Activities and Games That Help Adults with Memory and Learning

If you're looking for activities and games to help improve your memory and learning, you've come to the right place. We’ve rounded up some of the best ways to keep your brain health sharp. From brain games to memory games, activities, and hobbies, we have something for everyone on this list.

As you age, and life gets busier, it’s important to focus on mental wellness and brain health. This is where fun brain games and new challenges can help keep you sharp and ready to learn. Let’s jump in and see which activity or game you want to try.

Reading in a Book Club

Book clubs are a great way to learn new things, connect with other people, and find a new hobby. Whether you're reading for educational purposes, for fun, or to learn something new, reading is one of the best ways to keep the mind active and help improve memory.

Grab a few friends, post a flyer at work, or ask around for local book clubs in your community. With a few friends, reading in a book club will help you diversify your reading, keep you challenged, and have fun with friends.

Reading helps prevent memory loss and improves brain function. Even reading small amounts regularly will help reduce stress, improve sleep, and help prevent brain decline, and Alzheimer’s.

Arts and Crafts

Art and craft activities are a great way to build creativity and imagination. They can also help relieve stress, which is beneficial for your memory. Art and craft activities are also good for hand-eye coordination, as well as improving fine motor skills.

Consider making homemade cards, gifts, or trying a new art form or craft you’ve always wanted to try. Take an online or in-person art class or join a social art class with friends. Even adult coloring books are a great way to get creative and express yourself without spending a ton of money.

Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to feel less lonely and more connected to your community. You can also gain a sense of purpose. The act of helping others makes us feel good about ourselves and improves our overall mental health.

Look for different places to volunteer in the community, or at places you already frequent. Whether it’s a church, a community center, local schools, or with your children, there is always someone in need of extra hands.

Physical Activity

The benefits of physical activity are well-known and documented. Exercise can help you sleep better, reduce stress, focus at work, feel happier, and live longer. Exercise is also great for your brain and mental health.

Regular activity can also help reduce cognitive decline. This can help with dementia and memory loss that commonly occurs as people age. Exercise helps boost your mood, helps you concentrate, and keeps you focused.

Learn a Language

Learning a new language is a great way to keep your memory sharp. It can also help you stay mentally healthy. It’s never too late to learn something new and challenge yourself.

Take a language class, try an emersion course, or listen to a language podcast in the car. You can learn a new language while commuting to work, riding a train, or working out.

Try a New Sport

Trying a new sport as an adult can be a great challenge. You’ll need to learn the technique, rules of the game, and more. If you’ve always wanted to try golf, tennis, or join a pickleball league, now is the time.

You can try a sport yourself, with friends, or take a class. This is a great way to get more physical activity into your routine as well. 

Try a new sport and challenge yourself to learn something new. You may find an exciting new hobby you love. You’ll also get time outdoors, physical activity, and a new sense of community.

Join a Cooking Class

You can learn a new skill and socialize at the same time. Cooking classes help you learn about new ingredients, techniques, and cultures. You can take an in-person cooking class with friends, and family, or on your own.

There are also online cooking classes available that you can do from the comfort of your own home. Challenge yourself to learn a recipe you’ve always wanted to learn or try new cuisine.

Host a Game Night

Playing games is a great way to exercise your brain. Games are also fun and a nice way to spend quality time with friends and family. Hosting a regular game night can be a good way to challenge your brain and enjoy social time.

Choose a weekly or monthly night to be your game night. Get a group of friends or family together and you’ll have a regular game night to look forward to. Challenge yourself with a new game or two each game night.

Sudoku

Sudoku is a fun and challenging puzzle game that can be played by all ages. There are many variations on Sudoku puzzles, but they all involve placing numbers into blank spaces on a grid so there are no duplicate numbers within any given row or column.

You can keep your brain sharp with an inexpensive Sudoku book. Keep it with you for a train commute to work or do them before bed.

Word Search Puzzles

Word search puzzles are a fun way to learn new words, and improve your vocabulary and spelling. They also help with concentration by challenging you to find words within a grid of letters.

Word searches are available in many different formats, including online and printable versions that can be downloaded from the Internet. You can also find them in books you can purchase.

Crossword Puzzles

Crossword puzzles are a great way for adults to exercise their brains. They can be done individually or in groups, and they don't require any special equipment beyond pen and paper. Crossword puzzles are also good for people of all ages, since the more you do it, the easier they get.

Find free crossword puzzles in newspapers or online. You can also buy books of crossword puzzles. These are great to keep by your bed or your favorite chair. Pick one up and do it for a few minutes a day. 

Jigsaw Puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles are a fun way to challenge your brain and learn new skills. There are jigsaw puzzles for all skill levels, so you can find one that fits your interests. You can do them with friends or family, which makes them even more enjoyable.

Jigsaw puzzles are a great activity for adults because they help improve memory, attention span, and problem-solving skills. They also require concentration and focus. There are tons of different-sized puzzles as well depending on your time and ability.

Play Scrabble

Scrabble is a game that involves placing lettered tiles on a board to create different words. The board has lettered squares, and the aim of the game is to place your letters in such a way as to form words that use all your allotted points.

Sharp Memory and Matching Games

Matching games are a fun way to help improve memory. You can purchase matching games for almost any age group in different themes. The premise of the game is to remember where the cards are to make a match.

Flipping cards and trying to remember where each card is will help keep your brain active and challenged. It’s also fun to play by yourself, with a group, and with kids.

Brain Training Apps

Brain training apps are a fun way to improve memory, attention, and other cognitive functions. There are many different types of brain training apps available for adults. You can download some for free or pay for them in the app store.

Brain training apps are great for commuting, traveling, or when you’re on the go. You only need your phone to get a few minutes in each day. These are a great way to keep your brain sharp while you earn your degree, pursue your career, and beyond. 

Boost Your Memory and Learning Today

If you’re looking to improve your memory and learning, brain games are a great place to start. You can have fun and challenge yourself to try something new. From cooking classes to puzzles, there are tons of different ways to boost your memory and exercise your brain.

Challenge yourself, make new friends, learn something new, and improve your health along the way. If you’re looking to finish a degree, take an online course, or further your career, California Coast University has great online programs. To learn more about courses, admissions, and enrollment, fill out the contact form here.