I’ve been playing a range of games for years on my iPad and pc. This was partly because, let’s face it, there are some pretty fun games out there but also because I wanted to keep my mind sharp having seen how my grandma who had Alzheimer’s was at the end of her days. Many people focus on the negatives of playing computer games but, there are many positives too. In this post, we look at how computer games benefit kids and adults.
Around Christmas I had a lot more spare time than normal. That was when I discovered the Culinary Schools website. Here, I found some great food themed games that are suitable for children and adults. Anyone that knows how food obsessed I am will know exactly why these were just right for me. There is increasing evidence to show that online games can have beneficial cognitive effects on adults and multiple positive effects on children too when played within reason.
How Computer Games Benefit Kids and Adults
Hand Eye Co-ordination
Certain video games have been shown to help improve hand-eye co-ordination. These tend to be action type games that require quick reflexes and also specific movements in response to on screen stimuli. These can be fast paced or slower paced games, both can have benefits.
Social Skills
Online games can be for one player or for multiple players. With multiple player games, they may be in person or online. The multiple player games help children especially, develop their social skills, creating better bonds between school friends for example. These games encourage children and of course adults to develop skill such as cooperation, teamwork and also leadership. Communication doesn’t just happen when playing the games, it happens at school too where they’ll discuss having played the games. This can also be helpful for children with mild learning disabilities as they may be more likely to make new friends as a result of having played various games.
Concentration, Memory, and Attention
Playing computer games of various kinds can also help improve our ability to concentrate. This isn’t simply hearsay. A study published in 2024 found that those that played computer games on a regular basis were able to perform better on tasks measuring cognitive functions. So, by playing games we can benefit from improved attention and memory.
Games that require cognitive thinking are also beneficial for children and adults. Cognitive thinking is the mental process that we use to think, learn, read, remember, reason, pay attention, understand the information we are being exposed to and turning it into knowledge. We can then turn this knowledge into decisions and actions.
With age, adults cognitive functions fall into decline. Our thinking slows, we find it hard to maintain attention, multi-task, and word finding – something many of us will become frustrated by. By keeping our brains active we can slow down this deterioration.
Developing Problem Solving Skills
Some video games can help promote children’s ability to solve problems. When tasked with with a dilemma within the game that needs solving they will need think of a plan to allow to negotiate around this problem at hand. This gives them experience in coming up with various strategies, anticipate what the result could be, decision making
Reducing Stress
Playing computer games is a great way to relieve stress. The player becomes immersed in the game they are playing and completely distracted from troubles.
Culinary Schools
This site is for those looking to become chefs, but they have a very varied selection of games that are suitable for both children and adults who just like to play games. You can choose from hundreds of different games to help keep your mind active and of course have fun!!! Many of the games are directed at children so are quite basic. There are also other games that are more challenging and enjoyable for older kids and adults.
Some of the watermelon games that recently became popular across the web are available to play on the site as well as a wide range of other very varied options. The site has such a large range of games it’s the perfect inclusion for my post: How Computer Games Benefit Kids and Adults, as it has games that can yield benefits when played regularly, in moderation.
Games I’ve been Playing
I have been playing a range of games from the site, here are a few of my favourites:
Farm Story
This sort of game is perfect for me. Players need to collect a specified number of specific fruits or vegetables. To do this they need to move pieces to get 3 or more in a row. There is a figure on the bag where the collected items go. Once fruits/vegetables are collected the number on the bag goes down by the number that was in the row. The player needs to collect the specified number of each fruit within a designated time. As the player progresses up the levels this increases in difficulty.
The players ability to focus on the task at hand will be challenged as they will need to collect specific items but can be distracted by others featured on the game. Hand eye co-ordination is important here as well as problem solving.
Cooking Fever
Another fun game and one my kids enjoy too. Players are tasked with serving customers fast food. Each will give their order and the player is expected to fill this. As the player earns money they can upgrade their kitchen allowing them to make more food and serve more drinks within the time restriction. The task is to fill a set amount of orders within the time given. The game requires the player to focus, remember where items are, and to make sure they do not burn the burgers. Hand eye co-ordination speeds up as the player progresses up levels.
Classic Solitaire
Solitaire is one of my favourite games and one I’ve been playing for years. It’s one of the many games listed on this site. It is a challenging game that is great for helping to develop problem solving skills. It combines reasoning, concentration, memory which are great for kids to develop, but also to help ward off conditions such as dementia in adults.
