19 Best Learning Games for Adults

You found our list of fun learning games for adults.

Learning games are interactive activities that integrate educational content or stimulate learning through engagement and fun. For example, Math Bingo, Duolingo, and CodeCombat. These games aim to increase understanding, engagement, and retention of information. These learning games are also known as educational games for adults and games for adult learners.

These activities are are similar to games for students, online classroom games, team building games, leadership games, and communication games.

This list includes:

• free learning games for adults
• online learning games for adults
• classroom games for adults
• learning games for adults in the workplace
• training games for adults
• typing learning games for adults

Let’s get to it!

List of learning games for adults

From Idea Jenga to Step-by-Step Drawing, here is our list of the best games for adult learning.

1. Idea Jenga

Idea Jenga is one of the easiest learning games for adults in the workplace. This activity transforms the classic block-stacking game into a dynamic brainstorming session. Each wooden block features a unique prompt or question to spark creativity and discussion. Participants take turns pulling blocks, responding to the prompt, and carefully replacing the block atop the growing tower. This game encourages lateral thinking and collaboration, perfect for educational settings or team building exercises. As the tower grows, so does the complexity of ideas, leading to an engaging, academic competition.

2. Perspective Switch

In this game, participants adopt the viewpoints and roles of others, solving challenges from entirely new perspectives.

How to play:

1. Form Teams: Split players into small groups of 3–5.
2. Assign Roles: Each group chooses a scenario (e.g., office conflict) and assigns different perspectives (e.g., manager, employee, client).
3. Role-Play: Players take turns explaining the scenario from their assigned perspective.
4. Debrief: Groups discuss how each perspective impacts decisions and solutions.
5. Switch & Reflect: Swap roles and repeat, then reflect on new insights gained.

You could also play the game in the classroom by assigning the parts of different historical or fictional figures.

Perspective Switch helps players foster empathy and understanding and encourages deep reflection on how different circumstances affect decisions and interactions.

Here are more ways to show empathy at work.

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3. Concept Mapping Relay

Concept Mapping Relay promotes active learning and collaboration. In this game, students or workers form teams to create and expand on concept maps based on the instructor’s central theme or question. Each team member adds an idea or concept to the map before passing it to the next teammate. This process continues until the map is rich in interconnected ideas.

This exercise is similar to impact mapping.

4. Four Corners Debate

Four Corners Debate is an engaging workplace or classroom activity that promotes critical thinking and public speaking skills. In this game, each corner of the room represents a different viewpoint on a topic. The leader introduces the point, and the players move to the corresponding corners. Players will have a few moments to strategize and discuss with their teammates. Then, players can wander to the other corner and try to entice those folks to switch sides. After five minutes, the leader will allow players to switch one last time before awarding points to the corners with the most folks or the best arguments.

This setup encourages lively discussions and helps players share and defend their ideas, improving their understanding of different viewpoints.

You can use balance game questions for inspiration.

5. Memory Matrix

Memory Matrix is one of the best online learning games for adults. This exceptional game challenges players to remember and locate objects in an ever-evolving grid. This engaging activity adjusts its difficulty level as the player progresses and is ideal for improving spatial recall and short-term memory. The accessible and engaging design works for all ages, making it a fun way to improve thinking skills and train the brain to remember patterns and positions.

Lumosity has a good memory matrix and other brain-building games.

6. The Hot Seat

The Hot Seat is an interactive learning game that challenges participants to quickly and accurately answer questions under pressure.

How to play:

1. Choose one player to sit in the “hot seat.”
2. Other players ask the person in the hot seat rapid-fire questions.
3. The player must answer quickly and honestly.
4. Set a short time limit for the round, like one or two minutes.
5. Rotate the hot seat so all players get a turn.

The exercise offers a fun way to reinforce learning by testing knowledge and improving retention skills.

7. Question Cube Toss

Question Cube Toss is an interactive learning activity where players toss a cube containing questions and then respond to the one on top. You could also play the game with traditional dice by matching the numbers to questions on a worksheet.

The fact that students or employees cannot be sure what question the cube will land on motivates players to brush up on their knowledge in all areas.

This exercise adds an element of competition to reviewing new information, which makes concepts more memorable.

8. Strategy Sprint

Strategy Sprints are among the top training games for adults. These sprints are fast-paced games that assess quick thinking and strategic decision-making under time pressure. Participants must rapidly assess situations, establish goals, and develop action plans within a specified timeframe. This exercise promotes analytical thinking, communication, and teamwork in stressful situations. Participation hones strategic thinking, ability to respond to challenges, and problem-solving skills for better performance in changing environments.

Here are more strategy games.

9. Knowledge Tag Team

In the game Knowledge Tag Team, players work together to answer questions from various subjects, earning points for correct responses.

How to play:

1. Split players into teams.
2. One player from each team answers a question related to the topic.
3. After answering, they “tag” the next team member to answer a new question.
4. Continue tagging players until all questions are answered.

The game covers different topics and offers a fun way to challenge your mind, learn, and work together while also building teamwork and critical thinking skills.

10. The Problem Pyramid

The Problem Pyramid emphasizes problem-solving skills through layered tiers of difficulty. Players start at the base with more straightforward questions and ascend by solving increasingly complex challenges. This design encourages learning in stages, ensuring that as players progress, they solidify their understanding and confidence. Ideal for classrooms, this game adapts to various subjects, fostering critical thinking and collaborative skills among students.

Find more problem-solving games.

11. Logic Leap

Logic Leap is an engaging brain-teaser game that challenges players to solve puzzles using critical thinking and deductive reasoning.

