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Engaging Critical Thinking Games for Developing Analytical Skills

Annie Walls

Annie Walls

In today's fast-paced and complex world, developing analytical skills is essential for success. Analytical skills allow individuals to think critically, solve problems, and make informed decisions. One effective way to enhance analytical skills is through engaging critical thinking games. These games not only provide entertainment but also stimulate the mind and encourage logical reasoning. In this article, we will explore the importance of critical thinking, various engaging critical thinking games, how to incorporate critical thinking in everyday activities, and ways to promote collaborative critical thinking. Here are the key takeaways:

Key Takeaways

  • Critical thinking is crucial for developing analytical skills.
  • Engaging critical thinking games can enhance analytical thinking.
  • Puzzle games, strategy games, logic games, and problem-solving games are effective in developing critical thinking.
  • Incorporating critical thinking in everyday activities such as reading, writing, decision making, and analyzing data is important.
  • Promoting collaborative critical thinking through group activities, role-playing games, debates, and collaborative problem-solving exercises is beneficial.

The Importance of Critical Thinking

games that encourage critical thinking

Understanding the Role of Critical Thinking in Analytical Skills Development

Critical thinking plays a crucial role in the development of analytical skills. It is the ability to objectively analyze and evaluate information, allowing individuals to make informed decisions and solve complex problems. By engaging in critical thinking, individuals can enhance their analytical skills by honing their ability to identify patterns, analyze data, and draw logical conclusions.

To further understand the importance of critical thinking in analytical skills development, let's take a look at a few key points:

  • Critical thinking helps individuals develop a systematic approach to problem-solving, enabling them to break down complex issues into manageable parts.
  • It encourages individuals to question assumptions and biases, promoting a more objective and unbiased analysis of information.
  • Critical thinking fosters creativity and innovation, as it encourages individuals to think outside the box and explore alternative solutions.

Incorporating critical thinking into everyday activities can significantly enhance analytical skills and contribute to personal and professional growth.

Benefits of Developing Analytical Skills through Critical Thinking

Developing analytical skills through critical thinking offers numerous benefits. Improved Problem-Solving: Critical thinking enhances the ability to analyze complex problems and find effective solutions. Enhanced Decision Making : By developing analytical skills, individuals can make informed decisions based on logical reasoning and evidence. Increased Creativity : Critical thinking fosters creativity by encouraging individuals to think outside the box and explore innovative solutions. Effective Communication : Analytical skills developed through critical thinking enable individuals to articulate their thoughts and ideas clearly and persuasively. Better Time Management : Critical thinking helps individuals prioritize tasks and make efficient use of their time.

Engaging Critical Thinking Games

games that encourage critical thinking

Puzzle Games that Enhance Analytical Thinking

Puzzle games are a great way to enhance analytical thinking skills. These games require players to think critically and strategically in order to solve complex puzzles. By engaging in puzzle games, individuals can improve their problem-solving abilities and develop a logical mindset. Additionally, puzzle games provide an opportunity to exercise creativity and think outside the box. They challenge players to approach problems from different angles and come up with innovative solutions. Overall, puzzle games are an effective tool for developing analytical skills and fostering critical thinking.

Strategy Games for Developing Critical Thinking

Strategy games are an excellent way to develop critical thinking skills. These games require players to analyze different situations, consider various options, and make strategic decisions. By playing strategy games, individuals can enhance their problem-solving abilities and learn how to think critically in complex scenarios. Chess is a classic example of a strategy game that promotes critical thinking. Players must anticipate their opponent's moves, plan their own moves, and strategize to achieve victory. Other strategy games, such as Risk and Settlers of Catan , also provide opportunities for players to develop their analytical skills and make strategic choices.

Logic Games to Stimulate Analytical Skills

Logic games are an excellent way to stimulate analytical skills. These games require players to think critically, analyze information, and make logical deductions. By engaging in logic games, individuals can enhance their problem-solving abilities and develop a systematic approach to decision-making. One popular logic game is Sudoku, which challenges players to fill a grid with numbers based on specific rules. Another example is the game Mastermind, where players must deduce a secret code by using clues provided. These games not only provide entertainment but also help sharpen analytical thinking skills.

Problem-Solving Games that Foster Critical Thinking

Problem-solving games are an excellent way to foster critical thinking skills. These games require players to analyze complex situations, think creatively, and come up with innovative solutions. By engaging in problem-solving games, individuals can develop their analytical skills and enhance their ability to think critically. These games often involve puzzles, riddles, and challenges that require logical reasoning and strategic thinking. They provide a fun and interactive way to practice critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Incorporating Critical Thinking in Everyday Activities

games that encourage critical thinking

Critical Thinking in Reading and Writing

Critical thinking plays a crucial role in both reading and writing. When reading, it involves analyzing and evaluating the information presented, questioning the author's arguments, and identifying any biases or logical fallacies. It also requires the ability to make connections between different ideas and draw conclusions based on evidence. In writing, critical thinking helps to organize thoughts, develop coherent arguments, and present information in a logical and persuasive manner. It involves evaluating the credibility of sources, considering alternative perspectives, and anticipating counterarguments. By incorporating critical thinking skills in reading and writing, individuals can enhance their analytical abilities and become more effective communicators.

Critical Thinking in Decision Making

Critical thinking plays a crucial role in decision making. It involves analyzing information, evaluating options, and making informed choices. Effective decision making requires the ability to think critically and consider multiple perspectives. It is important to gather relevant data, assess the credibility of sources, and identify potential biases. Additionally, evaluating the potential outcomes of different decisions can help in making the best choice. Decision making is a skill that can be developed through practice and by incorporating critical thinking strategies.

Critical Thinking in Problem Solving

Problem solving is a crucial skill that requires analytical thinking and creative problem-solving abilities. It involves identifying and analyzing problems, generating potential solutions, evaluating the effectiveness of each solution, and selecting the best course of action. Critical thinking plays a vital role in this process as it helps individuals to think logically, consider different perspectives, and make informed decisions.

To enhance critical thinking in problem solving, individuals can follow a structured approach that includes the following steps:

  • Identify the problem : Clearly define the problem and understand its underlying causes.
  • Gather information : Collect relevant data and information related to the problem.
  • Generate potential solutions : Brainstorm and come up with multiple possible solutions.
  • Evaluate the solutions : Analyze the pros and cons of each solution and assess their feasibility.
  • Select the best solution : Choose the solution that is most effective and feasible.

By applying critical thinking skills in problem solving, individuals can improve their ability to analyze complex situations, think creatively, and make well-informed decisions.

Critical Thinking in Analyzing Data

Analyzing data requires careful examination and interpretation of information to draw meaningful conclusions. It involves evaluating the reliability and validity of data sources, identifying patterns and trends, and making informed decisions based on the findings. To effectively analyze data, it is important to follow a systematic approach that includes the following steps:

  • Data collection : Gather relevant data from reliable sources.
  • Data organization : Arrange the data in a structured format for easy analysis.
  • Data cleaning : Remove any errors or inconsistencies in the data.
  • Data exploration : Explore the data to identify patterns, correlations, and outliers.
  • Data analysis : Apply statistical techniques and tools to analyze the data.
  • Data interpretation : Interpret the results and draw meaningful conclusions.
Tip: When analyzing data, it is crucial to critically evaluate the quality and relevance of the data sources to ensure accurate and reliable findings.

Promoting Collaborative Critical Thinking

games that encourage critical thinking

Group Activities for Critical Thinking

Group activities are an effective way to promote critical thinking skills in a collaborative setting. These activities encourage participants to work together, share ideas, and analyze different perspectives. Here are some examples of group activities that foster critical thinking:

  • Brainstorming sessions : In these sessions, participants come together to generate a large number of ideas on a specific topic. This activity encourages creative thinking and helps participants explore different possibilities.
  • Case studies : Case studies provide real-life scenarios for participants to analyze and solve. By examining the details of the case, participants develop their analytical skills and learn to apply critical thinking to practical situations.
  • Debates : Debates require participants to critically analyze arguments, present evidence, and counter opposing viewpoints. This activity enhances critical thinking by challenging participants to evaluate information and construct persuasive arguments.
  • Problem-solving challenges : These challenges present participants with complex problems that require critical thinking to solve. By working together to find solutions, participants develop their analytical skills and learn to think critically under pressure.

Group activities provide a dynamic and engaging environment for developing critical thinking skills. They encourage collaboration, communication, and the exploration of different perspectives, all of which are essential for analytical skills development.

Role-Playing Games to Encourage Analytical Thinking

Role-playing games are a great way to encourage analytical thinking in a fun and interactive way. By assuming different roles and solving problems within a fictional setting, players are challenged to think critically and make strategic decisions. These games often require players to analyze information, consider different perspectives, and come up with creative solutions. They also promote teamwork and communication skills as players work together to achieve common goals. Engaging and immersive , role-playing games provide a unique opportunity for individuals to develop their analytical thinking abilities.

Debates and Discussions for Developing Critical Thinking

Debates and discussions are powerful tools for developing critical thinking skills. They provide opportunities for individuals to analyze different perspectives, evaluate evidence, and construct logical arguments. Through engaging in debates and discussions, participants can enhance their ability to think critically and communicate effectively. These activities also foster active listening and respectful dialogue, encouraging individuals to consider alternative viewpoints and challenge their own assumptions. By engaging in debates and discussions, individuals can develop a deeper understanding of complex issues and strengthen their analytical skills.

Collaborative Problem-Solving Exercises

Collaborative problem-solving exercises are a valuable tool for developing critical thinking skills. These exercises involve working together with others to solve complex problems, allowing individuals to learn from different perspectives and develop creative solutions. By engaging in collaborative problem-solving exercises, participants can enhance their analytical thinking abilities and improve their ability to work effectively in a team.

One effective collaborative problem-solving exercise is the use of case studies. Case studies provide real-world scenarios that require critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Participants can analyze the situation, identify the key issues, and work together to develop strategies and solutions. This exercise not only enhances critical thinking but also promotes teamwork and communication skills.

Another collaborative problem-solving exercise is the use of group projects. Group projects require individuals to work together to achieve a common goal. This exercise encourages participants to think critically, delegate tasks, and collaborate effectively. It also provides an opportunity for individuals to learn from each other's strengths and weaknesses, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment.

In addition to case studies and group projects, collaborative problem-solving exercises can also involve role-playing scenarios. Role-playing allows participants to step into different roles and perspectives, challenging their assumptions and encouraging critical thinking. By engaging in role-playing exercises, individuals can develop empathy, problem-solving skills, and the ability to think critically from multiple viewpoints.

Overall, collaborative problem-solving exercises are an effective way to develop critical thinking skills. They provide opportunities for individuals to work together, learn from each other, and develop creative solutions to complex problems. By incorporating these exercises into educational and professional settings, individuals can enhance their analytical thinking abilities and become more effective problem solvers.

Promoting Collaborative Critical Thinking is essential in today's fast-paced and ever-changing world. As a keynote speaker, James Taylor inspires creative minds to think outside the box and find innovative solutions. With his expertise in business creativity and innovation, James Taylor has become an internationally recognized leader in this field. If you're looking to ignite your team's creativity and foster collaborative critical thinking, visit our website at www.jamestaylor.com and book James Taylor as your keynote speaker today!

In conclusion, engaging critical thinking games are a valuable tool for developing analytical skills. These games provide a fun and interactive way for individuals to practice and enhance their critical thinking abilities. By challenging players to think critically, analyze information, and make informed decisions, these games help to improve problem-solving skills, logical reasoning, and decision-making abilities. Additionally, critical thinking games promote creativity, innovation, and the ability to think outside the box. Overall, incorporating critical thinking games into educational and professional settings can greatly benefit individuals in their personal and professional lives, enabling them to become more effective problem solvers and decision makers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is critical thinking.

Critical thinking is the ability to analyze and evaluate information, arguments, and ideas in a logical and systematic manner.

Why is critical thinking important?

Critical thinking is important because it helps individuals develop analytical skills, make informed decisions, and solve complex problems effectively.

How does critical thinking contribute to analytical skills development?

Critical thinking enhances analytical skills by encouraging individuals to think critically, analyze information, identify patterns, and draw logical conclusions.

What are the benefits of developing analytical skills through critical thinking?

Developing analytical skills through critical thinking improves problem-solving abilities, enhances decision-making skills, and promotes creativity and innovation.

What are some engaging critical thinking games?

Some engaging critical thinking games include puzzle games, strategy games, logic games, and problem-solving games.

How can critical thinking be incorporated into everyday activities?

Critical thinking can be incorporated into everyday activities such as reading and writing, decision making, problem solving, and analyzing data.

games that encourage critical thinking

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7 Puzzles to Challenge Your Critical Thinking

Can you spot the connections and sort these items.

Posted March 5, 2015 | Reviewed by Ekua Hagan

Forster Forest/Shutterstock

The theme of this post is critical thinking—and the kinds of puzzles that can be constructed around it. This term is used frequently in psychology and education . There are various definitions, but the one that best suits our purpose and which is, in the end, perhaps the best, is the ability to comprehend the logical connections among ideas, words, phrases, and concepts . In the relevant scientific literature, of course, the term is used much more broadly as a framework for understanding human cognition . But in my opinion, the best way to understand things is to construct puzzles to illustrate their basic essence.

Critical thinking involves skill at recognizing a pattern in given information and especially recognizing how the information is connected to the real world. Here are a couple of very simple examples. First, consider the five words below:

  • Cruise ship
  • Walking on foot
  • Automobile (not a race car)

Now, put them in order from the slowest to the fastest, when they are going at maximum speed. The solution, of course, is: 4-2-5-1-3.

As with all such puzzles, there might be slightly different solutions—one could claim that some automobiles go faster than cruise ships. This “indeterminacy” characterizes this kind of thinking. However, some puzzles are straightforward. For instance, what do the following five things have in common?

The answer? These are all words referring to shades of blue.

The seven puzzles below are to the ones above, though hopefully more challenging. Some involve knowledge of facts, but critical thinking is still involved in such cases because the organization of the facts according to some principle is always involved—for example, a puzzle may ask you to put five items in order of their dates of invention.

The following tongue-in-cheek definition of critical thinking by Richard W. Paul, a leading expert on critical thinking theory, says it all: “Critical thinking is thinking about your thinking while you’re thinking in order to make your thinking better.”

I. What do the following 5 things have in common?

  • Orange juice

II. Put the following buildings or structures in order of height, from the shortest to the tallest.

  • Typical camping tent

III. What do the following animals have in common?

IV. Put the following inventions in order from earliest to most recent.

V. What feature do the following words have in common?

  • Imagination

VI. Put these bodies of water in order in terms of volume, from smallest to largest .

VII. What do the following landmasses have in common?

I. They are all drinkable liquids. II. 5-1-4-3-2 III. They all have a tail. They are also all quadrupeds. IV. To the best of my knowledge: 5-4-3-1-2 V. They start with a vowel: a, e, i, o, u VI. 4-2-1-5-3 VII. They are all peninsulas.