Benefits I have Noticed from Playing These Types of Games
Having played games over time, I noticed that not only was my memory improving, I now have moments where I can literally picture something in my mind. For example, the other days I put my keys down somewhere I wouldn’t normally. When I then went to find my keys, they were not in the normal place, but the moment I thought to myself where had I put the keys, the image of the location appeared in my mind like a photo. This happens more often than ever, and although I don’t have what one might call a photographic memory, my memory has definitely improved.
Alongside this, I have also found my ability to problem solve which I was always good has improved further. Always a good thing, for a parent of 3 children, 4 if you count the husband (which many of us do).
Pin It!
What I love About The Site
Some of the games I play on my pc or iPad have an advert between each game. This can be frustration and ruin enjoyment. With the Culinary School site games I was pleased to see that most games do not have adverts, so I can play the various games in peace to my hearts content – time dependant of course.
I love that the majority of the games are food related as obsessed doesn’t even begin to describe my relationship with food. I am always wanting to try a new recipe, or throw together recipes that pop into my head. Kids and adults love food games and these make for a non offensive, non violent way to learn, develop and fight ageing.
There are clearly marked sections for game categories including a section marked as brain games. These are specifically for that purpose, although you will find that all of the games will have some kind of benefit for either a child, adult or both.
The games can be played on a pc. They can be played without persistent internet connections. After you have loaded the website once on your device with an internet connection, further visits will not require internet to be accessed and for games to be games played. This makes the site perfect to use for kids when travelling to keep them entertained and enhancing their abilities.
Summary
As you can see, playing computer games can actually have a positive impact on us all so get those games open and start playing. You will benefit for playing regularly in moderation.
I hope you enjoyed my post How Computer Games Benefit Kids and Adults and found it both interesting and informative.
Other Posts You Might Like:
Create The Ultimate Gaming Space
How to Set Up Parental Controls on SnapChat
Did you know playing computer games could have positive effects?
Have you ever considered playing computer games to sharpen your mind?
Enjoyed this Post?
Subscribe to Melanie’s Fab Finds RSS feed to see my latest posts. Posts will include recipes, reviews, etc. and as a result, you will hear about my new posts and competitions first!
Watch our fab product reviews on YouTube x
Collaborative post
Discover more from Melanie's Fab Finds
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
My son got me into gaming. Entry level, of course, but I have to say it’s a lot of fun. It does make me think in different ways.
It can be good fun and all games will yield some kind of benefit!!!
This was a super interesting read! I remember hearing that certain games can even help with memory improvement in Alzheimer’s patients, to slow down the progression fo the disease.
They really can have an impact. I found that my mind is much sharper since starting to play various games.
What a fun article! I worried because my oldest son loves playing video games ( almost like all kids), but your post calmed me slightly. My son and I are playing Cooking Fever and love this game.
That game is so much fun!!! Playing in moderation is beneficial. The issue is when they overdo it. Have fun!!
I haven’t played these games in particular, but I have played some similar that can be helpful. At the same time, I do try to limit screen time for all of us so we have some balance.
Limiting screen time is important but it also helps to know that games can also be benficial.
I love how games can boost both cognitive skills and creativity! The food-themed games sound perfect for someone who loves food.
They really can. The variety of games available comes in handy.
We are all obsessed with block blast. It’s similar to tetris, so much fun and definitely keeps our brain ticking over
That’s a good one. It is really good fun.
Glad to learn about computer games which actually help kids and adults with their mental growth and positive impact
Thanks Ash. Glad you liked the post.
My daughter plays video games, i can sense that she’s calm while on it because she plays with her friends from school only. Trust me, I do keep an eye on the system. If my daughter is calm, I can enjoy peace and quiet.
They can be great for kids to socialise with friends. Make sure she plays a variety to allow for different types of mental stimulation.
Computer games definitely help us to keep our minds sharp. I totally agree that there are many many people who solely focus on the negative aspects of playing computer games but it has valuable benefits as well.
It really does. I have noticed them myself. They can be fun too so help with stress.
I have always been a gamer – it’s so fun to have a hobby. Thank you for sharing all of these benefits.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post Jupiter.
It’s been ages I have played any computer games. I used to play a lot in my college time. But now after reading your post I would love to play again.
Have fun. There are so many games to choose from.
My son is almost 8 and we have started letting him do some games. It’s fun to see it really expand his thinking and sharpen his computer skills too!
I am sure he enjoys playing them. The good thing is they learn without realising.