We love a good brain teaser. The moment we realize the answer is so satisfying. However, they may also be good for your brain as well. [1] After all, they bring a unique challenge that often requires focus, logical or creative thinking, or good observation. Either way, they’re always fun. Here are several puzzles to wrack your brain over. For the first three, you have to spot the mismatching character. For the next six, you have to solve riddles — some wackier than others. Good luck!
Part A: Spot the Mismatching Character
At first glance, this looks like someone fell asleep at the keyboard with their finger caught on the number six key. However, there’s a mismatching character among the mix. It may be difficult to spot at first. How long does it take you to find it?
Here’s one method of finding the mismatching character with greater ease: Stop focusing. Instead of mindfully reading each number six, allow your eyes to relax while gazing at the picture without any strong focus. This could help naturally draw your eyes toward the anomaly in the mix. This method can help take the stress out of the challenge, and it may be helpful in finding missing objects in real life.
However, not every method works for everyone, and you may discover your own as you find the mismatching character. No luck? Don’t worry, here’s the circled answer:
Let’s try this challenge again, but a little more difficult this time. Does “relaxing your gaze” help you with this instance? Or do you have a more improved method to find the answer?
If you want a confirmation for this puzzle, here’s the answer circled right here.
Here’s the last one of this challenge, so take your time answering it. Instead of a mismatching character or number, try to find the odd banana out.
How did you do? Here’s the answer circled for your confirmation.
Part B: Riddles (And Word Play)
Take a few minutes to relax your eyes — for real this time — and start working your brain. Enjoy these various riddles that involved math, logic, and a little bit of imagination. Plus, some of these might earn a chortle or two. Good luck!
- A man looks at a picture of a person. His friend asks who it is. The man says, “Brothers and sisters, I have none. But that man’s father is my father’s son.” Who was the person in the picture?
- A man stands by a river while his dog waits on the other side. The man calls his dog, who crosses the river without getting wet. He didn’t use a bridge or a boat. How did the dog manage it?
- Your parents have six sons including you. Each son has one sister. How many people are in the family?
- A man was walking in the rain in the middle of nowhere with nowhere to hide, carring nothing. He came home all wet, but not a single hair on his head was wet. How?
- 14 of the kids in a class are girls. 8 of the kids wear blue shirts. 2 of the kids are neither girls or wear a blue shirt. If 5 of the kids are girls who wear blue shirts, how many kids are in the class?
- A red house is made of red bricks. A blue house is made of blue bricks. A yellow house is made of yellow bricks. What is a green house made of?
- In 1990, a person is 15 years old. In 1995, that person is 10 years old. How can this be?
The Answer Key:
- His son.
- The river was frozen.
- 9 — 2 parents, 6 sons, and 1 daughter.
- The man was bald.
- 19
- Glass
- The person was born in 2005 BC [2]
Which puzzles did you get right? Which kind of puzzle did you find to be easier, finding the mismatching characters or riddles? While more research is needed on the effect of puzzles and riddles on the brain, this observation may help you learn where you need to improve your skills. [3]
Sources
- “Brain teasers can help tease out how your brain works.” Los Angeles Times. June 1, 2013
- “58 Brain Teasers That Will Leave You Stumped.” Reader’s Digest. Claire Nowak. July 6, 2021
- “10 Word Puzzles That Will Test Your Thinking 3 Ways.” Psychology Today. Marcel Danesi Ph.D. February 4, 2016