Marcel Danesi Ph.D.

Marcel Danesi, Ph.D. , is a professor of semiotics and anthropology at Victoria College, University of Toronto. His books include The Puzzle Instinct and The Total Brain Workout .

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10 Team-Building Games That Promote Critical Thinking

10 Team-building games for critical thinking | Future Education Magazine

Students may improve their capabilities in critical thinking and other skills that will help them be successful in the contemporary job by participating in Team-building games for critical thinking. Students who value collaboration (and who will go on to become employers!) have higher levels of motivation and creativity.

It is common knowledge that kids like collaborating in groups very lot. Why don’t we make it into a game instead? Games are often a better option than brain training activities for helping children develop lateral thinking. However, brain training activities may be employed. Implementing these strategies in your classes can help students become more critical thinkers and more successful collaborators.

Here are 10 Team-Building Games That Promote Critical Thinking;

1. minefield.

Minefield Team-building games for critical thinking is a time-honored exercise that has been shown to foster better communication and a sense of trust among participants of all ages. It requires the construction of an obstacle course as well as the grouping of the students into different teams. Students take turns navigating the “minefield” while wearing blindfolds and relying only on the support of their classmates to find their way. You might also encourage kids to use certain terms or hints in order to make it more challenging for them or to utilize information that is related to the topic in order to make it more interesting to them.

2. If You Build it

This exercise in establishing teams may easily be adapted to fit your needs. To get started, separate the children into teams and give each group an equal quantity of a certain substance. Some examples of this material are pipe cleaners, bricks, dried spaghetti, and marshmallows.

10 Team-building games for critical thinking | Future Education Magazine

After that, you should assign them a project to work on. The challenge may take on a variety of forms, such as “which team can build the biggest castle that is also structurally sound?” Which side has the capacity to build the greatest number of castles in the least period of time? You may recycle this exercise throughout the year by modifying the challenge or the resources to correspond to other subject areas in the curriculum.

3. It’s a Mystery

Since many children, especially younger ones, like a good mystery, why not challenge them to solve it in a way that encourages them to collaborate with one another? It would be helpful to offer each child a numbered clue. The youngsters need to cooperate in order to find the answers to the clues in order to allow themselves enough time to solve the mystery, such as the case of the missing mascot. It’s possible that in order to solve the “case,” they’ll need to go about the room and look in other areas for additional clues.

Zoom team-building games for critical thinking is an old standby when it comes to games for constructing teams, and the many advantages that come with playing the game make it even more interesting. The children are seated in a circle, and one child gives each child an image of an item from Zoom.

The game begins with one child relating a story based on the image that they are holding, and the next student continues the story from where the previous student left off. The game helps youngsters improve their creativity, critical thinking, and communication abilities by compelling them to create the tales on the spot and challenging them to think critically about what they’ve written.

5. Save the Egg

During this team-building games for critical thinking, each team of three or four persons will have the opportunity to drop their egg from a certain height. They need to devise strategies that will prevent the egg from cracking while it is in the air. They are free to use whatever items or apparatus of their choosing to effect a soft landing for the egg or to guarantee that it settles in an unharmed state.

Because this one has the potential to get ugly, it is essential to choose a site that is risk-free and where no one will be worried about hurting valuable school property.

6. marshmallows-game

10 Team-building games for critical thinking | Future Education Magazine

7. Go for Gold

The teams compete to achieve the same objective in this Team-building games for critical thinking, which is similar to the game “If you create it,” but rather than having the same resources, the teams have access to a huge quantity. For instance, the objective may be to construct, consisting of pipes, rubber tubing, and cardboard, a machine that, with the only assistance of gravity, can move a marble from point A to point B in a certain number of stages.

Although learning through textbooks is essential, teachers also have a responsibility to ensure that pupils can interact effectively with one another. Exercises that focus on fostering a sense of teamwork are an effective way to do this, and there is no sign that this fad will ever die out.

8. Keep it Real

Because it is founded on a straightforward concept that encourages conversation and problem-solving, this open-ended model functions as an efficient examination tool for students. Give the students the mission to identify and address a genuine issue that exists in their own schools or communities. For the purpose of assisting youngsters in defining their own boundaries, some restrictions, such as time limits, material limits, and physical limitations, might be put on them.

9. Shrinking Vessel

Critical thinking may be tough to understand after undergoing brain training, but after participating in exciting Team-building games for critical thinking like the shrinking vessel, it quickly becomes second nature. The participants will first be split up into smaller groups to begin the exercise. Every group is going to have to coordinate their efforts so that they can fit into a smaller and smaller area until there is no more room. Cones or a rope might be used to define the perimeter of the area. Playing this game will teach you how to collaborate with others to find solutions to challenges.

10 Team-building games for critical thinking | Future Education Magazine

10. The Worst-Case Scenario

Students are split up into two or more groups, and each of those groups is given a tough scenario to solve. Some examples of these scenarios include being abandoned on a barren island or becoming lost at sea. They are then given the instruction to collaborate with one another within their teams in order to find a solution to the challenge and ultimately emerge triumphant. The children have to come up with a strategy in order to guarantee that everyone will live through the worst-case scenario.

In this particular situation, the students may be quizzed about the things that they will need in order to do the task, in addition to any other passages that they may come across. The fact that youngsters are required to cooperate with one another helps in the development of their ability to solve problems and teaches them the importance of working together as a team through Team-building games for critical thinking.

Bottom line

To achieve the highest productivity at work, Team-building games for critical thinking are conducted in distinct corporate games. However, these games can boost efficiency in the study if undertaken in a classroom atmosphere. They help students to break the monotony in the learning environment. We hope our blog helped you to get new ideas regarding Team-building games for critical thinking. You can implement them in your next session within the classroom.

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10 Team-Building Games That Promote Critical Thinking

games that encourage critical thinking

Preparing students for ongoing learning success needs to incorporate curriculum and extra-curriculum activities. The team at TeachThought  have compiled their list of games to promote better peer-to-peer learning in the classroom.

games that encourage critical thinking

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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.

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15 games that might make you smarter just by playing them

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Here at Insider Picks, we’re always looking for ways to optimize your (and our) time and purchases to get the most out of the deal.

One area of optimization that I’ve been particularly drawn to has been games that challenge you to develop your mental skills in a fun and engaging way.

Plus, it only took a summer vacation for me to feel totally out of sync on the first day back in elementary school, and as an adult, it can feel like your skills and expertise are constantly narrowing and thinning; you flex the same mental muscles at work and get better and better at a specialized job, but you stop finding new hurdles to jump over and new puzzles to solve creatively.

Games that challenge you to think differently, imagine, and solve ever-changing problems that don't allow you to get used to them and fly on autopilot are a particularly valuable use of your time: They make you happy and provide enjoyment at the same time that they sharpen your mental abilities.

Whether it’s fiddling with a Rubik’s cube or filling out Sudoku on the subway while you’re stalled, it’s a nice to constantly be improving yourself in a way that doesn’t feel tedious. If you can have fun and become more mentally dexterous, why would you not?

Below are 15 games that rely on your strategic, critical-thinking, and imaginative abilities. 

Lumosity Brain-Training App, free to download

games that encourage critical thinking

Lumosity is a well-known name in the 'brain-training' game. It's used by over 85 million people worldwide and offers 30+ brain games to give your mind a workout. You can track your scores to see improvement over time and compare your own against the scores of other people. The ease of the app is supposed to make building a brain training habit easy. 

DOWNLOAD IOS APP ON ITUNES >>

Download ipad app on itunes >>, chinese mahjong set with compact wooden case, $72.99.

games that encourage critical thinking

It's been observed that mahjong, regardless of the frequency of playing, produces positive improvements in cognitive performance  in persons with dementia. The study found that Mahjong is a viable option for treating dementia. If it's good that far down the line, it's very unlikely to do you any harm by playing earlier.  

BUY IT ON AMAZON >>

Hasbro scrabble crossword game, $16.99.

games that encourage critical thinking

If you want to increase your confidence with words, quickness of thought, or just want to expand your vocabulary, the well-loved board game Scrabble is a shoe-in for the job. The ever-changing mix of words available to you in addition to those made by your opponent can sharpen your thinking and turn you into the sort of wordsmith who doesn't need to check the dictionary to see if they really did just play a real word or not. 

Sudoku: 400+ Sudoku Puzzles (Easy, Medium, Hard, Very Hard), $6.29

games that encourage critical thinking

Sudoku is one game, like crossword puzzles and riddles, that increase neuroplasticity and make your smarter. With increased neuroplasticity, you are better able to view something from multiple angles and anticipate and understand new patterns. 

Fit Brains Trainer App by Rosetta Stone, free to download

games that encourage critical thinking

Fit Brains Trainer has been ranked the #1 education app in over 90 countries. Rosetta Stone has created a wide selection of games that are meant to stimulate your IQ and EQ (cognitive and emotional intelligence). You can train your brain with science-based games and daily training sessions customized for you, as well as challenge the speed and focus of your memory and stimulate your emotional intelligence.

Of Course!: The Greatest Collection of Riddles & Brain Teasers For Expanding Your Mind, $9.95

games that encourage critical thinking

Riddles are another great way to increase neuroplasticity and help your brain recognize new possibilities. Thinking creatively and dexterously to solve a word puzzle only helps you keep up with your own creativity. 

Rubik's Cube Game, $7.89

games that encourage critical thinking

Playing with a Rubik's cube is one way to keep your brain active in a productive way. It will improve your concentration, allow your to process your own thoughts faster, and improve your hand-eye coordination at the same time that it helps improve your short-term memory.

Ultimate Mind Games: With Over 400 Puzzles, $4.90

games that encourage critical thinking

Fun games like puzzles and crosswords are a great way to relieve stress in the moment and mitigate stress inspired by similarly challenging situations when they pop up in real-life, too. Puzzles like these help you develop critical thinking, improve your memory, enhance visual perception and also make you happy. 

Latice Board Game, Deluxe Edition, $34.99

games that encourage critical thinking

Strategy board games like Latice help develop cognitive and spatial recognition, planning, and interpersonal skills. 

Family Classic Chess, $11.82

games that encourage critical thinking

Chess has long been used as a game that can help bolster strategic thought and critical thinking in any age group, keeping the mind deft and nimble for older players and honing young kids to use critical skills with ease. Related or not, chess players tend to score higher on intelligence tests than do non-players. 

Monopoly Board Game, The Classic Edition, $22.15

games that encourage critical thinking

Monopoly is a great host of real-life problems and challenges without any of the real-life stress. Flex your creativity and strategy by buying, selling, and trading across the board in contention with others. 

Ticket to Ride, $34.99

games that encourage critical thinking

Like Monopoly, Ticket to Ride offers you the ability to make real-life applicable decisions without the pressure to ensure creativity and help you develop your mental abilities. The game enacts a cross-country train adventure in seven days with all the challenges that proposes.  There are 225 colored train cars and players have to collect cards that allow them to use the different railway routes connecting the cities across the USA. It's a $1 million prize, and it's winner-takes-all.

Codenames, $14.99

games that encourage critical thinking

Codenames is a challenging social word game. Two Spymasters who alone know their agents' real names give one-word clues to their respective teammates in the hopes that the team will be able to correctly coordinate a list of code names to real names, all while avoiding 'the assassin.' 

Yueton Metal IQ Puzzle Set, $5.99

games that encourage critical thinking

These metal wire puzzles are satisfying fun for anyone over 6. The Chinese Rings Puzzle is supposedly one of the oldest puzzles known, dating all the way back to 2000+ years ago. Use both your logic and creative thinking to work on the puzzles and your patience. Much like the Rubik's Cube, you'll be acting quickly with your hands in conjunction with your thought and improving a short term memory as you work. 

Sequence Game, $14.29

games that encourage critical thinking

Sequence is "easy enough for children, challenging for adults!" 

Sequence uses, you guessed it, a sequence (creating a row of five poker-like chips on the board) to outsmart opponents. You'll learn to block opponents and employ strategy and luck as well as come up with multiple backup plans throughout the course of the game.

Snippets - The Fast Paced, Anything Goes Word Game

games that encourage critical thinking

Snippets is a fast-paced word game. Write down as many words as you can come up with in 60 seconds that contain that round's snippet. 

games that encourage critical thinking

Subscribe to our newsletter. You can purchase syndication rights to this story here. Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected] .

games that encourage critical thinking

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Group games are ideal for developing critical-thinking skills.

The link between critical thinking and one’s education is obvious – you can’t learn well unless you think well.

Critical thinking is the ability to look at problems in new ways, to analyse how parts of a whole interact with one another and to interpret information and draw conclusions.

Critical thinking and problem-solving skills were once thought to be the domain of gifted people. Today, they are necessary for every individual and group who seeks to make sensible decisions about financial, health, civic, workplace and leisure activities.

The solutions to international concerns such as climate change and global warming require highly developed critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. These skills include the ability to effectively analyse and evaluate evidence, arguments, claims and beliefs.

Benefits of Developing Critical-Thinking Abilities

The ability to solve interesting and unfamiliar problems often leads to the development of other skills such as increased engagement, higher concentration levels and improved thought processing.

Here are a few examples of experiences that occur in many programs which may provide you with an opportunity to focus on problem-solving skills:

  • Forming a project team to solve an existing, yet complex problem.
  • Thinking of a new campaign slogan to broadcast a difficult, yet important message.
  • Adopting a rational, analytical and evidence-based approach to investigate a conflict.
  • Challenging one of your group’s long-held beliefs or practices.

Naturally, one of the most powerful (not to mention, enjoyable) ways to develop and strengthen your group’s problem-solving skills is to employ the use of fun group games.

Group Activities Which Develop Critical-Thinking Skills

The images below provide links to a sample of simple group activities which may help you develop the critical thinking and problem-solving abilities of your group, drawn from playmeo’s ever-expanding activity database .

Enjoy browsing to your heart’s content.

If you’re not yet a playmeo subscriber, join today to unlock hundreds more group games and activities just like these.

Illustration of We Engage Cards

We Engage Cards

Premium subscribers enjoy all the features, save to playlist.

Thought-provoking series of cards to inspire engagement.

Illustration of We Connect Cards

We Connect Cards

Set of question cards to inspire meaningful conversations.

Set of colourful cards called Emoji Cards used for reflection and other fun purposes

Emoji Cards

Useful set of emotive cards to encourage fun & reflection.

Set of hand-drawn picture cards called Climer Cards used in many reflection exercises

Climer Cards

Fun deck of cards to inspire team-building & creativity.

