Number pattern
What number comes next? 3, 6, 11, 18, 27, ?
Reveal answer
38. The differences are +3, +5, +7, +9, then +11.
Brain games you can do anytime
You do not need an app, account or download for these free brain games. Work through them alone, compare answers with a friend, or use a few as a quick coffee-break challenge. The collection mixes easy and tricky questions so you can jump around instead of doing them in order.
Just for fun: These puzzles are recreational. They are not a medical test and are not intended to diagnose, prevent or treat memory or cognitive conditions.
20 free puzzles, riddles and thinking games
Classic riddle
What has a face and two hands but no arms or legs?
Reveal answer
A clock.
Word logic
Which word is the odd one out: inch, ounce, yard, foot?
Reveal answer
Ounce. The others are units of length.
Quick math
A farmer has 15 sheep. All but 6 wander away. How many remain?
Reveal answer
6. “All but 6” means 6 stayed.
Letter pattern
What comes next? B, E, I, N, ?
Reveal answer
T. Move forward +3, +4, +5, then +6 letters.
Family logic
Two fathers and two sons go fishing. They catch three fish and each person gets one fish. How?
Reveal answer
There are only three people: a grandfather, his son, and his grandson.
Missing number
What number replaces the question mark? 2, 6, 18, 54, ?
Reveal answer
162. Multiply by 3 each time.
Word scramble
Unscramble these letters into something you use to think: N I B R A.
Reveal answer
BRAIN.
Trick question
How many months have 28 days?
Reveal answer
All 12. Every month has at least 28 days.
Clock challenge
At exactly 6:00, what is the angle between the hour and minute hands?
Reveal answer
180 degrees.
Sequence
What number comes next? 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, ?
Reveal answer
13. Each number is the sum of the previous two.
Riddle
The more you take, the more you leave behind. What are they?
Reveal answer
Footsteps.
Which does not belong?
8, 27, 64, 100, 125
Reveal answer
100. The others are perfect cubes: 2³, 3³, 4³ and 5³.
Price puzzle
A bat and ball cost $1.10 total. The bat costs $1 more than the ball. What does the ball cost?
Reveal answer
5 cents. The bat is $1.05, totaling $1.10.
Word connection
What one word can follow HEAD and come before HOUSE?
Reveal answer
LIGHT: headlight and lighthouse.
Day logic
If yesterday was two days before Friday, what day is today?
Reveal answer
Thursday. Two days before Friday is Wednesday, so today is Thursday.
Number relationship
If 3 → 9 and 4 → 16, then 7 → ?
Reveal answer
49. Square the first number.
Handshakes
Four people each shake hands with every other person exactly once. How many handshakes occur?
Reveal answer
6. The unique pairs are AB, AC, AD, BC, BD and CD.
Memory warm-up
Read these once, look away, then try to recall all six: river, lamp, apple, train, blue, key.
Reveal tip
Try making one silly picture that connects the words—for example, a blue train crossing a river while carrying an apple, lamp and key.
Final riddle
I am full of holes, but I can still hold water. What am I?
Reveal answer
A sponge.
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