Dubai weekend brain boost: 5-minute fun challenges to get kids ready for school

The last weekend before school kicks off can feel like a whirlwind of shopping, packing, and last-minute checklists. But before you buckle down with the to-do list, why not carve out a few fun brain-boosting minutes with your children?

It's a warm-up for their minds: 5 minutes a day can sharpen focus, memory, and problem-solving skills, all without them realising they’re learning. And, these exercises feel like play, not a chore.

Nothing wakes up a sleepy brain faster than a good riddle. Challenge your children to solve a tricky question in under a minute. For instance:

“I’m tall when I’m young, and short when I’m old. What am I?”

Answer: A candle.

The giggles and groans that come with clever answers just add to the fun. To ramp it up, have a mini-family riddle tournament.

The winner gets to pick the next activity or a small treat.

Grab two almost identical pictures, cartoon animals, school scenes, or superheroes, and ask your children to find all the differences. This exercise hones attention to detail and visual focus, and it’s a race against time that they secretly love. Add a timer for extra suspense.

Turn math into a puzzle instead of a drill. Pose questions like:

'I’m a number between 10 and 20. Multiply me by 2 and subtract 4, you get 24. What number am I?'

Answer: 14

It’s quick, clever, and encourages children to think flexibly with numbers, way more exciting than worksheets. You can even write these on sticky notes and hide them around the house for a spontaneous 'math hunt.' For all you know, they might even start looking forward to math.

Test short-term memory with a quick sequence challenge. Show your child 5–7 objects (like a pencil, spoon, toy car, eraser, and coin) for 10 seconds. Then hide them and ask your child to recall them in order. Not only does this strengthen memory, but it’s also a sneaky way to make packing school supplies a fun game.

Pose fun 'what comes next?' sequences

2, 4, 8, 16, ___?

Answer: 32!

These help with pattern recognition and logical thinking, and a cheer every correct answer makes it feel like a mini game show.

Mix two riddles into one for a double combo of thinking and laughing:

'What has keys but can’t open locks, and what has hands but can’t clap?'

Answer: A piano and a clock!

They love the playful challenge and the surprise punchline, and it’s a conversation starter.