Top Brain Teasing Kids Puzzles.
“Let’s Sharpen Their Mind!”

Bingo…I made it! Yelled my 11 years old niece after solving the colorful kids puzzles Rubik’s cube (just one face though!)

Riddles and Puzzles have fascinated the mankind for ages. As a kid every one of us has solved numerous Jigsaw puzzles, uttered funny tongue twisters and decoded tricky riddles. Then as an enthusiastic teenager we cracked daily crosswords and Sudokus. Every time a solution is reached a deep sense of satisfaction and achievement prevailed.

Kids puzzles are great source of brain exercising and mind sharpening. Kids can pick up many incredible skills through puzzle solving like – concentration, memory, spatial thinking, fine motor skills, logical thinking, visual pattern matching and above all patience. All these skills acquisition would make a child transform into a strong and successful human being in future.

Out of the numerous kids puzzles available out there, let us take a look at the following ones that are especially handpicked for age groups 4-12 years. Again, kindly go through them and use your own discretion to choose the ones that suits your bill.

If you are struck with a kids puzzle, then do not tussle, just sit in a muzzle, but don’t guzzle the Puzzle!

Can you solve this puzzle?

Rubik’s Cube Puzzle

Age Group: 8 years & above

Game Learning: Concentration, memory, image association, spatial thinking & fine motor skills.

No. of Players: 1

Versions Available: 2 (Recommended)

• 3x3 Magic cube, 6 color, Sticker less – Brand: Dayan GuHong.
• 4x4 Puzzle cube black – Brand: Lanlan Toys.

About the Game:

• Undoubtedly world’s most popular kids puzzle game for both children and adults alike.
• This kids puzzle was first invented in 1974 by a Hungarian mathematician Emo Rubik.
• 43 Quintillion possible moves and only 1 solution.
• The puzzle starts with 2x2 and goes up to 6x6 Rubik’s cube (7x7 cube is also available for professional gamers).
• For starter kids a 3x3 cube is best suited. Advanced players can buy 4x4 cube.
• Various brand are available in the market that sell these magic cubes or Rubik cubes.

Game Pros :

• Kids can engage themselves creatively solving the puzzle and sharpening their sequential thinking, visual matching and concentration skills in the process.
• The 3x3 Magic cube from Dayan GuHong is a very good quality product. Very smooth turning, good cornering for a comfortable grip, highly durable and above all has colored plastic tiles instead of cheap stickers (that peel off easily).
• The 4x4 cube by Lanlan toys is the best in its class. Although the cube is sticker based but the quality is top class and does not peel off or discolor easily. Highly durable and smooth to glide.
• A very good game for travel for both kids as well as parents.

Game Cons :

• The puzzle is not easy to solve, needs time and patient trying. The game has baffled millions around the world over the years, but that the beauty of this vintage puzzle.

My Tip :

• If stuck, look for numerous solving tricks and tips available on the internet. Both videos and instructions are available.
• Other brands selling the classic Rubik’s cube are not of good quality, especially the stickers come off after a few days and turning/ gliding is not smooth. It becomes really frustrating after some time. They are cheaper though, but shelling out an extra dollar for a good quality product will be a wise decision.

Click here to watch the video preview of Rubik’s Cube Puzzle

Pyraminx Cube

Age Group: 8 years and above.

Game Learning: Concentration, memory, image association, spatial thinking & fine motor skills.

No. of Players: 1

Versions Available: 1

• Pyraminx With Plastic Tiles – Brand: QJ

About the Game:

• A popular puzzle game for both kids and adults alike.
• A popular variant of Rubik’s cube, only difference is that it is in the form of a pyramid instead of a cube.

Game Pros :

• Kids can engage themselves creatively solving the puzzle and sharpening their sequential thinking, visual matching and concentration skills in the process.
• A very good quality product. Very smooth turning, good cornering for a comfortable grip, highly durable and above all has colored plastic tiles instead of cheap stickers (that peel off easily).
• A very good kids puzzle game for travel for children as well as parents.

Game Cons :

• The puzzle is not easy to solve, needs time and patient trying.

My Tip :

• If stuck, look for numerous solving tricks and tips available on the internet. Both videos and instructions are available.

