The Puzzle Journal

Stories, strategy, and the science of getting smarter

Notes on puzzles and the brains that love them, from our team and the wider KenKen community. New pieces most weeks.

Sam Okafor (Contributor)Jul 17, 20267 min read

Free Brain Teasers: 20 to Try Right Now

Twenty free brain teasers with answers, grouped by type. A quick, warm collection of logic, math, word, and lateral-thinking puzzles you can solve online in a spare five minutes.

Puzzles
Dr. Nora Bennett (Contributor)Jul 1, 20266 min read

The Types of Brain Teasers, and What Each One Trains

A clear guide to the main types of brain teasers, from logic and number puzzles to word, visual, lateral thinking, and pattern puzzles. Each brain teaser category comes with an example, its answer, and the skill it trains.

Guides
Marcus FeldmanJun 22, 20266 min read

KenKen vs Sudoku: What Is the Difference?

A clear, friendly breakdown of the difference between KenKen and Sudoku: what they share, where they split, which is harder, and which one is right for you.

Strategy
Dr. Nora Bennett (Contributor)Jun 12, 20266 min read

Are Brain Teasers Good for You? Here Is What They Actually Do

Are brain teasers good for you? An evidence-informed look at the real benefits of brain teasers for memory, focus, and mood, plus the honest limits the hype skips.

Brain Health
Sam Okafor (Contributor)Jun 1, 20265 min read

10 Signs You Are (Happily) Hooked on Daily Puzzles

Ten warm, relatable signs you love doing puzzles a little more than you let on. A light look at the good kind of puzzle addiction and the psychology behind the daily puzzle habit.

Lists
Sam Okafor (Contributor)May 28, 20266 min read

10 Simple Habits to Keep Your Mind Sharp

How to keep your mind sharp with ten simple, science-backed habits. Practical daily exercises for the brain, from learning something new to sleep, movement, and puzzles.

Brain Health
Dr. Nora Bennett (Contributor)May 14, 20266 min read

Are Number Puzzles Good for Your Brain? What the Research Says

Are number puzzles good for your brain? We dig into the PROTECT study, the Duke crossword trial, and what the brain games research really says about whether puzzles improve memory.

Brain Health
Marcus FeldmanApr 22, 20267 min read

The Best Word Games to Play Online, Free and Fun

A friendly guide to the best word games to play online. Free word games explained one by one, from crosswords and word searches to anagrams and Lewis Carroll's word ladders, with what makes each one fun.

Puzzles
Priya AnandApr 9, 20267 min read

How to Solve a KenKen Puzzle: A Beginner's Guide

A friendly, step-by-step guide on how to solve a KenKen puzzle, from the grid and cages to a full 4x4 walkthrough you can follow in plain English.

Strategy

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