What Type of Video Game Boosts Cognitive Development in Kids Aged 6–12?

When Screen Time Becomes Brain Time

You're trying your best. After a long day – work, dishes, homework battles – your child is curled up on the couch with a video game. Again. Part of you wants to let it slide. Another part is wondering if their brain is melting.

But what if – just what if – this wasn’t a guilty compromise? What if certain video games could actually help support your child's cognitive development?

Not All Games Are Created Equal

The phrase “video games” covers a vast universe – from mindless tapping to rich, strategy-heavy worlds. The key is understanding which types of games can boost the brain, and which simply entertain. For children aged 6 to 12, the right kind of game can quietly build everything from working memory to problem-solving skills.

Think of cognitive development like mental weightlifting – you want games that challenge flexible thinking, pattern recognition, logical sequencing, spatial reasoning, and language processing. Some games are better suited for these tasks than others.

Adventure and Strategy: A Training Ground for Young Minds

Games that require strategic thinking and decision-making encourage children to juggle multiple cognitive processes at once. These include classic adventure quests, build-and-create sandbox games, and puzzle-rich platforms. When your child is navigating an open-world game, figuring out what tools are needed to unlock a hidden door, they’re actually exercising:

• Executive functioning: Planning, prioritizing, and shifting strategies
• Working memory: Remembering goals while solving smaller puzzles
• Problem-solving: Approaching tasks from multiple angles

Take Minecraft. Yes, it can be a chaotic block-fest. But when used thoughtfully, especially in creative or survival mode, it invites kids to build complex structures, manage resources, and even apply math concepts. They're practicing spatial awareness and logical construction without even realizing it.

Games That Meet Your Child Where They Struggle

Maybe your child is bright but struggles with attention or language processing. Perhaps they learn better by doing — or by hearing — rather than by traditional reading. In these cases, video games with strong narrative structures and audio cues can be surprisingly helpful.

Many educational platforms now blend game mechanics with learning content in ways that capture children's attention while supporting core skills. For example, some apps can transform abstract lessons into personalized audio adventures where your child is the hero, inviting them to actively engage with math or French grammar while immersed in an imaginative quest. Features like those offered by the Skuli App allow children to experience their weekly lessons narrated as personalized stories — a game-changer for kids who tune in better through storytelling or auditory input.

Watch Out for Cognitive Clutter

Of course, not every game is beneficial. Some titles overload children with stimuli: rapid visuals, constant rewards, no need to think beyond reaction. Twitch-based games, for example, tend to prioritize reflexes over reflective thinking. That’s not inherently bad — but if that’s all your child consumes, it might not provide the cognitive enrichment you’re hoping for.

Here’s a good test: after your child finishes playing, ask them what they accomplished in the game. If they can explain a puzzle they solved or a structure they built, chances are it required deeper thinking. If they shrug and say “I dunno, I just kept winning,” it might just be candy for the brain.

You might also be surprised to learn that research increasingly shows that the quality and interactivity of screen time — rather than the amount — is what matters most.

Transforming Screen Time Into a Shared Learning Experience

Instead of banning games entirely, try co-piloting. Sit beside your child for 15 minutes. Ask sincere questions about what they’re playing. Show curiosity. Not only does this build connection, but it also helps you evaluate whether the game is stretching their thinking or just filling time.

One mother I spoke with recently began using her daughter’s love for mystery games to spark interest in reading. After solving a crime in a point-and-click adventure, they started reading mystery short stories together. For another family, turning tedious multiplication practice into a personalized quiz using a snapshot of a workbook page (something the Skuli App also makes possible) made studying feel more like a challenge to beat than a chore to avoid.

So... What Should My Child Play?

Every child is different, but here are a few types of games that tend to support cognitive growth in 6–12-year-olds:

• Sandbox construction/building games: Promotes planning, math, creativity (e.g., Minecraft)
• Puzzle and logic games: Encourages sequencing, attention, and reasoning (e.g., Monument Valley, Thinkrolls)
• Story-based games: Develops reading comprehension, memory, and empathy (e.g., Where Cards Fall, Alba)
• Strategy/management sims: Strengthens executive function and resource management (e.g., Mini Metro, SimCity BuildIt)

Of course, balance matters. If you’re wondering how to navigate screen-time rules and still support learning, take a look at our perspective on limiting video games without turning them into the enemy.

Final Thoughts: Curiosity Over Conflict

If your child adores games, you’re not losing the battle — you might actually have a starting point. Meet them where they are. Ask questions. Look at what excites them and consider how to harness it with purpose. Whether it’s through building, storytelling, or solving quests, your child’s passions can become powerful tools in their cognitive journey.

And you don’t have to do it alone. From creatively repackaging school materials to audio adventures they can listen to on the school run, tools exist to help turn learning into play, and play into growth.

For many families, the sweet spot lies not in banning the screen, but in choosing which games — and when — align best with your child's learning style. Curious about how video games impact social development too? You might want to explore this article next.