Click here to watch the video preview of Pyraminx Cube Puzzle

Black Neodymium Sphere Puzzle

Age Group: 7 to 12 years.

Game Learning: Structure building

No. of Players: 1

Game Time: 20 minutes.

Versions Available: Multiple and all are of very good quality and sizes. But the one recommended here is the best value for money.

• Black Neodymium Sphere Puzzle – Brand: NeoCubix.

About the Game:

• A great structure building kids puzzle game.
• The cube consists of 216 neodymium magnet spheres.

Game Pros :

• A puzzle that teaches creativity and imagination.
• The magnetic spheres are of good quality and very durable.
• Can be dismantled into pieces and easy to carry.

Game Cons :

• Does not come with a carrying case. Need to be stored and handles with care because it very easy for the kids to lose those small magnetic balls.

My Tip :

• The best part of this kids puzzle game is that when the parents are busy and tied up the siblings can play it on their own. Seeing the learning quotient of the game would you mind that?

Click here to watch the video preview of Black Neodymium Sphere Puzzle

Perplexus Maze game

Age Group: 4 years & above.

Game Learning: Fine motor skills and Hand-eye coordination.

No. of Players: 1

Versions Available: 3

• Perplexus Rookie – Brand: PlaSmart Inc.
• Perplexus Original – Brand: PlaSmart Inc.
• Perplexus Epic – Brand: PlaSmart Inc.

About the Game:

• A 3D maze kids puzzle game in which kids have to maneuver (by flipping and twisting) a small ball around challenging barriers inside a transparent sphere.
• The Rookie, Original and Epic versions have 70, 100 and 125 barriers respectively.
• No batteries required.

Game Pros :

• An very interesting and engaging puzzle for kids as well as parents, develops their fine motor skills and dexterity.
• 3 versions for 3 difficulty levels.
• A 3D game that will keep the kids absorbed both physically as well as mentally.
• A good travel game.
• Very neatly and aesthetically designed.

Game Cons :

• Though the sphere is made of clear hard plastic, still care is needed as it can break if handled roughly.

My Tip :

• If your child is below 5 years then start with the Perplexus Rookie version and step up the ladder once he is hands on with it.

Click here to watch the video preview of Perplexus Maze game

Solid Wood Colorku Game Set

Age Group: 8 and above.

Game Learning: Reasoning & visual differentiation.

No. of Players: 1

Game Time: 30 minutes.

Versions Available: 1

• Solid Wood Colorku Game Set - Brand: ColorKu Mad Cave Bird Game LLC.

About the Game:

• A colored balls variant of the classic Sudoku game.
• Contains a wooden board, 81 wooden balls in 9 different colors, 104 puzzle cards, solution booklet, color conversion card & storage tray.
• 5 Levels of difficulty.

Game Pros :

• A very nice looking and durable kids puzzle game. One may misinterpret it as a coffee table accessory.
• All the pieces are wooden.
• Will be liked by the kids who love Sudoku and look for an alternate.
• Easy to store and carry.
• A good brain exercise game for all ages.
• Game difficulty can be elevated from Easy to Tough.

Game Cons :

• Color choice of the balls could have been more distinct. For e.g. it may seem a bit tricky to distinguish between an Orange colored ball and a Red colored one.

My Tip :

• Since there is no way to identify and distinguish a pre-set ball after the game has started, hence, one can put a small dot using a black marker on some of the balls.

Find It Games

Age Group: 5 to 12 years.

Game Learning: Visual correlation & patience.

No. of Players:1

Versions Available: 10

• Find It Games Beach Edition.
• Find It Games Sports Edition.
• Find It Games Bird Edition.
• Find It Games Deluxe Edition.
• Find It Games Hunt Edition.
• Find It Games Original Edition.
• Find It Games Zoo Edition.
• Find It Games Veggie Tales Edition.
• Find It Games Kids Version Red Ends.
• Find It Games Glitz & Glamour Edition.

About the Game:

• The kids puzzle game consists of a cylindrical clear plastic container which encloses many recycled plastic pellets and lots of hidden items that a player has to find by shaking, twisting and spinning.
• As mentioned above, 10 versions are available to suite every taste and choice.