Hands holding two Ubuntu Cards looking for matching objects

UBUNTU Cards

Innovative tool that inspires valuable sharing & fun.

games that encourage critical thinking

Download our free 28-page ebook jam-packed with outrageously fun activity ideas.

games that encourage critical thinking

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7 Games for Critical Thinking that Add Play to Your Day

7 fun games for the classroom that promote critical thinking and problem solving skills. These games are great for literacy and math centers, morning tubs, indoor recess, and small groups!

Let’s talk about the importance of PLAY and games in our classrooms today. Do you agree with the following?

Learning should be fun.

Learning should be engaging.

Learning should be JOYFUL!

I thought so! For children (and adults) play is a key the way the brain learns. When our students complete puzzles, they are working on problem-solving skills. When they play a game with rules to follow, they are learning how to cooperate and interact with others. When they play against an opponent, they are learning how to develop strategies, predict outcomes, and use logical thinking skills.  What a better way to squeeze in play than with critical thinking games in the classroom? In this post, I’ll share seven of my favorite critical thinking games for primary students.

For your convenience, I’ve added links to the materials I talk about within the blog post. These are Amazon Affiliate links. This just means Amazon tosses a few cents my way if you make a purchase with the links – at absolutely, positively, no extra cost to you! These little links help me to continue sharing ideas, freebies, and giveaways with you on the site. 

Finding Time for Games in the Classroom

Time. It’s a four-letter word that teachers across the world have a love-hate relationship with. “There’s not enough time!” is a phrase one will frequently hear from a kindergarten teacher as much as a middle school teacher. We know that our students need time to play and have fun in school. We know that games promote SO MANY wonderful skills and brain-friendly challenges for our students.  In addition to Pinterest, teaching blogs, IG, and educational websites, I like to turn to the shelves of stores such as Target, Walmart, and Toys R Us for critical thinking games that my students will love to play! There are TONS of educational and high-quality games that you can find pre-assembled and ready to go- for a great price! So, when can we squeeze games into the classroom? Below are some of my favorite times to add board games and mind-challenging games into our schedule:

  • Morning Work
  • Small Groups
  • Indoor Recess
  • Friday Game Days (Use small group time or morning work time for games!)
  • Math Centers
  • Literacy Centers
  • Word Work Centers

Teaching Students How to Play

It’s important to model how to play each game with your students. The critical thinking games I am going to share in this post take a lot of brain energy! They are designed to be fun- but challenging- for your students. As a result, don’t expect students to pick up how to play instantly and be able to independently play the games right away. I like to model and play the games with my students at the small group table. For example, every time I introduce a new Brainamin short or long vowel game as a word work center for my students, we play it at the small group table. I do this for math and literacy centers, too.  In this way, I can correctly show students the materials, the rules, and I can even play with them to model my thinking and let them hear what I am thinking as I strategize my next moves and make decisions throughout the game. When students have had ample time to play and see how the game works WITH you, they will be more confident and have more fun when they play with their friends and classmates.

Organizing Your Games

Whenever possible, I like to get rid of the boxes the games come in and put them into plastic tubs. The boxes just seem to deteriorate over time, and the lids on the plastic bins help us keep everything tidy and organized. I use many of my critical thinking games during morning work time on Mondays and Fridays and during math and literacy centers. (On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays we use my See, Think, Wonder, Write routine for morning work .) I will be sharing more about my morning tub time (or what I like to call, Brain Bins) in future blog posts. For now, you can find the bins I use to store my critical thinking games in the links below. You’ll find two sizes of bins. For games that have a board game to them, I like to use the larger, flatter bins. For card games or other critical thinking materials such as the toys and activities I mentioned in this post , I use the medium bins because they take up less space and are really deep!

Medium Bins:

Now, let’s get started learning about seven really fun games that you can use for centers in your classroom. These games will challenge your students’ minds, while encouraging them to use problem-solving, critical thinking, logical thinking, deductive reasoning skills, and most importantly, have fun learning!

Hoot Owl Hoot

Hoot Owl Hoot! 7 fun games for the classroom that promote critical thinking and problem solving skills. These games are great for literacy and math centers, morning tubs, indoor recess, and small groups!

If you teach little ones, Hoot Owl Hoot is a MUST. Hoot Owl Hoot is designed by a company called Peaceable Kingdom. This is an award-winning game that focuses on cooperative play. (The game won the  Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award.) The object of the game is to help the owls fly back to their nest before the sun comes up. Students use color cards to move the owls closer to the nest. If they draw a sun card, they are one step closer to daylight. The BEST part of this game? EVERYONE wins! That’s right. The students must work together to get all of the owls to their nest. Whether you have a preschooler at home or teach kindergarten or first grade, this is a great game for kids! On top of the cooperative play, students have to use problem-solving skills and shared decision-making skills to be successful. It’s truly a wonderful game that challenges little ones’ thinking skills while having fun with friends!

SEQUENCE LETTERS

Sequence Letters: 7 fun games for the classroom that promote critical thinking and problem solving skills. These games are great for literacy and math centers, morning tubs, indoor recess, and small groups!

Sequence Letters is a game designed for ages 4-7, making it the perfect literacy and word work center for the kindergarten and first-grade classroom. To play, students name the letter on their card, say the sound for that letter, and then match it to a picture on the board that begins with that letter sound. The object is to get five of your game tokens in a row on the board. Can we talk about how perfect this game is for an intervention group or kindergarten small reading lesson?! What I love even more is that the letter cards feature the letter in both uppercase and lowercase, so students are seeing both forms every time they play. Sequence Letters is a game that every primary teacher needs to add to their classrooms!

SEQUENCE FOR KIDS

Sequence for Kids: 7 fun games for the classroom that promote critical thinking and problem solving skills. These games are great for literacy and math centers, morning tubs, indoor recess, and small groups!

Sequence for Kids is another version in the Sequence games line-up. This is a great critical thinking game for students who cannot yet read, and it makes the perfect indoor recess game for strategy skills! At first, the initial concept of the game seems TOO easy: Students simply place a token on the picture on the board that matches the picture on their card. When a player gets four tokens in a row, he or she wins. Don’t let this game fool you! There is a lot of thinking-rich strategy skills involved when playing this game. You see, in addition to the picture cards, there are also unicorn and dragon cards. A unicorn card allows you to place your game token anywhere on the board. A dragon card allows you to remove an opponent’s game token. Now, you’ve got a game that involves some “if this…then that” thinking! Which, my friends, are the games I love for kids! You can find Sequence for Kids below:

Brain-Freeze

Brain-Freeze: 7 fun games for the classroom that promote critical thinking and problem solving skills. These games are great for literacy and math centers, morning tubs, indoor recess, and small groups!

If you don’t own Brain-Freeze , RUN and get it! It is not only engaging, fun, and child-friendly, but it is the perfect strategy game for young students ages 5 and up. Brain-Freeze reminds me of a cooler version of Guess Who for kids. It also builds mental skills such as memory, deductive-reasoning, and strategy skills. It received multiple awards for children and only takes about 15 minutes to play. That amount of playing time makes it an ideal game to place in a literacy center or math center for kindergarten, first-grade, and second-grade students. To play, one child chooses a sweet treat off of the “menu” and circles characteristics of the treat on their game board. The other child guesses and asks questions about what the sweet treat is, just like in the game, Guess Who? Using a dry-erase marker, the player who is guessing crosses out and eliminates different choices based on the clues and the answers the first player gives. The object is to correctly guess the sweet treat the first player secretly chose at the beginning of the game. This game is also wonderful for asking questions and using inference skills! Find it here:

On the Dot: 7 fun games for the classroom that promote critical thinking and problem solving skills. These games are great for literacy and math centers, morning tubs, indoor recess, and small groups!

Let’s move on to some more challenging games. These next few games are great for second-grade and up. On the Dot is a challenging puzzle game that requires focus, creative thinking, and an ability to look at things from new perspectives. It’s a true brainteaser that students will love! To play, students choose two transparent cards. The cards have colored dots on them. The student must rotate, flip, turn, or overlap the cards in order to get the dots on both cards to match up. This game is great for building and practicing logical thinking, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving. With 60 different puzzles to match up, On the Dot is a game that can stay in your bins for a long time!

Swish: 7 fun games for the classroom that promote critical thinking and problem solving skills. These games are great for literacy and math centers, morning tubs, indoor recess, and small groups!

Swish is a game designed for ages 8 and up. It reminds me of On the Dot with transparent cards and colored hoops, or circles. Players take turns stacking and matching up the colored cards. When a match is made, the player keeps both cards. The player with the most matches wins. After playing this game a few times, I decided the Swish Junior game would be the best version to start with in the primary classroom. The pace would go faster and kindergarten and first-grade students would feel more confident and successful. In the Junior version (ages 5+), players layer or stack two or more transparent cards to make a match. The cards have shapes on them in various colors and sizes, making it a much better game for primary students! The Junior version would be great for building spatial reasoning skills and promoting shape recognition. You can find the Swish Junior version below:

For my last critical thinking game, I can’t get enough of my Brainamin games! In this post, I’ll feature the CVC-e and long vowel edition , but I also have a Brainamin Short Vowel Bundle and a B rainamin Vowel Teams Bundle available, too. This is one of the best games to add to a morning tub or literacy center, and it’s certainly fun to use as a small group warm-up game! If you have students who are struggling with  decoding and phonics skills, these games also make a nice change of pace for an intervention group. To play, students flip over two cards: a word card, and a picture card. The students will scan the cards and find the matching word and picture, as shown below:

There is only one match, so the students must think fast and be the first person to find it. The student who finds the match first gets to keep both cards in his or her pile. The student who has the most matches in his or her pile at the end of the game wins. (You can also just play for fun and not keep “score” using the matches.) Let’s play again. Can you find the matching word and picture in the cards shown below?

Brainamin long vowel (cvc-e) phonics and decoding game

SO fun, right?! What I love MOST about Brainamin is that you can play with a group of students, or with just two students. In fact, students can even play against themselves as an independent game as they race to find the matches among the deck of cards. Brainamin not only improves phonics skills but it also works on visual discrimination skills, critical thinking skills, deductive reasoning, decoding, and fluency for word recall. You can find the different Brainamin bundles and games that I have available by below:

  • Brainamin Short Vowels (cvc words)
  • Brainamin Long Vowels (cvc-e words)
  • Brainamin Vowel Teams
  • …more to come in the future!

Try Brainamin for FREE!

You can learn more about critical thinking AND get a FREE Brainamin Short A game pack in a blog post I wrote by clicking HERE or on the blog post image below:

FREE Short Vowel A Brainamin game when you sign up for my email list!

I hope you enjoyed learning about these seven games for critical thinking in the primary classroom! I know they will add fun, play, and lots of great thinking skills into your classroom routine. In order to save this post for later or share it with a colleague, feel free to use the image below to PIN IT on Pinterest !

7 fun games for the classroom that promote critical thinking and problem solving skills. These games are great for literacy and math centers, morning tubs, indoor recess, and small groups!

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One Comment

Loved all the games which you have shared with us. Perfect way to engage kids in such fun games for long hours which helps to nurture their overall growth. In this world of technology. where kids are inclined more towards playing online or video games, which affects their physical as well as mental growth. I think it the responsibility of parents to involve kids in games or activities which helps to improve their overall development. Saved your entire list of games to incorporate these in regular kids play. Thanks for sharing such an awesome list of games with us.

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Parent Resources for Learning > Critical Thinking > 5 Fun Critical Thinking Games to Play with Your Child

5 Fun Critical Thinking Games to Play with Your Child

by Dr. Jody Sherman LeVos | Mar 27, 2024 | Critical Thinking

games that encourage critical thinking

Playing games is a great way for your child to develop their critical thinking skills—and the metaphor of a game is a great way to think about these important life skills!

Every time your child works through a problem they need to solve, a sequence they need to memorize, or a decision they need to make, they’re making their way toward the goal of improving their critical thinking.

It’s like a game where the reward at the end is better decision-making, stronger reasoning skills, and academic and professional success!

Kids will keep playing this game over the course of their lives, connecting new ideas to old ones and discarding one opinion for another. Each time, they’ll get better.

Ready to start? We’ve got some fun and easy game ideas for you!

The Short Cut

  • Critical thinking  is one of the 5 C’s  that help kids thrive in school and life (an essential part of the Begin Approach to learning)
  • The ability to think critically—as opposed to being intelligent—has been linked to wellness and fewer “negative life events”
  • Good critical thinking activities  often involve following rules, breaking tasks into sequences, asking questions, and understanding multiple perspectives
  • Games (like this memory game ) are a fantastic way to develop critical thinking with kids because you can slip in challenges with the fun!

Why Is Critical Thinking Important?

Critical thinking is a necessary skill for understanding the world.

Through weighing options, studying different perspectives, and making good choices, our children can lead their lives in a positive and healthy way.

Critical thinking allows our kids to:

  • Analyze information and make decisions
  • Recall short sequences of information and simple instructions
  • Ignore distractions to focus on a task
  • Grasp the differences between sources of information
  • Reason using logic
  • Make connections between things

It’s one of the most important contributors to their overall well-being!

Fun Critical Thinking Games to Play with Your Child

6 Critical Thinking Exercises for Everyday Life

Games aren’t the only critical thinking exercises that work well for kids. They also encounter many opportunities to build their skills on any given day.

How can you tap into those chances? Try these techniques.

1. Explain Things

No doubt you often find yourself on the receiving end of your child’s questions. Try to answer all of them. Daunting as that might sound (we know!), this helps your child learn how to formulate the questions they need to ask to make good judgments.

2. Back Up Rules with Good Reasons

Help your child understand the reasons behind rules. (A typical Q&A volley:  “Please find a quiet activity to do after dinner.” “Why?” “Because your brother is asleep and we don’t want to wake him up.”)

This kind of exchange allows your child to understand why you’re asking them to do something, which fosters critical thinking.

3. Play Real-Life Problem-Solving Games

Playing strategy games—even simple ones designed for kids—develops analytical skills. You can also have fun turning household tasks into problem-solving games, like figuring out which socks go to which person when you’re folding laundry.

4. Cultivate Curiosity

Encourage your child to ask questions and dig deep to find answers. Curiosity leads to challenging assumptions and gaining new information. Ultimately it helps your child develop complex thinking skills.

5. Encourage Open-Mindedness

Help your child learn to be flexible in their thinking by giving them time to gather information before they make decisions. Considering various solutions helps kids learn that more than one way to do things can be correct.

6. Model Analytical Thinking

Our kids are always watching us. One of the best ways to influence your child’s critical thinking skills is by talking through decisions as you make them. (“I want to walk to the store. I can take a shortcut, but it’s on that dirt path and I’m wearing new sneakers. I want to keep them clean, so I’ll walk on the sidewalk instead.”)

