Six of the best: memory boosting gadgets

Cool Circuits, £19.95, from www.prezzybox.com

Puzzles are a great tool for improving memory, so why not give this one a go?! Suitable for those aged 8+, this is a lovely little game that will keep your attention; It’s a simple concept but that doesn’t make it any less addictive. Pop one of 40 challenge cards on it, then use the puzzle pieces to create looped circuits on top. The cards get progressively harder, giving your brain an even bigger test. Kids will love it — especially as the circuits glow when you succeed in a challenge. Requires 3xAAA batteries.

Small but impressive

Nano Challenge Brain Training Sequence Game, £5.99, from www.thegiftandgadgetstore.com

This may be small enough to fit in your pocket, but it provides a huge test for your memory. Lights flash up in a random order and the task is to memorise the pattern and recreate it. At first you’ll find it easy, but the more you do in a row, the harder it’ll become as you’ll start to confuse whether you’re tapping in the sequence you just saw or one from a minute ago. A great distraction, whether you’re commuting or sitting on the sofa.

May contain nuts

Peanut butter maker, £44.95, from www.prezzybox.com

You might wonder how a kitchen gizmo could help with your memory, but it’s not the gadget itself, it’s what it produces! Peanuts are believed to help improve your memory because they contain resveratrol which not only helps to protect against heart disease, but is also believed to contain an antioxidant which improves learning, mood and memory. However, if you’re reluctant to buy the lovely paste because you are concerned about hidden extras that go into it, use this gadget to make your own. Begin by smashing some peanuts up (in a sandwich bag with a rolling pin will work), then pop them into the top container, add a little oil and turn it on. Before you know it, you’ll be spreading toast with your own homemade, gloopy-but-delicious peanut butter.

Game on

Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain (Nintendo DS), £8.99, from www.amazon.co.uk

When launched in 2006 on the Nintendo DS, the Dr. Kawashima brain training games gained an allegiance of fans, and they’re still popular - just take a gander at the most recent reviews on Amazon. So why do they continue to be so successful? Well, not only are they great to play - with loads of activities to choose from - but they were created to keep your brain ticking. There are games to test your memory including Low to High and Word Memory. There’s even good old Sudoku for when you want a traditional hit. What’s more, by playing the original game, you’ll be all ready for the hotly anticipated Dr Kawashima’s Devilish Brain Training: Can You Stay Focused? game which will soon (we say soon, the release date is still TBC) be available on Nintendo 3DS.

Star buy

Star Wars Bop It R2-D2 Game, £20, www.very.co.uk

Whether it improves your memory is debatable, but it certainly gives it a good workout! The popular Bop It game - where you have to follow instructions at a quick pace by pressing, pulling and twisting different areas of the toy, has had a Star Wars makeover. The difficulty lies in remembering exactly where the different functions on the toy are and recalling this information under pressure. The R2-D2 version will see you follow C-3PO’s instructions and, whether you’re playing a solo game or playing with friends, you’ll soon be desperate to beat your previous score.

Time to read

Maplin LED Binary Digital Watch, £9.99, from www.maplin.co.uk

Why not test your brain every time you look at your watch? With this wrist wrapper you’ll be able to do just that. Instead of seeing either an ordinary clock face or digital numbers, instead you get binary numbers - it’s up to you to add them up to get the right time. At first you may find it tricky, but once you get the hang of it you’ll be amazed how quickly you can ‘read’ it. The watch itself is a lovely little device and the red glowing LED binary numbers give it a particularly techie feel!

APP OF THE WEEK

Memory! Free on iTunes

The traditional card game has been given a colourful makeover, but the rules are the same: try to find pairs of cards by turning them over one at a time and remembering what card lies where. Children will absolutely love it but beware; if you’re handing your phone over to them, there are in-app purchases.

TOP 10 BEST SELLING IPHONE APPS

1 PAUSE - Relaxation at your fingertip by ustwo

2 hocus. by Yunus Ayyildiz

3 Plague Inc. by Ndemic Creations

4 The Official DVSA Theory Test Kit for Car Drivers by TSO (The Stationery Office)

5 Minecraft: Pocket Edition by Mojang

6 Storage Hunters UK: The Game by UKTV Interactive Ltd

7 PewDiePie: Legend of the Brofist by Outerminds Inc.

8 Heads Up! by Warner Bros.

9 Theory Test for Car Drivers UK Driving Test Success by Focus Multimedia

10 7 Minute Workout Challenge by Fitness Guide Inc

TOP 10 IPHONE FREE APPS

1 WhatsApp Messenger by WhatsApp Inc.

2 Messenger by Facebook, Inc.

3 Facebook by Facebook, Inc.

4 YouTube by Google, Inc.

5 Need for Speed No Limits by Electronic Arts

6 Instagram by Instagram, Inc.

7 Snapchat by Snapchat, Inc.

8 Mo Khoa by Simple Machine, LLC

9 Spotify Music by Spotify Ltd.

10 1010! By GramGames