How to play:

1. Divide players into teams or play individually.
2. Present a logic-based question or scenario to the player/team.
3. The player/team must make a logical leap or connection to answer correctly.
4. If correct, they move forward or earn points.
5. Continue with progressively harder questions or challenges.

By advancing through levels, participants deepen their problem-solving skills and understanding of logical processes. Plus, you can incorporate movement into the game to help kinetic learners better absorb the material!

12. Lightning Lessons

Lighting Lessons are electrifyingly quick tutorials that teach complex subjects in minutes.

How to play:

1. Choose a topic or concept to focus on.
2. Set a timer for a short period, like 5 minutes.
3. Players take turns explaining the topic as clearly and concisely as possible.
4. Each explanation should be under 1 minute.
5. After each round, other players can ask one clarifying question.
6. Repeat until every player has had a turn to teach, or the timer ends.

This game turns learners into teachers, which helps folks better remember the material. Each correct answer illuminates concepts in surprising ways, making retention swift and enjoyable. Ideal for learners of all ages, this exercise energizes study sessions with educational and engaging challenges.

13. Fishbowl Discussions

Fishbowl discussions are one of the best classroom games for adults. These conversation games serve as a valuable learning tool. Participants observe as others actively engage in a discussion.

How to play:

1. Arrange chairs in two circles: an inner circle (discussion group) and an outer circle (observers).
2. The inner circle discusses a topic while the outer circle listens.
3. Set a time limit for the discussion.
4. After the time is up, the outer circle shares observations or feedback.
5. Rotate participants so everyone has a chance to be in the inner circle.
6. Repeat with new topics or discussion points.

These discussions encourage empathy, respectful disagreement, and understanding of nonverbal cues. Including fishbowl discussions in educational or professional settings improves communication skills, critical thinking, and participant collaboration.

Check out discussion topics.

14. Find the Gaps

Find the Gaps is an engaging learning game where players identify missing information in a given scenario and work together to fill in the gaps with creative solutions.

How to play:

1. Present a scenario or concept related to the learning topic.
2. Players identify missing information or gaps in the scenario.
3. Each player or team takes turns suggesting possible solutions or filling in gaps.
4. Discuss and evaluate the suggested solutions.
5. The player/team with the most accurate or creative gap-filling ideas wins.

By the end of the game, players will have sharpened their problem-solving abilities and learned to spot important details they might have otherwise overlooked.

15. Expert Panel

Expert Panel is a dynamic learning game where participants collaborate to share their expertise and insights on a specific topic. Here’s how to play:

How to play:

1. Select a topic relevant to the learning objectives.
2. Designate one player as the “expert” on the topic while others take on the role of panelists.
3. The expert provides a brief overview or explanation of the topic.
4. Panelists ask thoughtful questions to challenge the expert’s knowledge and dive deeper into the subject.
5. The expert answers the questions, and the panelists discuss the responses to broaden their understanding.
6. Rotate roles so everyone can be both an expert and a panelist.

This game promotes critical thinking, encourages deeper exploration of topics, and helps participants develop the ability to communicate complex ideas.

16. Odd One Out

Odd One Out is one of the easiest free learning games for adults.  This game encourages critical thinking and helps participants identify patterns or inconsistencies within information. Here’s how to play:

How to play:

1. Present a list of four items or concepts related to the learning topic.
2. Three items should share a common characteristic, while one is different.
3. Players take turns identifying the “odd one out” and explaining why it doesn’t fit with the others.
4. Encourage players to discuss their reasoning and explore the connections between the items.
5. Repeat with new sets of items for further practice.

This game sharpens analytical skills, enhances understanding of relationships between concepts, and encourages thoughtful discussion.

17. Ranking Race

Ranking Race is a fast-paced learning game that challenges participants to prioritize and categorize information quickly, enhancing decision-making and critical thinking. Here’s how to play:

How to play:

1. Choose items, ideas, or concepts related to the learning topic.
2. Present the items in a random order.
3. Players race to rank the items in a logical or meaningful order (e.g., from least to most important, oldest to newest).
4. The first player to correctly rank the items wins the round.
5. Discuss the reasoning behind each ranking to deepen understanding.
6. Repeat with new sets of items for continued practice.

This game promotes quick thinking, organization skills, and the ability to evaluate information under pressure, all while reinforcing key concepts.

18. Flashcards

Flashcards are a classic and versatile learning game that helps reinforce key concepts and improve memory retention through quick, interactive review. Here’s how to play:

How to play:

1. Create flashcards with questions or prompts on one side and answers or explanations on the other.
2. Players take turns drawing a flashcard, answering the question, or explaining the concept.
3. If the answer is correct, the player keeps the card; if not, it goes back into the deck.
4. Players can set a time limit to answer, adding an element of challenge.
5. After going through all the cards, review any missed concepts together.

This game is ideal for reinforcing material in a fun, engaging way, making learning more interactive and memorable.

Learn more about study games.

19. Typing Games

Typing learning games for adults are one of the best games for the workplace. These challenges help folks develop better typing skills, which can help them in all areas of their professional lives. While many games are races that test speed and accuracy, some games are fun battles or adventures that stealthily teach players good typing habits.

Typingames.zone has a good selection of typing games.

Final Thoughts

Trying out different learning games can help adults improve skills and remember information better. These games make learning more fun and suit different ways people learn. These exercises also give real-life examples to practice applying knowledge. The right game can turn a simple learning session into an exciting and useful experience for the whole group.

Next, check out our posts on icebreaker games, workplace safety games, small group games, and get to know you games.