5 Games to Guide Your Child’s Critical Thinking

games that encourage critical thinking

There are many educational critical thinking games  you can play at home that help kids improve their skills! We’ve gathered a few we love:

This classic guessing game encourages analytical thinking and problem-solving skills (like deduction) as your child searches for specific objects based on clues.

Plus, it‘s highly portable! Play it in the car, on a walk, or even at the grocery store!

What You Need

  • Nothing except space!
  • Explain you’ll take turns identifying an object in your space.
  • Model the game by going first. Choose an object that both of you can see.
  • Share one detail about it. (“I spy something purple.”)
  • Ask your child to guess what you’ve chosen.
  • If your child is stumped or getting frustrated, add more clues (“The purple thing is a food, and it’s over by the apples.”)
  • Trade roles so that your child chooses something for you to guess.

More Ways to Play

  • Choose different rules, such as “the object has to start with A,” or “share three adjectives that describe the object,” or “make up one phrase this object might say”

2. Once Upon a Time

Storytelling is a great way to work on critical thinking skills like understanding cause and effect, choice-making, and sequencing. This game also taps into kids’ creativity  (another one of the 5 C’s) through making up stories.

  • Nothing but your imagination!
  • Explain you’re going to build a story together by taking turns, one sentence at a time. You can give an example by reciting a story that your child already knows.
  • Give an exciting first sentence that jumps into action, such as, “Once upon a time, a kid was on a rocket ship headed to Mars, when a meteor hit and fuel began to leak.”
  • Ask your child to continue the story. If they get stuck, try asking them questions like “What did the rocket ship do next?” or “What did the kid do first to fix the problem?” or “How did the kid feel?”
  • Continue taking turns until you come to a natural ending.
  • Write down the story as you tell it, then read it out loud
  • Create a book out of the story, using paper, markers, and a stapler or tape (art projects use many critical thinking skills)
  • Use a prop to center the story on, like a toy or a stuffed animal
  • Go outside and tell a story based on what you imagine you see in the clouds

3. Bet You Can Build It!

Designing a structure takes curiosity, planning, trial and error, and problem-solving. You can turn this activity into a game by laying out rules to follow.

  • Marshmallows
  • Craft sticks
  • Cardboard tubes
  • Anything else you’ve got at home!
  • Gather your materials.
  • Give your child the rules for the building challenge. (“Create the tallest building you can without it tipping over” or “Use all the marshmallows and toothpicks.”)
  • Work on the structure together or each do your own.
  • Celebrate when you’ve finished!
  • Use a timer to add urgency to the game
  • Bring the game to the floor and use bigger building materials, like blocks or plastic bricks
  • Bring it outside and use objects found in nature

Get your child moving their whole body as they use planning, organization, and problem-solving skills to find their way through a maze.

  • A surface to draw on, like a sidewalk, driveway, or playground blacktop
  • Objects to use as obstacles
  • A finish-line treasure (a favorite toy, a treat, etc.)
  • Draw a maze with chalk. Try making a path by drawing borders on each side or a “tightrope” by only drawing one line your child will need to balance on as they walk.
  • Add dead ends to make the maze more challenging.
  • Use objects to create obstacles for your child to problem-solve a way past.
  • Add a treasure at the finish to engage their imagination.
  • Have your child start at one end and try to find their way through!
  • Hone in on the treasure component of the maze by creating a scavenger hunt .
  • Ask your child to draw a map of the maze when they’ve finished.

5. Obstacle Course

An obstacle course builds real-life skills. To get through their days, kids need to be able to remember lots of information (just think about all the rules at school!).

They also encounter problem-solving based on sequencing and memorizing shortcuts, directions, and solutions. (Think about learning how to write. Letters have to be in a specific order to make a word. That’s sequencing.)

Or you may allow your child to walk to school or the bus stop on their own. That’s all about memorizing directions.

Obstacle courses can help them practice these skills!

  • Masking tape or chalk
  • Jump rope or broom
  • Big bouncy ball
  • Play tunnel, table, or chair
  • Board or pool noodle
  • Log and plank
  • Pillows, bean bag chairs, or large stuffed animal
  • Any other objects you want!
  • Gather your objects—you can play this game inside or outside.
  • Design a path for your child by placing interactive objects along it. For instance, they can jump over the broom, crawl under the table, and balance on the log and plank.
  • Show your child the sequence. You can demonstrate it or have them do a trial run.
  • Let them start!
  • Try asking your child to do the course backwards or blindfolded—with a partner!
  • On a hot day (and outdoors!), add water components like carrying a bucket of water or running through a sprinkler
  • Draw a map and instead of telling your child how to move through the course, give them the map to follow
  • Add a fun time component and challenge your child to finish the course faster each time they do it

Cultivating Critical Thinking Skills with Begin

Photo illustration showing photos of kids using the Begin brands: Little Passports, HOMER, Learn with Sesame Street, and codeSpark

Because critical thinking is such an essential skill set, at Begin we build it into our age- and stage-matched learning membership . Through playing with Little Passports activity kits, the codeSpark coding app , and other award-winning learning products from Begin, kids can learn sequencing, make their own games, do science experiments, and more !

Take our online quiz  today to discover which stage of the Begin membership is best for your family!

Dr. Jody Sherman LeVos

Jody has a Ph.D. in Developmental Science and more than a decade of experience in the children’s media and early learning space.

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Dr. Jody Sherman LeVos

Dr. Jody Sherman LeVos

Chief Learning Officer at Begin

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Fun critical thinking online games for adults

Fun critical thinking online games for adults

Critical thinking can be a difficult skill to hone, but with some practice and a fun incentive, you can be thinking deeper in no time. That’s where online games for adults come into play, challenging players to rely on their abilities to analyze, reflect, use emotional reasoning, consider multiple interpretations, and more.

Online chess, Brainstorm, Tangram puzzles, and Factorio are just a few examples of critical thinking games adults can access online. These fun games, which range from puzzle-style to number-themed and more, will test your ability to ask important questions, think of multiple possible solutions to problems, and become a generally better critical thinker.

In today’s guide, we’ll be sharing some examples of these online critical thinking games that are enjoyable to play, in addition to being enriching. Keep reading along as we explain the reasons why these games exercise the brain so well and what they entail.

Below, we explore the following:

How Online Games Improve Critical Thinking

  • They call upon problem-solving skills
  • They rely on evaluation
  • They promote open-mindedness
  • They make you reflect
  • Best Online Games for Critical Thinking

Online Chess

Tangram puzzles, sudoku online, eyewire 3d puzzle game.

Some of the key parts of being a good critical thinker include the ability to problem-solve, reflect, evaluate information, and be open-minded to different perspectives. Online games can draw on these skills and strengthen them through trial and error.

They Call Upon Problem-Solving Skills

In many puzzle-style games, critical thinking is needed to figure out possible consequences of the next move or moves. For example, when completing a Sudoku puzzle online, the next number you place must avoid overlapping with the same number elsewhere in its row, column, and 9×9 cube.

This requires players to imagine different solutions to the problem (i.e. cells that a number could fit into) until the best one is achieved.

The same sort of mental ability is needed when playing online chess. Players must anticipate the possible effects of their next move, thinking ahead.

They Rely on Evaluation

Evaluation is an important part of being a critical thinker. Online critical thinking games often present a set of information that the player must identify and evaluate in order to make certain decisions.

They Promote Open-Mindedness

Sometimes, solving critical problems requires the thinker to put their self in someone else’s shoes.

When it comes to online games, the player may be challenged to think outside of their own brain by trying to imagine what their opponent might do next, given the circumstances. This is common in games like online chess.

They Make You Reflect

Online critical thinking games are also useful in teaching one the value of self-reflection. In order to think critically, you have to be able to slow down and assess (sometimes re-assess) the information you have.

This time of reflection often informs more accurate and effective answers to problems presented in games.

Online Games for Critical Thinking

Below are 7 of the best online games that you can turn to for a fun time, as well as practice in critical thinking. Keep in mind that different styles of games, whether they’re puzzles or 1v1 games, can utilize different skills in critical thinking.

Chess is one of the oldest critical thinking games that both children and adults can enjoy, and nowadays you can easily access a virtual board online. Sites like Chess.com provide free one-on-one chess games that you can play against a computer or another online player of similar skill level to you.

Online chess asks players to think multiple steps ahead, consider the opponent’s mindset, mentally evaluate the information on the board, and more.

Brainstorm is an online game that focuses on decision-making and problem-solving skills. As you progress through the game, you are presented with more challenging tasks to solve.

Some of the games involve numbers and shapes, while others present questions.

Websites such as Freegames.org have free selections of puzzle-style games such as tangrams that adults can play. Tangram puzzles go back roughly 1,000 years in human history.

They exercise your spatial reasoning skills, problem-solving skills, evaluation skills, and organizational abilities. These are fun critical thinking puzzles to try out if you aren’t as big of a fan of games using numbers and letters.

We couldn’t mention number-oriented critical thinking games without mentioning Sudoku. Many people are familiar with sudoku puzzles, as found in Sunday newspapers next to the crossword puzzle.

You can also complete sudoku puzzles online via sites such as sudoku.com. This Japanese puzzle is an intense exercise in logical skills, along with good concentration and evaluation.

Factorio is similar to Minecraft but has its own perks when it comes to critical thinking practice. You can play Factorio at GOG.com or via the Steam desktop app. It’s a management-style open world game that requires players to think carefully and organize to get optimal results.

From mining resources to building infrastructure, fighting off your enemies, and completing menial tasks like chopping down trees, you must rely heavily on logic and critical thinking skills to advance.

As its name might suggest, Spent is a game related to money-spending and budgeting. Adults may enjoy this online game, as it strengthens critical thinking skills as well as money management skills.

It’s an exercise in prioritizing and decision-making, which requires deeper thinking and reflection.

The EyeWire 3D Puzzle is essentially a way to map your own brain. Throughout the puzzle, players get to learn intricate skills and laugh at funny videos. The game is a 3D puzzle and powered by AI technology.

Final Thoughts – Online Critical Thinking Games for Adults

The above critical thinking online games for adults are both enriching and fun. From online chess to Sudoku puzzles, Spent, and more, these games exercise your ability to evaluate, analyze, reflect, use logic, and rely on other critical thinking skills.

Be sure to check them out today!

[PC] Games that will push critical thinking from gamingsuggestions
10 Engaging Online Games To Test Your Critical Thinking Skills

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20 Effective Strategy Games For Teams

By: Michael Alexis | Updated: April 17, 2024

You found our list of strategy games for teams.

Strategy games for teams are activities that enhance teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. For example, games such as Mafia, The Great Race, and Zombie Escape use strategic thinking and cooperation. The purpose of these games is to foster a sense of unity and improve productivity within a team. These games are also known as “ group strategy games ” and “ strategy team building games .”

These strategy games for teams are similar to problem solving games , collaboration games , and competitive team building games .

This list includes:

  • collaborative strategy games
  • games for team strategy
  • strategy team building games
  • group strategy games
  • strategy board games

Let’s get to it!

List of strategy team building games

These activities encourage teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills. Here is a list of our favorite team building strategy games.

Mafia is a popular strategy game that can enhance team building skills within a group. In this game, players take on roles as either members of the Mafia or innocent townspeople. Mafia members have hidden identities. These players eliminate the townspeople one by one. Through discussion and deduction, the townspeople try to identify the Mafia members. The group with the most members left standing wins! This game encourages communication, critical thinking, and teamwork.

games that encourage critical thinking

2. Zombie Escape

Zombie Escape is a fun twist on a scavenger hunt! To play this game, players form a group and choose one player as the “zombie.” The rest of the players are survivors. The survivors start in a designated safe area while the zombie waits in another area. When the game begins, the survivors have a set amount of time to find items or clues scattered around the playing area to escape.

Meanwhile, the zombie tries to tag the survivors. If the zombie tags a survivor, then they become a zombie and join the pursuit. The game continues until either all survivors turn into zombies or they successfully escape within the time limit. This thrilling game features strategy, teamwork, and quick thinking. Survivors must work together to avoid the zombie and reach safety.

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3. The Great Race

The Great Race combines relay races with fun challenges! Players split into teams and choose a starting point and a finish line. Each team must come up with a creative mode of transportation, like hopping on one foot or rolling on a skateboard. When the race starts, teams go from the starting point to the finish line using their chosen method.

Along the way, teams must complete various challenges or tasks. Examples include solving puzzles or performing silly tasks. The first team to reach the finish line and complete all the challenges wins The Great Race. Cooperative games for teams like these promote teamwork, creativity, and quick thinking.

Check out more Great Race activity ideas .

4. Tower of Babel

The Tower of Babel puts communication skills to the test. Players form teams of three and choose specific roles. One player can talk but not build, one can build but not talk, and one can gesture but not build. The goal is for each team to work together to build a tower using blocks or other materials provided. The player who can talk gives instructions and plans. The player who can move carries out those instructions by moving the blocks. Finally, the player who can gesture communicates nonverbally to help with coordination.

Teams must use their abilities to construct the tallest or most stable tower within a time limit. Whoever can build the best tower wins! This challenging and entertaining game encourages communication, teamwork, and creativity.

5. Capture the Flag

Capture the Flag is a classic team building game. This exercise promotes strategic thinking and teamwork among participants. The goal is to capture the opposing team’s flag from their territory while defending your own.

This game encourages communication, planning, and coordination among team members to achieve victory. By strategizing and working together, teams can enhance their problem-solving skills and foster a sense of unity.

6. Laser Tag

Laser Tag is one of the best collaborative strategy games. Players gather at a laser tag arena or playing area. Each player gets a laser tag gun and a vest. The goal is to tag opponents by aiming and shooting the laser tag gun at their vests or targets. Meanwhile, participants need to avoid getting tagged. Players earn points for every successful tag. The game lasts for a set amount of time, and whoever earns the most points wins!

Team members will develop communication, teamwork, and strategic thinking. Players work together to achieve a common goal in a fast-paced and fun environment. The game encourages participants to think critically, make quick decisions, and adapt their strategies. Overall, Laser Tag is an engaging activity that fosters collaboration and camaraderie.

7. Radioactive Transfer

Radioactive Transfer challenges groups to work together effectively. Teams get a ball that represents radioactive waste. Using only a set of strings, participants must move the waste from one container to another. Members cannot touch the waste with their bare hands. The goal is for folks to think critically and come up with innovative solutions.

This activity promotes communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills among team members. By strategizing and coordinating their movements, teams can finish the task.

8. Charades Relay

Charades Relay is a fun and engaging team building game. This exercise promotes communication and teamwork among colleagues. Players split into teams and stand in a line. The first player on each team reads a word or phrase to act out without speaking. When the game starts, the first player acts out the word or phrase to their teammates, who must guess what it is.

