Focus & attention game · Ages 5–11+
Star Runner: Free Attention Game for Kids
Star Runner is a free, fast-paced attention game. Roll along the track, catch the items that match the current rule and leap over the rest. Every few seconds the rule changes, so you have to switch fast.
Part of our 24 brain games for kids, free with an account.
What Star Runner trains
Star Runner trains switching between rules (dropping the old rule and following a new one quickly), holding back (not grabbing a star just because it is close) and staying focused as the track speeds up. Spotting gaps early and choosing whether to jump or change walls also builds looking ahead and quick decision-making.
What the research says: Choosing which stars to catch and which to skip practises selective attention and self-control, executive functions that improve with regular, increasingly challenging practice, including games (Diamond & Lee, 2011).
Who Star Runner is for
Star Runner suits ages 5 to 11 and up. Starter is one calm track. Explorer adds gaps to jump. Expert and Master move into a shape-shifting tunnel, from a square to a 12-sided dodecagon, with dusty squares that start sinking the moment you touch them. Within every run the track speeds up and the rule changes every few seconds.
How to play Star Runner
- Read the rule on screen, like “Catch PINK ones”.
- Hold left or right to roll across the track.
- Catch items that match and jump over the ones that don’t (↑, W, Space, swipe up or the Jump button).
- Switch fast when the rule changes. Wrong catches cost a heart.
- Catch 5 in a row to boost your score. The run ends when you fall or lose all three hearts.
Tips for parents and teachers
Let your child choose the level and play a few short runs of five to ten minutes. Praise quick switches and good catches rather than the score: “You spotted the new rule straight away!” If they get frustrated, drop back a level. A few runs on different days work better than one long session.
FAQs
What age is Star Runner for?
Ages 5 to 11 and up. Starter is gentle enough for young children, while the tunnel levels challenge older children and teens.
What skills does Star Runner build?
Focus, self-control and flexible switching between rules, plus quick spatial decisions. Children use the same abilities when instructions change in class or a task needs patience.
Can Star Runner be played on a tablet?
Yes. On a tablet, swipe up or use the on-screen Jump button; on a computer, use the arrow keys, W or Space.
How long should children play Star Runner?
A few runs, about 5 to 10 minutes, is plenty.