Game Pros :

• This kids puzzle will develop observation and differentiation skills of the kids.
• Ideal game for travelling and waiting.
• As all the little pieces are inside the tube, hence no chance of them getting misplaced.
• The overall product quality is very good and neat.

Game Cons :

• Need to be handled with care. If the plastic tube breaks…Game Over!

My Tip :

• Throw the puzzle to kid’s dad, rest assured that he won’t bother you for a couple of hours and you can do what you like the most…Shopping may be!

Click here to watch the video preview of Find It Games

ThinkFun Rush Hour

Age Group: 8 years and above.

Game Learning: Logical thinking & problem solving.

No. of Players: 1

Versions Available: 1

• Rush Hour – Brand: ThinkFun.

About the Game:

• An award winning kids puzzle game. Won 6 major awards as follows:

• Parents Choice award.
• Teacher’s Choice award.
• Toy Directory top seller award.
• Toy of the year award.
• Dr. Toy Best classic toy.
• Mensa Select national competition winner.

• Four levels of difficulty i.e. Beginner to Expert.
• The puzzle game comes with 4 plastic trucks, 12 plastic cards, 1 plastic traffic grid game board and a storage bag.
• The objective of the Rush Hour Traffic Jam Puzzle is to get the red car off the road by following the given traffic rules and moving in a specified pattern.

Game Pros :

• The 4 difficulty levels of this kids puzzle game ensures that a kid can progress to higher level step by step once he/she gains confidence.
• Since this is a single player game hence it is ideal to keep a child constructively busy at home and travel.
• Game’s overall quality is very good. The main puzzle board and other pieces are made of high quality plastic, thus very durable.
• The kids puzzle is a brain teaser that develops strategic thinking in kids. The puzzle is equally entertaining for the parents as well.

Game Cons :

• An out and out blockbuster kids puzzle game with no real downside.

Click here to watch the video preview of ThinkFun Rush Hour

ThinkFun Shape By Shape

Age Group: 8 years and above.

Game Learning: Spatial relationship and Correlation.

No. of Players: 1

Versions Available: 1

• Shape By Shape – Brand: ThinkFun.

About the Game:

• This kids puzzle game is based on “Tangram”, an ancient Chinese puzzle of forms and shapes.
• The game is a winner of numerous awards:

• Learning magazine Teacher’s choice award.
• National Association of Parenting Publication Honors award.
• Parent’s choice silver award.
• Game magazine game 100 list award.

• The game comes with 14 plastic puzzle pieces (red and yellow), 60 double sided puzzle cards (puzzle in one side and hints on the other), main puzzle set up tray with a plastic drawer underneath to store the puzzle cards and a storage pouch.
• The objective of the puzzle is to match the image given on the puzzle card using the puzzle pieces.

Game Pros :

• A great brainstorming puzzle for kids that develops their thinking and problem solving abilities.
• A ideal brain teaser for office, classrooms and while travelling.
• A very durable and good quality product with pocket friendly price tag. Very good Christmas or Birthday gift for kids.

Game Cons :

• No real downside of this kids puzzle. Just that the kids below 8 years will find it difficult to understand and solve it.

My Tip :

• In a classroom setting, time the puzzle and see who solves it in shortest possible time!

The Star Puzzle

Age Group: 9 years and above.

Game Learning: Spatial thinking & visual correlation.

No. of Players: 1

Versions Available: 1

• The Star Puzzle – Brand: Monkey Pod Games.

About the Game:

• The objective of this kids puzzle is to reconstruct the star using its 6 identical pieces.
• The puzzle pieces are wooden.

Game Pros :

• The wooden pieces are very well designed and crafted.
• The reconstruction is not as easy as it sounds.
• A very good puzzle for kids and parents who are newbie’s in the puzzling arena. Only 6 pieces to handle, so no chance of pieces getting misplaced and durability.
• Once the puzzle is solved and the star is reassembled, put it on your coffee table as a show piece and challenge your guests to dismantle and reassemble it while you make coffee for them.

Game Cons :

• No variations, just a onetime puzzle.

Kanoodle

Age Group: 7 to 12 years

Game Learning: Logical thinking & fine motor skills.

No. of Players: 1

Versions Available: 1

• Kanoodle – Brand: Educational Insights.