Once the team guesses correctly, the first player runs to the back of the line. Then, the next player in line receives a new word or phrase to act out. The game continues in this manner until all players have had a turn to act out words or phrases. The team that correctly guesses the most words or phrases in the shortest amount of time wins the relay. This game encourages quick thinking, creativity, and collaboration.

Here is a Charades generator to use for the game.

9. Apple Stack

Apple Stack is a fun game where participants work together to stack apples on top of each other. The goal is to build the tallest apple tower possible using only the apples provided. Hosts will set a short timer for the build, and whoever creates the tallest tower in the time wins!

This game promotes communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills among team members. By strategizing and coordinating their efforts, teams can achieve success. Apple Stack encourages teamwork and fosters a sense of unity within the group.

10. The Blind Polygon

The Blind Polygon is a fun team game where the whole group wears blindfolds. The team stands in a circle, holding onto a long rope. Without seeing, players work together to shape the rope into a perfect polygon, like a square or triangle.

Teammates communicate with each other to figure out where to move and how to hold the rope to make the shape just right. To make the exercise more challenging, you can also set a time limit. This game is a test of trust and teamwork as colleagues rely on each other’s directions to complete the challenge successfully.

List of strategy board games

These tabletop games test players’ planning, tactics, and decision-making. Players aim to achieve objectives and outsmart their opponents. Here are some of the best strategy board games.

Risk is among the most classic group strategy games and challenges teams to conquer territories and dominate the world map. Each player controls armies representing different countries divided into territories. Players take turns deploying troops, attacking enemy territories, and fortifying their own. The goal is to conquer continents, control territories, and eliminate opponents.

Playing Risk can enhance teamwork skills, decision-making abilities, and strategic thinking. By playing this game, teams can learn how to plan ahead and adapt to changing circumstances.

Learn the rules to Risk .

12. Settlers of Catan

Settlers of Catan is a popular strategy game that requires teamwork and critical thinking. In this game, players trade and build settlements, cities, and roads. Participants take turns rolling dice to collect resources like wood, brick, wheat, ore, and sheep. Resources can build roads, settlements, and cities on the island of Catan. Players can also trade resources with each other to get what they need. The goal is to be the first to reach a certain number of victory points, which folks earn by achieving objectives.

This game helps teams develop communication and strategic planning skills. By playing Settlers of Catan, groups can enhance their cooperation and decision-making skills in a fun and engaging way.

Check out Settlers of Catan .

13. Ticket to Ride

A popular choice for team strategy games is Ticket to Ride. This board game challenges players to build train routes across various destinations. Players start with a set of train cards and destination tickets that specify routes they need to connect. On their turn, players can either draw train cards, claim a route by playing matching train cards, or draw new destination tickets. Folks earn points by claiming routes and completing destination tickets. The game ends when one player is close to running out of train cars, signaling the final round. The player with the most points wins!

By strategizing and planning ahead, teams can work together to achieve their goals and outsmart their opponents. Ticket to Ride encourages communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills among team members.

Check out Ticket to Ride .

Clue is a classic board game that encourages teamwork and strategic thinking. In this game, teams work together to solve a murder mystery. Each player receives a character card, a weapon card, and a room card representing their involvement in the crime. Hosts shuffle the remaining cards and give them to players. Players take turns rolling dice and moving their game pieces around the board. Folks enter rooms and make suggestions about the murderer, weapon, and room. Other players must disprove these suggestions by showing one of the cards in their hand if they have it. Whoever correctly solves the case wins!

By collaborating and analyzing information, teams can sharpen their problem-solving skills. Playing Clue can be a fun and engaging way for teams to strengthen their communication and analytical skills.

Learn the rules for Clue .

15. Pandemic

In Pandemic, players work together as a team to stop the spread of diseases across the globe. Each player takes on a role with unique abilities. During their turn, players can move between cities, treat diseases, share knowledge, or find cures. Players aim to contain outbreaks, treat infected cities, and research cures before the diseases spread. If teams find cures for all four diseases, then they win. However, if outbreaks occur too frequently or the player deck runs out, then teams lose.

The game requires strategic thinking, communication, and collaboration. Playing Pandemic can help teams improve their problem-solving skills and enhance teamwork. This game is an engaging way for teams to bond while honing their strategic planning skills.

Check out Pandemic .

16. Diplomacy

Diplomacy combines strategy and history into an exciting game. Each player takes on the role of a European power during World War I. Gameplay features two phases, which are negotiation and movement. During the negotiation phase, players hold secret diplomatic negotiations with each other. Teams form alliances, make deals, and plan military strategies.

In the movement phase, players move armies to capture territories and gain control of supply centers. Whoever ends up controlling the most supply centers on the map wins! Diplomacy is a game of negotiation, strategy, and betrayal. Players must form and break alliances to achieve their goals.

Check out Diplomacy .

When looking for games for team strategy, consider Scythe. Each player controls a faction competing for control over a war-torn, alternate 1920s Europe. Players start with a unique player board, character, and abilities. On their turn, players take one action. Options include moving characters, gaining resources, building structures, or recruiting soldiers.

The goal is to earn coins, conquer territories, and achieve objectives to gain stars. The game ends when a player places their sixth star or when they complete a certain number of objectives. The player with the most stars at the end wins! This exercise helps players learn to think ahead.

Check out Scythe .

18. Terra Mystica

Terra Mystica is a game of civilization building set in a fantasy world. Each player represents a different fantasy race with unique abilities. Players aim to expand their territories, build structures, and terraform the land. On their turn, players can build dwellings, upgrade structures, or gain power.

Players earn points for building structures, reaching milestones, and fulfilling end-game scoring conditions. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins! Folks will get to stretch their communication and planning skills in a fun setting.

Check out Terra Mystica .

19. Dominion

In Dominion, players are royals trying to expand their kingdom and get wealth. Each player starts with a small deck of basic cards. Folks use their decks to get more powerful cards from a central supply. Cards have different abilities, such as providing resources, actions, or victory points.

On their turn, players draw cards from their deck, play action cards, buy new cards, and discard their hands. The game ends when a card piles run out or when a player accumulates a certain number of victory points. The member with the most victory points in their deck at the end wins!

Check out Dominion .

20. Agricola

Agricola is a game of farming and resource management. Players act as farming families in the early modern era. The goal is to expand farms, grow crops, raise animals, and build improvements to earn points. Each round, players take turns plowing fields, sowing crops, or expanding their family.

Players must also feed their families each round, balancing food production with other actions. The game ends after a certain number of rounds. Participants earn points based on their farm’s development, family size, and accomplishments. The player with the most points at the end wins!

Check out  Agricola .

Final Thoughts

Strategy games are an effective tool in fostering teamwork and enhancing communication skills. These exercises provide a fun way to break the monotony of work. Plus, these games develop strategic thinking abilities. From playing board games to team building activities, teams will love these strategy games.

Next, check out our posts on leadership games , minute to win it games , and communication games .

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FAQ: Strategy team building games for teams

Here are frequently asked questions about strategy team building games for teams.

What are the best strategy team building games?

The best strategy team building games encourage collaboration, communication, and problem-solving. Games like Clue or The Great Race can be quite effective.

How can team building games improve teamwork?

Team building games can encourage participants to communicate effectively and work toward common goals. These exercises also help break down barriers between individuals.

What is the importance of strategy in team games?

Strategy games stimulate critical thinking skills among participants. These exercises encourage folks to plan ahead, anticipate challenges, and make group decisions.

How to choose the right team building game?

Choosing the right team building game depends on various factors. You should consider the size of your group, their interests, physical abilities, and your goals. It is important to select a game that is engaging, challenging, and suitable for all participants.

Can virtual team building games be as effective as physical ones?

Virtual team building games can be as effective as physical ones. These exercises offer a great way for remote teams to connect and collaborate. Several of these board games are available online.

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Author: Michael Alexis

CEO at teambuilding.com. I write about my experience working with and leading remote teams since 2010.

We lead wildly fun experiences for teams with 1,000,000+ players to date.

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Critical Thinking Games

Prosocial video games supporting critical thinking . Presented by the Gaming Against Violence program from Jennifer Ann's Group ®, a nonprofit charity.

★ Congratulations to MushWhom? and Figure It Sprout for winning 2023 Silv-E Awards! Corporation, Inc. (KSU Narrative Game Lab) Figure It Sprout (David Li, Quang Nguyen, Gaby Sanchez, Kitty Huang, Isaac Orozco) Mushwhom? (Collin Lang, Knitwit Studios) Critical Thinking Games Press Release for more details. -->

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What is critical thinking?

Here are some definitions about critical thinking to give you an idea of what is meant by "critical thinking." Although there is a general consensus regarding its meaning, these definitions offer a variety of perspectives to better understand critical thinking.

"Critical thinking refers to the ability to analyze information objectively and make a reasoned judgment. It involves the evaluation of sources, such as data, facts, observable phenomena, and research findings."

~ ThoughtCo

"Critical thinking is a kind of thinking in which you question, analyse, interpret, evaluate and make a judgement about what you read, hear, say, or write."

~ Monash University

"[...] careful thinking directed to a goal."

~ The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

"The process of thinking carefully about a subject or idea, without allowing feelings or opinions to affect you."

~ Cambridge Dictionary

"Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action."

~ University of Louisville

"Thinking critically is a skill that is taught at school and university BUT its main purpose is to better equip you to understand the world, to make more sense of the vast amount of information that is available to us and to avoid, being manipulated. It is a life skill."

~ University of Greenwich

  • Critical Thinking Resources

Critical Thinking Articles & Resources

These resources and articles about critical thinking are helpful in designing critical thinking games .

  • ► A Guide to Costa's Levels of Questioning [The Edvocate] "Like Bloom’s taxonomy, the questions in Costa’s lower levels encourage students to use their more fundamental cognitive processes. [...] A sizable body of research backs up Dr. Costa’s schema. Following a constructivist theory of education, Newmann (1993) discovered that higher-order thinking forces students to 'manipulate information and ideas in ways that modify their meaning' and 'expects students to solve issues and build meaning for themselves.'"
  • ► 5 Tips for Critical Thinking [Psychology Today] "[Critical Thinking] is necessary when you care about your decisions or when the consequence of a decision is impactful. According to Jean Paul Sartre, every time an individual acts, they are making a choice to commit that act as opposed to not acting, or acting in an alternative manner. With that in mind, if we were to think critically about every single decision we make, we would be mentally exhausted before we even got to work."
  • ► 60 Critical Thinking Strategies for Learning [teach thought] "A critical thinking strategy is simply a ‘way’ to encourage or facilitate the cognitive act of thinking critically. "Critical thinking is the ongoing application of unbiased, accurate, and ‘good-faith’ analysis, interpretation, contextualizing, and synthesizing multiple data sources and cognitive perspectives in pursuit of understanding. "What are the 7 critical thinking strategies? Someone emailed me recently asking that question and I immediately wondered how many more than seven there were. 27? 77?"
  • ► Critical Thinking [Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy] "Critical thinking is a widely accepted educational goal. Its definition is contested, but the competing definitions can be understood as differing conceptions of the same basic concept: careful thinking directed to a goal."
  • ► Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving [The University of Tennessee, Chattanooga] "In essence, critical thinking is a disciplined manner of thought that a person uses to assess the validity of something (statements, news stories, arguments, research, etc.)."
  • ► Critical Thinking Definition, Skills, and Examples [ThoughtCo.] "Good critical thinkers can draw reasonable conclusions from a set of information, and discriminate between useful and less useful details to solve problems or make decisions."
  • ► Critical Thinking: Why Is It So Hard to Teach? [AdLit: All About Adolescent Literacy] "Learning critical thinking skills can only take a student so far. Critical thinking depends on knowing relevant content very well and thinking about it, repeatedly. Here are five strategies, consistent with the research, to help bring critical thinking into the everyday classroom."
  • ► CRITHINKEDU Impact Report - A journey on critical thinking in European higher education [CRITHINKEDU] "Funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ Programme, the ‘Critical Thinking Across the European Higher Education Curricula – CRITHINKEDU’ project arises from the background and experience of European Higher Education Institutions, business corporations and Non-Governmental Organisations, and their ongoing concern to improve the quality of learning in universities and across different sectors, which converge in a common need on how to better support the development of Critical Thinking (CT) according to labour market needs and social challenges."
  • ► Defining Critical Thinking [The Foundation for Critical Thinking] "Critical thinking is a rich concept that has been developing throughout the past 2,500 years. The term 'critical thinking' has its roots in the mid-late 20th century. [In this article, we] offer overlapping definitions which together form a substantive and trans-disciplinary conception of critical thinking."
  • ► How To Teach Critical Thinking in K-12 [Forbes] "What’s needed is not necessarily new courses, but a critical thinking focus throughout the curriculum. Some of these changes can happen quickly with tweaks to existing curricula and the incorporation of deeper and more creative thinking exercises."
  • ► Logical Fallacies: Examples and Pitfalls in Research and Media [Research.com] "In public discourse, research and academic writing, logical fallacies should always be avoided because they invalidate conclusions and arguments. Unfortunately, it is easy to commit such logical fallacies ourselves. "A recent analysis of medical fallacies can be found in a paper titled, 'Fallacies in medical practice: Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibition and COVID-19 as a Paradigm' in the Hellenic Journal of Cardiology. "It states that 'In emergency situations, such as during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, medical community looks for quick answers and guidance. Under these circumstances, experts instead of admitting ignorance, feel obliged to give an answer, often pressurized by political or other authorities, even when such an answer is unavailable. Under these circumstances, publications based on fallacious reasoning are virtually unavoidable. (Triposkiadi, Dean Boudoulas, Xanthopoulos, and Harisios, 2020).'”
  • ► The Critical Thinking Consortium [TC2] A collection of resources for educators and parents supporting "critical, creative, and collaborative thinking as an educational goal and as a method of teaching and learning." Many of these resources require payment but the website also includes several excellent free online collections and published lessons.
  • ► What is critical thinking? [Monash University] "People who apply critical thinking consistently are said to have a critical thinking mindset, but no one is born this way. These are attributes which are learnt and improved through practice and application. "In the academic context, critical thinking is most commonly associated with arguments. You might be asked to think critically about other people's arguments or create your own. To become a better critical thinker, you therefore need to learn how to: clarify your thinking purpose and context; question your sources of information; identify arguments; analyse sources and arguments; evaluate the arguments of others; and create or synthesise your own arguments."

Critical Thinking Game Design Challenge

Note: the critical thinking game design challenge has ended. Here is the press release announcing the award-winning critical thinking games . The following information is for reference and will be archived soon.

