Hi everyone,

I have been exploring some brain training games for kids and came across Mahjong Solitaire. It is the single player version where you match tiles until the board clears. I am wondering if this is actually useful for children’s cognitive development or just another way to pass time.

Some positive points I noticed:

It trains pattern recognition and visual memory. Kids need to remember where tiles are and plan moves ahead.

It encourages patience and strategy. You cannot just pick random pairs, some moves open up the game while others block progress.

It is easy to learn. No complicated rules, so children can start quickly.

Many versions are free online and can be played in short sessions.

On the other hand, there are also limitations:

It can be addictive if not monitored, so screen time limits are still needed.

For some children it may be too simple or too difficult, which reduces the benefit.

It mainly exercises one type of skill, so variety with other games is still important.

My view is that Mahjong Solitaire can be one good option among many, but not the only tool. It works best when combined with puzzles, memory card games, logic riddles or even Sudoku for kids. Keeping playtime short and discussing strategies with the child may make it more valuable.

Has anyone here tried Mahjong Solitaire with their children? Did you see any benefits in focus or memory? And what other games would you recommend for brain training?