About the Game:

• A pocket sized kids puzzle in which one has to create unique 2D and 3D shapes using combinations of colored connected beads.
• This kids puzzle includes 12 puzzle pieces, 48 - page illustrated puzzle book, and carrying case
• 2 levels of difficulty.

Game Pros :

• An absorbing puzzle that helps kids to develop their spatial skills.
• The puzzle pieces can be packed inside the carrying case that acts as the main game board as well, good for portability.
• Kids can make 2D structures as beginners and can move up to advanced level by creating 3D pyramid structures.

Game Cons :

• Only caution required with this kids puzzle is to store the small puzzle spheres carefully inside the case. Even if one goes missing, it can spoil the whole set.

Click here to watch the video preview of Kanoodle

ThinkFun Chocolate Fix

Age Group: 8 years and above

Game Learning: Deductive reasoning & problem solving.

No. of Players: 1

Versions Available: 1

• Chocolate Fix – Brand: ThinkFun.

About the Game:

• This kids puzzle game has following achievements to its credit:

• Parent’s choice gold award.
• Dr. Toy Best new product award.
• Teacher’s choice award.
• National parenting publication award.

• 4 levels of play, from beginner to expert.
• This kids puzzle comes with 9 chocolate pieces, 40 puzzle cards with clues (in spiral notebook form), 1 assortment game tray and a game bag.
• The object of the puzzle is to place all the 9 chocolates (in three colors and three shapes) in the chocolate tray in such a manner that it matches the pattern shown on the puzzle card.

Game Pros :

• A great brain teaser for kids and parents alike.
• The puzzle chocolate pieces and the chocolate tray is very realistically designed. A very durable product.
• Since the challenge cards are spiral bounded together, hence, less chances of getting misplaced.

Game Cons :

• The game is very addictive; therefore parents may finish all the 40 challenges in a couple of sittings and feel the need of some addition puzzle cards. But, not to forget that this is kid’s puzzle primarily.

Click here to watch the video preview of ThinkFun Chocolate Fix

How To Make Your Own Jigsaw Puzzles At Home!

Puzzles have fascinated the thinking brains over the centuries. Jigsaw puzzles are especially the ones that are very popular among kids. Every one of us, including you and me, has solved numerous such puzzles in our childhood. We understand that Jigsaw puzzles develop problem solving skills, spatial skills, image correlation and sequential reasoning skills within kids.

I understand you also want your little genius to exercise his/her brain and sharpen the aforementioned skills. Are you looking for some magic trick that would help you find a new set of jigsaw puzzle for your little Einstein every day? (Kids usually solve a jigsaw puzzle in a couple of days maximum) Well, here you are!

Just follow the following steps and you will never run out of stock. So, from now on, no more burden on your credit card for buying yet another jigsaw puzzle for your little Einstein, because I understand that they don’t come cheap. Instead, save that money and spend it on some other kids puzzle game that’s worth buying.

Materials Required: (usually found in most homes these days.)

• Adobe Photoshop software.
• A color inkjet printer.
• A bundle of cardstock sheets.

Steps to create a Jigsaw Puzzle: ( Click here for illustration help )

• Open Adobe Photoshop.
• Open the image that you have selected for Jigsaw puzzle.
• Make 2 copies of the background.
• Copy background Layer, Rename it with Background Color as:Edit>Fill and select Black.
• Rename Background copy Layer with Puzzle.
• Now select Filter>Texture>Texturizer.
• Select "Load Texture" on the drop-down list, in the main Texturizer menu window.
• Selecting the "Load Texture" choice will bring you to browse through your hard drive, allowing you to import a pre-saved texture into the current Photoshop texture window. Find and select a file called "Puzzle.psd"; the puzzle texture.
• After loading the puzzle texture for Photoshop, set Scaling to 150%, Relief to 4 and Light to top left.
• Click OK.
• Print the Jigsaw puzzle image on your printer and use cardstock paper.
• Use the Portable Jigsaw Puzzle Maker to cut it into pieces and a cool new Jigsaw puzzle is ready for your kid!

Click here to watch the video demonstration of “How To Make Your Own Jigsaw Puzzles At Home!”

Similarly, find out some of the best Card Games, Chess Games and Board Games for kids available in the marketplace.

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