Background: About the Critical Thinking Games Contest

Since 2008, Gaming Against Violence , an award-winning program from the nonprofit charity Jennifer Ann's Group , has produced prosocial games in an effort to improve the lives of young people around the world. Every year a new game design challenge is issued for game designers and developers to create compelling games about that year's topic. Previous game challenges have focused on a variety of topics and themes including consent , culture , gaslighting , healthy relationships , and resilience . This year the game design challenge theme is critical thinking .

Critical Thinking Game Overview

The Critical Thinking Game Design Challenge consisted of two rounds. For Round One , contestants submitted a game pitch using the theme of critical thinking. For Round Two , Finalists were selected based on their submitted game pitch. These Finalists will then design and develop their critical thinking video games based on their game pitches. They will have three months to develop their games.

Each Finalist who submitted an eligible game was guaranteed a prize of at least $100 (USD). The Winning Game was guaranteed a prize of at least $3,000 (USD). The total prize pool awarded to the group of Finalists was $10,000 (USD). All Finalists also receive critiques of their submitted games from experts in game design and/or critical thinking.

The critical thinking game design contest was open to everybody age 13 and older (minors will need a parent or guardian to sign the prize acceptance agreement in the event they are selected as a Finalist). The critical thinking games should be designed to be generally appropriate for ages 11 and up. Your entry should be a video game that has never been published before. And, as has been the case since 2008: the games cannot contain any depictions of violence .

Critical Thinking Game Timeline

Round One consisted of submitting a proposed game pitch. This entails answering six questions and providing other registration data.

Round Two was limited to Finalists who will be selected from the Round One proposed game pitch submissions. You do not need to be a game developer or game designer in order to become a Finalist - you just need to have a clever idea that you believe would translate well into a compelling video game that supports critical thinking!

  • Round One: Game pitches were submitted by March 19, 2023.
  • Finalists were selected and notified by March 30, 2023.
  • Round Two: Finalists had until June 30, 2023 to submit their completed critical thinking game.
  • Judging and critiquing of the critical thinking games during July 2023.
  • The winning critical thinking games will be announced after Labor Day Weekend 2023.

Critical Thinking Game Prizes

A total of $10,000 (USD) awarded in prize money to the Finalists. Distribution of prize money will be announced when the Winning games are announced. At least one Winning game will receive at least $3,000 (USD). Each Finalist will receive at least $100 (USD). Additional Winning Games might be selected from among the Finalists.

In addition to the prize money:

  • All qualifying Finalists will have their games judged and critiqued by industry and subject matter experts.
  • All qualifying Finalists will be granted a license to use the FINALIST graphic.
  • The Winning game(s) will be granted a license to use the WINNER graphic.
  • The Finalist and Winning game(s) will be promoted on Jennifer Ann's Group websites and on their profile pages at game marketplaces.
  • The Winning game(s) will be published by Life Love Publishing once they are ready to be published.
  • All Finalists will receive critiques about their game entry from the critical thinking game contest judges.
  • More details available in the Critical Thinking Game Design Challenge Rules below.

► Jennifer Ann's Group is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and relies on donations, sponsorships, and grants to fund our violence prevention work. Like what we're doing? Donate online to support our innovative violence prevention work .

Judges: critical thinking games design challenge, susan bonner.

Susan Bonner (she/her) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Media and Information at Michigan State University teaching in the Serious Games Certificate and the Games and Interactive Media program. Educational games she produced through The EPIC Project have won Serious Play and Meaningful Play Awards. She is the creator of The Road Crew Social Emotional Health Game , which aims to teach young children coping skills for anger, loneliness, and anxiety through an AR experience. Accessible, universal, and inclusive design is at the heart of her teaching, art, design, and the work she produces. Susan actively participates on panels for the National Science Foundation, specifically focusing on Small Business Innovative Research in VR, AR, AI, and Learning Cognition. Susan holds an MFA from the University of Cincinnati and a BFA from Columbus College of Art and Design. Find out more at SusanBonner.com

Dr. Nick Bowman

Nick Bowman is an Associate Professor of Emerging Media in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. He is a media and communication scholar with an extensive research career focused on the uses and effects of video games. He has published more than 140 peer-reviewed academic manuscripts , with recent studies focused on the functional role of video games in daily life, from video game nostalgia to use of gaming for mood management. He works with other scholars and game developers to advance the study and design of video games for prosocial purposes, including violence reduction and perspective-taking. He is the editor of the Journal of Media Psychology , and was recently the Fulbright Taiwan Wu Jing-Jyi Arts & Culture Fellow at the National Chengchi University in Taipei. He has taught courses on video games and media psychology in Belgium, Germany, Mexico, and Taiwan.

Dr. Mark Danger Chen

Mark Danger Chen is an independent games scholar and part-time professor of interaction design, qualitative research, and games studies at the University of Washington Bothell. They oversee Esoteric Gaming , an alternative publication outlet that celebrates gaming diversity through detailed accounts of arcane and marginal gaming practices. Mark also wrote Leet Noobs: The Life and Death of an Expert Player Group in World of Warcraft , an ethnographic account of how a new team learned to excel through the use of game mods and then died in a fiery meltdown catalyzed by the same mods. In a previous life, Mark was a webmaster and game designer for the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. Mark wants a die-cast 1st generation Soundwave for Christmas. You can reach Mark at @mcdanger .

Drew Crecente, JD

Drew Crecente (he/him) is founder and executive director of Jennifer Ann's Group , a nonprofit charity preventing teen dating violence. He also runs the Gaming Against Violence program for Jennifer Ann's Group. Drew is a teen dating violence lead at Emory's Injury Prevention Research Center (IPRCE) and a published researcher on violence prevention through video games . Drew speaks at conferences about the use of video games as a solution for violence prevention. His speaking engagements include GDC, Games for Change, Games for Health, Meaningful Play, PAX Unplugged, and Youth at Risk conferences. Drew's game production credits include ADRIFT , a consent game featured at the future-focused museum MOD in Australia; Rispek Danis , a game about healthy dating relationships designed for ni-Vanuatu youth and 2019 Games for Change Awards Finalist in the category of Most Significant Impact ; and the media literacy game Culture Overlord , a 2021 Finalist for the GEE! Learning Games Award and 2022 Games for Change Awards Finalist in the category of Best Learning Game .

Sabrina Culyba

Sabrina Culyba (she/her) is a Pittsburgh-based game designer and founder of Ludoliminal . Her professional work has spanned online games, VR, mobile apps, location-based entertainment, and board games across a variety of industries from healthcare to education. She is the author of The Transformational Framework (ETC Press, 2018) and has spoken on game design and the transformational power of games at a number of conferences including the Games for Change festival, Serious Play, Meaningful Play, and Dataviz+Cancer. Sabrina serves on the Board for Global Game Jam and Broke the Game . She also co-hosts the yearly XR Brain Jam at the Games for Change Festival.

Dr. Ruud Jacobs

Ruud Jacobs is an assistant professor at the Department of Communication Science of the University of Twente . His research is mediapsychological, mostly focusing on the impacts of persuasive games and the ways in which they work to change attitudes. In 2017 he defended his dissertation, titled Playing to Win Over , as part of the Persuasive Gaming in Context joint research effort. Ruud lectures in technological aspects of communication science, and talks about games whenever he can.

Dr. Krista-Lee Meghan Malone

Dr. Krista-Lee M. Malone is a faculty associate with the Department of Curriculum & Instruction’s Game Design Certificate at UW-Madison and Director of the UW Game Lab. Her past research includes studies on raiding guilds in World of Warcraft, the making of educational games in Taiwan (where she concurrently worked as a designer and consultant) and using game design to teach in the social sciences. Dr. Malone is currently working on designing engaging educational games as well as examining gender issues and educational uses of Twitch.tv and Discord. She is also a board member of MKEsports , an alliance aimed at positively growing the culture and connectivity of regional esports groups, gamers, businesses, and community partners. If you want to geek out with her, she can can be found experimenting with teaching at twitch.tv/profgameranthro and experimenting with everything else at twitch.tv/gameranthro .

Dr. Amy Mueller

Amy Mueller is an assistant professor of learning technologies at the University of Oklahoma in the Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum program . She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on educational and instructional technologies to pre-service and practicing educators. Prior to her arrival at the University of Oklahoma she taught 4K for Head Start and worked as a K-5 Technology Teacher at a dual language immersion program in a diverse, public, urban title-1 school. Her research interests include: culturally and linguistic responsive and sustaining education, Indigenous education, liberatory education, elementary education, games-based learning, maker education, STEM education, digital literacy, multiliteracies, design based research, and codesign & community action research. In her limited free time, she likes to play video games with her kids.

Dr. Brooke Morrill

Dr. Brooke Morrill serves as the Senior Director of Education at Schell Games . Morrill uses her expertise in behavioral science, psychology, and research to increase the impact of and engagement in the company’s educational and transformational games. She identifies and secures extramural project funding in both the federal and private sectors in order to create and iteratively develop innovative, interactive experiences. In addition, she collaborates with universities and research institutions for product development and evaluation. She also maintains an active Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral credential from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Morrill serves on the XR Education and Training Advisory Group for the Academy of International Extended Reality (AIXR), a membership network of industry leaders that helps to enable growth, nurture talent, and develop standards while working to bring wider public awareness and understanding to virtual and augmented reality. She is also a Principal Member of grant review panels for the Institute of Education Sciences at the US Department of Education.

Dr. Andy Phelps

Bio coming soon.

Dr. Elizabeth L. Richeson

Dr. Elizabeth L. Richeson is a Psychologist in El Paso, Texas , the head of the Advisory Board for Jennifer Ann's Group , and former president of the Texas Psychological Foundation. She was recognized as the 2018 Psychologist of the Year by the Texas Psychological Association; is an expert on teen dating violence; appears regularly on news and talk shows; and lectures nationwide on a variety of issues related to teenagers, young adults, and healthy relationships. She lived and worked in a variety of settings in Japan, Micronesia, South Korea, and Thailand and wrote her doctoral dissertation on Adaptation to Geographic Relocation at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Her clinical and administrative positions have included Program Director of Adult Psychiatric Units, Adjunct Professor at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center and University of Maryland International, and maintaining a full-time clinical practice for more than 30 years. She is considered the area authority on eating disorders for the Air Force and Army for outpatient and inpatient treatment.

Jo Sharpen is a specialist in violence against women and girls, child development and the impacts of trauma. She has a special interest in how the online space can be used to support and empower survivors of abuse. Jo is now a freelance consultant after previously being the director of policy at AVA, a national UK charity.

Dr. Sarah Stang

Dr. Sarah Stang (she/her) is an Assistant Professor of Game Studies in Brock University’s Centre for Digital Humanities . She is also the Secretary for the International Communication Association’s Game Studies Division and an At-Large Representative for the Canadian Game Studies Association . She received her PhD from the Communication & Culture program at York University and her research primarily focuses on gender representation in both digital and analog games. Her published work has analysed topics such as female monstrosity, androgyny, parenthood, interactivity, and feminist media studies, and can be found in journals such as Games and Culture , Game Studies , Critical Studies in Media Communication , Human Technology , and Loading , as well as several edited collections.

Dr. Moses Wolfenstein

Moses Wolfenstein is a professor at El Camino College in Torrance, CA where he serves as Distance Education Faculty Coordinator and is leading the development of the new Games and Playable Media Department. Moses has been working in and around game design since 2006 as a designer, research, and teacher. His doctoral research with the Games+Learning+Society research group at UW–Madison focused on the intersection of games, learning, and leadership in MMO's.

Critical Thinking Game Pitch Submission

( Note: game pitches were due by March 19, 2023 )

You are pitching an idea for a non-violent prosocial video game intended to encourage and support critical thinking and the use of critical thinking tools and strategies by the players of your game.

If you can envision a video game that will help the player use and apply critical thinking then we want to learn about your game idea. We hope you will submit your idea to the critical thinking game challenge.

An important note about the critical thinking game design challenge:

Although our organization's primary focus is on the prevention of teen dating violence, your game does not have to be about dating relationships. There are several reasons for this, but the most important reason is that we want to help all young people (ages 11-22) learn this important information in order that they are more likely to understand the value of critical thinking and are better equipped to apply critical thinking skills. The past few years have been especially challenging. This is true for nearly everybody and in many aspects. We believe some, if not all, of those challenges would have been easier to navigate were we all better equipped to use and apply critical thinking. We believe that intentionally designed video games are an ideal approach to helping young people appreciate and understand how to use critical thinking skills. Our hope is that these critical thinking games will be used by: educators in classrooms; by parents and trusted adults at home; and directly by young people themselves. If we were to limit the critical thinking game design challenge to narrowly focus on the topic of healthy dating relationships then that might limit the reach and use of these critical thinking games. With that said, you are welcome to incorporate themes about healthy relationships into your critical thinking video game should you choose to do so.

Round One: game pitches were due by March 19th, 2023

These questions were answered by those submitting a game pitch.

Critical Thinking Game Pitch Questions

  • (Q1) What is the title of your critical thinking game?
  • (Q2) Write a short description of your critical thinking game. After reading this description players should want to play your game. (100-150 words)
  • (Q3) How will your critical thinking game use visual and auditory elements to engage and inform players about critical thinking and how best to use it? (100-150 words)
  • (Q4) How will your critical thinking game effectively use game mechanics , storytelling , and/or rhetoric to engage and inform players about critical thinking and its importance? (Please realize that this means that your game does not have to be story-based; it may use other design strategies or it may be story-based, as you prefer.) (100-150 words)
  • (Q5) How will your critical thinking game effectively use persuasion to engage and inform players about critical thinking and its importance? (100-150 words)
  • (Q6) How will your game help players identify critical thinking skills and learn how to strengthen those skills in order to help them become better able to use critical thinking in their lives? (100-150 words)

Round Two: were due by end of June 2023

Finalists were notified by March 30, 2023 if their proposed game pitch was selected to move on to Round Two of the contest. For Round Two, Finalists were given until June 30, 2023 to design, develop, and complete their critical thinking game. The finished critical thinking games will then be reviewed and scored to determine the winner.

  • No VR or AR games . We want to reach as many people as possible with these critical thinking games and we feel that VR and AR technologies are currently too limiting.
  • No subscription-based services . We cannot afford to pay for recurring subscriptions.
  • Ideally you will use Unity to develop your game . Due to its large user base it is easier for us to get support if needed and the majority of the games we have published in the past were developed using Unity. Also, it is generally easier for us to export Unity games to a variety of platforms. Importantly, Unity supports exporting to HTML5 . Browser-based games are often more accessible because they can be played, for example, in public libraries and at schools. We strive to publish games that are accessible.
  • Some suggested game design engines: Godot , Unity , and Unreal Engine . If you are wondering about a particular engine or technology please contact us.

Critical Thinking Games: FAQs

About this contest.

What is the Life.Love. Game Design Challenge?

