A Step Forward logo
A Step Forward
A Step Forward logo
A Step Forward
Try the App

Preparing every child for kindergarten success

Back to Resource

Cognitive Development Activities

10 activities to build thinking skills and problem-solving

What is Cognitive Development?

Cognitive development refers to how children think, learn, explore, and figure things out. It includes memory, attention, problem-solving, reasoning, and the ability to understand concepts. Strong cognitive skills help children learn in school and navigate everyday challenges.

Tip: The best cognitive activities feel like play! Games, puzzles, and exploration naturally build thinking skills.

Cognitive Milestones by Age

3 Years

  • •Completes 3-4 piece puzzles
  • •Sorts objects by one attribute
  • •Follows 2-step directions
  • •Understands "same" and "different"
  • •Engages in pretend play
  • •Asks "why" questions

4 Years

  • •Completes 8-12 piece puzzles
  • •Counts to 10 or higher
  • •Names some colors and shapes
  • •Understands time concepts (morning, night)
  • •Follows 3-step directions
  • •Sorts by multiple attributes

5 Years

  • •Completes 20+ piece puzzles
  • •Understands "before" and "after"
  • •Creates and extends patterns
  • •Compares quantities (more, less, equal)
  • •Retells stories in sequence
  • •Solves simple problems independently

6 Years

  • •Thinks logically about concrete events
  • •Understands cause and effect
  • •Plans multi-step activities
  • •Uses strategies to remember
  • •Classifies in multiple ways
  • •Predicts outcomes
1

Memory Match Game

Memory & Concentration

10-15 min

Materials:

  • •Matching card pairs (start with 6-8 pairs)
  • •Flat surface to play

How to Do It:

  1. 1.Lay all cards face down in a grid
  2. 2.Take turns flipping two cards at a time
  3. 3.If they match, keep the pair and go again
  4. 4.If not, flip them back and remember their locations
  5. 5.The player with the most pairs wins
Start with fewer pairs and increase as memory improves.
Memory
2

Sorting & Categorizing

Classification & Logical Thinking

15 min

Materials:

  • •Collection of objects (toys, buttons, nature items)
  • •Sorting containers or paper plates

How to Do It:

  1. 1.Gather a variety of objects together
  2. 2.Ask your child to sort them one way (by color)
  3. 3.Mix them up and sort another way (by size)
  4. 4.Try sorting by shape, texture, or use
  5. 5.Discuss: "Why did you put these together?"
Let your child invent their own sorting categories!
Logic
3

What Comes Next? Patterns

Pattern Recognition & Prediction

10-15 min

Materials:

  • •Colored blocks, beads, or objects
  • •Pattern cards (optional)

How to Do It:

  1. 1.Create a simple AB pattern: red, blue, red, blue...
  2. 2.Ask: "What comes next?"
  3. 3.Let your child extend the pattern
  4. 4.Try ABC patterns: red, blue, yellow, repeat
  5. 5.Have your child create patterns for you to continue
Patterns are the foundation of mathematical and logical thinking.
Patterns
4

Puzzle Building

Spatial Reasoning & Problem-Solving

15-20 min

Materials:

  • •Age-appropriate puzzles (12-48 pieces)
  • •Flat workspace

How to Do It:

  1. 1.Start by finding edge pieces together
  2. 2.Sort pieces by color or image section
  3. 3.Work on one section at a time
  4. 4.Encourage trial and error—rotate pieces
  5. 5.Celebrate completing each section
Choose puzzles with images your child loves for extra motivation.
Spatial
5

Sequencing Stories

Sequencing & Narrative Understanding

15 min

Materials:

  • •Story sequence cards or pictures
  • •Favorite storybook

How to Do It:

  1. 1.Use 3-4 picture cards showing a simple sequence
  2. 2.Mix up the cards and ask child to put them in order
  3. 3.Discuss: "What happened first? Then what? Last?"
  4. 4.Retell the story using the sequence
  5. 5.Try sequencing events from familiar stories
Daily routines make great sequencing practice: "What do we do first in the morning?"
Sequencing
6

Building Challenges

Spatial Reasoning & Planning

20 min

Materials:

  • •Building blocks, LEGO, or construction toys
  • •Challenge cards or pictures (optional)

How to Do It:

  1. 1.Start with free building to explore
  2. 2.Give a building challenge: "Build a tall tower"
  3. 3.Try copying a structure from a picture
  4. 4.Discuss: "Why did it fall? How can we fix it?"
  5. 5.Encourage planning: "What will you build? What pieces do you need?"
Open-ended building develops creativity alongside spatial skills.
Spatial
7

Cause and Effect Experiments

Scientific Thinking & Prediction

15-20 min

Materials:

  • •Simple science materials (water, ramps, balls)
  • •Objects to test

How to Do It:

  1. 1.Set up a simple experiment: "What happens if...?"
  2. 2.Make predictions before testing
  3. 3.Test and observe what happens
  4. 4.Ask: "Why do you think that happened?"
  5. 5.Try changing one thing and test again
Ramps with different balls, sinking/floating, and mixing colors are great starters.
Reasoning
8

Following Multi-Step Directions

Working Memory & Attention

10-15 min

Materials:

  • •Simple task items (paper, crayons, toys)
  • •Direction cards (optional)

How to Do It:

  1. 1.Start with two-step directions: "Get the red crayon and bring it to me"
  2. 2.Progress to three steps: "Stand up, turn around, then sit down"
  3. 3.Use directions in games: "Put the ball in the box, then clap twice"
  4. 4.Let your child give you directions to follow
  5. 5.Gradually increase complexity
This skill is essential for following classroom instructions.
Memory
9

Comparing & Contrasting

Analytical Thinking

10 min

Materials:

  • •Two objects or pictures to compare
  • •Venn diagram (optional)

How to Do It:

  1. 1.Choose two items (apple and orange, dog and cat)
  2. 2.Ask: "How are these the same?"
  3. 3.Ask: "How are these different?"
  4. 4.Use a simple Venn diagram for older children
  5. 5.Compare characters from stories, too
This skill helps children organize information and think critically.
Logic
10

Problem-Solving Scenarios

Critical Thinking & Creativity

10-15 min

Materials:

  • •Scenario cards or verbal prompts
  • •Props (optional)

How to Do It:

  1. 1.Present a simple problem: "Your ball rolled under the couch. What could you do?"
  2. 2.Let your child brainstorm multiple solutions
  3. 3.Discuss pros and cons of each idea
  4. 4.Ask: "Which solution would you try first? Why?"
  5. 5.Try acting out the solution
Resist solving problems for your child—let them think through it!
Reasoning

Cognitive Skills Checklist

Thinking Skills

  • Completes age-appropriate puzzles
  • Sorts objects by multiple attributes
  • Creates and extends patterns
  • Remembers and follows multi-step directions

Problem-Solving Skills

  • Asks questions to understand
  • Tries different solutions
  • Understands cause and effect
  • Makes predictions and tests them

Tips for Supporting Cognitive Development

Ask Open-Ended Questions

Instead of yes/no questions, ask "What do you think?" and "Why?"

Encourage Exploration

Let children experiment and discover—mistakes are learning opportunities.

Wait for Answers

Give children time to think before jumping in with the answer.

Make Connections

Help children connect new information to things they already know.

Notes & Observations

© 2025 A Step Forward. Download Countdown2K at astepforward.co/app