. These functions are vital to help us in everyday tasks like following directions, solving problems, and maintaining focus.
What makes them so beneficial:
1. Engagement Boosts Retention.
Memory games are inherently interactive. They activate both hemispheres of the brain, requiring players to observe, process, and repeat information. This hands-on learning reinforces neural connections, which is far more effective than passive memorization.
2. They Train Working Memory
Working memory is the brain’s mental workspace. It’s what allows us to hold and manipulate information in real time. Strong working memory supports reading comprehension, math skills, and even emotional regulation. That’s a lot of power in one game!
3. Games Reduce the Stress of Learning
Research shows that play-based learning environments lower anxiety, increase motivation, and create positive associations with skill-building. This makes it easier to retain and recall information long-term. It’s so much more enticing to learn while having fun and thinking it’s all a game: because it really is!
The benefits of memory games aren’t just opinion-based; they’re backed by real data. Let’s look at two studies that highlight the impact of memory-focused play:
Study #1: Games Enhance Cognitive Flexibility
A 2020 study in The Journal of Cognitive Enhancement that was shared in a special issue of the magazine Brain Sciences found that participants who played structured memory games for 20 minutes daily over four weeks significantly improved their working memory and attention span. The greatest improvements were seen in individuals who engaged with increasingly challenging game mechanics.
Study #2: Brain Games Support Neuroplasticity
According to Harvard Health Publishing which spotlighted a study from the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, “Brain training games that challenge memory, logic, and problem-solving can enhance neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form and strengthen connections.” This is especially important for older adults, as neuroplasticity helps delay the cognitive decline associated with aging.
This is why memory game play is not only important, it’s made for everyone. Whether you’re a child, parent, or lifelong learner, adding games for memory improvement into your routine can offer lasting brain-boosting benefits.
For Kids: Memory games help children develop essential life skills like following directions, paying attention in class, and building routines. They also support academic success by strengthening visual memory, sequencing, and language processing.
For Tweens and Teens: As academic demands and life responsibilities increase, so does the need for stronger memory to retain it all. Games that involve recalling patterns or step sequences build executive functioning, which helps students manage time, juggle assignments, and maintain focus.
For Adults: Looking for games for memory for adults? Whether you’re managing work stress, raising a family, or just trying to remember where you put your keys, memory games can help boost mental agility, reduce stress, and support long-term cognitive health. They’re also a great way to break up the monotony of the day by tapping into your inner child and playing again.
For Seniors: Regular mental exercise helps maintain independence and brain health. Studies have shown that older adults who engage in memory games experience slower rates of memory loss and improved concentration.
Now let’s explore five SimplyFun games that are not only incredibly fun, but also some of the best games for memory and concentration.
Here are five of our most popular memory boosting games for you to consider:
1. Dance Like a Lemur
2-5 players • 15 min • 4 & up
Unleash your wild side! Jump into an exciting adventure where you imitate various animals like elephants, crabs, dogs and cows through sounds, movements, words and stories. You’ll stomp, scuttle, bark and moo your way to finding all the pieces to your puzzle, stopping only for the occasional dance party! Practice your memory and gross motor skills in this joyful blend of learning, laughter, and animal antics.
Why it’s a top game for memory:
-Reinforces sequential memory, which supports learning routines and following instructions
-Combines kinesthetic, visual, and auditory memory triggers
-Great for group play across generations, making it an excellent game for memory for adults and kids alike
*Bonus Tip: Playing music while using movement in a game enhances multi-sensory learning, which accelerates memory formation.
2. Do It Again!
2-8 players • 10 min • 7 & up
Get moving as you put your memory to the test! Remember the action sequence, then perform it perfectly to stay in the game. Slip up, and you’re out until the next round!
Why it’s a memory must-have:
-Sharpens auditory and kinesthetic recall
-Supports attention to detail, as players must notice and imitate subtle movements or sounds
-Strengthens working memory, which is key for classroom performance and day-to-day organization
It’s one of the best games for memory improvement because it teaches players to retain and retrieve layered information, which helps things like remembering steps in a task or details from a conversation.
3. Mirror Mansion
2-4 players • 30 min • 8 & up
Learn the basics in the geometrics of reflection with this one-of-a-kind game. Use mirrors to explore every twist and turn, test your memory, and uncover hidden treasures. Reflect, remember, and discover in this unique geometric adventure! Explore the mansion and place mirrors to help you find treasures and jewels, and gain more jewels by voting on the actions of other players. The player with the most jewels at the end of the game wins!
Why it builds memory and concentration:
-Improves spatial memory and logical reasoning
-Trains players to use short- and long-term memory simultaneously
-Mirror Mansion is a great way for children to explore the scientific properties of light and reflection.
-To encourage scientific curiosity and experiential learning, allow children to explore how the game works by moving mirrors around and looking at what treasure is revealed.
It’s a fantastic choice if you’re looking for games for memory and concentration that also challenge strategic thinking (while bringing some spooooky fun to the game!)
4. Tar Trackers
2-4 players • 20 min • 6 & up
Join your saber-toothed cat on a thrilling tar pit scavenger hunt! Use your memory to dodge sticky tiles and speed through the hunt. Be the fastest tar tracker to win in this fun test of spatial reasoning and memory!
Why it’s a good game for memory:
-As children look for paths to their next Scavenger Hunt Token they are building spatial reasoning and perspective changing skills.
-It is also great for building focus because the more children pay attention to the moves of other players, the better they will recall where the magnetic tiles are located.
If you’re searching for memory games with cards that are perfect for mixed-age family fun, Tar Trackers hits the mark.
5. Plundering Times
2-4 players • 15 min • 8 & up
Ahoy, mateys! Lead your dragon pirate crew to plunder the Islands of Numbers in this epic math adventure. Use multiplication and addition to match or get close to each island’s number without going over. Remember, the best captain wins by collecting treasure chests and raiding rivals for gems. Master your memory and two-step problem-solving to build the greatest hoard and claim victory!
What makes it one of the best games for memory:
-Plundering Times requires ample focus as children examine the different islands to identify the best locations to play their dragon pirates.
-The game involves so much decision making, it may help to encourage children to "Wait. Look. Think." This will help them spend enough time considering options and implications of different possible placement of their dragon pirates.
-This will also help with impulsivity and planning. Using such verbal cues can give children a model for approaching future play as well as complex life choices.
This game appeals to both sides of the brain—creativity and logic—which makes it one of SimplyFun’s most well-rounded games for memory for adults and kids alike.
Final Thoughts: Turn Playtime into Brain Time
Incorporating memory games into your routine is a simple, joyful way to invest in cognitive health. Whether you’re playing with your kids after school, implementing the games into your classroom curriculum, or winding down with a puzzle-like challenge after work, games for memory offer meaningful mental exercise disguised as fun.
At SimplyFun, we’re passionate about designing games that blend learning with laughter. From card-based challenges to strategy-filled mazes, our games meet learners where they are and help them grow.
Which game will you choose? Let’s play a round, and give your brain a workout it will actually enjoy.
More on the Blog:
The Best Matching Card Games for Family Fun!
10 Kids’ Dice Games That Are Fun for the Whole Family!