The Life.Love. Game Design Challenge is an annual game design contest focused on violence prevention. The contest is open to game designers and game developers around the world. Entries have been received from six continents. Designers and developers are invited to create their own prosocial games intended to engage, educate, and empower game players. This contest is from the award-winning Gaming Against Violence program presented by the nonprofit charity Jennifer Ann's Group. The games are published, localized, and maintained by Life Love Publishing.

Why is Jennifer Ann's Group running this contest?

Violence is a public health issue and games are an effective approach at engaging young people about serious and complex issues. Jennifer Ann's Group is a non-profit organization working to prevent violence since 2006 in memory of Jennifer Ann Crecente.

Although traditional outreach programs about violence prevention are available, many schools lack the funding to implement these programs and so Jennifer Ann's Group considered how to leverage technology to reach and help young people at no cost. Given the popularity of video games -- especially among young people -- Jennifer Ann's Group launched the first annual Life.Love. Game Design Challenge in 2008, challenging video game designers to create prosocial games intended to prevent dating violence. In 2023, for the 16th annual Life.Love. Game Design Challenge, the focus is on supporting the use of critical thinking skills by young people to help them be better informed and self-sufficient. These skills will lead to better outcomes for themselves and for those around them. This will help them to lead happier, healthier lives.

In the years since launching the contest it has become increasingly clear that games are fantastic tools for engaging players in uniquely compelling ways. As compared to traditional methods: players more easily understand complex, nuanced issues; they become invested and engaged in the success of the game's outcome; and they can safely explore and experience difficult situations in context.

Every year since 2008 Jennifer Ann's Group has presented an annual game design competition encouraging developers to create games about selected themes intended to help young people in the short term and benefit society in the long term. Prosocial games help engage, educate, and empower young people around the world.

What else can you tell me about the games that have come from this program?

Entry Information

How do I get started?

Game pitches for the Critical Thinking Game Design Challenge were due by March 19, 2023. However, the 2024 game design challenge is coming February 2024 with the topic of connectedness . Visit the website for the connectedness video games for the latest info.

Who is allowed to enter?

Anybody age 13+ at the time of entry is eligible to enter (except in countries or regions where prohibited). Officers, employees, and immediate family members of Jennifer Ann's Group and Life Love Publishing are prohibited from entering the game design challenge.

Can I enter more than once?

Sorry, but no. Make sure and enter your best game because you only get one chance to enter each year!

What are the technical requirements?

Round One of the contest only requires submitting the text of your proposed game narrative. If you are selected as a Finalist you will receive all necessary information for Round Two, including any technical requirements for your final game entry. There are some notes in the Critical Thinking Game Pitch Submission section, including some technical suggestions and limitations. Our intention is to be as flexible and supportive of as many different formats as possible but we do need to be able to reliably judge the games and, in the event that it is a winning game, be able to: modify the game; make the game available through various channels; possibly translate the game into other languages; and also to provide support for game players. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask us.

What are the content requirements?

As with all of our game design challenges no violent content is permitted in the game entries. Games should be age-appropriate for those ages 11 and up.

How long do I have to enter?

Registration was from March 7, 2023 through March 19, 2023. The Finalists were notified by March 30, 2023 and had until June 30, 2023 to submit their finished game.

Do you accept group entries?

Yes - please just identify a primary contact person when you submit your game pitch on the Round One submission form.

Where can I learn more about critical thinking?

Visit the About Critical Thinking section for information and resources about critical thinking.

How can I keep up to date about the contest info?

Register for our newsletter to be notified about our next game design challenge. You can also follow the Critical Thinking Mastodon account at: games.ngo/@CriticalThinkingGames . Finalists will be invited to join our Discord server.

Judging and Selection Process

What criteria will be used for judging?

Round One of the contest will be judged based on the creativity of your proposed game pitch and the potential for that idea to be developed into a compelling video game which will help players: be more aware of the importance of critical thinking; be better informed about critical thinking skills; have strategies to strengthen skills associated with critical thinking; and as a result, be generally better at making informed decisions and become more self sufficient.

Judging details and scoring rubric for Round Two were distributed to all Finalists at the time that they were notified of their Finalist status.

Information about the judges, including their bios, will be added to the contest website June 2023.

Critical Thinking Games: Official Rules

No purchase necessary to enter or win. Void where prohibited. Entry in this contest constitutes your acceptance of these official rules.

The 2023 Life.Love. Game Design Challenge (the " Contest ") is designed to encourage participants (" Entrant(s) " or " You ") to use their creativity to create their own video game that helps players of the game: be more aware of the importance of critical thinking; be better informed about skills supporting the use of critical thinking; have strategies to strengthen skills associated with critical thinking; and feel more empowered through the use of critical thinking, especially for those players in the approximate age range of 11 - 22 years of age (the " Target Age Group "). Life Love Publishing and/or its representatives will select Finalists (" Finalists ") from those eligible entries submitted in Round One. Finalists will be eligible to participate in Round Two and will submit completed games. Judges will choose the winning entries from the Round Two eligible Finalist submissions and prizes will be awarded in accordance with these Official Rules (these " Rules ").

  • BINDING AGREEMENT : In order to enter the Contest, you must agree to the Rules. Therefore, please read these Rules prior to entry to ensure you understand and agree. You agree that submission of an entry in the Contest constitutes agreement to these Rules and that you may not submit an entry to the Contest and are not eligible to receive the prizes described in these Rules unless you agree to these Rules. These Rules form a binding legal agreement between you, Jennifer Ann's Group, and Life Love Publishing with respect to the Contest.
  • ELIGIBILITY : To be eligible to enter the Contest, an Entrant must: (a) be 13 years of age (or older) at time of entry; and (b) have obtained a parent's or legal guardian's prior permission if under the age of majority (" Minors ") in their jurisdiction. Minors who enter must have the written consent of a parent or legal guardian in order to be eligible to receive any prizes, as described in Section 8 of these Rules. Contest is void where prohibited by law. Employees, interns, contractors, and official office-holders of Jennifer Ann's Group, Life Love Publishing, and any affiliates, and their respective directors, officers, employees, advertising and promotion agencies, representatives, and agents (" Contest Entities ") are ineligible to participate in this Contest.
  • SPONSOR : The Contest is sponsored by the Jennifer Ann Crecente Memorial Group, Inc. d/b/a Jennifer Ann's Group(" Jennifer Ann's Group " or " Sponsor "), a Georgia non-profit corporation (501 c(3)) with principal place of business at 2554 Drew Valley Rd NE, Atlanta, GA, 30319, USA. (EIN: 20-4618499) .
  • CONTEST PERIOD : The contest period is from March 7, 2023 through August, 2023. Round One of the Contest begins on March 7, 2023 and ends on March 19, 2023 at 11:59pm Eastern Time (ET) Zone (GMT-4) (" Round One Contest Period "). Round Two of the Contest begins on March 30, 2023 and ends on June 30, 2023 at 11:59pm Eastern Time (ET) Zone (GMT-4) (" Round Two Contest Period "). All dates are subject to change. Winning Games will be announced in August or September, 2023.
  • HOW TO ENTER : NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. To enter the Contest, visit the Contest website located at https://CriticalThinker.games (" Contest Site ") during the Contest Period and follow the instructions that appear in the "Critical Thinking Game Submission" section. You will be requested to complete an official entry form (" Entry Form ") with all requested information, including your responses, or "game pitch", to the questions about your proposed critical thinking game (" Game Narrative "). Entry Forms can only be submitted by Entrants. Those Entrants notified by Jennifer Ann's Group that they have been selected to proceed to Round Two of the Contest (" Finalists ") shall participate in Round Two of the Contest by submitting their completed game entry (" Completed Game "). LIMIT ONE (1) GAME NARRATIVE PER ENTRANT IN ROUND ONE. Subsequent entries will replace, and be treated as, the initial entry. Any submission not meeting the aforementioned criteria will be disqualified. Jennifer Ann's Group and Life Love Publishing accepts no responsibility for submissions lost, delayed, damaged, defaced, or mislaid, howsoever caused. All entries will be deemed made by the Entrant submitted at the time of entry. LIMIT ONE (1) COMPLETED GAME PER FINALIST IN ROUND TWO. Subsequent entries will replace, and be treated as, the initial entry. Any submission not meeting the aforementioned criteria will be disqualified. Jennifer Ann's Group and Life Love Publishing accepts no responsibility for submissions lost, delayed, damaged, defaced, or mislaid, howsoever caused. All entries will be deemed made by the Entrant submitted at the time of entry.
  • They must not contain any depictions of violence.
  • They must not be derogatory, offensive, threatening, defamatory, disparaging, libellous or contain any content that is tortuous, slanderous, discriminatory in any way, or that promotes hatred or harm against any group or person, or otherwise does not comply with the theme and spirit of the Contest.
  • They must be unique creations that have not been previously published and will remain unpublished until after the contest has ended.
  • They must not contain content, material or any element that is unlawful, or otherwise in violation of, or contrary to, any applicable federal, state, or local laws and regulations including the laws or regulations in any jurisdiction where the entry is created.
  • They must not contain any content, material, or element that displays any third party advertising, slogan, logo, trademark, or otherwise indicates a sponsorship or endorsement by a third party or commercial entity. For Round Two Finalists, text acknowledgements are acceptable in the Completed Game entries; additionally, Jennifer Ann's Group will supply a graphic image identifying Jennifer Ann's Group as the game's sponsor; the image will be placed at an appropriate location as part of the Finalist's Completed Game entry.
  • They must only contain text, graphics, audio, designs, and game mechanics that entrants have proper rights to use (e.g. works in the public domain; original creations by the entrant; third-party works with rights granted by rights owner).
  • They cannot contain any content, element, or material that violates a third party's publicity, privacy, or intellectual property rights.
  • During the Contest Period, the Sponsor, its agents and/or the Judges will be evaluating the Entries to ensure they meet the Entry Requirements. The Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any Entrant who submits an entry that does not meet the Entry Requirements. Incomplete entries or entries not complying with these Rules are subject to disqualification.
  • potential educational value of the proposed game to discuss, demonstrate, or otherwise engage players about critical thinking and its importance, especially for those in the Target Age Group
  • potential entertainment or otherwise compelling value of the proposed game
  • potential of the proposed game to increase awareness about critical thinking and its importance
  • potential of the proposed game to encourage discourse about critical thinking and its importance
  • potential of the proposed game to persuade game players about critical thinking and its importance
  • potential of the proposed game to help players identify critical thinking skills and learn how to strengthen those skills in order to help the player become more adept at using critical thinking
  • game elements of the proposed game
  • adherence to the Game Narrative , Entry Requirements , and these Rules .
  • educational value of the game to discuss, demonstrate, or otherwise engage players about critical thinking and its importance, especially for those players in the Target Age Group
  • entertainment or otherwise compelling value of the game
  • potential of the game to increase awareness about critical thinking and its importance
  • potential of the game to encourage discourse about critical thinking and its importance
  • potential of the game to persuade game players about critical thinking and its importance
  • potential of the game to help players identify critical thinking skills and learn how to strengthen those skills in order to help the player become more adept at using critical thinking
  • game elements
  • adherence to the Game , Entry Requirements , and these Rules .
  • Round One Finalists Finalists will be notified on or before March 30, 2023 by email.
  • Potential Winners Potential winners will be notified August 2023 by email.
  • Decisions of the judges are final and binding. In the event there are not enough eligible entries, not all prizes will be awarded. If a potential winner is unable for whatever reason to accept their prize, then Life Love Publishing reserves the right to award the prize to another entrant.
  • Notification of Potential Finalists / Winning Game(s) : Becoming a Finalist / Winning Game is subject to validation and verification of eligibility and compliance with all the terms and conditions set forth in these Rules. If a potential Finalist is disqualified for any reason, a replacement Game Narrative Entry entrant might be chosen as a potential Finalist. If a potential Winning Game is disqualified for any reason, the Completed Game that received the next highest total score will be chosen as the potential Winning Game. The potential Finalist(s) / Winning Game(s) will be selected and notified by email.
  • If a potential Finalist does not respond to the notification attempt within three (3) days from the first notification attempt, then such potential Finalist may be disqualified and an alternate potential Finalist might be selected from among all eligible Game Narrative entries received based on the judging Criteria described herein.
  • If the Entrant of a potential Winning Game does not respond to the notification attempt within three (3) days from the first notification attempt, then such potential Winning Game may be disqualified and an alternate potential Winning Game will be selected from among all eligible entries received based on the judging Criteria described herein.
  • Except where prohibited by law, all Prize Winners will be required to sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability and Publicity Release and provide any additional information that may be required by Sponsor. If required, Prize Winners must return all such required documents via fax (or as otherwise instructed) within forty-eight (48) hours following attempted notification or such potential Prize Winners will be deemed to have forfeited the prize and another potential Prize Winner may be selected based on the judging Criteria described herein.
  • In the event the potential Prize Winner is a minor, their parent or legal guardian must sign the documents and return them as described herein. All notification requirements, as well as other requirements within these Rules, will be strictly enforced. Determinations of Judges are final and binding. All Prize Winners, including any parent representatives, agree to keep the Completed Game strictly confidential between time of submission and the Completed Game's final launch by Life Love Publishing.
  • PRIZES : The entrant of the Winning Game will be eligible to receive a minimum of $3,000 (USD) prize money. An announcement about the Winning Game(s) will be displayed on Jennifer Ann's Group's game portal JAGga.me website and itch.io page for the remainder of 2023. All Non-Winning Finalists will be eligible to receive a minimum of $100 (USD) prize money upon submitting their completed game in accordance with these rules. Some Non-Winning Finalists may also have their games published on the JAGga.me website and/or itch.io page. A total of $10,000 (USD) in prize money will be distributed among all Winners and Finalists, subject to the minimum prize monies described above. Distribution of prize money will be announced when the Winning Games are announced. Additional Winning Games might be selected from among the Finalists. Further details regarding prize distribution will be provided to winners in the prize acceptance documents but will be approximately four (4) to six (6) weeks after Sponsor's receipt of prize acceptance documents from winners. All entrants receiving prize money are considered prize winners (" Prize Winners ") for purposes of these Rules.
  • TAXES : Prize Winners are responsible for any federal, state, and local tax consequences and for compliance with all governmental reporting and payment requirements. Winning funds will be sent in U.S. Dollars via cashier's check through Postal Mail or via PayPal (at the option of the winners).
  • GENERAL CONDITIONS : At the time of submitting a Completed Game all Round Two Finalists will also electronically provide to Life Love Publishing all source files and components necessary to re-create the Completed Game ("Source Files"). Life Love Publishing and/or Jennifer Ann's Group may use these Source Files to publish the Completed Game to marketplaces; provide language translations; update content; develop derivative works; and / or to localize such game for other countries at Life Love Publishing and/or Jennifer Ann's Group's sole discretion.
  • INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS : All Prize Winners give Jennifer Ann's Group and Life Love Publishing the right to the Entrant's name, voice, picture, portrait, and likeness for advertising and promotion purposes without further compensation, where permitted by law. All Prize Winners also give their consent to Jennifer Ann's Group and Life Love Publishing and to those whom they may authorize, to photograph, film, videotape, and/or to use a photographic / digital reproduction of their entry with or without their name, to identify them by name, and/or to quote or record statements made by them, for any editorial, promotional, marketing, or other purpose broadly related to the mission of Jennifer Ann's Group ("violence prevention"). This consent does not extend to the purposes of endorsement of product or service advertising for any unrelated third parties. As a condition of receiving their prize, Prize Winners must grant Jennifer Ann's Group and Life Love Publishing the non-exclusive, royalty-free, licensable, assignable rights to all: completed, object, and source files; necessary media files; and associated intellectual property rights of their entry for purposes of publishing, promotion, marketing, research, creation of derivative works, and internal use.
  • WARRANTY AND INDEMNITY : Entrants warrant that their entries are their own original work and, as such, they are the sole and exclusive owner and rights holder of the submitted Game Narrative / Completed Game and that they have the right to submit the Game Narrative / Completed Game to the Contest and to grant all required licenses. Each Entrant agrees not to submit any Game Narrative / Completed Game that: (a) infringes any third party proprietary rights, intellectual property rights, industrial property rights, personal or moral rights or any other rights, including without limitation, copyright, trademark, trade names, industrial designs, patent, trade secret, privacy, publicity or confidentiality obligations; or (b) otherwise violates applicable international, state, federal, or local law. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Entrant indemnifies and agrees to keep indemnified Sponsor and its agents and subsidiaries at all times from and against any liability, claims, demands, losses, damages, costs, and expenses resulting from any act, default, or omission of the Entrant and/or a breach of any warranty set forth herein. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Entrant agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Sponsor and its agents and subsidiaries from and against any and all claims, actions, suits, or proceedings, as well as any and all losses, liabilities, damages, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees) arising out of or accruing from: (i) any Game Narrative / Completed Game or other material uploaded or otherwise provided by Entrant that infringes any copyright, trademark, trade secret, trade dress, patent, or other intellectual property right of any person or defames any person or violates their rights of publicity or privacy; (ii) any misrepresentation made by Entrant in connection with the Contest; (iii) any non-compliance by Entrant with these Rules; (iv) claims brought by persons or entities other than the parties to these Rules arising from or related to Entrant's involvement with the Contest; (v) acceptance, possession, misuse, or use of any prize or participation in any Contest-related activity or participation in the Contest; (vi) any malfunction or other problem with the Contest Site in relation to the entry and participation in the Contest by Entrant; (vii) any error in the collection, processing, or retention of entry or voting information in relation to the entry and participation in the Contest by Entrant and in the voting process; or (viii) any typographical or other error in the printing, offering, or announcement of any prize or winners in relation to the entry and participation in the Contest by Entrant.
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  • INTERNET AND DISCLAIMER : Jennifer Ann's Group and Life Love Publishing are not responsible for any malfunction of the entire Contest Site or any late, lost, damaged, misdirected, incomplete, illegible, undeliverable, or destroyed entries due to system errors, failed, incomplete or garbled computer or other telecommunication transmission malfunctions, hardware or software failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, typographical, or system/human errors and failures, technical malfunction(s) of any telephone network or lines, cable connections, satellite transmissions, servers or providers, or computer equipment, traffic congestion on the Internet or at the Contest Site, or any combination thereof, including other telecommunication, cable, digital, or satellite malfunctions which may limit Entrant's ability to participate. Jennifer Ann's Group is not responsible for the policies, actions, or inactions of others which might prevent Entrant from entering, participating, and/or claiming a prize in this Contest. Sponsor's failure to enforce any term of these Rules will not constitute a waiver of that or any other provision. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify Entrants who violate the rules or interfere with this Contest in any manner. If an Entrant is disqualified, Sponsor reserves the right to terminate that Entrant's eligibility to participate in the Contest.
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Math Activities

Five fun math board games to motivate your child while practicing math.

math games

When faced with the task of practicing math through things like math homework, a child’s typical response would be of exasperation and hesitance. In fact, 84% of children find taking out the trash or going to the dentist more appealing than completing their math homework. If your child exhibits the same attitude towards math homework, then what else would help them practice their math skills? The answer is simple: math games.

Math games do a lot more than simply raising a child’s entertainment levels. These games encourage critical thinking, logic, enhance computational fluency, and deepen children’s understanding of math concepts.

While also giving children and parents an opportunity to further bond, math games also help build the perspective that math is applied everywhere, not just in school. Below are some examples of enjoyable math games to help your child see the fun in math:

1. Proof! Math Game

As a Teacher’s Choice Gold Award Winner, Proof! is a fast-paced yet exciting game that engages children, families and even teachers with its mental math olympics. The game starts with a selection of number cards where players have to make an equation among these cards. Players have to shout the result of the equations they find and then show proof with the cards presented, gathering these cards once proven. The player with most cards wins the game!

This game is an amazing opportunity to practice one’s math skills regardless of their level. The rules can be easily customized for young children or played normally, as gifted students will also enjoy its challenges with each play. Engaging and easily differentiated for all types of students, Proof! is an excellent math game to practice computational fluency.

2. Math War (Addition and Subtraction Cards)

Math War is a classic math game that brings children delight and math fun every time they play! As a multiplayer game, children flip over cards and solve the equations they present. The child with the highest card result wins the round, keeping both cards.

With vibrant and kid-friendly numbers and illustrations, this math game has children improving their math skills without them realizing it. Time limits can be set to test the players’ mental math skills, motivating them to find strategies for quick yet efficient problem-solving!

3. MOBI (Numerical Tile Game)

Build your child’s math confidence with MOBI ; a strategy game that reinforces children’s math skills, sequential thought and automaticity. As a simple yet fast-paced math game, each player draws tiles and uses them to create simple equations, forming a crossword-like pattern. Whoever uses all their tiles first has to yell “Mobi” to win!

With only these little tiles needed to play, MOBI is a travel-friendly math game that allows children to become familiar with math at their own pace. Children can practice mental math in short intervals to keep them engaged yet educated. Perfect for family fun and friendly competition, this easy-to-play math game accommodates up to 6 players.

4. Sum Swamp Game

Sum Swamp is an adorable math game that features lively illustrations and immersive math gameplay. Players navigate the swamp using dice, facing math challenges and comical swamp creatures as they race through this engaging adventure.

Children playing the Sum Swamp math game apply their knowledge of addition and subtraction, having their mental math skills help them to victory. Colorful game pieces, challenges like the ‘endless loop,’ and mischievous shortcuts delight children in this fun-filled math adventure.

5. Kanoodle

As an easy-to-understand yet difficult-to-solve math game, Kanoodle encourages children to explore math strategies using their critical thinking and math knowledge. Tactile and colourful, Kanoodle can be played using the easy levels of 2-D puzzles, in which players have to complete a 5 x 11 board with 12 pieces – very reminiscent of Tetris. When a player has successfully won all 2D levels, they can move onto solving the more challenging 3D puzzles requiring 5 tiers with the same puzzle pieces.

Kanoodle ’s devious game concept brings joy to those who solve the puzzles, reeling them in with the more difficult puzzles – even for adults. Children as young as 7 can play the game, developing spatial orientation and understanding geometry in an entertaining manner. Parents and children can tinker with puzzles, reinforcing math knowledge and quality time.

Check out what other parents have to say about us, here !

Proof math game – proofmathgame.com, math war addition & subtraction game cards – schoolzone.com, mobi fast fun numerical tile game – playmobi.com, learning resources sum swamp game – learningresources.com, educational insights kanoodle – educationalinsights.com, math games and math homework – mathgamesandactivities.com, why play math games – nctm.org.

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COMMENTS

  1. 10 Team-Building Games That Promote Critical Thinking

    The following team-building games can promote cooperation and communication, help establish a positive classroom environment and — most importantly — provide a fun, much-needed reprieve from routine. See also Team-Building Games For The First Day Of School. 10 Team-Building Games That Promote Collaborative Critical Thinking

  2. 11 Activities That Promote Critical Thinking In The Class

    Read our article: 10 Innovative Strategies for Promoting Critical Thinking in the Classroom. 5. Save the Egg. Make groups of three or four in the class. Ask them to drop an egg from a certain height and think of creative ideas to save the egg from breaking.

  3. Games for Building Critical-Thinking Skills

    Zoombinis. Classic logic puzzler gets a beautiful new look. Bottom Line: Promote powerful thinking skills, resilience, and decision-making through purely fun gameplay that will keep students begging for more. Grades: 3-8. Price: Paid. Get it now. See full review.

  4. 10 Great Critical Thinking Activities That Engage Your Learners

    Other Critical Thinking Activities. Jigsaw—Developing Community and Disseminating Knowledge: Learners take on the role of "experts" or "specialists" of a particular topic. Then a panel of experts is assembled to get the larger picture. K-W-L Charts—Assessing What We Know/What We Still Want to Learn: Charts to document "What I Know ...

  5. Engaging Critical Thinking Games for Developing Analytical Skills

    These games not only provide entertainment but also stimulate the mind and encourage logical reasoning. In this article, we will explore the importance of critical thinking, various engaging critical thinking games, how to incorporate critical thinking in everyday activities, and ways to promote collaborative critical thinking.

  6. 7 Puzzles to Challenge Your Critical Thinking

    First, consider the five words below: Cruise ship. Bicycle. Airplane. Walking on foot. Automobile (not a race car) Now, put them in order from the slowest to the fastest, when they are going at ...

  7. 10 Team-Building Games That Promote Critical Thinking

    Here are 10 Team-Building Games That Promote Critical Thinking; 1. Minefield. Minefield Team-building games for critical thinking is a time-honored exercise that has been shown to foster better communication and a sense of trust among participants of all ages. It requires the construction of an obstacle course as well as the grouping of the ...

  8. 6 great board games to boost critical thinking in teens and tweens

    Some tweens and teens may choose boredom over board games. But encourage them to keep an open mind. These games will capture your child's attention, sense of humor, and imagination while boosting critical-thinking skills. Apples to Apples. This card game helps kids predict their friends' preferences and build social skills and vocabularies.

  9. 10 Team-Building Games That Promote Critical Thinking

    The team at TeachThought have compiled their list of games to promote better peer-to-peer learning in the classroom. Collaborative game-playing in the classroom teaches cooperation and communication among students, and complements structured textbook learning. TeachThought lists 10 games to accelerate students' critical thinking.

  10. Games That Help Kids Think Critically

    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.

  11. PDF 81 Fresh & Fun Critical-Thinking Activities

    Finally, model critical thinking for students by sharing your own problem-solv-ing strategies and accepting unusual and unexpected strategies and solutions. Your participation as an active learner will further reinforce the critical-thinking skills you teach. Above all, encourage your students to see themselves as thinkers. 5

  12. 15 games that might make you smarter just by playing them

    Sudoku: 400+ Sudoku Puzzles (Easy, Medium, Hard, Very Hard), $6.29. Amazon. Sudoku is one game, like crossword puzzles and riddles, that increase neuroplasticity and make your smarter. With ...

  13. Critical Thinking Games & Activities for Kids

    MentalUP offers 150+ critical thinking games besides attention, concentration, logic, language, visual intelligence, and memory games! 🚀 . The best part of the multi-awarded app is all these gamified exercises are developed by pedagogues, academicians, and game designers. 🎓🙌. That's why kids enjoy playing these games a lot; meanwhile ...

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    Critical thinking is the ability to look at problems in new ways, to analyse how parts of a whole interact with one another and to interpret information and draw conclusions. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills were once thought to be the domain of gifted people. Today, they are necessary for every individual and group who seeks to ...

  15. 7 Games for Critical Thinking that Add Play to Your Day

    The student must rotate, flip, turn, or overlap the cards in order to get the dots on both cards to match up. This game is great for building and practicing logical thinking, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving. With 60 different puzzles to match up, On the Dot is a game that can stay in your bins for a long time!

  16. Critical Thinking Games: 5 Engaging Activities for Children

    4. Cultivate Curiosity. Encourage your child to ask questions and dig deep to find answers. Curiosity leads to challenging assumptions and gaining new information. Ultimately it helps your child develop complex thinking skills. 5. Encourage Open-Mindedness.

  17. Effects of Game-Based Learning on Students' Critical Thinking: A Meta

    GBL might promote not only academic achievement but also critical thinking, according to both problem-based learning and social conflict theories (Noroozi et al., 2020; Wu et al., 2012), though GBL might foster cognitive biases that hinder critical thinking (West et al., 2008).First, GBL can simulate real-world problems without perfect information in a safe environment, allowing students to ...

  18. Fun critical thinking online games for adults

    3 Online Games for Critical Thinking. 3.1 Online Chess. 3.2 Brainstorm. 3.3 Tangram Puzzles. 3.4 Sudoku Online. 3.5 Factorio. 3.6 Spent. 3.7 EyeWire 3D Puzzle Game. 4 Final Thoughts - Online Critical Thinking Games for Adults.

  19. Critical Thinking for Kids: Activities, Games and Books

    This book will encourage your children to question, wonder and give life to their ideas…just the perfect way to encourage critical thinking skills in kids. 5. Thingamabob. Thingamabob is a cute, humorous book that is sure to inspire critical thinking in kids as young as 3year old.

  20. Developing critical thinking skills through gamification

    The game was designed to encourage players to think actively about the techniques used in misinformation, and they found that this process of 'active inoculation' did reduce the perceived reliability and persuasiveness of fake news articles (2018, p. 576). ... Facilitating critical thinking in the game. Critical thinking is "a ...

  21. 20 Effective Strategy Games For Teams

    The best strategy team building games encourage collaboration, communication, and problem-solving. Games like Clue or The Great Race can be quite effective. ... Strategy games stimulate critical thinking skills among participants. These exercises encourage folks to plan ahead, anticipate challenges, and make group decisions.

  22. Critical Thinking Games

    The 2023 Life.Love. Game Design Challenge (the "Contest") is designed to encourage participants ("Entrant(s)" or "You") to use their creativity to create their own video game that helps players of the game: be more aware of the importance of critical thinking; be better informed about skills supporting the use of critical thinking; have ...

  23. Math Games to Encourage Critical Thinking

    5. Kanoodle. As an easy-to-understand yet difficult-to-solve math game, Kanoodle encourages children to explore math strategies using their critical thinking and math knowledge. Tactile and colourful, Kanoodle can be played using the easy levels of 2-D puzzles, in which players have to complete a 5 x 11 board with 12 pieces - very reminiscent ...